On
the second day in Maui, we got up at 2:30 AM, and drove to the
top of the volcano (Halehakala) to see the sunrise. You can tell
from Ethan's face (on the leftmost picture) that it is really
cold outside.
Ethan and I backpacked down into the crater.
This is not a volcanic crater anymore. It is an erosion crater
that was created when the valleys on either side of the original
crater eroded the rim enough to connect in the middle. This is
a very dry landscape because of the elevation (around 10,000 ft
or 3,300 meter). There are very few plants growing here. Ethan
is standing near a display of the unusual Silversward plants.
Along the way we came across some interesting
volcanic formation. This one, neer Bottomless Pit, is a rock which
was formed when lava oozed out and cooled at different times.
The rock contains many minerals that shine in different colors.
Second day of
our backpacking trip. We are about to clime the rim which is visible
in the background. Look carefully at the mountain, you should
be able to see the path switchbacking up.
The Hana highway. This was supposed to
be a fine pool with a gentle water fall which is perfect for swimming.
Instead, we got this torrent of a river of cold water.
At Wianapanapa State Park, the ocean wave
are filling this lava tube and blowing upward through the rock.
This blow hole is a good 50 feet from the ocean, but still blows
pretty hard.
This lava bridge is close enough to the
water to let the wave rush in.
At the water pools at Ohe'o. Ethan and
Daphne were finally able to get into the water. There was a National
Park ranger watching the water level, ready to warn people in
case of a flush flood.
Water falls along
the 2 mile path at Ohe'o creek leading to the 400 ft ... fall.
The fall at Ohe'o.
The path to ....
pass through a magnificent bamboo forest. Each stock is about
as thick as my arm and 40 ft tall. They are so dense that the
bottom is really dark.
Ethan displaying
his collection of shells which he brings as presents.
Daphne is announcing
Ethan shells display.
