Ocean overlook, south towards Molakini, Whale watching point
No snorkeling today, instead a day spent looking at plants and flowers. First this morning we stopped at the scenic lookout along the highway, where you can see whales in season (though not now) on our way to the Maui Tropical Plantation. This is an old sugar plantation, which has been converted into a tourist area to show how agriculture is now done.
Black-crowned Night-Heron
You can go on a tram ride for $16 per person around the agricultural area, but we didn’t bother. Instead we walked around the grounds, which have many nice flowers and plants, and a small central pond with ducks, and a heron that was eating fish from the pond.
Next we went to the ‘Iao Valley. It was cloudy as we drove up the mountain a way, and actually started to mist rain, though it was clear and sunny at the bottom. There is a fee of $5 to park, then a short walk of about a kilometer to see the ‘Iao needle. The forest is lush and green, and there is a very small stream that runs from the mountains. All in all, it was the least impressive part of the day.
‘Iao Needle
We’d been planning to eat our lunch there, but since it only took half an hour to complete the walk we stopped instead at the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens. These are actually closed for repair, but they have a number of picnic shelters there which we used to eat lunch, as it was once again misting rain.
After lunch we planned to stop at the Bailey House museum, but there was no where to park (there are only about 8 spots) so we didn’t stay. Instead we stopped and looked at the exteriors of a couple of old churches, including the Kaahumanu church built in 1876.
Next we stopped in at the Maui Nui Botanical Garden. This was quite interesting as it is all plants which are either endemic to Hawaii, or were introduced long ago by the Polynesians who settled the islands. The plants are similar to those of today, but often less spectacular, since the flowers (for example on the hibiscus) are smaller.
White endemic hibiscus
Finally we stopped at Walmart and got some inexpensive beach chairs, since there are none at this condo, and a few more groceries, before driving back to Kahana Reef.