Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii

The sun put on a vivid and appreciated show at sunset.

Tags:   palm tree ocean outdoor sunset pacific Kauai sea coast shore Hawaii Beach House

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Kalalau Valley, Kauai, Hawaii

From the Pihea trail we are looking down on Kalalau Valley on the island of Kauai. It has rained recently and several waterfalls are flowing down the steep sides of Ka'a'alahina Ridge.

Tags:   Koke'e Kalalau Valley Na Pali Coast State Park landscape state park Pu'u O Kila Lookout Kalalau Hawaii trail Kauai Ka'a'alahina Ridge valley Pihea Pihea trail Koke'e State Park

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Lumahai Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

These old Ironwood trees were surely witness to the 1958 filming of the movie "South Pacific", portions of which were staged on this beach.

Tags:   beach tree landscape Lumahai Beach Kauai Ironwood North Shore Hawaii

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Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

On our drive to summit of Mt Haleakala, we stopped at the ranger station located at 2150 meters (7100 feet) above sea level. On that day we were in the middle of the clouds that had taken up their usual position around the mountain. Outside the station was this wonderful planter of silversword that had apparently finished blooming a few weeks ago.

Haleakala Silversword is found only on Mt Haleakala at elevations from just below the ranger station up to the summit. The plants grow in volcanic cinder and can tolerate freezing temperatures and cold, dry winds. Their root systems are very sensitive, however, and warning signs at the summit tell you not walk near the silverswords.

They almost went extinct because of cattle, goats, and people, but they have since recovered and are now a threatened species, largely because of their limited range.

Tags:   Mt Haleakala Haleakala 'ahinahina National Park Haleakala Silversword Haleakala National Park Argyroxiphium sandwicense Mount Haleakala volcano Hawaii Maui Silversword

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A catamaran out of Lahaina Harbor on Maui has hove to, watching the sun set behind the nearby island of Lanai.

Tags:   catamaran Maui ocean Pacific sunset Lahaina Hawaiian island Hawaii Lanai

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