Maui photos? - DPChallenge Forums

07/22/2004 09:59:27 PM · #1

I'll be going for the first 2 weeks of August. I'm sure I can just shut my eyes, point my camera, and click! But I would appreciate any words of advice from anyone who's been there.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

07/22/2004 11:03:09 PM · #2

Ask the locals about "secret" snorkeling locations. We stayed at a fabulous B&B called the Whale Watch Inn. The innkeepers told us about a spot like this, and it was absolutely amazing. The trick was finding it.

As I recall, you had to had to follow the road along the oceanfront to the 'end' at Keoneoio. There, the road turned into an unpaved trail that you had to follow through an old lava flow (I don't remember how far- somewhere between .5 and 2 miles). At that point, you look for a pipe on the right side of this "road" with a blue mark on it, and find a place along the lava to park the car. This spot was as barren as the moon- not a blade of grass as far as the eye could see in any direction. Starting at the pipe, you looked for the few scattered paint drops here and there that indicated the trail (they looked like bird droppings). A 25 minute hike on the rugged basalt would bring you to the ocean, where the lava formed almost a complete circle, with just a narrow opening to the sea. The result was a huge, shallow pool no more than 20 feet deep, and teeming with every imaginable form of tropical fish, eels, octopus, etc.- a snorkeler's dream. The nearly-enclosed lagoon was crystal clear (since there were no waves to stir up the bottom), and prevented large sharks from entering (although I did see a stonefish). We went back to this spot almost every day for a week. If you can find that spot, I'll bet it would be one of the highlights of your trip, too. Don't forget a waterproof camera!

Havok

07/22/2004 11:22:25 PM · #3

I haven't been to Maui in at least 7 years, so I don't remember much about tourist type places. A few places you could visit is Haleakala, Iao Valley State Park or the Maui winery up Ulupalakua...if that's your thing.

jjr152

Canon EOS-10D

07/22/2004 11:33:49 PM · #4

Hey, Havok! I'm jealous that you're getting ready to go to Hawai'i as my wife & I just got back last week! :( A piece of advice I have is to get the Ultimate Guide to Maui: //www.wizardpub.com/maui/maui.html

It is well written and tells of lots of 'insider' places only known by locals. We visited Kauai, The Big Island, and Maui, and found the books invaluable. It did seem that more visitors had the book on Maui than on the other two islands.

Please note that I am in no way affliated with the sale of this book... just a *very* satisfied reader who thinks that his vacation was enhanced by using the book!

By the way, if you're interested in seeing photos from my trip, I invite you (and anyone else on this board) to visit my personal web page at //www.rokita.org

Enjoy your trip!!!

ellamay

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/23/2004 12:16:57 AM · #5

BRing a polarizer! It is bright there! avoid taking shots in midday.

biohazard

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

07/23/2004 07:27:39 AM · #6

Seen some amazing shots from a friend who went to a surf beach called something like shelf bay?? Anyway, looks like plenty of opportunities there, take a polariser and a wide angle lens and you can't lose.

07/23/2004 07:30:54 AM · #7

Thanksfor the suggestions!

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/23/2004 07:50:16 AM · #8

Bring a "Hopper"! Only weighs about 155 pounds and may even fit into your suitcase :) You won't have any fun without him (erh ... it, I mean).

Message edited by author 2004-07-23 07:50:35.

07/23/2004 10:16:29 AM · #9

Originally posted by hopper:

Bring a "Hopper"! Only weighs about 155 pounds and may even fit into your suitcase :) You won't have any fun without him (erh ... it, I mean).

LOL! I'm trying to travel light, but I'll keep the hopper in mind...

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

07/23/2004 01:49:13 PM · #10

One of the funnest things I did when I was there was to take the bike ride tour down the volcano, from the Haleakala Crater 38 miles down to sea level. You could put your camera and gear into a small back pack. They stop several times for some great photo ops of the island and other things.

Another thing is just to drive and get lost and you will find lots of stuff to shoot. It's an island so eventually you will find your way back.

Have fun. It will be a blast.

T

07/23/2004 02:05:32 PM · #11

I went there 9 years ago, and we waited a couple of days to get settled and plan our excursions. The day before our bike trip down the volcano, congress had their budget snafu and shut down the government. Much of Hawaii is national park land, so Haleakela, and many other attractions were closed- BUMMER!

A lot of people like to drive around the two volcanoes that form the perimeter of Maui. One thing to keep in mind is that sections of those narrow roads are seriously rocky, or wind precariously along steep clifffs. Get a small 4WD if you plan to drive those roads!

07/23/2004 02:21:15 PM · #12

@timj: The bike-down-the-mountain sounds amazing. Around how long does it take, with stops and all? Do you happen to remember which tour company you used for that?

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

07/23/2004 02:25:43 PM · #13

Wherever you are staying, there will be brochures for the bike tour. It's very popular. You can also stargaze at the top of Haleakela, one of the best observatory sites in the world.

GrandmaEMT

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/23/2004 02:50:49 PM · #14

Something to keep in mind for the volcanoe trip, bring a jacket. I know you are in sunny hawaii but for some reason the wind is ferocious and it is chilly up at the top. It is not as much fun if you are shivering. There is a park on the opposite side from the airport and it is a rain forest. There is a volanoe, beaches, waterfalls and a rain forest all in one island. A photographers heaven. Do take a water proof camera (even if it isn't digital) and go snorkeling. You can take pictures of lots of wonderful colorful ocean life. Wow.... this is making me want to go back.

timj351

Sony DSC-F707

07/23/2004 03:20:10 PM · #15

Originally posted by cmangis:

@timj: The bike-down-the-mountain sounds amazing. Around how long does it take, with stops and all? Do you happen to remember which tour company you used for that?

There are several companies that provide the bike rides but we used Maui Mountain Cruisers. The guide was a riot. There were places were he would ride backwards on his handlebars as he cruised down the mountain in front of us. There is even a rock named after him because he crashed into it previously. It seemed to take 3 or 4 hours but it is hard to remember for sure because it seemed faster than it was. Of course it takes a little while to get up to the top. I suggest only bringing a sweatshirt as they provide jackets and lite weight pants that you will want to shed about half way down when it gets hot again. A van follows the group so you can throw extra gear in it.

I brought my little digital Elph and tried to take pics as we were riding. They would have turned out if the strap wasn't covering the lens :) It was hard to be precise when we were roaring down the mountain at 20 to 30 mph. Taking pics while you are riding can be very dangerous. Be very careful if you are going to try this.

T

08/26/2004 11:38:07 PM · #16

I posted just a few of my Maui photos. Feedback welcome! What a beautiful place... I can't wait to go back.

08/26/2004 11:53:19 PM · #17

Very cool. So did you find the snorkeling spot?