Maui, Hawaii, USA
Land of mist and low lying sky
Most tourists head for the sunny southern coast of Maui with its condominiums, luxurious hotels, and calm seas. However, windward Maui is whereone will find the passion -- the north coast is where the rainbows sparkle, the sky is constantly changing, the rain pours, wind blows, and showers fall misting the air with magic. Many years ago Hawaiians living on Maui had a way of life closely bound to the volcanic mountain Haleakala, the weather, the valleys, the sea.
Staying at a Bed and Breakfast on the north coast about 15 minutes from Paia, we had a good taste of the feel of this side of the island. The weather was always noticeable making us aware of the nature that surrounded us. Our room was a ‘gazebo’ - 3 sides were all glass and one had sliding mirrored doors that hid the kitchenette and bathroom. High hedges lined the sides and our view out front was of the jagged coastline 300 feet below and waves crashing.
Amid the passion of the weather, the serenity was overpowering. Quiet swims in our hosts’ pool or lounging in the hot tub, we marvelled at the scenery.
One day our host led us down the road to the Pali Uli Reserve where a friend owned property and welcomed visitors. We climbed down a mountain path to unbelievable pools of water coming down the valley -- one of the many valleys where the tumbled rocks of spilled lava create cool pools and waterfalls. We felt the long wind that sweeps off Haleakala and moves down the slopes spreading out along the shore. There were 3 tiers of pools with a 200 foot waterfall that fell from the bottom one into the valley below. This was one of the lush valleys that had been carved on the slopes of the volcano. The place was breathtaking and I kept saying, "this can't be real!" We stayed for hours and then reluctantly held on to the rope to pull ourselves out of the valley and back to reality.
The Maui showers come and go - usually ignored except for major downpours. The area is described in old charts as the land of mist and the low lying sky. The road dips precipitously into sparkling bays foaming with surf, huge lava cliffs, and meanders through lush forests ripe with likikoi, bananas, apples, and waterfalls. The flowers - heliconia, ginger, calathea, brilliant reds and yellows. -- an area of the world that satisfies all the senses!
Sidebar: We stayed at Huelo Point Flower Farm B&B that now has new owners and is now called Huelo Point Lookout. 222 Door of Faith Rd., Haiku, Hawaii See www.maui-vacationrentals.com for lots of photos and accommodation offered.