Another Wedding in Hawaii…at the Kualoa Ranch

Just nine months ago, we renewed our vows at the Paradise Cove in Kapolei, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Last month we were back on the island for another wedding, this time at the verdant Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe, Hawaii. It’s a 4,000-acre natural landmark of beaches, mountains, and valleys with historic sites and buildings. Best known as the movie film site for such cinematic greats as Jurassic Park and 79 other movies and shows, the Ranch offers many tours and ziplines for exploration.

My husband’s first grandchild and his bride chose the Paliku Gardens on the ranch as their wedding venue. It has spectacular views of Kaneohe Bay and Mokoli’I Island, otherwise known as the Chinaman’s Hat, as well as rolling pastures, and green gardens. The short and sweet ceremony was held at an Upper Garden with rustic steps leading to a lower open pavilion where we were served a farm-to-table experience of Kualoa-grown beef, fish, vegetables, and fruits.

Both the groom’s and the bride’s families were well represented as well as the couple’s friends, all coming from the islands and mainland USA. Everyone was booked in different hotels and resorts around Waikiki, 45 minutes away. We always got together with my husband’s three children and their spouses for a taste of Hawaii the day before and the two days after the wedding.

For brunch, we returned to Liliha Bakery at the International Marketplace, the restaurant and bakeshop that popularized the island’s cocoa puffs. Its signature butter bread served with all entrees was a standout. Another great discovery was Basalt, both a marketplace and a restaurant. I was extremely pleasantly surprised that they served an upscale version of Tapsilog, the popular Filipino breakfast, along with other classics.

For the evenings, we had three discoveries. The night before the wedding, we met at Moani Waikiki, a Bistro and Bar, one of the 13 eating places of the Garden Level on the third floor of the International Marketplace. The night after the wedding we returned to Doraku Sushi Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian Center, a favorite restaurant of the new couple. We loved the grilled butterfish and tempura brownies aside from the vast array of sushis. The night before we all went home, we chose to do Italian and gathered at the Taormina Sicilian Cuisine. They had a truffle carbonara, the grilled monchang, a local fish, and the house-made tiramisu.

My husband and I were the first ones to arrive in Honolulu, closely followed by his youngest and the mother of the groom. While waiting for the others, we took the time to visit the Valley of the Temples, a beautiful sprawling memorial park nestled at the foot of the Koolau Mountains ten minutes from the town of Kaneohe and 12 minutes before the Kualoa Ranch.  There are sections for Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic burial sites.

The centerpiece of the park is the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of the historic Byodoin Temple of Uji in Japan’s Kyoto prefecture built in 1052. This 11,000 sqft landmark was built in 1963 and was dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese in Hawaii.

Inside Byodo-In is an 18-ft. Lotus Buddha in gold and lacquer. On the grounds is a three-ton brass peace gong. A large two-acre pond abundantly filled with beautiful koi fish surrounds the temple as well as lush Japanese gardens with a Meditation Pavilion in the middle. All that beauty can be seen against the backdrop of the towering cliffs of the mountains.

At the gift shop, you can buy "wish" cards for a dollar and fifty. Tradition says you should keep it if you like what you find inside. Otherwise, ask the gods to improve it by tying it to any of the tree branches around. Secretly, I wished that I go back to Hawaii again soon. Every time I do, I find another version of beauty, another side of peace, and another level of happiness. 

IN HAWAII: Renewal of Vows in Oahu and 2nd Honeymoon on the Big Island

The practice of couples renewing their vows has been popular in the US starting from the 70s. Last April, my eldest daughter had hers on her 25^th wedding anniversary. Because I never thought I could really be a good wife for any length of time, I had a “cause celebre” and also did so last Aug. 8.

My marriage to Bill is my third. And they say three times is a charm. It was our 15th wedding anniversary, and to renew our vows, we chose to have a romantic garden setting. We had wanted it for our wedding but instead had a private cruise ship on Lake Union in Washington. So we chose the island of Oahu in Hawaii. To complete the celebration, we had a second honeymoon the following week at the Big Island. 

The Renewal of Vows

Our families came to join us, and it became a bigger event than we had initially planned. Here’s a recap of the venue, the ceremony, the reception, and the tour.

The Venue

We decided to hold it at the Point at Paradise Cove, a beachfront venue in Ko’Olina less than an hour by car from Honolulu. The choice allowed us to conveniently make its popular luau as our treat for guests who were in Hawaii for the first time. “I Want to Marry You in Hawaii” coordinated the Hawaiian theme ceremony, including the Officiant, a decorated arch, lorals, and a ukelele player.

