Highway to Hana

The Highway to Hana has enjoyed a mystical and revered place in our family life for the oddest of reasons. Nearly  25 years ago, Kevin and I first drove the "Highway to Hana"--and, as suggested, we stopped in little Paia and bought the tape that you pop in to your rental car's player and listen to the  instructions  spoken by  the wonderfully melodic voice of  a (*large, cuddly and kind) Hawaiian  man. The trip then was fabulous, as it was this week, but the tape--that tape became the sleep aid for my kids for the next 15 years! We all revere the  Highway to Hana  (click here)--pathway of the dream gods.

 *we were just sure of that!

First up-swimming under waterfall

Fairly treacherous walking on slippery rocks

Fuzzy telephoto from cell phone

Torrey under the falls!

Nick checks water depth at second falls/pool

The groom jumps

Spectacular views along the way!

Nick and Nicki having fun even if they have traveled this highway umpteen times with guests :D

Gigantic bamboo

Em Nicki Nick and Christin 

Rainbow eucalyptus

Torrey and Mitch-cute!

 "Garden of Eden and Botanical Arboretum

A bit past mile marker 10 is the Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a lush 25-acre (10-hectare) tract known as the site of the opening sequence of the film Jurassic Park. Highlights include native and indigenous Hawaiian plant species—such as a collection of Ti plants—and exotic flora from tropical rain forests and the islands of the Pacific. Kids will enjoy the ducks, chicken, and geese that roam the landscape."

selfie 

"wait for the waves--just stand there til a wave comes"

"Ok-got it!"

Lunch shack for tacos---slow but certain!

Decorated for the holiday

" Waianapanapa State Park
At mile marker 32 you'll happen upon this 122-acre (49-hectare) state park featuring a scenic black-sand beach (with treacherous waters; swimming is not recommended), sea caves, and a rock arch. Hike shoreline trails to the sea cave, where the water occasionally turns blood red due to the presence of millions of tiny shrimp. Also here: remains of the old King's Highway, the first road built around Maui."

While the  tourists frolic at the black sand beach, locals are in the water spear fishing the crevices. look what he has!

A closer look at the center of this web reveals a fragile folded piece (like an accordion or fan paper)-

Nearing the campsite

 "The Name

So, you’ve probably heard this place referred to by many names, and you may be asking: “Which is it? ‘Ohe’o Gulch, Haleakala National Park Kipahulu, or Seven Sacred Pools?” The proper name of this attraction is ‘Ohe’o (Oh-Hey-Oh). “Seven Sacred Pools” is a name coined decades ago by the owner of what is now Travaasa Hana (previously Hotel Hana Maui) for the purpose of marketing this deservingly spectacular remote location to tourists. Since this is part of the Haleakala National Park, the NPS has also added their own name to the mix “Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu.”

Whatever you call it, this collection of (far more than seven) pools and waterfalls is absolutely spectacular!"

The view from their campsite-prime whale watching

Kevin Em and I bid the campers goodnight and head home on the east and southbound  highway (not recommended by rental company but nonetheless very drivable)

Doesn't get any better than this

The tree designates the campsite--it also serves as an umbrella which was useful later that night

Sweet Dreams!