West Maui
Iao Valley
Iao Valley Hike is a quick walk through a lush canyon that ends at the base of a needle. Along the way there was a rushing river. There is a $5 parking fee. Parking was scarce so we were told to pay after we find parking.
At the base of the Needle at Iao Valley, West Maui, HI
Waihee Ridge
Waihee Ridge trail is a 5 mile roundtrip, 1500 feet elev gain hike in West Maui. The hike was uphill, starting at an unshaded hill, then under a canopy of trees. Near the top, as the trees became shrubs, we were hiking in layer of fog. Luckily, as we reached the top of the trail, the fog cleared, and we were rewarded with a clear view of the waves crashing into the north shores of Maui. Google Maps led us to Waihee Ridge Trail easily so I did not make notes on the directions to the trailhead. There was sufficient parking for 15-20 cars at the trailhead. Bring water, hat and sunscreen.
Ridge walk facing the Pacific Ocean at Waihee Ridge Trail, West Maui, HI
The View from the top of Waihee Ridge Trail, West Maui, HI
| Features: | Walk up to a ridge in West Maui to get a view of the shores of North Maui |
|---|---|
| Features: | 5 mile rt, 1500 ft elev gain |
| Fees: | FREE |
The search for Nakalele Blowhole
On our quest to find the Nakelele Blowhole, we followed Hwy 340 from Waihee Ridge Trail to O'Hei trail. This road, about 10-15 miles, is a shorter but scarier version of the Road to Hana. One-lane, two-direction traffic, no-shoulder, rock-wall-on-one-side, down-the-mountain on the other, very blind corners. On one of those corners, I suggested my husband honk before going into the corner. A car, one of 5 coming towards us on the other side, heard that honk and braked. We came face to face with it on that one-lane blind corner. My husband reversed back a few feet to where the road was slightly wider, the other cars climbed the side of the mountain a little to go pass. That was one of many corners we had to maneuver gingerly around oncoming traffic, cars going past each other with just inches between them, while one climbs the side of the very narrow shoulder to make room. That road made the Road to Hana seem easy a few days later. Though Road to Hana's longer distance (3-4 times longer) wore us down, this road, Hwy 340, has a higher risk of collision with oncoming traffic, in my opinion.
After driving what seemed like a lifetime on Hwy 340, we stumbled upon a lavarock headlands and went to exploring. Huge surges of water sprayed sideways from a lava rock needle in the far side of the headlands. We were pretty sure there was a sea cave that acted like a blowhole that sprayed water sideways, but could not get far enough to get a look. We were pretty sure that the Nakelele blowhole was nearby as we saw many cars parked along the side of the road nearby, but decided to skip it.
Exploring the lava headlands on West Maui's west coast, Maui, HI
Kealia Coastal Boardwalk
At the isthmus between West Maui Volcano and East Maui Volcano, lie a low-lying lagoon (where Hwy 310 makes its way), bound by the Pacific ocean on its south side, and a swampy pond on its north side. Here there is a strip of white sand beach, and signs that indicate that turtles may nest here. We did not encounter any turtles, nesting or otherwise, during our visit, but did spend a couple of restful evenings watching the boys play at the water's edge while the sun made its way behind the West Maui mountains.
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