Hawaii: Kauai and Maui

Just as many couples do, we ventured to Hawaii for our honeymoon!  The islands certainly lived up to the hype.  The most ordinary things on the islands are incredibly beautiful.  During our stay, we island hopped from Kauai to Maui, and back to Kauai.  

There were waterfalls all over the place, all of them unique and very beautiful.  

Wailua Falls

When we arrived at Waimea Canyon, the sky began dumping rain on us.  We waited it out for just 15 minutes and the sky cleared up for us to view the beautiful canyon!  

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon

History repeats itself, even in the short term.  We ran into a ton of rain when we arrived at this beautiful vista shown below.  Decidedly, we went back to our car to wait it out and before we even reached our car, the sky cleared up!  We learned something that day: rain is very brief on Hawaii.  Below are some lovely views we enjoyed at Kilauea Lookout in Kokee State Park.

Kilauea Lookout to the Napali Coast

Kilauea Lookout

Kilauea Lookout

Kilauea Lookout

Taro Fields in Hanalei Valley

The sky was very kind to us come sunset.  We enjoyed all 14 sunsets Hawaii offered us, whether we had time to stop or just enjoy them from the car!

Sunset near Kilauea Lighthouse

Holo Holo Charters took us on a great voyage of the sea, and out to the gorgeous Napali Coast.  Some playful spinner dolphins approached our boat and did some leaps out of the water for us!

Spinner Dolphin

Napali Coast

Napali Coast

Poipu Beach was a great place to stay.  Fantastic snorkeling, great restaurants nearby and short trips to great attractions.

Spouting Horn Park near Poipu Beach.

Spouting Horn Park.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree

By chance we discovered a rock bridge that had been carved out by the sea. This was located just a minute down the coast from the Glass Beach in Hanapepe. 

Shortly after arriving in Maui, we moseyed over to the steep rock peak, Iao Valley Needle.   

We woke up at 4 AM to watch the sunrise at Haleaka National Park, but instead we slept in our car for three hours atop of the crater, while waiting for the rain and fog to clear. Gratefully it did!

Haleakala Crater

Waterfalls near Garden of Eden Arboretum

Keopuka Rock, near the Garden of Eden Arboretum, where a scene from Jurassic Park was filmed

View from the Road to Hana

On our venture to Molokini Crater just off the southwest coast of Maui, we were able to enjoy some more great aquatic life!

Pilot Whale

Sea Turtle

I hope you enjoyed the photos from our voyage.  Hawaii is certainly a gorgeous place and I would highly recommend it.  Next blog up to bat: 2012 Fall Colors!  Skol and mahalo!