Feb. 25, 2013: Po'olenalena and Drums of the Pacific luau---

 Must be getting use to the time change, or worn out from all the snorkeling!  Slept in to almost 9 this morning.  Had breakfast on our lanai this morning watching the traffic and people go by.  Almost reminds me of the Olympic Cafe on Kauai!  Great start to the day!  Hardly a cloud in the sky.  Hardly any wind---until late in the day in Kapalua. The ocean is calling us!  So---off to Ulua Beach we're headed.  Then to the luau in Kapalua at the Hyatt tonight--Drums of the Pacific. 

Well, we didn't make it to Ulua.  The parking lot was completely full.  So we headed down the road and found a parking spot at the nearby Po'olenalena Beach.  This time we were at the north end of the beach instead of by the hotel where I took a picture yesterday. 

Didn't look like much of a snorkel area, but again we spent over 2 hours in the water.  Headin' in!

A view of the north end of the beach from the water.

 There were lots of schools of tiny fish, even though there weren't a ton of other fish.  But the coral was in good shape farther out and coolest of all was listening to the whales song again!  Could hear it even close to the shoreline.

Did spot these 2 eels---white mouth moray and a piece of a zebra eel.

Also saw a lot of these shells-clams?  Haven't noticed them elsewhere. 

Cushion starfish?

another cushion starfish?  Didn't see them anywhere else.

Hybrid Hawaiian sergeant?

ringtail surgeonfish

believe this is a lizardfish

 slabeaumefish

Yep---another turtle!  In fact, we saw at least 4 turtles here!  We've stopped counting them now!!

 Did I mention I love palm trees?  Another thing we don't have in St. Louis!

 The beach just north of Po'olenalena (something like Paleaua?)

 The plant to blame for lots of holes in the bottom of my flip flops.

We left the beach about 2 and hit the jacuzzi before heading back to the condo to get ready for the Drums of the Pacific Luau.  We headed off to Kapalua a little after 3:30.  I enjoy this ride and it's varied scenery, like this in the valley.

and here of the windmills

 We were greeted at the Hyatt with this rainbow!

 Good thing we were there early!  We asked where we could park and was told anywhere you can find a spot.  So we went into the parking lot and realized it was $2/hour.  We headed back out of the parking lot and asked about the "free self parking".  They were clueless, so we parked in the public beach access parking.  At least they had pretty hybiscus growing there to make things right again.

 Walking back towards the beach we came across this unique outdoor shower. 

 The public access had hardly any cars in it.  Sort of surprised me when I saw how pretty the beach was here.  Probably not good for snorkeling, but it looked great for hanging out at and playing in the water.

We had about an hour to kill before the luau, so I had to wander around and take more pictures.

 Just another picture of the beach by the Hyatt while killing time.

 Finally we were led into the luau grounds and taken to our seats.  The performers and musicians/singers were very good. 

 Had to try a few drinks before finding they had pina coladas.  Didn't care much for the mai tais, but the pina coladas were pretty good---even though it was on the rocks.

 The food was the usual luau food and it was very good.

 When the sun set, I walked out of the luau area for a few minutes and took a couple pictures.  Again, it was a rather lack luster sunset.

A few from the walkway before heading back in to the luau after sunset.

 After eating, the show began.  I was a little concerned earlier when they did a fashion show, but it was just entertainment while eating.

 The performers did a very nice job.

 They did the dances from all the polynesian islands that came here.

 The ending was the fire dancer. 

I did enjoy the luau, but wouldn't have done it otherwise.  After going to the Smith Luau on Kauai 6 or 7 times, I don't think any luau should cost more then Smith's, since I don't think they can beat Smith's!  We love the Smith's luau---it's grounds, food, young local performers, the whole thing.   I've also gone to the Germaine's Luau on Oahu and this Drums of the Pacific luau sort of reminded me of it---a more "professional" performance, instead of the "family-like" feeling of Smith's.  We feel like we are part of the Smith's family at that luau.  The Drums of the Pacific luau was about $100/person, but with the BOGOF coupon I won and the $100 gift certificate for going to the owner update, we had it covered with nothing out of pocket.