My Close Encounter
by annk
I've been to Hawaii many times but always visited in the fall. This was my first spring trip and to my surprise the Hawaiian waters were teaming with humpback whales! From November through early March humpbacks can be seen playing, frollicking and breaching in the warm Hawaiian waters. There are supposedly 8-10,000 around the islands...their main purpose to mate and bear their young. We saw them everyday of our vacation and it was amazing!
My most memorable evening was when we were walking the golf course near the ocean. We decided to venture out on the rocky peninsula where local residents were fishing. We spotted a group of whales near the tip. They were playing...we'd see mostly fins.. once in a while a tail... a spout of water. They were so close we could hear their soft bellow. I was totally mesmerized by these gentle giants and continued to watch and listen until they moved far away from the peninsula.
Cook Island Pines
by annk
These pine trees look similar to Norfolk Island but generally have a wider cone shape. They were discovered by Captain Cook and were brought to Hawaii from New Caledonia. D.T. Fleming a plantation owner and conservationist, planted over 13,000 pines by 1920 in the Honolua/Kapalua area alone. You can't miss the graceful towering giants as they are on the golf courses and line the resort roadways.
A Golfer's Paradise
by annk
I'd guess a large percentage of people visiting Kapalua are here for one thing only, to play golf! It has 3 championship courses each with a clubhouse, pro shop & restaurant. Millions of TV viewers have watched Kapalua golf via worldwide telecasts of pro tournaments like the Mercedes Championship.
The Bay Course - Par 72, 6,600 yards this course was designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane.
The Plantation Cours - Par 73, 7,263 yards designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
The Village Course - Par 70, 6,378 yards, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.
The Underwater World
by annk
Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular activities sports. Kapalua Bay was our favorite and it's considered to be one of the safest areas with its protected reef. Reef fish could be seen in just a few feet of water.
Pick up a free Maui Dive Guide at one of the local dive shops. The maps are great and indicate the best snorkel/dive areas on the island including the suggested level of experience. There is also a guide to Hawaiian reef fish frequently seen.
Species we encountered include: moorish idol, parrotfish, white spotted puffers, triggerfish, wrasse, Hawaiian sergeant, moray eel, butterflyfish. A disposal waterproof/underwater camera. I usually purchase these on the mainland at a drug store before visiting the islands.
Always on the lookout for wildlife
by annk
I'm always searching for wildlife wherever I go. Did spot these red-crested Brazilian cardinals close to the resort and golf course. They are not native to the Hawaiian islands but are found on the islands of Maui, Oahu, & Kauai.
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Village along highway past Kapalua Resort
View of Rocky Beach & Sandy Beach at Napili Bay
View of Kapalua Resort from up road
Napili General Store next door to Snorkel Bob's
