May 5th - Hiking

This morning we drove down to the South end to hike the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail that starts at the Shipwreck Beach just past the Hyatt.

We stopped first a the Wailua Falls, which was a pretty drive to a dead end where the falls are located.  Spectacular views and we were seeing the canopy below the falls that we've seen in so many valleys and hill sides.   Wispy tree tops that you can tell evolution due to the winds developed over time.

As we departed we did purchase from a local vendor some Butter Mochi.  Think a rice based custard that has a soft gummy bear texture.  Very good and home made from great grandma recipe.  Or so goes the claim.

From the falls we traveled to the Hyatt to find the trail head for our hike.  Along the way you have a tree tunnel and at the beginning a lot of ferns climbing the trees.

The Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail is supposed to be an 1.5 hour hike per All Trials app.  The problem is towards the end there is an extra half mile one way trip to a cave and all in this was a 4.89 mile trek that with sightseeing, etc. took 2.5 hours.  Janie was a trooper even though we left her new walking sticks and water bottle in the car.  -10 for Jeff on hike preparation.  Otherwise a spectacular hike with unbelievable views of the ocean, the Hyatt's golf course and the cave (more on that coming up).

Surfers at Shipwreck Beach - cliffs above at the start of our hike.

Janie braving the edge to get a great picture.  The ridge was undercut all along the hike, so not too close to the edge.

The walk was a combination of sand, roots and lava rock.  Not hard, but definitely in some places a careful step to avoid tripping.  

As you walk along one of the fairways on the left and cliff on the right you go past a protected site called Waiopili Heiau a sacred site that is a volcano flow into the ocean.  Not sure why sacred, but noted.

At the end of the hike you are at the next beach Gillin's beach.  One of the trails takes you to Makauwahi Cave Reserve.  This area was a sand dune that over time became limestone and then a lake formed underground that erode the limestone creating the cave structure where Cave #1 roof collapsed.  You crawl to enter and can only go in so far due to the protected cave spider and other creatures of the dark.  Worth the extra mile of hiking.  A volunteer by the name of Larry gave us the history of the caves and the time frames are in the 10's of thousands of years.  Also, learned they define native species prior to the Polynesian coming to the island bringing their invasive species of plants and animals.

View down from the top of the collapsed cave

Entrance

The hike back was a dead head effort to get to the car and water, so much better time on the way back.  After the hike we headed a short distance to the Poipu Beach Park area for lunch at Brenneck's.  2nd floor vista through open windows a gentle breeze.

Baby Pineapple in the window sill!!

Stopped at Safeway and ATM (inside 7-Eleven) for some cash (didn't bring enough for tipping).

Back earlier than normal for some pool time and happy hour Tiki Bar drinks.  Then dinner at the bar for hamburger with bacon and pineapple jam, yummy!!  

Pina Colada back in stock!

After a rain shower we called it quits for the day.