View from the condo I stayed at in Lahaina, Maui, HI [Aug 15 2021]

As a kid my family would travel via car to different national parks across the US.

There are a handful of US based National Parks that I have yet to see, or I have technically, but was too young to truly experience them.

When I graduated college, I made a travel list of places I wanted to see and things I wanted to experience. And in my mind it was contingent that I would do these things when my life/income/health were stable.

At a certain point (earlier this year), I decided that I couldn’t wait for things to be ‘perfect’ and ‘stable;’ that they may never be. I felt like if I waited and waited, then I would end up waiting my whole life.

Some of the things I would like to thank for giving me a new perspective on life:

-covid19

-taking care of my 100yr old relative for a month

-learning the book Chovos Halevavos which teaches one to live and be in the present and take one day at a time

These recent events propelled me to take a vacation and fulfill one of my travel goals of going to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

I spent a week and a half in Hawaii and visited the islands of Maui, Oahu, and Big Island.

Nakalele Blowhole - Maui, HI [Aug 15 2021]

the road not taken

‘[…] two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.’ - Robert Frost

So there is one famous road in Maui called ‘the Road to Hana’ (hwy 360), that tourists usually drive by way of Paia or Haiku via hwy 36 that becomes hwy 360 - this is the “front entrance”.

There is a back entrance called, ‘Beyond Hana.’ That entailed driving the 37 hwy which then became the 31, the 330, and finally the 360.

What is the ‘Road to Hana’?

-> basically it’s a coastal road that has gorgeous views and the times that it goes more inland there are kewl waterfalls —> basically you are chasing waterfalls.

What is ‘Beyond Hana’?

-> basically it’s an inland route that becomes coastal with varied terrains and 75% of the time it’s one lane (which is an adventure 😅).

And since I’m talking abt ‘the road not taken,’ another AMAZING AMAZING drive was from OGG airport to Lahaina by way of Kahekili Hwy (340) to Honoapiilani Hwy (30). #recommend

the beginning of Beyond Hana - Maui, HI [Aug 17 2021]

the coastal terrain of Beyond Hana - Maui, HI [Aug 17 2021]

Haleakalā Summit 10,023ft - Maui, HI [Aug 18 2021]

Elevation 10,023 Feet/Last day on Maui

Hawaii has two National Parks.

The well-known one, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and the lesser known one, Haleakalā National Park.

Key differnce:

Haleakalā’s volcano 🌋 is dormant, while Hawai’i Volcanoes’ Kilauea volcano recently erupted Dec 20 2020.

So what’s the point of going to Haleakalā NP?

to stare at the crater and hike down into it
to appreciate the volcanic landscape and hike down the summit
to chase waterfalls… bc it turns out that the famous, ‘Seven Sacred Pools’ on the Road to Hana is actually part of the NP.

Goodbye Maui! Next stop Oahu.

hiking down the summit - Haleakalā National Park, Maui, HI [Aug 18 2021]

Sharks Cove, North Shore, Oahu, HI [Aug 23 2021]

Did you ever notice that every state has a unique license plate?

Hawaii’s is a rainbow, and I just didn’t get why until … Oahu. Bc of the high humidity and tropical-like weather we’re privy to more rainbows.

Besides Miami-like weather, Oahu is known for it’s beaches specifically Waikiki and Pipeline.

If you’re a beginner to intermediate surfer, stick to Waikiki beach.

If you’re an advanced to pro surfer, Pipeline and technically any beach on the North Shore is good.

If you’re not into surfing, but more into a relaxing atmosphere, Waikiki Beach or Hanauma Bay should be on the top of your go-to list.

If you are like me, the adventurous type, check-out my list below of things to do in Oahu.

Things to do in Oahu:

Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Waikiki Beach
Snorkeling in Sharks Cove on the North Shore
Hiking the Manoa Falls Trail
Pearl Harbor (you’ll need at least 5-7hrs to see everything)
Diamond Head - a nice easy stair hike with views of Waikiki Beach and Hanauma Bay

Next stop, Big Island!

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, HI [Aug 20 2021]

night snorkeling with Mantas - Kona Coast, Big Island, HI [ Aug 24 2021]

Finally, the main point of my trip, Big Island.

So it turns out that it’s only exciting to visit a volcano if it’s actually erupting… otherwise it’s just a big giant crater with hot steam vents.

Some interesting info I learned abt while visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes NP.

Did you know that the Hawaii islands were created by the volcanoes. Each time a volcano erupts it forms more land, and that’s why Big Island is bigger than the other islands (bc it has 3 active volcanoes).
Some of the cool underground caves in Big Island and off the Road to Hana, in Maui are actually lava tubes

Lava Tube in Hawai’i Volcanoes NP, Big Island, HI [Aug 25 2021]

Besides the national park, there are a lot more areas one can explore, such as the Kona coast.

The Kona coast is on the leeward side of the island and is known for its gorgeous beaches and an amazing snorkeling spot called Two Step.

Another perk of the Kona coast is going night snorkeling specifically to see Manta Rays.

Some info on Mantas:

Mantas eat phytoplankton and phytoplankton are attracted to light.
They can weigh btw 500-3000# which is crazy considering how light they appear.
They can’t hurt you (sting-wise) unless your body happens to be in the way , then you’ll feel their weight.
They are a vulnerable species (Manta alfredi).

Two Step, Kona Coast, Big Island, HI [Aug 24 2021]

Big island is known for its volcanic sand beaches as well as a green beach. While these beaches are cool to look at, they are very dangerous to swim in.

While the leeward side of Big Island is known for its gorgeous beaches, the windward side is known for its tropical rainforests and waterfalls.

And while I didn’t get to explore it , Waimea is a have-to stop if you plan on visiting Big Island in the future. It’s the most gorgeous area on Big Island and is known for Parker Ranch.

the best hike on Big Island - Waipio Valley, Big Island, HI [Aug 25 2021]

The best commodities aka gifts to bring back from Hawaii:

Kona coffee
macadamia nuts
jewelry made from koa wood

Hawaii was quite an adventure! Next stop, home 😁.

Hawaii Adventures

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