The Hidden Side of Maui: Kipahulu and the Pipiwai Trail

A two hour drive from our house, and around the backside of the Haleakala Volcano, exists a place lost in time.  There are no stores, no shopping, no electric grid, and no gasoline.  It is home to roughly 1,000 Hawaiians and a few others looking for a slower pace of life.  It's a place where the high ridges of Haleakala drop off steeply to the Pacific Ocean with exotic plant and animal life, and where the Oheo stream flows from pool to waterfall to pool numerous times until finally crashing into the breakers of the Pacific Ocean.  It's called Kipahulu, and is home to the 4.5 mile Pipiwai Trail.

The trail starts where the Oheo Stream intersects the Pacific

Ben and Adrienne hiding out in the Banyan Tree

The 400 ft. high Waimoku Falls

The Bamboo Forest sounds like hundreds

of bamboo chimes ringing together

House of the Sun and the Most Spiritual Hour in a National Park

An incredible spiritual experience Thursday Morning from House of the Sun at 10,000 ft. on top of Haleakala.  Awaken at 3:15 AM, drive to the summit by 5:00 AM, and watch the one hour long show.  I highly recommend putting this one on your bucket list.  I'm glad Star and I waited until the traveling Burri visited before taking it in.

My daughter, who has traveled much of our planet, said it best with "This is IT!"

Video of sunrise and the traditional ceremonial chant
http://youtu.be/bJXuQTxNsVM

Star, I'm almost certain wearing a bathrobe over your
NPS uniform is a violation of park policy.  Then again,
work doesn't start for another two hours.

First hint of daybreak 5:15 AM

And it begins