Our last morning view of Lanai across Lahaina Roads for this trip. It is only 10 miles across the channel to Lanai from our balcony!

Our last morning view of Molokai for this trip. From our balcony to the closest point on Molokai is only 12 miles across the channel.

Early morning view northward up the coast from our balcony,

Catamaran at anchor just off the cliffs of our balcony.

Our Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 arriving at Kahului Airport to take os on the 23 minute flight to Kailua-Kona on the big island.

Small Plane, Short Flight 🙂

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Upon our return to the Sheraton Maui Resort, we saw a beautiful rainbow arching over the resort that lasted for about a half hour in the evening mist over the mountain and the setting sun.

We actually missed our last sunset on Maui for this trip, as we got delayed parking in Lahaina, and it was a longer walk than planned to the breakwater by Bubbba Gump’s, but we got nice post-horizon sunset photos from our table at Bubba Gump’s and some shots of Downtown Lahaina after dark before returning to the resort…
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Just had to take a picture of this, inside an art gallery, as we walked by

With the clearing of some of the cloud cover around Haleakala, we were happy that our last full day on Maui was going to give us an opportunity to climb the volcano and see the spectacular sights from the summit.

The drive up and down the 38 mile drive from Kahului to the summit takes a good 2 hours plus each way, so don’t be rushed for time if you decide to take this trip on your visit to Maui!  The experience on the drive up of driving into the clouds at about 4,500 feet and then clearing the top of the clouds around the 8,000 foot point was just unbelievable.

The feeling of being on the top of the world while walking around the 10,023 high peak of Haleakala is something hard to describe. Being there in the early afternoon and seeing the view, I now understand why people start the drive up at 4am to witness the sunrise, as it must be a spectacular experience.  Something to consider for a future trip to Maui!
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For a few short minutes, we had this view down to Kahului, but quickly, the clouds began to close back in…

For a few short minutes, we had this view down to Kahului, but quickly, the clouds began to close back in…

For a few short minutes, we had this view down to Kahului, but quickly, the clouds began to close back in…

Take a drive to the summit and ride a bike down the volcano!

Take a drive to the summit and ride a bike down the volcano!

And, also a collection of panoramas from the visitor center and summit of Haleakala:
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Panoramic View from the Visitor Center

Panoramic View from the Visitor Center

Panoramic View from the Visitor Center

Panoramic View from the Visitor Center

1/3+ of the 360 degree view from the 10,023 summit

1/3+ of the 360 degree view from the 10,023 summit

1/3+ of the 360 degree view from the 10,023 summit

For more information on Haleakala, see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haleakal%C4%81

Our first of two stops for the day was at Iao Valley State Monument.  This is a dramatic valley in the eastern side of the Pu’u Kukui, the volcanic peak that forms West Maui, and the Iao Valley feeds fresh water from the heights of the volcano into Wailuku and Kahuku, being the main source of fresh water in ancient days.

The most dramatic volcanic structure in the valley is the Iao Needle, as shown in the pictures below:
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For more information on Iao Valley State Park, see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iao_Valley

Ok, after the extensive postings yesterday, today should only be a four-part episode, so here goes:

The morning started out with even more birds joining me for a morning snack before Marianne got up, lining up all the way across the balcony, up to 20 at one time!

Molokai finally revealed herself from behind the ever-present clouds across Lahaina Roads at last.

After we departed for our day’s exploration, rounding the south side of West Maui, Haleakala also was showing below and ABOVE the clouds:
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