Hamoa Beach Park Listed on Dr. Beach's 2015 Top 10 Beach List

Hamoa Beach Park  is located on the east side of Maui in Hana and is rimmed by cliffs, palm trees, and flowering greenery. This crescent shaped beach is a mixture of coral and lava sand and is the most famous of Maui's Hana beaches. 

Getting to this remote beach takes you a little over two hours to drive on a long windy road on some high cliffs and few guardrails, not to mention 50 one-way bridges along with waterfalls. Thus the saying "I survived the road to Hana." 

Hamoa Beach Park, Maui, HI
Photo Creditor: Aloha-hawaii.org

For us locals, it's a one day family adventure that would start early in the day. We all look forward to the Hana Trip. Packing our favorite snacks and drinks, along with Lunch. Yes, the ride is windy, but the ride for us is like driving through country. Tall green trees, mountains, waterfalls, and blue ocean water, not to mention the stops to each of the ponds along the way for a swim.

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as "Dr. Beach", a professor at Florida International University has been selecting Top 10 Beaches in the United States annually for the past 25 years since 1991. This year two of our Hawaii beaches have made its place on the Top 10 List.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park was listed as the number one beach for this year along with our very own, Hamoa Beach Park, which was listed number four. Last year it listed number five.

Top 10 Beaches 2015

1. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HI
2. Barefoot Beach, Bonita Springs, FL
3. St. George Island State Park, FL
4. Hamoa Beach Park, Maui, HI
5. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of NC
6. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, FL
7. Coast Guard Beach , Cape Cod MA
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Is., SC
9. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, FL
10. East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is located in the northeastern corner of Oahu and is often missed as tourist drive through the small village. Waimanalo Bay is Oahu's longest beach which extends for more than five miles; This white sand beach is great for walking and the wind always blows onshore due to Trade Winds.  It's also a good place for body boarding due to the shallow sandbar.

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, HI
Photo Creditor: TripAdvisor

National beaches that make it to the Top are then retired and listed on the website to giving other beaches a chance for first place. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate these beaches, which includes views, water, sand quality, as well as safety management.

Some of Hawaii's past winners that have been archived are:

Fleming Park Beach, Maui, HI

Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai, HI

Hanauma Bay, Oahu, HI

Hapuna Beach State Recreational Area, Big Island, HI

Hulopoe Beach, Lanai, HI

Kaanapali, Maui, HI

Kailua Beach Park, Oahu, HI

Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, HI

Kaunaoa Beach, Big Island, HI

Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

Poipu Beach, Kauai, HI

Wailea Beach, Maui, HI

Out of 25 years worth of lists I think not only Maui but Hawaii as a State is doing very well on the list. 

More emphasis is being placed on environmental management as well as safety. Bonus points are awarded for prohibition of smoking on beaches. Maui has recently made its first anniversary leading the way banning smoking as it is prohibited in all county parks, beaches, and recreational facilities. 

For more information on the 50 criteria used and also past beaches archived may be seen on Dr. Beach's website at:  www.drbeach.org. 

MayDay Is Lei Day In Hawaii

 May 1st,  is May Day.  In the state of Hawaii it is known as Lei Day in Hawaii.  It's a day that celebrates Hawaiian culture and focuses on the of a lei (flower wreath) as a symbol of aloha. It is a remembrance of the old spirit of Hawaii, the love for color, flowers, fragrance, and hospitality.

In Hawaii, we know May Day to be an all month event.  The reason for this is that each school celebrates their May Day or Ho'olaule'a on a different day so that all the families and friends get to witness the  event.  Kids spend months learning their song/dance to present it to everyone in a festive moment. Personally from a parent's point of view it is a time where you become the proudest to see their kids accomplishments.

Lei Day was created in 1928  by a writer and poet, Don Blanding, who wrote an article to the local paper suggesting that a holiday be created focusing on the Hawaiian custom of making and wearing of the lei. It was Grace Tower Warren who gave the idea of the holiday being set on May 1.  She was also the one who came up with the saying "May Day is Lei Day."  On this day, everyone is encouraged to wear a lei. Festivities are held with hula, music, lei making demonstrations and contests.

 May 1, 1929 was the first official holiday for the territory. In Oahu, this celebration is held at the Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. As a tradition, dozens of entries are placed in the Royal Mausoleum the next morning.

