Hawai'i - Maui

Honokowai Beach

Honokowai Beach, Maui with the island of Molokai in the distance.

Cinder Desert

Looking down from the summit of Haleakala, Maui into the desolate crater that's made up of volcanic cones and cinder. The swirling clouds add to the beauty of this remarkable place.

Haleakala Ahinahina

This subspecies of the silversword only grows on Maui's Haleakala summit. It survives in hot, dry climates like the aeolian desert cinder slopes of the crater. Silverswords live between 3 and 50 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind.

Looking Down on the Clouds

The Haleakalā Observatory is Hawaii's first astronomical research observatory.It's on the island of Maui and is owned by the Institute for Astronomy of the University of Hawai'i, which operates some of the facilities on the site and leases portions to other organizations. At over 3,050 meters (10,010 ft) in altitude, the summit of Haleakalā is above one third of the Earths's troposphere and has excellent astronomical viewing.

Haleakala Observatories, Maui

Maui - Gale force winds blow clouds around the observatories at dusk. On the day I took this photo there was a difference of over 40 degrees from the beaches to the 10k foot summit. Photo © copyright by Tom Dorsz.

Brocken Spectre

Maui is one of only three places in the world you can spot the Brocken Spectre. It was an hour just before sunset and we were at the Leleiwi Overlook at Haleakala. We saw people looking into the sky. I asked them what they were looking at and they said you can see your shadow painted on the clouds, surrounded by circular rainbows. It's called a brocken spectre. What a sight!

Black Rock

The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Now it's used as a diving-off point into the ocean.

Black Rock

A young man starts to dive off the Rock. This is also a great place for snorkelers. Weaker swimmers should beware that the water becomes deep quickly, and strong currents can occur on the other side of the Rock.

Black Rock

This guy looks more like a jumper than a diver. Another interesting fact about Black Rock...The less-frequented horseshoe-shaped cove on the rock's open ocean-facing side has much better underwater sights. This harder to get to area is teeming with colorful fish, corals and turtles. It's best to swim here when the ocean is calm as the currents and surges can be strong around the tip of Black Rock.

Wall of Tears, Maui

Puu Kukui - Maui. I took this shot from a helicopter which shows a group of very high waterfalls cascading down dramatic cliffs. It's one of the wettest places on Earth. The average rainfall is over 400 ft per year. According to an ancient legend, the gods poked their fingers into the sides of these cliffs to create the illusion of “crying.” Photo © copyright by Tom Dorsz.

West Coast of Maui

Flying over the western Maui coast near Ka'anapali with the island of Moloka'i in the distance.

Above Maui

Flying above Maui on our AirMaui helicopter.

Cinder Desert, Maui

Looking down from the summit of Haleakala into the desolate crater that's made up of volcanic cones and cinder. The path in the foreground leads deep into the crater. It's such a dichotomy to be up here where it can be below freezing and in the 80s a couple hours away on the beach. Photo © copyright by Tom Dorsz.

Crater Road, Maui

Haleakala Summit, Maui with Mauna Loa, Hawaii across the clouds. If you look close you can see the observatories on the distant peak. Photo © copyright by Tom Dorsz.