Maui, Day 4 again (December 29, 2025)

The Haleakala Observatory at the summit is above one-third of the Earth's atmosphere and excellent for star gazing. We were sad that it isn't open to the public except by appointment.

Sunset above the clouds from the summit

Ryder, Brandy, and River at the top. Mya and Piper waited in the car because it was so cold and windy. Brandy mimicked several girls who were videoing themselves, probably for TikTok posts.

Overlooking the crater from the upper visitor center. The last eruption was in 1790.

Ryder at the summit visitor center. 

• Total Height: Measured from the ocean floor to its 10,023-foot summit, the volcano is about 28,000 to 30,000 feet tall.
• Underwater Depth: Roughly 19,680 to 20,000+ feet of the mountain is concealed beneath the Pacific Ocean.
• Ranking: It is the third-highest mountain on Earth when measured from its seamount base.

Tom and me, maybe overlooking the crater from the top? Not sure.

Brandy and me, freezing at the top in mid-40 degree temps, awaiting sunset.

 

Maui, more Day 4 (December 29, 2025)

Tom and his water bottle at the Leleiwi Overlook, offering a birds eye view of the volcanic crater in Haleakala National Park. The world's largest dormant volcano's crater floor is 7.5 miles wide, 2.5 miles wide, and 3,000 feet deep. 

Piper, Brandy, and Ryder at the lookout, above the clouds! Brings to mind Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." ("I've looked at clouds from both sides now, From up and down and still somehow, It's cloud illusions I recall, I really don't know clouds at all.")

River and Ryder across from the shelter. For an even better view of the crater?

Mamane (sophora chrysophylla), endemic to Hawaii, is crucial to the ecosystem, especially to the endangered palila bird. The flowers bloom in winter and spring at the overlook.

River at the top.

I have no idea what these are. Couldn't find them on Google. But they added beautiful color to the Leleiwi Overlook.

Brandy, Piper, and Ryder at the Leleiwi Overlook shelter.

 

Maui, Day 4 (December 29, 2025)

 On our way to Haleakala National Park, we walked on the nature trail in Hosmer Grove. We looked for 'amakihi, a common, vibrant yellow-green honeycreeper. We saw one of the little yellow birds on our way into the forest but not through the telescope. The experimental grove of non-native trees such as pine, spruce, cedar, and eucalyptus was developed in 1909 by Ralph Hosmer. His plan for timber farming in Hawaii didn't work out. Only 20 of the 86 species introduced there survived.

We saw a nene, the Hawaii state bird. The medium-sized goose, endemic to Hawaii, is endangered. 

Maui, end of Day 3 (December 28, 2025)

What better way to end a perfect day than with an open-bar plus dinner and possible whale spotting sunset cruise from Ka'anapali Beach? Thanks, Ryder! We waded about 20 feet from the shore to climb a ladder onto the Trilogy III.
 

Sisters taking in Maui

Papa and Brandy let the tequila sunrises and margaritas begin! 

The sister boat like ours

Headed back. We saw whales in the distance, but not up close. 

Time for a swim! I love the way this photo depicts the changing moment in parenthood when the child still needs Mama (to hold his shoes) but is moving away on his own, and his footprints are disappearing.

Sunset over the Pacific near Black Rock on Ka'anapali Beach, looking toward the islands of Lana'i and Moloka'i west of the beach.

Maui, more Day 3 (December 28, 2025)

We explored the Olivine Pools, so named for the semi-precious olivine encrusted in the surrounding lava and sandstone. See the tiny people in the pool? It was quite a scramble down from the road. As the tide rose, splashes from the ocean created little waterfalls over the rocks.

Mya, Piper, and I work our way down the sometimes slippery trail. I think this is to the Olivine Pools but it might be the trail to the blowhole. Both trails are steep and rocky.

Two markers on the way down warned us about rogue waves that washed people out to sea in 2017 and 2018. 

Ryder and the kids explore the rocks surrounding the three pools.
 
 

Maui, first part of Day 3 (December 28, 2025)

The Nakalele Blowhole, as described in the Maui Revealed guidebook, is like "a jet engine roaring into the sky." The man-sized hole is in a lava shelf undercut by incoming surf that blasts through the hole. Don't lean over it! Someone was sucked through it and swept out to sea in 2011!

Mya, Brandy, Ryder, and River wait for the next 100-foot explosion. We had to scramble down about a 200-foot trail from the road above, over a lot of rock, to reach the blowhole.

Mya and Piper stood close enough to be covered in spray.

Ryder and Brandy at the Nakalele Blowhole

Maui, first part of Day 2 (December 27, 2025)

 We started the day shopping for floaties and noodles.  Not $22 each at the resort shop, but around $4 each for the identical items at a store down the road! Piper's catching some sun after snorkeling.

The bay is sheltered from pounding surf. But the coral reefs can skin your knees!

River's almost ready. The water was cold at first!

Brandy and Tom relaxed on the beach. Brandy eventually rode her floatie out to see the Hawaiian green turtle. It poked it's head up right in front of Ryder's face!

Papa, Mya, Ryder and me calling it a day. I couldn't have done it without my kickboard. I'm not a strong swimmer. On to Hawaiian shaved ice!

Maui, second part of Day 2 (December 27, 2025)

THEN: Ryder and Brandy honeymooned in Maui after their lucky 07/07/07 wedding in Vegas.
 

NOW: A mere 18 years later and Piper, River, and Mya have joined the family!

After snorkeling at Kapalua Bay--where we all saw a Hawaiian green turtle! (except Papa who stayed on the beach)--we stopped at Aloha Shave Ice in Lahaina. The shave ice is made with fresh fruit and if you request it, a snow cap of coconut condensed milk. So refreshing!

We finished the day at the resort pool. River conquered the slide!

We're all together! (December 26, 2025)

We couldn't check in until Ryder showed up in person as he'd made the reservation. The wait was short and pleasant. Our room is Piper's birth date!
 

Piper couldn't wait for a swim! Mya watches.

First full day in Maui (December 26, 2025)

 Due to the Austin-Maui time difference, we had a 28-hour Christmas Day. We spent most of that time at ABIA, flying to San Diego then Maui, and 2 hours in the Budget car rental line. Oh! I was so discombobulated I left my carry-on luggage at baggage claim. Thank goodness for the long car rental line which gave me time to realize the suitcase was missing! I ran back into the airport and everything was closed except for the United Airlines customer service office. They had my bag and were about to send it to lost and found! 

We enjoyed coffee at Kanaha Beach Park, where we watched windsurfers. We then visited the botanical garden of native plants.

A traditional island shelter

We then shopped at Costco and headed to the Outrigger Ka'anapali Beach resort near Lahaina to wait for the Moraga Lewises to fly in that afternoon.

Big Boy wants to drive Xena too (December 21, 2025)

Big Boy likes to jingle the car keys. If he ever takes them off the hook, we'll have no idea where to find them. Once, when Ryder was a crawling baby, I let him play with my car keys. I just happened to see him slide them under the refrigerator. I would never have found them if I hadn't seen that!