MAUI 2013 - WETLANDS and ART

MAUI 2013 

WETLANDS and ART

            Off to Maui.  I needed to do some research so we combined it with whale season.  One thing led to another until we had a whirlwind of wetlands and shore birds, fish, big guys, native forest, and forest birds in addition to visiting friends and learning about their personal projects.

Maui map.  

Red arrows point to wetlands visited, yellow arrow in center is Waikamoi trail head, 

and the red line (bottom left) is Molokini an old cinder cone off shore.

            We can all recognize the Maui map as a female bust with Lahaina at her forehead, Olowalu at her nose; the airport sits at the back of her neck and Ma’alaea Bay at her throat.  Kihei is on the upper chest and the old cinder cone called Molokini is off shore above the nipple line. 

            The head is old Maui where several old volcanoes gave it up and have eroded into spectacular valleys known as the West Maui watershed.  East Maui is half the age, formed by Haleakala which is inactive but still presents as the very rounded, gently sloped shield volcano 10,000 feet above sea level.  Tourists go up for the sunrise, under dressed to freeze and be dazzled, and/or they ride down the switchbacks on bikes.  The south side of the mountain is barren cinder while the north side and east end are incredible lush, wet, carved gorges and valleys.  The famed road to Hana is the spine ending at her tailbone.  It crosses 56 bridges that represent 56 rivers/streams off the mountain.  With recent rain gauge reports, East Maui is considered the wettest place on earth bumping Kauai’s Waialeale out!

           We planned the trip for March so we could see whales and we hadn’t snorkeled on Maui since the 80s.  We booked two days on boats, one out of Lahaina to Lanai waters and one out of Kihei to La Perouse Bay (which didn’t happen and at the last minute we jumped on a Molokini boat).  We fit everything else between the boats and the Cloud Forest hike up the mountain.

Day One – Kanaha Wetlands

            We had never spent much time on the Kahului side of the island other than to and from the airport.  We got in at noon, had lunch at Wow-wee Maui Kava Bar & Grill.  Great fish followed by a coconut shell bowl of kava that numbed my lips as promised; I relaxed.  We went to Kanaha Pond wetlands since we had been enjoying the wetlands on Kauai more and more recently.  Across from the beach and down the street from the airport and industrial part of Kahului, I didn’t expect much – that’s why you check it out.  It was great.

Not sure why it is not open during the summer, perhaps the water dries up

Just one portion of the area, West Maui in background including Iao Valley

I kept looking at the scenery as if I was one of the first humans to see it - beautiful

          

             We are seeing Hawaiian Stilts everywhere, but really only because we visit their habitat – carved out of introduced and invasive plants by agencies that treasure them.  I had seen them standing, walking, plucking morsels from the water or scolding while flying, pink legs trailing but this was the first time I caught one with landing gear down! 

The joint is like our wrist, bending forward in this case.

            I was quite excited to see these little Ruddies.  We saw them on Midway but not very often on Kauai.  They are quite pretty.

 Ruddy Turnstones

This is almost a still life

            And, of course, we see the plovers all over the place; one is resident in our back yard (new this year) and another in every yard along our street, each protecting their territory.  My guess is the urban lawn is not nearly as productive as the wetland where they can socialize, flock together, and still find enough food.

 Pacific Golden Plovers 

socializing with the Ruddy Turnstones, a common combination

They all took flight at the same time

What a privilege to see them in their element

ART

            Still in Kahului after the wetlands, we located the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.  The art gallery there had a nice exhibit around the central theme of trees where 20 artists expressed that trees can be enjoyed for their own sake, beyond what we use  them for; imagine! 

Schaefer International Gallery, Finding the Forest (Jan 27 – Mar 30, 2013)  808-242-2787

On the left is Wilma Nakamura’s “Growing Intentions” which are rooted live Koa starts

Sign in the parking lot

Outside they were setting up for a Bonnie Raitt concert the next night, but we had to move on. 

           

Day Two Wetlands - Kealia Pond Wildlife Refuge

            After our snorkel off-shore of Lanai (see separate post) we went to the refuge between Ma’alaea harbor and Kihei.  It has two parts:  the restoration project with a boardwalk and across the highway, at the refuge proper with more wetlands behind it.

Kealia Pond Boardwalk

Note the wind turbines on the mountain.  Their impact is being studied to make sure the good (sustainable energy) does not upset the ecosystem further.  It all has to work together.

The boardwalk goes out to the beach where Hawksbill turtles lay their eggs

Signage

            Our green sea turtles usually travel to the Northwest Islands to lay their eggs, an 800 mile trip from Kauai.  The Hawksbill, however, lays their eggs right here on this beach and sometimes across the highway since their instinct and habit pre-dates humans.  

            The boardwalk gives everyone access through the wetland to the beaches while protecting the habitat.  Education boards all along the way are helpful for students, residents, and visitors to understand what it is about, what it was, and what it  can be.

Some of our buddies - they live in Hawaii except to breed, they travel great distances

Three stilts and a Wandering Tattler (on the post)

            The green pickleweed above is an invasive plant covering acres.  The only way to get it under control is little by little without foot traffic continually tracking it

Wandering Tattler staying put

             

Sanderlings

            We headed over to the refuge itself, a terrific educational facility featuring the Hawaiian Stilt as its motif.  Driving beyond it, we visited the real birds. 

Standing, sitting on the water, and full flight - wow, they are so cool

Ruddies!

They are so dramatic in flight

Day 3 Ko ‘ie’ie Fishpond

Cultural restoration

            After our snorkel / whale watch (separate post) we found Ko'lepolepo Park where Kimokeo, a paddle friend of Gil’s is restoring a Hawaiian fishpond, one stone at a time.  For more info:  www.mauifishpond.com  

 Fishponds were developed in Hawaii and 

we have a lesson to learn about sustainable harvesting today

            The wall will be much wider and taller before it effectively functions.  As a community project, watching it grow and participating will be rewards in themselves.  Everyone is encouraged to call ahead and participate!  

Center view - Molokini and Kaho'olawe in the background

In addition to rebuilding the wall, the sand dunes are being captured by the native plants: pohuehue (beach morning glory), beach grass, and naupaka.  

The fence holds the sand in place along the beach access walkway 

until the plants are well established 

 Behind one edge of the stones ready to be placed, 

an outrigger canoe sits poised to paddle - traditional black with yellow gunnels.

Life can be art.