Much like my last stop, here on the northwestern coast of Maui, this stop requires a traverse down. Here more tide pools are formed by the lower ocean levels and rather unique formation under the surface provides a periodic wonder to for visitors to observe.
When the waves roll in just right, a fine mist starts to spray straight up through a hole in the black volcanic ledge. A moment or two later white water comes crashing through and splashes back onto the surface of the rocks. The even repeats every few seconds to a lesser or greater degree, presumably depending upon the angle and intensity of the incoming wave.
I stick around to observe several of these spouts and crashes from the blowhole, which do actually look very much like those created by the humpback whales I saw a couple of days ago in Lahaina Harbor. After about twenty minutes, I head back up to the car. This is my final stop for the day and for this vacation, but it was quite a way to finish.
Next stop for today's adventure on Maui are the Olovine Pools. To reach them, I have to travel further along the "road of death" and then hike down a steep rock cliff side once more to where the lava rocks meet the ocean.
At the bottom, I find dozens of people sitting and soaking in the green salt water pools left here when the tide recedes. Small fish remain trapped in these pools and scatter when the see people walk nearby. In the distance, the waves continue to batter the stony shoreline as they have done for many thousands of years. A sign further back on the trail told the story of a family member who was taken by the waves in 2017 and never seen again. A sad tale, but with the violence of the waves crashing now, during calm skies, I can only imagine what it would be like with a choppy sea.
After taking a few pictures and exploring around the area, I head back up the way I came and depart for my next stop.
For my second hike of the day, I chose a short hike to the Makamakaole Falls. This trail starts on the side of the road, along an area I've heard called the highway of death. After driving a distance along this road, along the northwestern side of the island of Maui, I can understand why. Several blind curves and narrow passes make the road bad enough, but considering some of those spots have drop-offs just a couple of feet from the edge of the road that fall hundreds of feet into the stony ocean shore below, the road earns its name.
I find a wider spot to park and search for a trailhead, which is no more than a fashioned cave through some incredibly thick foliage. The trail is narrow, but worn, and leads about a tenth of a mile before emerging on a tall green hillside. The falls is apparently along the small stream that carved this lush deep valley.
Arriving at the actual falls, it's not as impressive as one might think, but the seclusion, clearness of the water, and perfect depth of the pool at the bottom would make a perfect lover's rendezvous. The waterfall itself carves its way through stone, cascading over a couple of falls before feeding the pool. I take it in for a few minutes before returning to the car via a slightly different, but similar route.
Today, my last full day on the island of Maui, I'm hoping to visit a number of interesting wonders. The first on the list is the Waihou Spring, which I know little about - only what I've read. I leave the hotel at sunrise and arrive at the trail head after traveling a narrow and winding road up the side of the mountain.
The trail starts out in the most unexpected way, through a pine forest, which would seem much more in place near my home in Reno, NV. The pine needle carpeted forest, while familiar to me, is so bizarre to see here on this tropical island. Again, I'm amazed at the diversity in this place.
The trail loops around until it final comes to a steep cliff-side. The vegetation has changed to more of what I would expect here in the form of lush greenery. Signs warn of the danger of the trail from there, but as the trail seems to be well worn, I decide to proceed with caution.
Numerous steep switchbacks allow me to reach the bottom of the cliff, from which I can see the site to behold. A nearly vertical stone cliff is covered in moss and ferns. It rises perhaps 150 ft from a creek bed. Numerous small caves are obvious in the stone face. Probably too small for a human, but I suspect bats and other forest creatures might take advantage of these pre-made shelters, if they don't mind the running water, that is. The spring apparently flows out of the stone itself. It seems to almost sweat out the moisture. At present, the water flowing is only a trickle, but judging by the displaced rocks in the creek-bed and the size of the creek, I suspect that in times of high precipitation, the water flows much more rapidly.
I turn back and head for the rental car. The trail started out with a surprise and ended with really amazing cliff face. I hiked just over 2.1 miles on this short trail, but it was well worth it.
In the early 1800's trails were built in and around the island of Maui to connect communities. One such trail remains on the southern side of the island and is known as the Hoapili Trail or the Kings's highway.
The trail starts at a remote, but gorgeous beach, where cooled lava flow meets the sea. This truly is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The mix of black lava rock, white sand, and blue ocean water is magical. I must move on further and see what this trail has to offer.
