2006-Nov. 3---South Side, Iao Valley, Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, and the NE side of Maui:

Time to go exploring some more.  First we headed South to the lava fields.  Love the ride along the ocean.

 We stopped and admired some of the beaches.

 It was a bit rough today---and still cloudy.

 Dad waiting for me as I wandered longingly along the beach.

 Farther South.

 Some flora along the way.

 Into the Ahihi Preserve and more and more lava and snarled trees.

 

 Molokini off in the distance.

 Love all the snarly looking trees.

 looking towards Haleakala as we drove through the lava fields.

 When we crossed this bay---I made a mental note that I had to get back here to snorkel!  I had no idea what the place was, but later found out it is a Ahihi nature preserve and an excellent place to snorkel.

 Not much parking for the place, though.

 We also marveled at all the cactus in the South.

 After checking out the South side, we headed East---to the 6.2 acres Iao Valley State Park. This is a free park which is well worth seeing..

 The park is free, but to park was $5!  But we paid it and walked along the trail.

 Lots of great scenery there!

 Wasn't the best day for viewing The Needle, but it was still a nice walk.

 looking back towards the parking lot.

 Dad laying back a bit.

 another view towards the parking lot and park entrance.

 zoomed in view of "the Needle"

 another view of the iconic needle.

 Nice size river running through the park.

 another view of Dad with The Needle in the back ground.

 love the greenery around the river.

 In the valley was a little garden area.

 one last picture of the river.

 Just outside of Iao Valley State Park is Kepaniwai Park Heritage Gardens. It was created in 1952 to memorialized the multicultural history of Maui. Scale models of ethnic buildings and gardens representing the immigration of Hawaiian, American missionaries, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, and Filipino cultures are the highlight of the park. This, too, is free and a photographer's delight.

 beautiful setting for the heritage garden.

 After spending a couple hours at Iao Valley and Kepaniwai Park Heritage Gardens, we continued on our way North around the East side of the island on Kahekili Highway. "Highway" is a very misleading name for part of the road!  It quickly became a 1 lane road with blind curves, steep drop offs, and no guard rails.  As the driver, I say it was a lot more dangerous then the road to Hana.  Fortunately not many people travel this part of the island, but we still had a few times where we had to stop and back up or wait for someone going the other way to back up before we could continue on. But the few pull-offs had amazing views.  By the time we reached somewhere we could turn around, we figured we were about halfway through, so we continued along that way.

 Another totally different landscape and very beautiful

 It was also very winding. 

 Love the wooden guardrails.

 from one of the few pull offs.

 A lot of this drive was along sheer cliffs.

 There were a few spots where you could actually walk a few trails.

 Our rental car.  I had actually reserved a Standard sized car originally, but about a week before we went, the mini van price had dropped to about $90 for the week!  I couldn't pass up that price.  I normally book with Budget since I'm a Fastbreak member, but went with Alamo on this rental.  I had read their cars are dirty, so I actually called the Maui Alamo rental place and asked them.  Much to my surprise, they actually admitted their vehicles weren't cleaned well between rentals since they had to turn them around so quickly.  We took the gamble anyway.  Over all, it wasn't bad.  There were some little roaches under the floor mats, but they stayed hidden when we were in the car.  We just didn't leave any food or drinks in the car.

 Back to views along the NE side of Maui.

 Finally got to the other side.  Stopped for dinner at the brewery in Kahana.  Then continued on South from the West side.  Got back to Kihei after dark.  Another long day, but a fun one for me.  Hope Dad enjoyed it, too.