A short vacation in Maui, Hawaii - Page 2
This is the second page of pictures from our December 2005 trip to Maui. If you somehow missed the first page of pictures, click here: Page 1.
How to use this page: All of the pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them. When you click, your browser will open the enlarged picture in a separate window. To return to this page, close the window that has the enlarged picture in it. Underlined text are links that take you to other web sites with more information on the subject. My pictures, graphics, and video are copyrighted and cannot be used or reproduced without my permission.
Below are two pictures taken of Southwest Maui from a scenic outlook on the way to Lahaina. What looks like a hill beyond the bay is actually the Haleakala Volcano. It rises 10,023 ft above sea level; and, even on the warmest days, the summit can be quite cold.
Located on Maui's west shore, Lahaina was the capitol of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845, during the reigns of Kamehameha II and III. The name "Lahaina" means "Cruel Sun" and is believed to come from frequent droughts in the area. It is one of the hottest and driest spots in the island.
Lahaina was a popular stop for whalers and merchants from New England and was the place where the first missionaries landed.
The banyan tree in Courthouse Square was brought to Lahaina from India when it was 8 feet tall. William O. Smith was Maui sheriff when he planted it in 1873 at a service marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of Lahaina's first Christian mission.
As the tree grew, it provided a leisurely setting where local sugar mill employees and pineapple workers could meet and conduct business. It was also the scene of many political rallies, luaus, dances, concerts, festivals and celebrations. For years it shaded viewers at the elementary school's May Day festivities, whaling sprees and Aloha Week observances. Lahaina's banyan now has 12 major trunks, besides the huge core of central trunks. It reaches upward to a height of about 50 feet and stretches outward over a 200-foot area, shading two-thirds of an acre on the almost 2 acres of land in the courthouse square.
After our drinks at the Hyatt, we drove back to Wailea and stopped for a quick dinner before going back to our hotel.
The next morning, Roberta took a yoga class on the beach and I walked next door to the Fairmont Kea Lani for a look. The Fairmont is considered to be on the same level as the Four Seasons. Nick's Fishmarket, located inside the hotel gets good reviews and is considered one of the "in" places to eat in Wailea. We went there for dinner and we found the food to be very good.
Personally, I think that the Fairmont's architecture looks out of place and not as nice as the Four Seasons. The beach in front of the hotel seems crowded. If you're considering staying there, my pictures of the Fairmont are below and you can make up your own mind.