My eldest daughter, an interior design aficionado, took care of sprucing it all up with lovely details: a tall vase of Hawaiian flowers, banana leaves, a framed menu, themed napkins and plates, and Hawaiian hibiscus cupcakes on a three-tiered cake stand for the table under the tent. She also wisely thought of white paper umbrellas with ribbons and heart-shaped palm fans decorated with the program. They were great for the high temperatures on a Hawaii afternoon. Bill’s First Grandson who lives in Honolulu was instrumental in receiving, storing, and delivering all these items to the venue.

The Ceremony

The processional was started by the blowing of the conch and the entry of my three youngest grandkids who scattered petals to the tune of the “Hawaiian Wedding Song.” As soon as Bill and I stood in front of the decorated arch, the officiant gave his benediction and invited my eldest daughter and Bill’s daughter to speak on behalf of each family. The Hawaiian rituals included: the vows, the lei exchange, the rubbing of the noses, and the kiss. Then Bill and I danced to our favorite song “In This Life” (by Iz) sung by my youngest daughter. Finally, all the grandkids came together to dedicate the song “Stand By Me” for their doting grandparents. Everyone joyously threw petals at us during our recessional.

The Receptions

The tent provided a great reprieve from the heat. That’s where we served snacks of wedding cupcakes, champagne, and apple cider. My middle daughter conducted two games, one for adults and another for kids. The winners won $50 and $20, respectively.

When the time came, we were escorted to our long table at the Luau. The kids enjoyed a few booths for 

face painting, bead-making, etc. while the adults enjoyed the ceremony around the roasting of the pig underground (Kalua). The grandkids also had a great time learning how to dance the hula and rejoiced at getting the certificates for the fun.

Before the long array of traditional Hawaiian dances and songs, the  sumptuous dinner consisted of: Kalua pork, beer-battered island fish, island-style baked chicken, macaroni salad, salad bar, breads, and traditional desserts like purple yam. There was a bar for those who wanted more than the cocktail served with the buffet.

The Tour

The next day we took the family on a rented minibus to tour Oahu’s famous North Shore. Our first stop was a 7-11 store that had cheap breakfast items like spam musubi for $4.

Then we shopped at the Tropical Farms Macadamia Store. Very close to it is the Kualoa Regional Park where we had a great view of Mokoli’i or Chinaman’s Hat Island. The Kualoa Ranch, the Jurassic Valley, had not yet fully opened but we found a store of shell and macrame décor items that we loved. The elderly ladies manning the store were a joy, giving away so many flower brooches to the ladies!

Then you will come upon the area popular for its shrimp trucks. That’s where you can have a great lunch with plates of gooey good shrimp (Giovanni). But there were also other trucks for things like Korean barbeque, Filipino food, etc. At the Turtle Bay Resort, we trekked to a stretch of sand and water for a swimming break. And right after that, we proceeded to Shark’s Cove which is where you can have the best snorkeling in Oahu. It was summer though, so it wasn’t surfing season.

Our tour day was capped by dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s, the renowned seafood restaurant, at their original location in the northern town of Haleiwa. The next day, we celebrated my Second Apo’s birthday at Highway Inn, the most popular local cuisine restaurant.

THE SECOND HONEYMOON

For a few more days we also enjoyed Waikiki but when family members started to depart for home, Bill and I took a short flight from Honolulu to The Big Island for our second honeymoon. We flew over the islands of Kauai and Maui, saying a prayer when we were over the latter. The wildfire that was still raging then was later reported to have killed more than a hundred.

The Tour

It was my first time in the Big Island, the island I had not yet visited. A one-day circle tour was priority number one. Our first stop was Kona, the second biggest town, population 19,000. It is also where most of the resorts are located. And it is a gathering place for all locals because of Costco!

45 minutes south of Kona is the Bay View Farms, a premium coffee plantation on Painted Church Road in Captain Cook, Hawaii. Yes, there’s a pretty painted church before reaching the plantation and Captain Cook’s monument stands on the beach of Kealakekua Bay, viewable from the veranda of the farm’s gift shop.  

Going farther south and then turning east after reaching the southernmost point of the US, we reached Punalu'u Beach. It’s blessed with beautiful black basalt sand created by lava flowing into the ocean from the activity of the volcanoes nearby. If you're lucky, you’ll be treated to the sight of turtles resting on the sand. There we enjoyed a picnic with Hawaiian lunch boxes. 

Just 20 minutes away is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The caldera of Kilauea, one of the two of the most active volcanoes in the world (the other one, Mauna Loa, is also inside the park), can be seen from two viewpoints. You can even witness eruptions as they happen when authorities deem it safe. We were also able to explore a short lava tube that is well-equipped with a boardwalk and lights.

Just 40 minutes north of the park is the town of Hilo (population 44,000). It is the county seat, best known for Rainbow Falls, just six minutes from the center of town. That’s where the Wailuku River plunges 80 ft. to the pool below with mists and rainbow effects in the morning. Although it is viewable from the parking lot, there is a very short walk that goes down to a much closer view.

Our last stop for the day was the Waipi’o Valley Lookout, considered the best on the island because of an elevated view of the ocean and its waves, with dramatic steep cliffs and a lush green river valley. If you have time and the right kind of vehicle, you can dare the steep dirt road going to the valley below.

Before reaching our resort just 30 minutes away, we passed by Waimea, the third-largest town with a population of 9,000 and home to reputedly the best restaurants on the island.

The Resort

We stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, 62 acres of Hawaiian paradise on the Kohala Coast at the island's northwestern corner. It’s a 40-minute drive along the coast north of the Kona International Airport.

Timeshare owners like us occupy three Ocean Towers. There is a  Grand Promenade connecting the towers to the Hale Ike Palace Tower and farther west, the upscale MAKAI experience. The walk is lovely with many large museum-worthy Asian art pieces. There are also villas around the plush golf course. It is so vast that, besides walking, you can go around riding a tram or a boat along the canals.

Three good restaurants at the Hilton gave us great dining experiences. Fine dining is at the Kamuela Provisions Company with a lovely terrace on a cliff that looks out to the sea.  Nui, the Italian restaurant is in a lush garden while the Lagoon Grill for American casual fare is beside the saltwater lagoon.

Besides dining, there are many activity centers in the Village. Boutique shopping is available. Sunset viewing is most spectacular at Buddha Point. Swimming is best at the saltwater lagoon but also good at different pool clusters. We even found a quaint white Wedding Chapel by the sea where we had a second renewal with a volunteer minister! Accessible via a 5-minute shuttle from our resort, the Queen’s Marketplace, and the King’s Shoppes are two places for additional shopping, more dining, and even a cinema. It is beside an area with petroglyphs.

 Yes, Hawaii was the ideal venue for our landmark event.

FOR THOSE ON MOBILE, THE SHARE BUTTONS APPEAR WHEN YOU CLICK WEB VERSION AT THE VERY END AFTER COMMENTS.

PREVIOUS POST 

The Mexican Riviera's Best Kept Secret: Puerto Morelos

Goodbye Hectic 2017, Hello Cruising 2018!

a boat by the road in Cozumel

Some things happened in 2017 that will lead to a different year for us in 2018.  Am I excited? Of course! Every change is exciting! Change always brings about new things to think about and do. 2018 will be a stellar year. For one thing, Bill and I will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of our wedding. Becoming a wife is not a small accomplishment given Carol. For another, I will turn 70 and maybe I will attain the wisdom and mellowness that people wish for me. But it is the change in lifestyle that impacts our travels and my writing which should be most interesting to watch. 

Golfing in Catalina Island, photo by Carnival Cruise Lines

Actually, the drift started as far back as four years ago. From 2009-2013, we crisscrossed North America in an RV. In fact, my book, Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream, came out of that adventure. At the end of that period, we began snowbirding at Viewpoint in Arizona during winter and traveled to other countries and visited the homes of our children the rest of the year. In 2016, we were away for all of 8 months. That proved to be very tiring. So In December of that year, we bought a 3br unit at Viewpoint.

What Happened in 2017

We moved to that home in March of 2017 after selling our RV.  But I was committed to taking care of my youngest Apo (grandchild) in Melbourne, Australia for 3 months and did that from May to July and also managed to visit Auckland, New Zealand.  Then I proceeded to Manila to sell my last condo. While there I took a trip to KL, Vientiane, Bangkok, and Brunei with friends. On the way back to the US, I passed through China. By September, I was home. So in 2017, I was away for only 5 months!

Rocks in Ensenada, Mexico, courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Bill was only away for 2 really. He followed me to Melbourne and went with me to Auckland. Unfortunately, he developed some health issues and had to go back to the US. When I got back to the US after a month and a half, we went on a road trip. That was when we found out he still had the same health issues. You may read about the details here.

