Hawaii
November 5-28, 2011
hawaii - november 10
Hana Highway
Hana Highway - Wailua to Kipahulu
More and more waterfalls! When the weather was cooperative we stopped to check them out but when it poured we just snapped a few pics from the car.
One of the highlights for the remainder of our Hana Highway tour was a stop to explore a small lava tube next to the highway. Completely natural (ie not commercialized and completely free!) we had this little gem all to ourselves. The kids were super excited to go exploring the cave with their flashlights! The other highlight was a little saunter down Nahiku Road which was the epitomy of lush vegetation. We were stunned by the amount of vegetation which was so dense that at times we felt like we were driving through a tunnel of greenery.
Eventually we made it to the Kipahulu campsite where we set up and Rubby made us fajitas for supper and we settled in for a rainy night.
Just before MM17 is the little stone bridge that marks the trail to Ching's Pond but since the waters were rough and it wasn't a day suited for swimming anyway, we just snapped a few pics and continued on.
The taro fields of Wailua.
As it started to pour again, our waterfall viewing (Upper Waikani Falls, aka Three Bears Falls) was more through the rainy windshield of our car.
Upper Waikani Falls, aka Three Bears Falls
As it gets hard to see anything out of the rain spattered windows, the kids amuse themselves in the card with their treasures and colouring stuff.
Pretty flowers along the roadside as it starts to clear up again.
Two turnouts past MM23 we find a cave entrance to explore.
This photo was taken from across the road...
as we waited for the traffic to clear it was fun watching people's expressions as they caught sight of us just as they passed by. *grin*
Good thing we have our flashlights and head lamps!
These caves are lava tubes, created when lava from from volcanic vents forms a river that crusts over on top.
These tubes can transport the lava for over 20 miles, losing a mere 20 degrees Fahrenheith along the way. Lava tubes tend to collapse over time so younger islands like the Big Island have lots while older islands like Kaua'i have relatively few.
Mineral deposits on the lava tube ceiling.
The lava tube was 140 feet long and emerged in a forest of green guarded by banyan tree roots next to a stream.
The banyan tree roots were really cool.
Out of this world! This caving adventure was definitely worth the stop!
A final look at the lava tube end.
Heading back out.
Fun in the lava tubes.
Peekaboo!
Hanawi Falls. (MM24)
Makapipi Falls. (MM25)
Nahiku Road. When we think of Nahiku Road we think of the colour green...
everything was so lush! This picture doesn't do the archway of greenery justice.
The guidebook states "When plants go to heaven, Nahiku must be their destination. Everything green seems so happy and healthy, you can almost hear them giggling. Life bursts from every corner at the bottom half of the road."
At the end of Nahiku Road we were treated to a beautiful ocean view.
Rubby with a palm tree at the end of Nahiku Road.
The steamy coastline.
Interesting fruit... ?
Oh my.... ;-)
We walked a short way back up Nahiku Road to find this local swimming hole complete with swinging vines.
It's hard to imagine that in the summer this pool can sometimes dry up!
Pretty flowers.
Hala trees. (Pandanus tectorius)
We found this cute bus stop and row of mailboxes in the tiny town of Nahiku.
Looks like the road recently gave out here... yikes!
Pssst... "low lying clouds" is code for "rainy". ;-)
As we got closer to Hana and the day was getting late, we skipped past most of the stops to try and get to our campsite before night fall.
We did however stop here at Wailua Falls where we got a family pic.
Rubby even did the short jaunt along the muddy path to get this classic shot.
A papaya tree.
The kids happily find a grove of hala trees to call 'home' at the Kipahulu campsite.
Kipahulu campsite is pretty primitive with just a giand field with campsites around the edge...
the cars driving over the soggy grass made a bit of a muddy mess!
The rainbow over the oceanside campsite.
Rubby making supper in the rain and using the van as a wind shelter.
Deconstructed fajitas... the kids look dirty but happy!
[ Hosmer Grove Loop | Hana Highway 1 | Hana Highway 2 ]
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