life is beautiful: 2006

Black Rock

The other night I went down to the beach to Black Rock and watched the torch lighting. This is an ancient Hawai'ian tradition that happens every night at sundown. A torch bearer will climb the rocks, light the torches, toss the torch into the water, toss in the lei he is wearing, then dive in himself, retrieve the torch and swim in. Its pretty cool.

pineapple picking...not apple picking my usual fall activity...

Aloha...Last Sabbath I went upcountry to the home of a some new friends from church with the pastor and his wife. These people are all really cool and it was fun to hang out with them. We toured their garden and the mansion that is being built next-door. Then I had my first experience pinapple picking in the field next to their house. It was great the field overlooked the ocean and the sun was setting...it was beautiful. After that we were treated to pinapple enchiladas and pineapple cobbler...also a first. Near their house is also a great surfing spot and it was fun to watch all the waves roll in.

Haleakala

Aloha...Then I went to Haleakala National park. This is the worlds largest dormant volcano and has a very unique landscape. It is said to be very similar to the surface of the moon and they do astronaut training as well as some top secret scientific research I guess...
This place was beautiful and for once I found a cold place on Maui! At over 10,000 feet I was thrilled. :) I was able to see a few Nene--they are the Hawai'ian state bird as well as an endangered and protected species. This is definately a place I want to revisit and backpack.

Iao Valley

Aloha...Two weeks ago I met some cool people from Idaho who were here on vacation and they took me to Iao Valley State Park. This place is really beautiful...it has been the backdrop of many films and was just amazing. This place was a jungle with a wet tropical beauty and very different from the beaches that I am surrounded by everyday. We went on a hike through the jungle which was hot, but really neat. The air was thick with the smell of wild yellow ginger. A tropical flower that reminds me a little of huge honeysuckles. And the sticky sweet smell of guavas that were falling off the trees around us. After the hike we went wading in the cool mountain stream. It was nice to be in fresh water for a change. There was a bridge over a deep pool in the stream and I really wanted to jump off of it...but I wasn't prepared. I will next time!
Here are a few photos: