Live Aloha - Part 2

Live Aloha - Part 2 is dedicated to the lush vegetation and plant life of the island. The exotic beauty of the islands today is a remarkable contrast to their beginnings as a series of volcanic eruptions beneath the surface of the oceans from which the land masses finally emerged. Everywhere I went I was stopped in my tracks to investigate and marvel at the richness of the landscape and vegetation, all surrounded by brilliant blue waters and bright sunlight.

Botanical Gardens located on the Hana side of Maui.

South side of Maui on the Wailea Coastal Nature Trail.

Boardwalk section of the Wailea Coastal Nature Trail looking across the Alalakeiki Channel.
The trail runs parallel to the string of upscale and pricey beachfront resort hotels that line this section of the island. Beware of joggers! Despite the hotel traffic, it is a beautiful walk and there is much to see and savor.

Island side view from the foot trail in Waianapanapa State Park outside Hana.
Thanks for looking and stay tuned for Love Aloha - Part 3!

Live Aloha! - Part 1

In September 2011 I traveled to Maui, Hawaii to visit my friend, Mary. She lives in Hana, a beautiful, friendly and rather remote location on Maui. Hana and its community are definitely an acquired lifestyle and one I quickly adapted to and enjoyed. You have to WANT to get to Hana since the only way there is a 2 hour drive on a very winding narrow road full of eye popping scenery. Known as the "Road to Hana", I ended up driving it 3 times while I was there, so I can call myself a veteran.

For Part 1 of the "Live Aloha" blog I am including a sampling of pictures I took over the 2 weeks I was there. It is such a beautiful place that you have to consciously set the camera down sometimes and just take it all in. Below are pictures of Hamoa Beach which is just a few miles and a short drive outside of Hana.

Mary and I visited Hamoa Beach twice, once in the late morning and again on the last evening of my time in Hawaii.

Below is Koki Beach which is also just outside of Hana on the way to Oheo Gulch.

Below is a shot of the Oheo Gulch area. This is the tropical section of Haleakala National Park. Watch for more to come on the National Park in Live Aloha! - Part 2.



Part of the Hana lifestyle with Mary is joining in the morning aqua exercise class at the pool. There is a fancy resort in Hana and the management graciously allows access for a class in their beautiful pool 4 mornings a week. Friend Mary is a regular and I was happy to join right in. The pool and the setting were a great way to start the day.



As you drive into Hana you pass the turn off to Waianapanapa State Park. The park offers a beautiful beach but even better it offers access to a trail through the black lava rock between the state park and Hana. I hiked part of the trail and the beautiful scenery and the pounding surf against the rocks were great companions.

Upcountry Maui

I left Hana for "the other side" of Maui for a few days. I spent time in "upcountry Maui" as it is known. One inspiring stop was Haleakala National Park. I have included a few shots here but more to come on the national park and "the other side".

Haleakala at sunset.

Haleakala Crater

More to come in Part 2! Thanks for looking.

The Inside Passage, April 2010

In April 2010 I joined a group of Road Scholar travelers on a trip up the Inside Passage to Alaska. We traveled on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system which is like a highway on water since the only way to reach some cities on the Alaskan coast is by water or air. We boarded the Matanuska ferry on a Friday afternoon. The ferry leaves every Friday from Bellingham, Washington and returns the following Friday morning.


The sunset as we headed north was exceptional that evening and was a preview of the scenery to come during the week. Our ports of call were Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway, Haines and Sitka.

At Ketchikan we took a quick trip off the ferry and headed for an early morning visit to the Mendenhall Glacier. Our guides told us that global warming seems evident here since the glacier covers much less ground than it once did. And they have been visiting for many years.


The scenery changed from day to day, sometimes dark and moody and sometimes brilliant, clear and with blue skies. Below are some examples of the moods of the Inside Passage.


On the final morning of the trip I was grateful to be up early and have the opportunity to view this rainbow sunrise.