Myths of Maui Luau

 

On Our Bucket Maui List and Almost Didn't Happen!

Oh boy... this was on our must see list from the time we started researching Maui. 

But then this state park closed down for a while. 

You have to reserve tickets for this park and they only let a certain number of people in per day. 

So every single day we clicked on that website to try and get us tickets. 

Finally when we realized it was closed down and would probably be the entire time were in Maui, we just gave up. No luck. Oh well. 

But then,

One evening while we were already IN Maui, Scott clicked and that state park opened up. He resereved that passes and that was it... 

we were IN!

Iao Valley State Monument

Here is what we learned from this state park: 

~ this valley is rich in culture and spiritual values as it is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790. 

~ It is a paved walk that allowed up to see the viewpoint of Kuka'emoku (Iao Needle)

~ The io Needle is an erosional feature which dramatically rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. 

~ The plants brought by the Hawaiians who settled in 'Iao Valley amazing and throughtout the park's ethnobotinical garden 

I already want to go back! 

We arrived early because we read that many time by the afternoon clouds roll in and you the visibility of the needle is more not clear. 

It was spectacular! 

 

 

Maui More

It's now almost a week on Maui and what tends to happen is that I don't pick up my camera as much as the beginning - and I'm ok with that. It's just the way it is. So there are a lot less pictures on this post and a lot less to say about this day. You might be wondering why I don't just 'finish up Hawaii' and put everything on one post, but the only way for me to do this is one Hawaii day at a time. I work in small chunks to edit, blog size and upload my pictures. And I don't want to spend too much time doing that each day, so one day at a time it is for me. (Also, it's the week before school starts and I'm busy setting up my classroom and planning for the first few days of school) :) 

This day in Hawaii was kind of a reset day. We didn't have too much on the agenda, and no major hikes or visiting state parks. 

In the morning Scott and Abigail snorkled again and Anna and I shared a lovely breakfast on our Hotel restaurant outside and overlooking the ocean. It was lovely. 

Maui Ocean Center 

After the snorkling, we all went to the aquarium. (Maui Ocean Center) It was really the only 'tourist' type of thing that we did. Anna really wanted to go; she's always loved an aquarium! And this one did not dissapoint. Of course it was Hawaii 'themed' if you will, and so it was authenically beautiful. I didn't take any pictures except for this one of Anna watching Humpbacks of Hawaii in 3-D. 

Maui Tropical Plantation 

We stopped at the plantation on the way back from the aquarium and it was simply beautiful. The girls had a smoothie with fresh fruit and I enjoyed a yogurt parfait. We relaxed, shopped, and just took in the sights. 

Our evening was swimming in the ocean and late dinner at the hotel with icecream after! 

Every night Scott and I walked over to Branches, live music under a tree. It made for the most lovely and romantic evenings together.