Kahalu'u Beach

When I was researching hotels to stay at while I was on the Kona side of Hawaii, I found this hotel that was built partially out over a tidal pool. This is very unique in Hawaii, and the only hotel I am aware of that was built like this. So I had to have an ocean front room so I could sit out on my balcony and watch the amazing sunsets and look down and see the colorful fish and turtles swimming directly underneath me.  I cannot remember the name of this hotel off the top of my head, but the second best feature was that is was located right next to Kahalu'u Beach Park.

                                                                                         

                                                  

At Low Tide Exploring Was Amazing

Kahaluu is one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island. Many of the tourist brochures and maps simply refer to this place as "Snorkel Beach". Fed by a fresh water spring, up to 10 million gallons per day. These waters are almost always calm, with colorful corals, rock formations, and 100+ species of fish. Swim with huge schools of colorful fish and green sea turtles in these protected waters; don't forget your underwater camera! The north end of the beach is where the waves break and is best for body boarding and surfing.

                     

                            Green Sea Turtle Resting In The Shallow Tidal Pool

The Green Sea Turtles that I saw while snorkling here were enormous. You are not allowed to touch them, but they would swim right up to you. It was uite an experince to swim in open water with these gentle giants.

Sadly I again had to cram in as many things as possible in a very short time, so I hopped over to the Island of Maui after my stay on Hawaii.

A Rainbow in the West Maui Mountains

After a brief tropical rain while driving to my hotel, this rainbow was pretty spectacular. The difficult part was finding a safe place to pull over to try and photograph it. Every tourist had the same idea, and there were several near wrecks from everyone rubber necking and stopping in the road. It reminded me of how people react to seeing a bear in Yellowstone National Park. I found a spot and then walked around until I found a composition with no man made objects in it and snapped a few frames.

                                      

                                                 My view from the Sheraton Hotel Ka'anapali  Beach

Ka'anapali Beach has been rated one of the top ten beaches in the world on the travel channel. I would now have to agree with that. Paradise probably sums it up best if you can only use one word. I absolutely fell in love with this place. So much so, that I actually bought a time share at the Westin. Now time shares are not a real smart investment, but with starwood Properties the trade value and high end resorts they own sold me. So I can now brag that I own a miniscule sliver of real estate here.