Evening at Black Rock

On Ka'anapali Beach, at the Sheraton Maui, there is a torch lighting ceremony every night. There is music, a hula dance relating Hawaiian history, and the torch lighting cliff diver.

I was able to watch the Hula Dancer from within the lagoon that snakes through most of the Sheraton Maui's property. You can step right in to it from the swim up bar.

The torch lighting ceremony begins somewhat before sunset, possibly so as not to interfere with getting seated for dinner at one of the many restaurants. If you look closely, you can see a lone stick of a figure out on the rocky point that juts out into the ocean.

This is the cliff diver, having finished lighting the torches on the path out to the end of the Black Rock,, and now about to dive into the ocean.

Cruise Ship Anchored off Lahaina

Huge cruise ship sitting offshore of Lahaina several times a week. It looks very odd and out-sized floating out there so close to shore.



Another ship more permanently moored in the foreground. I think they planted it there for the tourists to take pictures of. It looks impossibly picturesque.

Different Kinds of Koi

This and the last photo are from a cool water fountain at Whaler'S Village on Ka'anapali Beach,

This photo from the Sheraton Maui, where the Koi in the ponds are HUGE.

Koi, some are real, some fake.

Chings Pond

photo courtesy of TBG

A brief refreshing stop on the way home from Hana, at Ching's Pond,

View of Kaanapali Beach

View of kaanapali beach from our balcony at the Kaanapali Alii Condos

Fierce Dolls

Fierce dolls last seen at the 24 hour Star Market in Kahului

Christmas tree-shaped ginger

Christmas tree-shaped ginger looked like it was working overtime.

Red Sand Beach

Red sand beach in Hana

Hana Town Evening

Church established here in 1838. Even in this tiny town, there is more than one.

Banana trees with a load of bananas attached.

This is apparently where boat floats grow.

Frog late at night, hiding motionless in plain sight.

Hana road: Wai-'anapanapa cont.

The aptly named Black Sand Beach.

Believe it or not, this you can walk through this lava tube.

This little girl stands at the other end.

Sea Arches. There is one in the foreground of the photo, and one in the distance, in the last rocky outcropping.

Hana Road: Wai-'anapanapa

Holokalani Burial Grounds.

Brilliant colors line the lava shoreline.

Tourists going for that great photo.

Very unique rock formations in the bay, with the black sand beach in the background, upper left.

Snorkeling at La Perouse, Maui

Feeding frenzy.

Amzing to see this many fish in one spot outside of the Maui Ocean Center.

2 fins up for this adventure!

La Perouse, The Aquarium

Here it is, the long sought Aquarium at La Perouse, with two humans already in the tank at 7;30 am.

Through the looking glass. Super clear water, you can see fish from the edge even before you get in. Spot the Yellow Tang?

Achilles Tang Surgeonfish.

All eyes are on you.

The Trail to Aquarium, Maui

Kudos to you if you can find this trail the first time. The locals seem to have hidden it from view, but once you get on it, especially at 7 in the morning, its off to another world with no sound but the birds.

Here the vague trail continues through the surreal lava landscape. Off to the promised land.

A cove along the way. Crystal clear water surrounded by a'a lava on all sides.

On Golden Pond. Just beside Aquarium snorkeling area is this strangely colored golden pond surrounded by a ring of green.

The Lush Iao Valley

Heritage Gardens in Maui

In the Heritage Gardens, there are architectural examples form many of the immigrant populations that came to Hawaii and started communities.

Here is the Japanese section, complete with a Japanese Garden.

We found within the peacefulness of this garden, a meditative frog.

Fishes of Hawaii

Can you name these fish?