"THE ISLANDS"

Kauai

"The Garden Isle's" reputation of being the most beautiful of the islands most certainly holds true. Sweeping vistas, lush and verdant gardens, state parks, and a canyon rivaling the Grand Canyon for beauty all await the Kauai visitor.

We started our Hawaii adventure at Poipu Beach on the southern Kauai shores.

"ALOHA"

Jim's sister Marilyn and husband Bob are there also.

Our Kauai condo at Kihuna Plantation.

The view from our condo was as exciting at night as in the day.

Kihuna Plantation is famous for having exceptionally beautiful gardens.

Kauai from the sea.

Maui

From Kauai we travel to the island of Maui.

Maui, known as "The Valley Isle" is named after the demigod that drew the Hawaiian Islands up from the ocean, is the Valley Isle. Legend says that Maui captured the Sun and secured the promise of long days for the enjoyment of the people and visitors of these islands. Today it is said the Sun resides in the beautiful mountains of Haleakala known as the "House of the Sun". Maui is the second largest island in the Hawaiian chain.

Our condo, the kanai A Nalu is located at Maalaea just north of Kihei.

The pool area and view as seen from our 3rd floor unit.

Molokini Crater

One of the first things on our agenda was to snorkel the Molokini Crater.

Molokini is a partially sunken volcanic crater just 2.5 miles off the coast of Maui. Located between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, Molokini is a beautiful underwater sanctuary for marine life and truly one of Maui’s most breathtaking snorkel and dive locations.

We joined the crew and passengers aboard the cruise boat "Pride Of Maui" for the day trip out.

Here we are, ready or not!

On the cruise back to Maui we encountered a pod of freindly Humback Whales.

Haleakala

On a fine Maui day we drove to the summit of the Haleakala Volcano. Haleakala is an active, but not currently erupting, volcano that last released its fury in 1790. Over 200 years later the land surrounding the lava flow is still barren. The summit rises 10,023 feet above sea level. The crater is 3,000 feet deep, 7.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide - a total of 22 miles in circumference.




Located on the volcano sumit is the Haleakala High Altitude astronomical research observatory. At 10,000 feet elevation, Haleakala is above one third of the earth's atmosphere giving it some of the best astronomical conditions for ground-based observatories of our neighboring planets and stars.

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