What Will Happen Beginning 2018

I cried in Auckland and was scared in Pittsburg. This has forced us to make the change to a more settled life at once and not just slide into it. Beginning in 2018, we will be based in Arizona as full-time residents. Starting in 2019, our year will consist of 7 months in Arizona in Viewpoint Golf Resort. We will also be spending 3 months in  Mexico either in Mazatlan, Cancun or Cozumel in an El Cid Resort. Yes, we consolidated all our timeshares into this one, all-inclusive treat. The remaining 2 months will be spent taking short trips to bucket list destinations or to our children's homes. But we hope our children will visit us instead! Then it will be the real cruising lifestyle!

Sunset in El Cid El Morro in Mazatlan

2018 will be a transition year. We are currently in Cozumel where we are spending the Christmas holiday. We will greet the New Year in Cancun! In January we will be in Las Vegas celebrating my 2 daughters' birthdays. In March we return to the city for my 50th High School reunion. Then it will be beach hopping, on Carnival Cruise Lines, to the Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico in August for our 10th anniversary with a bonus visit to my first grandchild in Santa Monica, California. Finally, in December, we will have a much-awaited family reunion in Hawaii. Between these trips, there may be visits to Bill's children in Denver and Boise. Total travel time in 2018 will be about only 8 weeks!

Royal Sea Cliff Resort by Outrigger in Kona, Hawaii, courtesy of Wyndham

Thus, my blog will also change and may feature more Arizona landmarks and points of interest,  Hopefully, I can help excite you to come and see why we chose to settle in Arizona. And, since I will be on the road less, I will have more time for Wonderings of our  Wanderings (WOWs) and more travel essays. Maybe then I can finish the sequel, Carolina: Cruising to a Global Mindset, a compilation of 20-25 essays on universal values. New and exciting, eh?

Our Lifestyle Adventures: Oahu Is Much More Than Honolulu!

Chinaman's Hat in Oahu

For a long while, I thought Honolulu was Hawaii. It’s been the hub of many of my business trips when I was still a jet-setting executive. Kyle Colborn, Bill’s first grandchild, lives in the Hawaiian capital. We visited him at the end of our Hawaiian swing, and he took us on an enjoyable road trip through the northern part of the island of Oahu. I discovered it was as interesting as Kauai and Maui!

Waikiki Beach

Honolulu

He was still at work when we got to Honolulu, so Bill and I spent our first night with dinner overlooking Waikiki Beach, actually a series of beaches. Our hotel, Queen Kapiolani, happened to be on Kuhio Beach, a calmer section because of an offshore retaining wall. On a brief walk after dinner, we chanced upon the four stones known as the Ancient Pohaku (Wizard Stones) which are believed to hold healing powers.

Duke Kahanamoku statue

The next day, Kyle was still on call and would be available only at 2 pm. We spent the morning walking further on the beach and found some souvenir items, like the cute onesie for my newest (7^th) grandson whom I would see in London after Hawaii.  We stumbled upon a huge banyan tree.We saw a throng of people milling around a statue. They told us it was of the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. His statue was all adorned with leis. We found out we were already in the part called the Duke Kahanamoku Beach. It is a man-made beach and lagoon at the Ala Moana end of Waikiki and a favorite photo spot.

Diamond Head from a parking lot

Then we looked for different parks at the end of Waikiki from where we could get the best shot of Diamond Head. After several attempts, we drove to Diamond Head State Park and found out, to my chagrin, that we neither had the time nor the strength to hike the Head! But we had some good photo-ops and proceeded to have lunch nearby.

Oahu's North Shore 

After our meal, we picked up Kyle from his apartment and made our way up the northeastern coast of Oahu. First stop was the Kualoa Regional Park east of Honolulu on H3. Mokoliʻi, formerly known as Chinaman's Hat, is a basalt islet in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii, 1⁄3 mile offshore of Kualoa Point. The 12.5-acre islet was at one time part of a basaltic ridge on Oahu before marine erosion separated it. It does look like a Chinaman’s hat!

Brigham Young University

We went further north and stopped at the Polynesian Cultural Center, famous for the best luau in Hawaii. PCC is a theme park and living museum located in Laie and owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 42 acres of eight simulated tropical villages, performers demonstrate various arts and crafts from throughout Polynesia. The Center is operated by nearby Brigham Young University–Hawaii whose students comprise 70 percent of the Center's 1,300 employees.

home of best tuna poke in Oahu

When we reached Kahuku, Kyle wanted to stop because he said that is where the best tuna poke can be had at the Kahuku Superette. The grandfather and grandson shared the Hawaiian delicacy in the car…their snack for the afternoon. Then, stretching for more than 7 miles, the beaches of the North Shore that host the world’s best surfing competitions appeared one after another: Waimea Bay, Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline) and Sunset Beach. The months between November and February are the best times to watch big wave surfing. That is when waves can swell up to thirty feet or more.

