Maui

A tourist can enjoy many sides of Maui including peace and tranquility, beautiful beaches, and the excitement of night life. We were fortunate to experience Maui as the natives live it. Our host was artist and owner of Loren Adams Museum of Fine Art. We had the unique opportunity to sleep in a loft of a real life treehouse and wake to a view of the ocean and hear the sounds of roosters. The five story treehouse was built on a cliff amongst hanging banyan tree roots. Our days were spent exploring and our nights were filled with fine art and good company.

Diving Molikini Crater is undoubtedly one of the finest underwater experiences in Maui. The depth of the crater ranges from a few feet to about 60 feet in the middle of the crater. Tour operators can take you to Molokini, and it's a 20 minute boat ride from Ma'alaea Harbor and a 40 minute boat ride from Lahaina Harbor.

Molokini is a bird sanctuary and fishing is prohibited. Schools of fish are large and plentiful and it is not uncommon to see reef sharks, trumpet fish, tangs, surgeon fish, parrot fish, Moorish Idols, Anglefish and several different Moray Eels. During the whale season, whales have been known to move around and through the crater. There is even an occasional siting of whale sharks, manta rays, and a rare fish called a Flying Gunnard.

The famous road to Hana led us to some unique discoveries. We stumbled across old cars manifested by the ferns, flowers and vegetation. It was an incredible fifty-two mile journey. We went around 617 curves and over 56 bridges through the most breathtaking scenery in all of Maui. You can visit wave-thrashed shores, sculptured streams and verdant rain forests. You can see tropical gardens, freshwater caves, Charles Lindbergh's grave, and gold, black and red sand beaches. Witness ancient Hawaiian civilization through legends, folklore, sacred temple sites and burial grounds. Hike along centuries-old coastal trails.

The seven sacred pools is located 40 minutes past Hana. It is formed by Pipiwai stream which creates a series of pools and waterfalls as it enters the ocean. When weather conditions are right there is good swimming and hiking; during heavy rains, neither is good. Ohe'o Gulch is the correct name, it was named "The Seven Sacred Pools" by the Hotel Hana back in 1947, in an attempt to attract visitors to the area and stop by the hotel for lunch. The truth is that there are many more than 7 pools and there is nothing sacred about them, but the name worked since thousands of tourists visit the area daily.