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.
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
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
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
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
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.
