Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

Is it real?

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Well, yes it is real but is it natural? I don’t know . . . We came across this pleasant little surprise when we actually had come to see the Nakalele Blowhole in Maui (photos to follow).

A bit surreal . . .
It’s positively glowing . . .
There was no one nearby to take a photo of both of us together.

The drive from Kapalua, around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is extraordinary. Nakalele Blowhole is the result of the ocean wearing away the shore below the lava shelf. With each wave, water is forced through a hole in the lava shelf resulting in the “eruption” of water similar to a geyser. The “blowing” of the water varies dramatically depending on tide levels and wave action. High tide and strong surf result in the best effects. The blowhole can be seen from the road when the wave action is right or you can hike down to the area – just don’t get too close!

Useful Information:

  • The blowhole, point and light beacon can easily be seen from the trailhead without taking the hike.
  • Use extreme caution when walking these trails as they are rocky and descend steeply toward the ocean. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and use sunscreen. Always bring drinking water, do not hike alone, and tell others about your hiking itenerary.
  • Be extremely careful around the blowhole as the waves and resulting eruptions are unpredictable and are deadly dangerous.
  • Never sit on, touch or get close to the blowhole or erupting water.
  • Monitor the ocean conditions continuously as rough waves may endanger you as the trail nears the water.
Duly noted . . .
It was like a ‘moonscape’
I took a tumble on this lava – it was razor-sharp and shredded my hand quite a bit – aarghhh
What could grow here?
Our first glimpse
People! there’s a hole there that leads directly into the ocean!!

All I can say is that it was an incredible experience and we came away awed and soaking wet!

Haleakala

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Yikes! typical view on the way up the volcano . . .

 

Above the clouds

 

Above the clouds

 

Above the clouds

 

Looking down into the crater

 

Cinder cones

 

Silversword

 

Silversword

 

Spent bloom

It’s always a thrill to drive up the volcano – for me it’s a bit of a white-knuckler but it’s really not that bad and it is such an amazing thing to see. All photos are mine but here is some info that I copied from “Haleakala National Park”

Haleakala is one of two national parks in the HawaiianIslands. Located on the southern section of the island of Maui, the park’s 28,655 acres contain one of the most spectacular volcanic craters in the world as well as a beautiful section of the Maui coastline. Land in the park lies at altitudes from sea level along the coast to over 10,000 feet at the summit of the mountain, supporting a range of habitats from subalpine to subtropical rain forests.

The silversword, a relative of the sunflower, is well adapted for its life in the barren high altitude setting in which it is found. It is able to store and retain moisture in special tissue in the “leaves” which allows it to survive in the hostile environment. Layers of white hairs on these leaves help protect the plant from the strong ultraviolet radiation at high altitude and give it its distinctive frosty silver sheen.
The silversword is a large plant, with a rosette measuring up to about 2 feet across. It lives from about 15 to 50 years, blooms only once, sending a stalk 5 or 6 feet upwards, and then dies.