Feb. 25, 2015--Maluaka, Ioa Valley:

The snorkel website said the South side had moderate visibility again today.  So I suggested we head back to Maluaka. 
On our way there, I admired the scenery of Wailea.  Sure wish our bike routes back home were this scenic (our Katy trail is pretty, but it's not paved).

a peek-a-boo view of the ocean along the way

Once we got to Maluaka, I took a few pictures on the walk to the beach.  how often do you see blue flowers?

View of the bay

and another

tough last step!

2 years ago we were able to snorkel the whole bay and even way around to the South along the coast.  I hoped we could do that again today, but it wasn't to be. :(  The visibility was really poor and the surf was pretty rough.  Thoughts of sharks and being smashed into the coral bounced around in my head.

but we had our lei flowers to release to ensure our return.  (just the flowers, not the string)

they went the right way---back to shore.

We hadn't had breakfast, so we decided to clean up and head out for lunch.  We decided to give Café O'Lei a try. 

It was great!  Food was yummy, service was very good, and the ambience was nice.  I got the panko crusted mahi with lilikoi butter over sticky rice and Caesar salad--excellent!

Ken got the pulled pork.  Plus we had Worldmark coupons for free sodas or tea.

inside Café o'lei.

They were out of lilikoi cheesecake, so I suggested we go to Stillwells and get dessert.  We did and it was great----mango mousse (which was actually only so-so) and lilikoi cheesecake (which was GREAT)!

I knew we were close to Iao Valley, so suggested we go there, too.  I thought we had gone here 2 years ago, but Ken said he'd never been there.  Had I realized that, I would have been suggesting to go there sooner.

Iao River.

Ken calling our son reminding him we are coming home tomorrow.  Dang!

some of the steps.

some of the wild Amaryllis.

selfie time.

The needle. 

another pretty flower.

Then we went to the free Heritage Garden just down the street.

more beautiful flowers and scenary.

The Japanese Garden.

The Chinese Garden

the Filipino area.

Ken with the Korean Statue of Kaitai---a unicorn-lion representing justice and denying evil.

More of the Korean garden.

more colorful plants.

Mary.

American missionary home.  Love the setting!

Lots of pic nic tables and bar b q pits, too.

We made it back to Kihei right at sunset.  A rather lack luster one, but we found a place with a bunch of palm trees.

and entertainment!

By now it was time to eat again.  So we went to Beach Bums again for the Prime Rib for me and more pulled pork for Ken.  It was excellent again and we have leftovers for our last day.