Aloha to Maui - Dusk turning to sunset

At dusk, I walked along the beach and found a few of nature's treasures.

Someone else laid out these coral pieces atop the volcanic rock.

  

I played around with the shadows ...

... the same rocks from different angles.

A fallen tree that will find new life on the beach.

The sun sets between Lana'i (left) and Moloka'i (right.)   What's your level of photography - click and hope for the best?  Or do you know how to use a lens?    One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 20, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, October 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The green flash is about to appear ...

Aloha to Maui - Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock)

Breaking News - the cast of Hawaii Five O are special guests at

the Navy Ball at the Sheraton Waikiki (as I write this blog).

We have a winner from last week's blogs - Winnie wins a book choice from my convention stash.   I start with the above picture, taken at dusk, of the the Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock).   It divides Ka'anapali beach in half - I featured the boardwalk along the southern beach at this link (when I took this picture).   The following day, we parked near public access to the northern tip to walk down to the Pu'u Keka'a.     

The Sheraton has built a sprawling resort around it.   Here is a viewing point atop it - Moloka'i looms in the distant.

Looking south, we spotted the tourists staking their claim in the sand.  All Hawaiian beaches, even those fronted by hotels, are open to the public.

Let's check out the sail boat in the distance ... more tourists board for a snorkeling cruise!

  
We followed the hotel's breezeways for more views of Pu'u Keka'a.   Hawaiians before the missionary invasion believed it was a "leaping point" to the afterlife.*  They hoped that their ancestors' spirits, 'aumakua, received them.  If not, their souls wandered the area and attached themselves to rocks.  Hence the prohibition from claiming rocks as souvenirs!

* Some Hawaiians still practice the "old religion" while some Hawaiian Christians still honor the "old ways".

In Season One of Hawaii Five O, Steve referenced 'aumakua when he threw the gun runner into a shark cage.  Hawaiians believe that 'aumakua will protect them. 

It amazes me the beauty that grows from volcanic rock!

A few local kids jump from the Pu'u Keka'a.  Most of the tourists snorkel around it.   Would you jump from, snorkel around, or take a picture of the Pu'u Keka'a?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 20, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

 

Aloha to Maui - Ka'anapali

Leaving the rural roads behind, we drove to the Ka'anapali area with the big resorts .... 

... the Hanakao'o Beach Park is home of the Kahana Canoe Club whose hulls are posed to race to Molokai in the distance.

Even on the beach boardwalk, we found flowers ...

... in all colors!

This is the first time I have seen these birds!

Everyone's happy in Hawaii!

  

The palm trees cast shadows on the golden sands of this former plantation.

David catches a wave!  Ka'anapali offers a wide range of beach activities - snorkeling, surfing, sailing, stand up paddling, and building sand castles!  What do you like to do at the beach?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

David catches a snooze ... 

Aloha to Maui - Papanalahoa Point, Nakalele Blowhole, and Da Stand

We continued the drive around the northwest corner of Maui, including the Papanaloahoa Point.   

My camera cannot capture the beauty of the aina (land) and kai (sea).

Meanwhile, the kai continues to perform ...

... around the volcanic shelves.

Ah, the Nakalele Blowhole!

Below is a fruit stand that closed before we could enjoy its bounty.   What would you buy from a fruit stand? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii