Alaska/Hawaii

Molokini Crater

Published January 19, 2016

Woke early Tuesday with a goal to snorkel Maui’s south shore.

Couldn’t reach folks by phone (too early, only answer machines) so drove to the boat dock in Kihei (pre-dawn, still pitch black) with plans to join an existing tour. Talked to 2 different groups – both fully booked…on a Tuesday? Who knew?

Back in the condo, feeling kinda deflated, continued my google search. Most tours leave at 630am; luckily Kai Kanani in neighboring Kihei additionally had a 9am tour start. (Thanks Steve for calling – I couldn’t handle another rejection.)

Wait, wait, back up. Flew 8 hours to Hawaii & snorkeling plans just happen today on the fly?

Truth: Haven’t swam since Ironman Boulder (August 2014). 8-months of training – completely burned out. If I never swim another 100 laps at 4am, think I’ll be a-ok. Wouldn’t miss it. Truth.

Bigger truth: Crazy fear of sharks. Begged my dad to see ‘Jaws’ when I was a kid. Movie house was full – our seats, front row…which meant everything was HUGE. Years later, I still shower with my eyes open – shampooing hair & all. Far as I know, no shark has ever squeezed up household plumbing thru a shower drain. Yeah…this film wrecked me.

So at age xxx, no scuba or snorkel stories in this guy’s wheelhouse…yet.

Luckily (because life is meant to be lived) when calling home, Ash harassed me (incessantly, over & over – Saturday, Sunday & Monday nights)…until this day arrived – waking early Tuesday, deciding…today, I’m going snorkeling.

Molokini Deluxe Tour
Our most popular tour, snorkel at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town. Great food, beverages and cocktails.
4 Hour Tour | Departs 9:00 AM Daily

Just 15 Minutes to Molokini Crater
Start your Maui snorkel tour closer to Molokini Crater than with any other company. Weather permitting, some boats take over an hour to reach Molokini Crater – at Kai Kanani it takes 15 minutes thanks to our exclusive departure location on Maui’s South Side at Makena Beach.

Because of rough sea, toughest part of the day – boarding the boat.

Groups of 4-6 waded out into the ocean. In between large rolling waves, crew members helped steady folks up a waiting ladder. Nothing like a huge crashing wave to get you used to the water – LOL>

Aboard the boat: introductions, safety talk, do’s & don’ts, brief snorkel instructions – and WHALES…large humpback whales! What I didn’t see on Sunday night’s whale & sunset cruise, unexpectedly I saw today. MASSIVE mammals!

[side note: in 15 minutes, I’m gonna jump in ocean water. Yikes!]

Anchored the boat near Molokini Crater, lined up early – jumped in. Done. No more story – appears I’m still a mighty strong swimmer & had an absolute blast. Initially hovered on top as instructed, turned on the underwater camera & followed a school of black tropical-stripped fish. 10 minutes in, was ready to dive. All the cool fish hug the reef 🙂

Due to murky ocean conditions, never saw a sea turtle…or the reef shark that another snorkeler filmed. Just as well – I would’a freaked. HA! Ended our day cruise with buffet lunch & Mai Tai’s.

So would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!

: North Pacific humpback whale

: WOW, WOW, WOW!

Molokini Snorkeling, Maui

Posted in Alaska/Hawaii | Tagged watercraft, whale | Leave a comment

road to Hāna & waves of Pāʻia

Published January 18, 2016

Marathon & volcano hike – top 2 (only 2) items on my Hawaiian adventure list. Being a cold-weather mountain enthusiastic, ran the risk of missing out on everything Hawaiian – island activities just don’t cross my mind (I’m in the 2% world minority 🙂 ). Luckily, many of my friends have been to Hawaii & filled my post-race itinerary with excellent recommendations. Thanks!

Woke early Monday still feeling a little banged up from the previous day’s marathon, so opted for a sit-down road trippin’ day. With no east-west highway available across Maui’s south shore, headed north toward Kahului before driving east on Maui’s infamous Hāna Highway. Today’s road-trippin’ destination: the Road to Hāna

Stats: 52 miles, 617 curves, 56 bridges, 3 hours

Sandy beaches & the arid landscape of Wailea soon gave way to lush green forest & dark lava-fed soil – exactly what I remember folks talkin’ about on their Hawaii vacations. What folks didn’t talk about was the windy road to Hāna. Scenic – heck yeah – but curvy…worse than California Highway 1. One-lane bridges, the new norm. No visibility; initially you inch around these blind turns hoping a car won’t clip you on the other side. An hour in, you realize that’s why you buy insurance. LOL>

2 hours in, pulled over & hiked Ke’anae Arboretum – short hiking trail thru the tropical forest. Highly recommended.

Back on the road, stopped for lunch in Hāna Bay. Fresh fish, outdoor seating with an ocean view – FAAANNNTASTIC! Stopped in a gift shop to verify I wasn’t missing something historic – nope, nothing else in Hāna…beach & food. Check, got it covered 🙂

: lush green forest & dark lava-fed soil

: 52 miles, 617 curves, 56 bridges, 3 hours

: Twin Falls

: Ke’anae Arboretum

: Rainbow Eucalyptus

: short hiking trail thru tropical guava groves – highly recommended!

: fresh fish, fresh fruit — my 2 Hawaiian faves

Autobahn’ng the return, stopped to watch the mighty waves of Pāʻia.

Worked my way down the rocks at Ho’okipa & stared ahead into the aqua blue. Rough surf made for AMAZING 20-foot waves. Ocean smashed over the large volcanic boulders. Sound. Smell. It’s the mighty waves of Pāʻia I’ll remember years from now.

Watched surfers ocean-paddle, incoming wave approach, surfers seemingly disappear, moments later heads break the surface in unison – pop, pop, pop – and the game repeats. Mesmerized, stayed ’til nightfall.

Hawaiian Day 3 over – tomorrow morning, snorkeling Molokini Crater.

: WOW WOW WOW!

: whatta show — ocean smashed over the large volcanic boulders

: mesmerized, stayed ’til nightfall

mighty waves of Pāʻia

Posted in Alaska/Hawaii | Tagged beachcombing, hiking, waterfalls | Leave a comment

Maui Oceanfront Marathon

Published January 17, 2016

Hawaiian Kahuna (Priest)

Up early – really early for state #48. 5am marathon start meant I’d be running with a headlamp for almost 2 hours ‘til sunrise. Whereas most runners caught a 3:45am bus from Lahaina, I walked a short ¼ mile to the Start Line [awesome condo location in Wailea 🙂 ]

Congregating in a large parking lot, more than a thousand chatty runners lined up on Wailea Alanui. 12 people used this race to complete their 50 states – Hawaii is where most folks end the Quest. Listening to native music, we chanted lyrics back to a Hawaiian Kahuna (Priest) while awaiting last minute race instructions.

Had never raced wearing a headlamp previously; luckily, no issue – easy to adjust. Why such an early start? Most of us Mainlanders were expected to melt once the sun rose. 80 degrees isn’t crazy hot in July/August, but acclimating to the 60-degree temp differential (vs Colorado) is a struggle in only 2 days.

Ran at a fast clip first 8 miles, pacing a sub 1:50 half. Goal: get in as many miles as possible before morning heat kicks in & I sizzle. Darkness gave away to pre-dawn dusk at mile 10; turned off my headlamp a mile later. Race highlight – saw a whale breach between mile 12 & 13. Not from a ship, not on a whaling cruise – turned my head left & watched this whale break the surface while running, not once but twice. WOW, WOW, WOW!

Sun consistently streamed from mile 16 – temp now increased 4 degrees every 30 minutes…felt like a slow-cooking lobster. As I baked, folks starting passing in waves. My friend Stephen met up at miles 17, 21 & 23 – provided water & orange slices. Thanks!

Entered Lahaina city limits; dropped off Honoapi’ilani Highway, veered left on Prison & felt a late burst of energy. Increasing pace on Front Street (town’s main drag), saw the Finish. Heard another runner coming up fast behind. Instinctively [after 26 miles] switched gears – enough gas in the tank to outsprint the half marathoner by a length. Pumping hard at the end made for an awesome finish pic – American flag & palm tree backdrop, everything you’d hope & expect from Hawaii.

Stumbled forward & soaked under a nearby mister. Whatta life experience!

Maui Oceanfront Marathon (MOM 2016 Results) »
Lahaina, HI, Jan 17, 2016 K R HAGA LOUISVILLE, CO 4:47:27

: Kahului Airport greetings

: sunrise just past mile 11

: Ma’alaea Bay

: mile 12 whale breach – WOW!

: American flag & palm trees — FAAANNNTASTIC!

: STRONG!

Recouped on Maui’s Big Beach – ocean breeze & zzz’s, just what the doctor ordered.

Call it a day? Heck no. Caught the end of the Broncos-Steelers game, changed clothes & returned to Lahaina for a sunset dinner cruise (special event for MOM marathon/half marathoners & guests). Watched the sun sink slowly into the vast Pacific, most memorable sunset of my vacation. Mahalo, Hawaii for a 2nd amazing day.