One Island; Many Environments

After driving the entire coast of Maui, I have come to the conclusion as to why most of the population is centered in Kahului, Wailea and Lahaina.  You don't need to negotiate a 45 degree, hilly turn around a mountain to access these areas.


Yesterday we drove the Hana Hwy all the way around the island and through the Haleakala National Park (south side).  Let me issue some warnings about this drive.  First - rent a compact car or Jeep.  Driving an SUV around these hilly, very curvy roads will make for some nail biting if you're wheelbase spills over into the other lane.  I've found that locals aren't generally conducive to moving over.  Also, if you get car sick, stick to the beaches and try snorkeling instead.  It will be a miserable day in the car.


With that said, circumnavigating the island of Maui has given me an appreciation for the diverse ecosystems here.  From the marine coasts to tropical forest to dry Haleakala, Maui's environments change quickly.  If you're lucky to see them at the edges of the day, your eyes will be delighted.  It just requires rising early or staying late.


Surfer dudes in the high surf from a wind advisory:  70-200mm with Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod, circular polarizer.


Rainbow Eucalyptus tree:  24-70mm on same tripod (obeyed private land postings)


Haleakala National Park:  south side - 24-70mm with circular polarizer.  Note how polarizer still can't cut the 'hot' haze @ 4:00 p.m.

Limited Time

This morning I did a scouting trip of some of the local beaches near our hotel.  At the first beach I noticed this Green Sea Turtle lying on the beach.  The tide was rising and this turtle was at the peak of the last high tide, 12 hours before I arrived.  The sun was starting to get warmer and I began to think the turtle was dead.

There was no indication that this turtle had moved.  The sand around it was pristine.  A fellow observer, a respiratory therapist, noted that it didn't appear to be breathing.  Through the lens, however, I noted that it's eye blinked, trying to shake off the small flying knats around it's eye.

Using a 70-200mm lens/tripod to observe the turtle, it was difficult to wonder how this turtle could eat and/or see.  A smaller tumor on the opposite side was also attached near the mouth.  I was heeding the 30 ft. safety circle and not disturbing the turtle.  They live to be 80-90 years, but I can't tell you how old this one was.

A local man, familiar with the beach and procedures for beached turtles, called the authorities.  Apparently it's been beaching itself once a week now.  It appears that it's time is limited.  I wondered what the cause of those cauliflower-like tumors was.  Marine beings are often harmed at the hands of humans due to tangled fishing line, broken netting around limbs, and of course pollution.

I would have loved to photographed a healthy specimen of this species, but I realized that I needed to share this photo anyways.  Not everything in nature is pretty, but the dignity of a green sea turtle beaching itself for might be one more time, was something that reminded me that all our time is limited.

That's why I'm in Hawaii - making the most of it!

Big Island Highlights

Now that we've participated in the largest Tsunami evacuation in Hawaii's history, we're now on Maui.  Finally have internet connection.  The Marriott was charging $15/day for it and then I couldn't connect.  So I sit at a local eatery catching up with the world.

Here are some image from the Big Island.  I wanted to post some 'highlight' images.  I've enjoyed asking people if I can photograph them.  No one's said no.  One of my favorite images is the one that looks like Norman Rockwell painted it.  It's activity at one of the west side's beaches ( I need to look up the name) with people just having fun at high tide.

Now the adventure begins on this touristy island.  Let the adventure begin!