Hana: There...

Early on Thursday morning, October 2, Alan took advantage of the Maui bus system to get back to the airport, where he picked up our rental car for the next 3 days, then returned to Banana Bungalow for me and the rest of the luggage. After a stop at the Safeway for groceries (apparently everything is more expensive in Hana), we were underway, piecing our itinerary together from Lonely Planet, Fodor's, and recommendations from friends. Our first stop, some 10 miles outside of Wailuku/Kahului, was Paia Town. This small town seems to be a favorite of the locals, due to an excellent organic foods store as well as plenty of restaurants and shops. We located the organic foods store, duly appreciated it, then continued onward.

Next we stopped a Ho'okipa to watch the surfers, as well as the spectacular view back towards Kahului and out towards the ocean.

Once on the Hana Highway, we stopped at Waikamoi Nature Trail for a 0.8 mile loop  with "fragrant trees" and "views of the dramatic road ahead", to sardonically quote the guide books. I didn't see views of the road ahead; perhaps the trail has become overgrown. We did see these trees with interesting roots, and Alan liked this pink flower. Since we brought sandwiches for lunch, we followed a trail farther up the mountain indicating "Upper Picnic Area", which ended up being totally worthless except for a view out over a lush bamboo forest. We ate our sandwiches while we walked back to the car.

Next we stopped at Kaumahina State Wayside Park for a view out over the upcoming road. Definitely a good view.

Halfway along the Hana Highway, we drove a short distance off of the main road to the village of Ke'anae, formed by a late eruption of Haleakala. It is a flat and fertile area. We glimpsed the Ke'anae Congregational Church, built in 1860. And just across the way is Ke'anae Beach Park, which sports pounding waves and jagged black lava rock.

Next we pulled off the highway into the small parking area for the Wailua Valley State Wayside. Just walk up about 30 stairs for views of the coast and views inland.

After that, we made our final stop before Hana at the Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park to take a look at a pair of waterfalls and their swimming holes. This area had picnic tables, and we came upon a couple eating with two cats close by. Turns out these cats were feral, though healthy, and they were probably looking for a snack in the form of sandwich tidbits or the ferret scampering into the bushes. Anyways, Alan and I waded into the upper pool, got nibbled on by the tadpoles and minnows, and headed back to the car.

We checked into our hostel, Joe's Place, then cruised around the village to get the lay of the land. We settled at the Hana Beach Park to read for a while then grab delicious plates of kaimin and tempura at the Barefoot Cafe, one of the few places open for dinner. We searched out some Maui Brewing Co. beer (Coconut Porter) at the Hasegawa General Store to enjoy while watching the sun set and The Lord of the Rings, in that order.