The Rainforests & Needle of Iao Valley

Maui, Hawaii
United States

December 2008 (Rainy Season)

The lovely, deep valley of Iao features the Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle presiding over the Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu'u Kukui Crater. Once used as a natural altar, the 2,250-foot stone pillar, covered in green foliage, is really a basaltic core that has survived eons of swirling water. Iao Valley is a peaceful lush area with easy hikes, exotic tropical plants, and clear, natural pools. The ridge-top lookout offers a fantastic view of the valley and Kahului Harbor.

A thousand years ago, Hawaiians gathered at Iao Valley to celebrate and honor the bounty of Lono, god of agriculture, during the annual makahiki festival. More than a hundred years ago visitors began coming to witness the natural beauty of this valley.

Today Iao Valley is recognized as a very special place for both its spiritual value and spectacular scenery. The trails in the park are paved, but may be slippery when wet. The trail is also steep in places, so visitors should take their time.

Iao means "cloud supreme", the bank of clouds that often sits over the valley. These clouds bring the frequent rains that feed the streams in the valley. It is these waters that carved this spectacular landscape over the past 1.5 million years.

Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous and bloody battles that changed Hawaii history forever. On this site, In 1790, King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in his effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

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The full album is available at:
The Rainforests & Needle of Iao Valley

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Sources

• "Iao Valley Needle Maui" (19 April 2012). HawaiiWeb.com. Retrieved from http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/iao-valley-needle.html#detaileddescription.
• "Iao Valley State Park on Maui, Hawaii" (19 April 2012) by John Fischer. About.com. Retrieved by http://gohawaii.about.com/od/maui/ss/iao_valley.htm.

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Maui - The Valley Island Of Stunning Blues, Browns & Greens

Maui, Hawaii
United States

December 2008 (Rainy Season)

The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at 727.2 square miles (1,883 square km) and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the State of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444 - the third-highest of the Hawaiian Islands, behind that of Oahu and Hawaii Island.

Maui has a sweeping canvas of scenic natural attractions. The western, or leeward side, is the drier side of the island and features Maui’s world-famous beaches, including the beautiful Kaanapali Beach, home to a nightly sunset cliff diving ceremony. West Maui is also home to historic Lahaina, where you can find great shopping, dining and entertainment.

The eastern, or windward side, of the island is the wetter side of the island, home to the lush Iao Valley and the scenic road to Hana. The cool, elevated slopes of Haleakala are where you can find the farms and gardens of Upcountry Maui and the soaring summit of Haleakala National Park. 

The blues...


The browns...

The greens...

Historic buildings dot the landscape as we move around the island...


Drivers park in designated lots according to the duration of their parking...

 
Whaling memorabilia attest to the whaling history behind Whalers Village...

"Pride And Joy" an Orca sculpture and fountain by Maui artist, Barclay Hill..

An intriguing clock without hands. Maybe time does indeed stop here in Maui...

The lush Pineapple Hill & Kapalua Bay Golf Course...

 
As we move around to the other side of the island, the weather changes. Dark clouds loom ahead...

 
Maui Garden of Eden, Botanical Gardens & Arboretum :
Plants grow in amazing colours and fruits abound in humongous sizes!
(The valley scene in Jurassic Park was filmed here!)

 

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The full album is available at:
Maui - The Valley Island Of Stunning Blues, Browns & Greens

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Blue Lahaina's History

Lahaina, Maui
Hawaii, United States
December 2008 (Rainy Season)

Lahaina is the largest town and census-designated place (CDP) in West Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, United States, and the gateway to the famous Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts north of town. It encompasses the coast along Hawaii Route 30 from a tunnel at the south end, through Olawalu up the CDP of Napili-Honokowai is to the north.

In the 1800s, Lahaina was the center of the global whaling industry with many sailing ships anchored in front of town; today a score of pleasure craft make their home there. Before Hawaii's annexation by the United States, Lahaina was the "Royal Capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom" as city signs proclaim. The name means "merciless sun" in the Hawaiian language, describing the long hot days; Lahaina averages only 13 inches (330 mm) of rain per year, much of which occurs from December through February.

As of the 2000 Census, the CDP had a resident population of 9,118. During the heavy tourist seasons, the population can swell to nearly 40,000 people.

One of the icons that we usually look for in every place we visit - Hard Rock Cafe!

A boat that ran aground many years ago and which was not removed,
to serve as a warning of shallow waters to passing vessels...

Reverend Dwight Baldwin Missionary Home Museum :
Rev Dwight Baldwin was an American Christian missionary and physician on Maui,
and the patriarch of a family that founded some of the largest businesses in the Hawaiian islands...

 

It was certainly a surprise to see a Chinese clan association here!

  

According to the tour guide, the largest Banyan Tree in the USA is located here in Lahaina...

The site of Laihana Court & Custom House, which is next to the famed tree...

Lahaina was the place where we found some of the more intriguing souvenirs and products...

And of course the most interesting sign!

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The full album is available at:
Blue Lahaina's History

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