Hawaii Maui

Posted: Oct 2018
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The Hawaiian islands are made of seven inhabited islands. The Island of Maui is also called the “Valley Isle” and those of us who watched the Disney show Moana would know that Maui was named after a demigod according to native Hawaiian tradition. We spent nearly a week here to soak in the beautiful waterfalls this island has to offer!

Chapters

At-A-Glance

Maui is known for its numerous and beautiful waterfalls – and we were blessed to catch big and small waterfalls, touristy and off-the-beaten path waterfalls, and the occasional rainbow that arched beyond the falls for a picture perfect moment. This trip was extra special as the little Beans travelled with their grandparents and three generations hiked through forest and mud together.

Main Highlights

Waihee Ridge Trail: This is a nice hike with spectacular views which takes us 5 miles round-trip. Every direction we looked, we were treated with a different view – lush rainforest valley, Makamakaole Falls in the distance, spectacular views of the ocean!

Waiʻānapanapa State Park: Beautiful picnic grounds and coastal trails where we sat on the famous black sand beach Pa’iloa Beach.

Pipiwai Trail: We drove around the island to take on this 4-mile trail – starting with a gentle ascent through the rainforest, before exploring old banyan trees and bamboo forest. At the end of the trail is the Waimoku Falls (also the place I flew my drone into the trees and it never returned!)

Molokini Crater: Molokini is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater which forms a small and uninhabited islet – great spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. We took a boat out early in the morning to see the beautiful reef at the crater with clear visibility of nearly 50m!

Photo Reel

Waihee Ridge Trail Waiʻānapanapa State Park Pipiwai Trail Molokini Crater
Waihee Ridge Trail Waiʻānapanapa State Park Pipiwai Trail Molokini Crater
View from the top:

This hike is one of the most scenic treks on Maui – and we literally hiked into the clouds and looked down into a deep valley

Ye Ye:

Walking down with grandpa at the end of the return trail

Yummy:

Nothing like a Hawaiian shaved ice after a long hike for the little legs

Hitchhike:

Occasional treat by hitching a ride on papa’s back

Tarzan twins:

Climbing the old banyan trees with their little Bean carefree spirits

End of the trail:

We were rewarded with a family picture at the waterfalls at the end of the trail – and it’s also this place that I crashed my drone into the trees

Looking up:

Towering bamboo over our little Bean – maybe he’s wondering what he will grow up as

Kiss:

You will forever be mama’s little boy

Joy:

Look at that face of our little Bean as she runs from the helicopter – a treat for everyone as we see the same natural wonders from birds’ eyes

Sea cliffs:

Imagine a whole line of this as our helicopter flies beside the cliffs – a sight to behold!

You raise me up:

Nestled between lush tropical greenery and black lava cliffs – we found the whole beach to ourselves!

Pa'iloa Beach:

Crashing waves into the black sand beach, we also explored lava tubes, blow holes, caves and beautiful ocean views

Dip in the ocean:

Jumped off our boat early in the morning to fishes of all colours

Too young, for now:

Staying on the boat to look at sea creatures from the inside out

Wow:

Our little Bean with the priceless look on her face…

Our view every morning:

… as we wake up to rainbows all around us

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