Doing It Island Style, Part 3: The Nā Pali Coast

The Nā Pali Coast is well known for its sheer cliffs rising high above the vast ocean below.  Incessant rain, wind, and pounding waves have sculpted the land into a ruggedly idealized tropical paradise.  The only way to explore it is on foot.  At the trailhead, we were warned of falling rocks, steep muddy cliffs, and flash floods.  At least there were no jaguars to worry about.



I was hoping to make it to Hanakapi`ai Falls but we ended up just going to Hanakapi`ai beach.



The mountains are very steep, yet still completely covered in vegetation.

 

The water was pristine blue.

Hey, look!  A rainbow!  

Some plants (such as the screw pines) were absolutely everywhere, and then there would be lone specimens - this was the only Furcraea foetida (Agave relative) I saw on the trail.

This is one of a small colony of orchids.

Colocasias.

Parts of the trail were of stone laid back in the 1800s.



At Hanakapi`ai beach, I had a rock stacking contest with my brother-in-law's dad.  I'll let you decide who won.

Mine ↑                                                 His ↑        

 What started out as a beautiful day...



 ...turned stormier and stormier

So we headed back and dried off after getting a good soaking.  By the time we got back to the trailhead, it was sunny once again.

On another day we drove to Waimea Canyon which is only a couple miles away distance-wise from the Nā Pali Coast trail but the only way to get there is to drive all the way around to the other side of the island.

Waimea Canyon

The road kept going along a high ridge which eventually let to Hanakoa Valley.

Hanakoa Valley