2024 Maui

This trip started with a cyber sale cruise. We had never tried a cruise before and thought why not see what it is all about. The cruise was leaving from Oahu, so we would have to fly there. There really wasn’t much point to fly there, just to leave straight away. Why not go in advance and explore? Well, one thing led to another. We had a couple birthdays on the horizon (one of them a big one), so we proposed a sisters trip to Maui.

We rented a BnB in Kihei for the first four days and explored the North and West of Maui.

First order of business was to get some groceries to cut down on some of the costs. We were greeted by roosters and chickens. We realized later that there are roosters everywhere … seriously everywhere.

We all enjoyed exploring Kihei.

We decided to do a day of driving around the Northern part of Maui. Yep, another rooster!

We passed the outskirts of Lahaina. Lots of healing and rebuilding lives since the fire last August. ❤️

Kapalua Beach

Slaughterhouse Beach below. Apparently a great snorkeling destination! We will return another time.

Nakalele Blowhole… so cool!

At the time, we did not realize that our rental insurance was not covered if we ventured onto this section of Maui. Even though it was a bit sketchy, I am glad we made the journey!

We enjoyed an authentic polynesian luau in Gilligans at the Maui Nui Golf Club. The dancers and host were great. Lots of history and culture.

We spent one last day enjoying the beach before we left for our next adventure in Maui.

We rented two jeeps with rooftop tents and explored the Eastern and Southern part of Maui.

On our way to our campground, we stopped at Twin Falls. It was a wet but beautiful hike.

We booked campsites at Wahi Nanea Campground. The sunset was amazing. We would be getting up early in the morning to catch the sunrise at the Haleakala National Park summit.

Haleakala National Park was breathtaking. The sunrise was like no other I have ever seen.

We arrived in the dark but the 10,000 feet of elevation was clear on the drive back down.

The highway to Hana! Our next destination was Waianapanapa State Park Campground. We were planning to meet at a waterfall on the way, however, there wasn’t any parking/stopping when we arrived. We lost all cell service during the drive and were unable to communicate where to meet. In the end, we met up at the campground.

We stopped at the Hana Ka’eleku Lava Tube Cave. Lava tubes are formed when massive flows cool on the surface forming an a conduit for the lava flowing underneath. During the creation of Maui’s volcanic landscape these conduits were like the veins of the volcano, channeling for many miles before being deposited. This cave is the largest known accessible lava tube on Maui!

They called these formations “hershey kisses”!

Hana

Red Beach. Wow! It was quite the hike to get there but really worth it. A little hidden gem for sure.

Waianapanapa State Park

Water Caves

We took the Pipiwai Trail to see an iconic banyan tree, magical bamboo forest and two waterfalls (Waimoku & Makahiku). The quintessential Hawaiian rainforest hike!

We took the Kuloa Point Trail along the coast to view the Seven Sacred Pools and the Ohe’o Gulch.

This part of the beautiful Haleakala National Park was a fitting end to the scenic Road to Hana drive!

Our mom loved beaches, especially sandy ones! My sisters and I had a private moment together on the beautiful black beach in Waianapanapa State Park remembering her. I think she would have loved our trip! Miss you mom.