Waimea Bay Overlook

Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site

After this, Kyle led us to the Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site, the largest heiau on the island. Puʻu o Mahuka means 'Hill of Escape' and overlooks Waimea Bay. Legends have it that from this point, Pele (Volcano Goddess) leaped to the next island, Molokai. From this hilltop, sentries could monitor the Oahu northern shoreline and spot signal fires from the Wailua Heiaus on Kauaʻi. The Park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and became the center of a 4-acre State Park.

Haleiwa Bay resto

It was already getting dark, and we reached the end of the North Shore beaches at Haleiwa Bay. That’s where Kyle said we could have an excellent seafood dinner. And he had his favorite cheeseburger! Indeed, Kyle showed us in one afternoon that Oahu is more than Honolulu and how it is much like the other islands of Kauai and Maui!

Our Lifestyle Adventures: The Fastest-Growing and Dry Side of Maui

Canoe Club in Kihei Beach

Maui is diverse with many ecosystems in Maui: 1) tropical rainforest that includes the eastern side of Maui’s Head and the area crossed by the Hana Highway, 2) the central area of flat grasslands and 3) the higher temperate zone in Haleakala. The fourth is the dry side comprised of the western part of Maui’s Head, including Lahaina and Kaanapali, and the southwestern shore that includes Kihei, Wailea, and Makena. This post is about the latter.

Beach in Wailea

Kihei was special to Bill, just like Haleakala. When he brought his family to Maui about thirty years ago, they stayed in a small condo unit in this desert side of the island. One of our missions, as we drove Kihei Road was to look for this condo. What he found instead was an unfamiliar place that was dotted by fancy golf courses and luxurious residential subdivisions. Alas, it was impossible to find the condo! After all, this is the fastest growing part of Maui.

BEACHES

Bill at the Big Beach in Makena

The best beaches in Maui are in this area. Kamaole Beach Parks I, II, & III, Keawakapu Beach, Kihei Beach are local favorites but Maui’s signature Big Beach is at the Makena Beach State Park. And Wailea Beach is another favorite of tourists. We even stumbled upon the colorful array of kayaks and canoes that belonged to the Maui Canoe Club at Kihei Beach. It is the largest outrigger canoe club in the world! But it was at the Big Beach where Bill could no longer resist playing with the waves.

MOLOKINI

Views of Molokini

Molokini is a crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater that forms a small islet 2.5 miles off Maui near the Makena Beach State Park. The islet has an area of 23 acres. It is only 161 feet (50 m) at its highest point. Bill and his family took a ferry to the island when they were in Maui. It is touted as an excellent bird sanctuary and place for snorkeling. But we opted not to go to the island and instead had a great time looking for the best spot to take a photo of the island from the coast.

MAALAEA HARBOR

Maalaea Harbor

Hawaiian Shaved Ice

Before we left the area, we finally gave in to the growing desire to sample the ubiquitous Hawaiian Shaved Ice. It turned out to be hugely refreshing drink but it was a little too sweet for me. So we just split one to taste. Still hungry, we stopped at the Maui Ocean Center where the Maui Aquarium was located and found our spot at a café on the Maalaea Harbor, the gateway to Kihei. And it was a huge plate of kahlua fries.

SHERATON’S BLACK ROCK

Black Rock and its daily diver 

Then we hurried to catch the diver who performs a daily sunset ritual, diving from the Black Rock, Pu’u Keka just north of Lahaina, into the sea. We got there in time before the haunting music started to play. When he appeared, he first lighted the torches that have been set up on the rock. As he plunged into the water, many cameras simultaneously clicked. It was an exciting moment amid such a beautiful Maui sunset. And then we dined at the Sheraton Hotel beside the Black Rock.

The next day was our last, so I finally got the nerve to take a dip in the Maui waters behind our Resort. Although I still did not get my hair wet, my 120 pounds certainly got pushed and shoved by the waves. They came back frequently at regular intervals to taunt me. After all, that’s what waves do. But in Maui the waves seemed more insistent. I secretly hoped that Bill would come back soon from his snorkeling activity and save his damsel in distress. Kidding aside, I concluded that I liked Maui more than Kauai! It is bigger and more diverse and definitely has more to offer. Besides, I am a big city girl!