This year, it is the 88th annual celebration. The celebration is held at Queen Kapiolani Park in Waikiki. Each year the festival takes place with  music, hula, lei making exhibits. Each island has a different way of celebrating this special day.

On Maui, celebrations are at the Bailey House Museum. There are free museum tours, arts and craft workshops, cultural demonstrations, food, and a lei contest. 

On the Big Island, the Hilo Lei Day Festival is held at the Kalakaua Park. There is music, the Lei Day Queen, hula, food, and lei making demonstrations.

Kauai Museum celebrates with music, hula, cultural demonstrations, food, crafts, and a silent auction.

Lanai celebrates this occasion with entertainment from Lanai High School & Elementary school.

Molokai celebrates also with music, entertainment, lei making and exchanging, not to mention food.

I think that the best part of Lei Day is to see the kids across the state celebrating May Day with their presentations, along with the Hawaiian court, hula, entertainment, music, food, and the traditional lei making contest.  It's a time for our keiki to learn a part of their culture thru hula, music, lei making, and food. 

                                

No matter which island you are on, Mayday is one of the first festive holidays that was celebrated. It is filled with ancient spirituality, and culture.  It's also one of the only places where old Hawaii is combined with modern day Hawaii.  Enjoy the festivities. "Happy May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii."

The Lahaina Banyan Tree

One of the most well known landmarks and also historical site in Lahaina is the Lahaina Banyan Tree. Recently it celebrated its 140th birthday. Not only is it the oldest tree in Hawaii, but one of the oldest trees in the United States.

Recently while writing a feature article on the Lahaina Banyan Tree I got to learn more about the history of this tree other than it simply being a landmark. The tree originated from India and was brought here by missionaries.  Sheriff William Owen Smith planted it to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first protestant mission to Lahaina.  Not only did it commemorate the first protestant missionaries but it also was the site of Kamehameha III birthday and was the celebration site of Hawaii's inclusion of the United States.

From when the tree was first planted at 8 feet tall until now, it has grown over 60 feet tall covering and estimated two-thirds of an acre with a dozen main trunks.  People have enjoyed its shade, children have climbed its limbs, artists have used it as a place to sell their artwork and crafts. Others have used it for photo opportunities, not to mention events.

As far as I can remember we would always stop to sit under the tree to enjoy the shade after walking Front Street, spend some time looking at the various arts and craft work displayed here. Yes, back then when we were younger it was a place for kids to climb the limbs of the tree but now being so old they encourage people to sit on the benches instead.

So, next time you are in Lahaina and either drive or stop by the Banyan Tree on Front Street hopefully you will remember why the tree was so special. Not only is it a landmark to us locals but  part of our history as well. 

Pretty Morning Colors

I am just so inspired by the morning colors. It is just such an awesome sight to start the day off with. The colors that come off of Haleakala Mountain in the morning is some of the most awe inspiring and just takes your breathe away.

Haleakala In The Morning

As we know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Everyone knows that some of the most beautiful sunrises are seen on the top of Haleakala. But as I've seen thru the years and have loved is the morning sunrises that you can enjoy from just about anywhere on Maui.

I so love the play of the morning colors and the clouds. Or how some days it may be perfectly clear with no clouds at all. What ever it may be it is just so refreshing.

Actually, I think sunrises and sunsets are the perfect beginning and end to any beautiful day.

Waiehu, Maui

Lahaina, Maui 6 A.M.

Waiehu, Maui

No matter how many times you see a sunrise from the same area or side of Maui it aways seems to amaze me as to what I will get to see the next morning. Hope you enjoyed my pictures. I may add more in the future. Maui No Ka Oi!!! Have an awesome day everyone. =)

Another Little Hidden Secret

One of my favorite things to do on a hot day especially on a hot weekend is to play water.  I know that we live in Maui and everyone always thinks beach on weekend. My favorite would be to go swimming in a pond or stream. I feel that you come out feeling so much more refreshed and clean. Not to mention the fact that you stay cool a lot longer.

