Day 4 – 3/9/22 – Westin Maui Resort & Spa Ka’anapali – The Road to Hana

Today we got up really early to start the journey that many have recommended but we’ve never done – The Road to Hana.

A few things about this trek – bring your bathing suit. There were loads of chances to swim in cool places! Make a reservation the day before for Waianapanapa State Park and the Black Sand Beach. And reserve a spot for wine tasting at Maui Wine.

Our first stop of the day – Ho’okipa Beach

We bought an app for about $20 and the guide must follow us via gps. It’s awesome how he tells us about the area, the history and knows where exactly we are!

There were a ton of old school surfers here and one that looked like a 20 something chic turn out to be like a 70+ yr old woman!!!

This was a one way passing and I was surprised to see a dump truck fit on that bridge!
The vegetation was incredible! These tall trees were pointed out by the guide on the app.
This was just the beginning! And kinda an easy part of the drive.
You gotta love the guide in the background of this video!!!
We saw a lot of these signs and a lot of Do Not Pass and a lot of honk before entering this area and a lot of cattle crossing!!!
It’s a rainforest!
Our first waterfall of the day!
Such an amazing drive.
Something bad happened! There were two cars burnt and still smoldering. Cops were controlling the situation and traffic moved quickly.
Yea – this isn’t gonna work. There were like a million little bridges like this one. And they are all about 100 years old – this road having been built back in 1924. Maybe they should redo the bridges. Hahahahahaha!
I’m so happy with Nicks clothing choice since we are taking a hundred pictures today. 😂

There was some construction here but we broke through the barriers to get photos!

On to the next stop…

Sorta beautiful!!!!
This was probably one of the best photo locations!
I want a picture of the waves hitting the rocks.
Yea – like that. But look at the camera Nick!

Well ok, pose for the camera please!

Smile please. Act like you love me.
Good enough.
We did a 3 point turn in front of this guy so I opened my window and told him he was so lucky because he lives in Hawaii.
My favorite photo!
Hawaiis oldest church and I think their oldest building.

Ke’anae’s oldest sole surviving building from the tsunami of April 1, 1946. On that day there were many warnings of the coming tsunami but people thought it an Fools Day prank.

This church was built in 1856 and withstood 12 meter waves that came from an 8.6 earthquake near the Aleutian Islands. There was no signaling system and the town was caught off guard. 20 children and 4 teachers were swept to sea and lost.

After this tragedy – they put in the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center!

Nick liked this tree a lot.

Then we made it to Hana! So we stopped for a smoothie!

Notice how Nick is driving.
Another favorite photo!

Then we came upon a spot that other people where taking photos – so we decided to try it too.

On to the next photo op.

This was on a bridge and we had to take this in between cars about to run you over. 😂

Right after this photo I found $20 on the ground!
This is what I look like $20 richer!
Back on the road. Now I guess it’s the Road thru Hana.
This was an alcove on the side of the road.

Just beyond the town of Hana is Charles Lindberghs grave near a quaint church. The church still holds services today and also has a guard at the front door. The guard is an orange tabby.

There was a tiny park nearby.

Getting out of there and back on the road was nuts.

We actually shared this road with a guy and his very big dog!!!

Back on the road. We chose to go all the way around and make a complete loop instead of turning back and going the way we came. The guide on the app didn’t seem to encourage it because some rental car companies don’t support you doing it but that never stopped Nick!

The road got real gravelly – like it was never paved. There were tons of potholes and it more like an adventure!!!

Turns out – it was never paved.
Lots of hairpin turns with not a lot of mirrors.

Nick used his horn a lot to try and alert people coming from the other side.

And this was probably the last of the trees!
And then this, seemingly out of nowhere a beautiful Catholic Church!
Built in 1862 for a town of natives and fishermen – the population of the town went down so much in the 1970s that the church began to fall in disrepair. But in 1991it was rededicated and repaired for its 150 yr anniversary.
Today there are so few residence in the area that this church only holds services the 5th Sunday of every month. That only happens about 4 times a year.
We shared the road with these guys. They didn’t seem to care.
This is what most of the road after Hana looked like. Black rocks or brown grass.
This was a gorgeous view and obviously shared by many.

Leave it to Nick to find and work his way in to the only winery for miles!!!

This is the estate where many visitors would stay when coming for wine.
The pineapple was everywhere! It’s how they made their first wines and it’s not too bad!
So we chose some white and some sparkling wines! No – they probably won’t make it to the wine room in Tampa.

Well -that was the end of the trail and now we had to find some food! As we passed the airport I noticed several food truck areas and it looked pretty good!

The grilled cheese guy was closed!

Next up – nap and clean up for our evening!

We went to the Monkeypod Kitchen for drinks and pizza.

The monkeypod tree is also known as the Raintree. It can grow 80 feet tall and extends a huge umbrella branches to provide great shade! Mark Twain planted one on the big island. I call them broccoli trees!

olivemywhiskey's avatar

By olivemywhiskey

Teri is a retired CFO and Nick is a partner in a private equity firm. We are both very irrelevant in the business worlds. We jumped up to a 52 foot boat because we were in need of more adventure. We are on the Great Loop around the East Coast of North America. It's been a wild ride!

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