Our Lifestyle Adventures: Where It Sometimes Snows in Maui!

Clouds over the Crater

First I wrote about our road trip to Maui’s Head. Then we survived, or should I say loved the Hana Highway, the eastern and southern side of Maui below its Head. Our next road trip was through the central part the bottom half of the island, to where it sometimes snows! Unbelievable, but in this tropical island a volcano rises 10,000 feet above sea level! It is called Haleakala National Park.

SUGAR MUSEUM

Puunene Mill

On the road to Haleakala, we passed by the Sugar Museum. Sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii in 600 AD. Upon his arrival in 1778, Captain Cook observed vast sugar plantations on the island. Sugar turned into big business, shipped primarily to the United States and, in smaller quantities, globally. However, America’s sugar is now sourced mostly from Brazil, the largest producer of sugar in the world. The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company's Puunene Mill, which is in front of the Museum is one of the last two operating mills in the islands, supplying 10% of US consumption. We also looked for pineapple plantations in the farms surrounding Haleakala, but we could not spare a couple of hours for the tour.

HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK

Crater Road

Haleakala Highway, also known as Crater Road, leads to the crater.it is not as scary as the Hana Highway despite the fact that there are many switchbacks, blind turns, and steep drop-offs.  It is two-lane and is well-maintained, but there are no guardrails throughout. And sometimes animals including cows and nene geese cross the highway. As you climb the Highway, vegetation shifts to evergreens, the temperature begins to drop, fog starts to appear, and heavier clouds finally emerge.

Haleakala Observatory

At Mile Marker 10 a booth collects a $10 entry fee and at mile marker 20.5 the visitor center stands at an elevation of 7,000 feet.  Six miles further up, visible from the Leleiwi lookout between mile markers 17 and 18, is the summit called Pu'u 'Ula'ula or Red Hill, not to be confused with Pa Ka'oao or White Hill located right below the Visitor Center. Adjacent to the Summit Observation Point is the Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii’s first astronomical research laboratory. 

the crater without snow

the crater with snow

In the winter months, the temperature at the Park ranges between 41-59 °F (5-15°C). In summer, it is between 57-66 °F (8-19°C). These are 20 degrees cooler than at the coasts. The right conditions of freezing temperatures and heavy precipitation cause snowfall in the Park. It may not be every year, but the most recent ones were in 2006, 2008, and 2011. It snowed in Haleakala last March! It was good Bill had been at Haleakala before so we were ready with our sweaters!

at Leleiwa Lookout

Haleakala is the larger, younger volcano that co-created the island of Maui. It measures 5 miles from floor to summit, making it one of the world's tallest mountains. In 1916, it became part of the Hawaii National Park together with the Big Island’s Mauna and Kilauea until 1961 when the Haleakala National Park was created. The volcano erupted sometime between 1480 and 1600 AD but her last eruption (originating in the Southwest Rift Zone) occurred around 1790. Although considered to be dormant by volcanologists, it is capable of further eruptions.

silversword with bloom

silversword without bloom

The park is divided into two distinct sections: the summit area and the coastal Kipahulu area which we touched during our road trip to Hana. It was particularly impressive that day because clouds hung above the summit. Around the crater, we found an unusual plant that looked like small silver Christmas trees. We asked a volunteer ranger, and he said the plant is called the silver sword. Endemic to Haleakala, its leaves look just like silver swords arranged like a Christmas tree. But once they bloom, after 80+ years, the leaves turn red and green, and then the plants die.

LUAU AT ROYAL LAHAINA

the Imu Ceremonu

fire and sword show

When we got back to the Valley Isle Resort, it was time to go to our ocean front Hawaiian Luau at Royal Lahaina. It was about thirty-some years ago when I had my first-ever luau so it was a kind of brand-new experience for me. I didn’t even remember the Imu Ceremony at the beginning of the luau. The slow-roasting pig is dug up from the ground and brought to the feast table, shredded and served as Kahlua Pig. The food was abundant and the show was impressive (especially the fire and sword show) but the best part of the luau was the sunset by the sea that seemed so special that night.

sunset at out Luau

This was another great Maui road trip. Bill brought his family to Haleakala about thirty years prior. They went to experience the famed glorious sunrise at the Park so it was a lot colder. But, since I could not wake up that early, we knowingly decided we didn’t need to try it. When we got there, we didn’t even need to wear the sweaters we had brought with us. It was cool to know that it sometimes snows in Maui.  But it was cooler to be where it does!