Holoholo (Maui Day 2)

Some of us woke up and took a morning stroll on the beach while others dreamed of unrequited romances.

We took in the views of Molokai and Lanai from the beach, saw crabs scuttling into the rocks as the waves washed over them and plucked opihi off the rocks. Back in the hotel room, we had leftover pizza and slightly carbonated soda for breakfast, before checking out.

Flagging, sitting and slipping at our first stop. This signed pole was getting a lot of attention. All it needed now, was a shower of dollar bills.

We drove further up the road to gain a better vantage point of the bay known for its snorkeling and surfing.

Gone hiking, not fishing at our second stop.

Nobody told us about the uber shuttle service here.

Makai (ocean) bound.

Making our way down to where fishermen use ladders to reach their fishing spot to cast their lines into the ocean. Photo by Andrew Keller.

Looking down into the salt water pools.

Matt making his way down after waiting our turn.

Chris climbing down.

Sucking that gut in as we rounded the corner and dropped down into the lava rocks.

The emerald green pool was literally dazzling to behold and even more so for the others that took the plunge.

Splish splash. Photos by Andrew Keller.

Leaving behind nature’s wet’n’wild water park. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Matt didn’t want to wait for our turn this time going up, so we free climbed our way to the top.

Slipper optional. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Stupid …

… and Stupider. Is that even grammatically correct? Well; when you’re stupider, it doesn’t even matter.

Looking out at the 636′ hill also known as Pu’u Koa’e.

I noticed a traditional Japanese gate up the hill behind us, when somebody shushed me as we only had so many hours of daylight left.

View from the top looking out at the coastline. Photo by Chris Bautista

The road to Hana has nothing on this stretch of mostly one lane road, for two-way traffic, and twisty turns hugging the sea cliffs. We stopped briefly to check out the reverse graffiti, maybe we should have added our names, just in case.

Looking at the waterfalls flowing its way down. Another hike for another day.

Making our way into the forest as we left shattered glass behind us, at our last stop.

Analyn walking through the bamboo forest. Photo by Andrew Keller.

How many stream crossings was this? I wasn’t even keeping track anymore.

Going up a tricky climb to discover that we were off track. Maybe I should have been counting.

A waterfall is a waterfall is a waterfall. Take my picture. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

You’re in good hands. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Following the stream to …

… another waterfall. The right waterfall. Photo by Chris Bautista

Matt straddling the gushing flow of water as he climbed up. Tell my wife I love her.

Andy climbing and contouring his way up. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Our second or third waterfall of the day, if you count the bonus one. Photo by Chris Bautista

Climbing up the steep hill to the left of the waterfall. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Matt making his way up.

We contoured and dropped our way back down to the stream.

Does this count as a waterfall? Photo by Andrew Keller.

Nature untouched. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Nature touched.

Group photo left to right: Andy, myself, Matt, Analyn and Chris. We wrapped up our hour-long swimsuit illustrated photo shoot and started to make our way back out.

Matt tried to shortcut our way down, but it didn’t look promising, so back up we went.

Back to tunneling through the oppressive overgrowth.

Making our way down off the hill. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Chris coming down the last waterfall, where we heard people, loud people, at the base. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Look ma, no hands.

We made it back to our perfectly angled car with time to spare. Post hike meal at Paradise Supermart, best Filipino food on Maui. We even had time to stop at Krispy Kreme and pick up boxes of donuts to take home. Thanks to everybody for a fun weekend and especially Matt for his hospitality and showing us all these sweet spots.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Tagged as: chutes and ladders, honolua bay, kahakuloa head, kahekili highway, kanounou point, makaz, maui, pu'u koa'e, upper makamakaole falls