After receiving the invite from KK, I decided to get the bus to Lahaina to meet them for the road to Hana. After taking the bus along the coast and waiting beneath the banyan tree at Lahaina, KK and GH swung by to collect me, and off we went. Heading through the centerlands to the other coast, we continued up along Paia and Haiku, then along the windy road to Hana. As the journey went on, the road became increasingly curvy, and the jungle more steep and lush with wild flowers and vegetation. After passing several tall ravines with waterfalls and sweeping views past rocky shore break over the endless Pacific, we arrived at Hana and stopped for a bite to eat. Still not yet at our destination, we pressed on past the most beautiful ocean ranch lands, stone walls and precarious single lane bridges to the seven pools – seven cascading freshwater pools, formed from lava rock carved by rainfall in the widest and steepest basin on the wet side of Haleakala. The series of pools emptied out on the ocean, where waves thrashed and broke across the coast. By scaling along the outside rock wall, we made our way into a deep freshwater pool fed by a strong natural waterfall. After a refreshing first breath, the water was warm and deep enough to wade and swim in. There we floated, making short underwater dives without reaching the bottom. I spent as long as possible swimming in this pool, floating on my back to look up at the steep cliff walls above… Finally I was summoned out, as we were late starting back on the windy return. This plan worked well, as the day had light left for the curviest part, and we reached better roadways just as the scene was enveloped in darkness. After a stop in Paia to meet some friends at dinner, the next stop was my beach campground at night. Attempting to maneuver the dark, forested paths by the light of the cellphone, I chose an open spot, assembled the tent by the light of KK’s auto trunk, set up camp, and zipped in for a night’s rest to the sound of ocean waves. Morning began at the crack of dawn, as a symphonic cacophony of birds enveloped the entire site.