From here the trail moves into what I can only describe as a haunted forest setting. Twisting and dying tree trunks and branches create tangle of grayish brown mesh. Volcanic rocks have been piled into makeshift walls, presumable as the base for dwellings or windbreaks for past travelers of this road. As the never-ending winds blow in from the ocean, the trees creak and twist in a ghostly cacophony.
Further on, the trail enters an open lava field that seems to extend to the north endlessly. A couple of feral goats go hopping away over the difficult terrain as I approach. This area of the trail is lifeless and difficult to traverse, which makes me curious as to why the goats would be out here. Only they know.
After nearly a mile across the lava flow, I begin to get a little board and with limited time available, I decide to turn back, but before I do, I explore a side trail that leads out to a small peninsula. Between the trail and the ocean waves crashing in, a group of trees shelters what appears to be a tent city. I can see a number of shelters and note a number of voices talking in the distance. I can't help but wonder how permanent this little community is. Being off the beaten path, they must not get detected much and sheltered by the trees, they likely get protection from any storms that blow in.
Finally turning back, and heading back to the trailhead, I'm amazed at the diversity along this trail. Had I continued further across the lava field, this trail leads to another beach much like the trail head, but I'm out of time. I was able to get in right about three amazing miles on this trail.
When searching for hiking trails and various points of interest I might want to check out while visiting Maui, I was somewhat surprised to learn of petroglyph site near the village of Olowalu. Of course, I had to visit and though I just finished running a half-marathon, I'll somehow find the energy for this short hike.
Following the windy road just a mile or so behind the general store, I reach the lonely hill alongside a small creek, which I believe is the home to this Hawaiian rock art. A short hike around to the backside leads me to an informational markers and the actual panels.
From what I read, the glyphs are thought to be between 200 and 300 hundred years old. I can see many different figures, most of which are stylized humanoid designs. I've visited rock art sites all of the American west, but seeing similar designs on a remote pacific island only re-emphasizes how alike we all are. We must treasure what is similar between us, whether than battle over what is different.
I started running about five years ago in order to try and keep in hiking shape during the off-season, but since then, it has become its own hobby. In that time, I've run one full marathon, seven half-marathons, and numerous races of shorter distances. I've found that half-marathons are my preferred distance and I like to find events that have scenic routes that I have never been to before. The Maui Oceanfront Half-Marathon was actually the initial inspiration for the entire Hawaiian vacation. Unfortunately between early summer and the early winter, a period of almost six months, I did almost no training. In late November, I got back on the band wagon and I have been pushing myself very hard since that time. This will be my first half in over six months and I'm anxious to see how much my training has paid off.
Rising early and heading to the area around Lahaina Harbor, I get ready for the starting gun. I'm feeling strong this morning and while I don't expect to reach my personal goal of a sub-2 hour half today, I do think I'm going to be able to make a pretty good showing. As the start time for my wave approaches, the sunlight begins to brighten the world around us and I put on my sunglasses in preparation.
At 6:40 AM, the starting gun for my wave sounds and we're off. There are approximately 300 runners in my wave, and as we make our way through a residential area during our first mile, pace groups start to naturally form. I'm feeling strong and end up passing a number of runners that came out of the gate ahead of me. After the first mile, highway 30 leaves the residential area and begins the long trek along the shoreline. With my whale-watching adventure yesterday, I seem to always be on the lookout for spouts and breaches now, but unfortunately, I don't see any this morning.
At the turn around, I'm still feeling pretty strong. The course has been mostly flat, which is good because that is what I have been training on. As I pass a couple of struggling runners, I try to give them a word of encouragement. This is an interesting event in that it combines a full marathon, half-marathon, 10k, and 5k. The full marathon is point to point and started twenty-six miles from our starting point, while the other distances are all out-and-back from the full marathon's finish line. It seems to work out well logistically.
As I approach the last couple of miles, I can feel myself really fatigued and I'm forced to walk some short distance during some very mild uphills, but I keep the walking to a minimum and when I finally see the finish line in the distance, I call on my reserves and finish strong. My official time was 2:17:37, which is my second best for a half-marathon (by 1 single second). It's not my sub-2 hour time, but I'm very happy with this performance as a check point. I'm confident I will be able to reach my goal this year and I'm going to keep pushing myself hard to do so. As far as this event, it offered some amazing scenery and I'm glad to have been part of it.
