Haleakala National Park is divided into two distinct sections that must be accessed separately. We've done the summit area that surrounds the volcano's lofty crater and now we're in the Kipahulu area, also known as 'Ohe'o Gulch, that extends up the southeastern flank of the volcano from the coast, not far from Hana.
The Pipiwai Trail is a fantastic day hike, rewarding hikers with picture-perfect views of waterfalls and a spellbinding stroll through a bamboo forest.
Along the path we pass large banyan and mango trees and patches of guava.
It's not long before we enter the wonderland of the Bamboo Forest, where thick groves of bamboo bang together musically in the wind.
The trail here is muddy, but boardwalks cover some of the worst bits.
Beyond the bamboo grove is Waimoku Falls, a thin, lacy 400ft waterfall dropping down a sheer rock face.
As you can see there's more to Haleakala National Park than the cindery summit. The park extends down the southeast face of the volcano all the way to the sea. The crowning glory of its Kipahulu section is 'Ohe'o Gulch with its magnificent waterfalls and wide pools, each one tumbling into the next one below. Tim smiles for the camera at the falls on the Kuloa Point Trail. These large, freshwater pools are terraced one atop the other and connected by gentle cascades.
Scenery along the Pi'ilani Highway.
We stop for a tasting at Maui's sole winery, Tedeschi Vineyards in the historic stone cottage where King David Kalakaua once slept. In the 1970s, while awaiting their first grape harvest, the owners decided to take advantage of Maui's prickly fruit - today the biggest hit is the sweet Maui Splash, a light blend of pineapple and passion fruit.
We're in Makena at Malu'aka Beach. The Easter cross on the grass at the Keawala'i Congregational Church (founded in 1832) is covered in hundreds of flowers and leis to honour and celebrate our risen Lord. Thank you Jesus!
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Baby pineapples are just the cutest.
We arrive in Kihei and crack open our refreshing bottle of Maui wine.
Strut your stuff celebrity-style on popular, crescent-shaped Wailea Beach. For the perfect sunset stroll we take the 1.3 mile shoreline path that connects Wailea's beaches and the resort hotels that front them. The undulating path winds above jagged lava points and back down to the sandy shore.
Pacific Golden Plover.
Bird of Paradise.
Sunset on the way to Lahaina.
We're at Betty's Beach Cafe in Lahaina for dinner. It's a local secret that if you come here for dinner you can watch the Feast at Lele Luau show from your table at Bettys, which is a different venue from the actual Luau. We happened to get the night right and it was on so we sat back and enjoyed. Don't tell anyone we told you.
Seems Tim has worked up an appetite watching the hula dancers. Mud pie is a popular dessert in Hawaii - Betty's version looks like Haleakala volcano oozing lava. Disappointingly, it looks better than it tastes.
Sandi sports a traditional Kukui nut necklace (a gift from our hotel). The Kukui is the state tree of Hawaii, also known as the Candlenut tree. The nuts come in black, brown, white or variations of marble and tiger. They are strung in one colour or mixed colours. Kukui were first used as prayer beads for the Hawaiian people and are still used today.
We're flying to the Big Island of Hawaii tomorrow for another week of fun in the sun. Stay tuned.
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