Maui is like two islands that grew together, each with a high area at the center, sloping down to the coasts. The Idiot group stayed on the west coast of the west island where many resorts and developments take advantage of the gorgeous coastline and beaches. The biggest tourist attractions – the coast road to Hana and Haleakala – are on the east island.
Though the road to Hana is lovely and gets lots of attention, many tourists miss out by not exploring the drive along the northwest coast of the western island. Just a few miles away from the dense developments, the road passes through relatively undeveloped land along bays and coves with tall surf and ever-changing beauty.
Idiot She finds it hard to pass up any opportunity to eat local seafood. At the pull-out for the view in the previous photo, a local entrepreneur had set up his fish taco wagon.
The Idiot group stopped for a picnic lunch on a relatively remote bay. They observed he natural beauty…
Where there are waves, there will be surfers.
Woodcarvers set up to sell their wares along the highway. The Idiot group purchased an inexpensive turtle and a lovely whale tale carved from Koa wood.
A rare and dramatic feature occurs sometimes when a sea cave erodes its way under the shore, then develops an opening to the surface. When waves are striking the shore, if conditions are right, the water can be driven through the tunnel and can emerge from the hole in the surface like a geyser. This is called a blowhole.
One of the most dramatic blowholes in Hawaii is on Nakalele Point. Water can spout as much as 100’ into the air. A steep trail leads to the blowhole. It is on private land and tourists are not encouraged to approach it. Still… people continue to make the trek and accidents happen. In the last four years there have been two deaths and several injuries requiring rescue. One man reportedly danced and played around the edge of the blowhole. He was sucked in and his body was never recovered. His fiancé blamed the county for not providing more warning signs. Who could have guessed that a swirling cauldron of water that periodically erupts into a hundred-foot deluge of water might be dangerous?!
The Idiots skipped the hike – but did observe the blowhole from a distance down the coast.
One particularly attractive section of coast eroded from reddish volcanic ash.
The Idiots sometimes place themselves in an awkward position. They often enjoy places because they are “less traveled” – yet they know that by writing about these place they may make them “more traveled.” The previously mentioned road to Hana is a long, twisty, remote drive – but it has been affected by its own popularity. So many tourists make the journey every day that it has lost some of its allure. So – shhhh… don’t tell anybody… but the northwest coast of Maui is much less visited – and truly gorgeous!