"Lele Kawa" means cliff jumping into a pool of water. It was a sport that was turned into a test to show loyalty back in King Kahekili's time and has been a part of our Hawaiian culture dating as far back as in the 1800's.  One of Kahekili's favorite spots to jump off from is "Black Rock" in Ka'anapali.  Back then it was a 200ft climb to the top of a cliff. He would jump into the ocean from the cliffs. Local people still go there to jump.

We have been teaching our son's to "lele kawa" or jump off the cliff into water recently. For some reason they learned to jump before they learned to really swim.  Because of this interest, we have been enjoying nature and visiting a few swimming ponds here and there. One is our favorite pond in the I'ao Stream.

I'ao Stream

Another pond that we haven't gone to in a long while since they were a lot younger would be Honopou Stream. It's on a side road on the way to Hana. It's a very quiet pond off the beaten path sort of saying. It's not very crowded here but people do come and go. From the top of the stream looking down to the pond it is maybe a 20 to 30 foot drop. The pond itself is nice and deep.

Honopou Stream

The cool thing about jumping off cliffs and learning is everyone that does jump likes to help encourage the young ones to overcome their fear. The uncles, aunties, and friends love to give their own tips as well. It's a happy accomplishment when you actually overcome that fear. It can also become an addiction as I've noticed.

Honopou jumping

Every now and then depending on the spot you may find a few tourists that have wondered off the path and found their way to one of the hidden ponds. After watching a bit sometimes they even join in on the thrill as well. All in All it is fun to either watch or jump.

   

The Mountains In Maui

Haleakala

One of the most wonderful things I love to see is the mountains in Maui first thing in the morning. On a beautiful clear day sometimes you can see the most wonderful details on the mountain and some of the nicest sunrises.

I've visited a few places when I was younger and have for some reason always looked at and compared the mountains. I must say I have seen some nice places in my travels but for some reason nothing compares to our mountains in Maui as Maui will always be my home.

I spent my childhood years waking up to the sun rising over the Haleakala every morning before school.

I would wake up around 6:00 a.m. to get ready for school and the first thing I would do was look at Haleakala and the skies. The next would be to sit at the table and eat breakfast and watch the sunrise and the pretty colors. Just the perfect sight to start the day off with. =)

West Maui Mountain

The West Maui Mountains is where I grew up. On a nice clear morning not only is the sky nice and blue but you can see the many ridges and valleys that make up these mountains. Along with it you can see Wailuku Town in the center, and Waikapu on the left.

These pictures were taken on Sunday, August 31, 2014. It doesn't do justice to what you see with your own eyes. But, it was a sign that we were definitely in for a nice hot day.  An awesome day to enjoy at the beach, pool, or pond. Some of the blessings of living in paradise.

Iao Needle hidden in the West Maui Mountains

Some of the most beautiful places are hidden in these mountains that are simply amazing. These most amazing waterfalls, ponds, trails, and lookouts are some of what makes Maui such a special place. Living here in the middle of it all I can never seem to get enough. Even growing up here I still haven't seen it all.

Waterfall hidden in Haleakala

Living Maui style is the excitement of  live and learning a new adventure everyday. Appreciating Maui for all it has to offer. Its culture, natural beauty, people, food, music, etc. Live, Love, Learn, Laugh, and enjoy what Maui has to offer. I do =)

Maui Sunsets

Po'olenalena Beach

It's been raining on and off for the past few weeks. There has been too much rain to really enjoy things on Maui except for maybe the waterfalls during the hot weekend lately and the beach. But one of the things that everyone seems to love no matter what is a beautiful sunset at the end of any day. You could have a good or a bad day and that sunset could stir up such feelings of awe. It to me is what makes a long day complete.

No matter what age we are young or old, we find ourselves or others stopped to enjoy the last rays of the day. It is always different and never the same as the everyday brings new adventures, weather, and enviornment. Maui I must say has some of the nicest sunsets around.

A view from Wailuku

Sunset coloring the sky in Kula

No matter where I am on Maui I always find the time to enjoy the pretty colors that color the sky as the sun goes down at the end of the day. Whether it may be somewhere in town, on the south shore or the north shore.

Sunset at DT Flemings Beach

Going.....

Going........

Gone!!!!

 Its a celebration of the end of day and the start of a new one. Live, love, and laughing Maui is the only way to be. All I can say is I consider myself fortunate to live on this beautiful island as it will always be my home and my love for nature makes me appreciate it more.