The signs warned of danger. The trail down to the ocean blowhole was rough. The sharp lava rocks made for difficult footing down the steep slope, and if you fell on them you would be cut badly. This must be what the warning refers to.

Shane thought it referred to when the tide was up and walking close to the blowhole through the high water would be dangerous. We could walk right up to the hole now, though. But, he was the experienced Hawaiian resident (been here 3 months now), so I listened. We took pictures of the signs as we passed by them.

It was a rough climb down to the ocean . We went to see "the blowhole". Once there we each took our turn standing by the hole and waiting for the 'eruption'. The rocks leading to it were very slippery to walk on and tricky to stand on while we took each others photo.

Once back home I got on the internet to read the history of this blowhole. I found these reviews from people that had been there before us:

"A hole in the lava shelf causes a geyser-like effect which can reach over 100 feet when air and water are forced upwards through the hole.While it may seen tempting to approach the blowhole for a great photo, don't do it."

"Water not only comes through the blow hole, at times it will come over the rocks and knock you down. And then when it drains down the hole, it will take you with it. I was 15 feet away from the hole when a big wave came over the top and knocked me down. I found myself in 4 feet of water and like a drain, it was pullingme and 4 other spectators toward the hole. Thankfully, no one was sucked down the hole but one man broke his hip and we were all holding on to him for dear life . Later when fire/rescue arrived, they said that many have been sucked down and drowned. Just a few months earlier, a man and his boy were lost to that hole. Please keep your distance."
"Three tourist drowned when trying to save one another you need to be careful on the rocks!"

"On July 9, 2011, David Potts, a 44-year-old general contractor from San Anselmo, Northern California, was killed while standing dangerously close to the Nakalele blowhole. While Mr. Potts was standing near the blowhole with his back to the surf, a large wave swept him into the mouth of the blowhole. A nearby witness states that Potts resurfaced fora moment, but disappeared as another large wave crashed over the blowhole."

Shane and I left his home in Kihei, Maui for a scenic drive along the Pacific Ocean and then for a hike into the mountains. He tells me there are NO snakes on the island at all. At least that is what he has been told. Also, no racoons. There is an overabundance of deer, though, and the season is open on them all year long . Also, no hunting license is required to hunt them.

Our route took us through the little jewel of a town called Lahaina. It is an historic town that has been transformed into a Maui hot spot. It was once the capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early 19th century. It was also a historic whaling village during the whaling boom of the mid-1800's. The town was mentioned in the book, "Moby Dick".

We stopped for breakfast in this seaside town and took our food to go. We sat under the huge trees on the beach while we ate.

Once on the road again, Shane drove to the most northern point on the island of Maui, Nakalele Point. The drive from Kapalua, around Nakalele Point and on to Wailuku is extraordinary.

The main attraction at Nakalele Point is the famous Nakalele Blowhole. The Blowhole produces powerful geyser-like water spouts that can rise 100 feet into the air . The ocean wears away the shore below the rock lava shelf. This creates a path for the ocean waves to come under the rock and blow with gigantic force, creating the geyser-like affect. The "blowing" of the water into the air varies with the tide levels and waves.

We spotted the "blowhole" as it shot into the air before we arrived at the location. Carefully making our way down the rocky and steep trail towards the ocean, we wanted a photo in front of the thing as it exploded, which seemed to happen every few minutes. Shane posed in front of it and waited. I waited with my finger on the camera for just the right moment. When it reach it's height I got the picture. It was just at the right second. Then I made my way out to the blowhole and we went through the same routine with me posing in front of it, waiting.

Making our way back up the steep, slippery hillside, we were proud for getting such a timeless photo.

The next day on the internet, as I was reading about this blowhole, I saw the reviews and warnings of what we had done . I guess others were not so lucky.

Along this scenic, narrow, mountainous road, we stopped off at The Olivine Pools. They are several tidepools located on barren lava along the ocean's edge. You needed good shoes to traverse the rugged rocks leading down to the ocean side. It is lava rock with sharp jagged edges.

We made it down, though, and it was another 'not to miss' sight. The pools in the oceanside lava rock are protected from the ocean waves and provide a nice, calm place to swim and snorkel. Many fish have been swept into this pool created by nature. A rock barrier separates the ocean from the pool. One of the pools is around 7-12 feet deep and about 12X20 feet in diameter. There are many different kinds and colors of fish that are swimming in it, as well as other ocean life. It is like swimming around in your own little aquarium. There are also a number of smaller pools in which you can observe marine life.

Unfortunately, we had not anticipated finding these pools and did not wear or bring swimming trunks . But, I am sure, with Shane living here for a long while, he will be back to swim here.

The afternoon found us at the trailhead. We have a hike in the mountains to do before dark. The trail is over rocks and under fallen trees. It is uphill and passes by rock cliffs where you can tell rock climbers have been. Sometimes the trail is not there, just underbrush. Numerous times we have to cross the creek to pick up the trail on the other side. We step on or jump large rocks in the stream time after time.

Our destination is a waterfall. Around 5 P.M. we find it. The trail is under a dense canopy of trees and the day looks much later because the sun cannot get through. Since there are NO snakes on the island I don't have to watch for them under rocks and brush as I go.

It is a beauty of a hike and gives us both a good work out. By the time we reach the trailhead where we started it is not long until dark .

Although he didn't say it, I think Shane was really glad to have me lead him out of the forest in spite of the disappearing trail and late hour of the day close to darkness.

I saw something on this hike I have not seen before. Just past the trailhead we came upon a campsite. The usual picnic table and tent area were there but the wonderful and unusual things were what caught my attention.

There was a gas grill and double stainless steel sink with faucets set up. You had to bring your own propane bottle, I guess. Shane said the sink was there for you to clean the fish you caught. What a wonderful idea!

It's been a great day here with the nephew in Hawaii. We are both tired but in a good way. The good way is when you are tired from having fun and not work!

We drive home in the dark, as we usually end up doing. Now that the daylight sightseeing on Maui is done we will think about eating something Hawaiian.