Hawaii Day 4 May 30, 2023

 Long day today – up at 5:30am and on the road at 6am for the Road to Hana and Haleakala.  From where we’re staying it takes a good hour to get to Paia which is the starting point for the Road to Hana.  Our first stop was Ho’okipa Lookout – supposedly the home to world class surfers but today was the home to chickens, roosters and a bunch of ugly Instagram Influencer want-a-be’s taking stupid pictures of themselves. (see example below:)

Narcissist  Influencer

Next stop was the “Garden of Eden” which was pretty-ish but a rip off because we had to pay $70 to get in.  We saw a waterfall we could’ve seen from the road but walked around some and did see some cool plants and trees (e.g. rainbow eucalyptus and penis flowers).  We also pet a cat that matched the color of the gravel path – the kids determined he was highly evolved

Highly Evolved Cat

Next stop was Halfway to Hana for famous banana bread (and I will say it was warm and delicious).  Then to Wailua Valley overlook with a very tall skinny waterfall in the distance

From there, after passing lots of water falls and other beautiful sights, we stopped at Pua’a Ka’a Falls, parked and watched people jump in including Abs Guy.

Grant debated doing it but opted not to.  I told him that if the road past Haleakala was closed, which we’d seen signs that it was, then we’d have to double back and he’d have a chance to try again later.  As soon as we left, Ryan was regretting not doing it.

Next stop was the South Visitor Center of Haleakala NP (Kipahulu Visitor Center and our 51st park!)

We ate our standard picnic fare of pepperoni, cream cheese, ritz crackers and apples, then got our passbooks stamps and did a couple of hikes including the ½ mile loop Ohe’o Gulch (Kuloa Loop Trail) which was stunning (seven sacred pools and a black sand beach) and the Pipiwai Trail back to Falls of Makahiku.  

Seven Sacred Pools

Makahiku Falls

It was a LOT more humid on this part of the island.

We finished up the hike, bought the hatpins and magnets and then did have to double back because the road to continue west was closed – which sucked EXCEPT that we were able to go back to the Pua’a Ka’a Falls and despite the rain, both kids jumped in!  Grant went back a second time and did a back flip (in Crocs!).  They were both so proud – definitely created an epic lifetime moment. I think the videos are too large to post but here's a picture of them afterwards!

Smiles post jumping off waterfall in background!

The drive home was long and windy and we stopped once just to allow Ryan’s car sickness to subside.  We stopped at Las Pinatas of Maui which was surprisingly delicious Mexican food in a strip center in Kahului (the city where the airport it).  Then Rya drove us the rest of the way home. It was 6 ish when we got back to the condo.

We watched the sunset, played Cards Against Humanity again and then Nick and I got in bed – it’s only 8:45pm but I’m beat. 

Today was fun – the day was long and most definitely felt more like a normal Bomersbach Vacation Day but tomorrow should be relaxing and Bougie.