Hawaii

Apr 9 -15, 2022
AC105 YYZ-YVR, AC519 YVR-HNL, Apr 10 HA223 HNL-LIH, Apr 13 LIH-OGG, Apr 15 OGG-HNL, Apr 15 AC518 HNL-YVR, AC104 YVR-YYZ

In November, our trip to Hawaii was quite brief and limited to Oahu and The Big Island. We decided to take another run to get back to Kauai and Maui, and to take advantage of free Hyatt nights at some of our favourite Hawaiian hotels before the number of points required was officially increased.

After transiting in Vancouver, we made our way back to the Hyatt in Waikiki and enjoyed the familiar surroundings.

Apr 10

Back to the airport to a morning flight to Lihue, Kauai, and an early check in at the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu to drop off our stuff before heading out again.

Wailua Falls

Hanapepe Valley Lookout

Coastal view from McBryde Sugar Plantation Cemetery

With three nights at the hotel, we actually took it relatively easy on the first day and headed back to the hotel with plenty of time for happy hour in the lounge.

Apr 11

With a full day to explore, we headed counter clockwise around the island to just beyond Princeville, past some of the more scenic inland and coastal views.

One of the many colourful wild chickens on Kauai

Watching the kayakers

The Wailua River

Horse with scenery along the road

Forested beach

Monk Seal relaxing on Poipu beach outside the Grand Hyatt

Helpful warnings

Surfers catching some waves near the hotel

We wound down the day at the hotel, enjoying the pool and spa.

Apr 12

I started the day with a nice run along the ocean, and then after breakfast, we headed to Waimea Canyon and attempted a hike to the edge of the Na Pali Coast. Unfortunately we found ourselves in a cloud with no view, so we headed back to the resort to relax.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Looking deeper into the Canyon

Trail fading into clouds

Small waterfall on the Waimea Canyon Road

Coastal view from the edge of the Grand Hyatt grounds

Beautiful resort surrounding

Rugged coastline of Poipu Beach

Natural erosion on Poipu beach

After a nice walk around the resort, we enjoyed our last night there, making the most of what will likely be our last visit for a long time.

Apr 13

We checked out and headed for a relatively early flight directly to Maui. We were staying at the Hyatt Regency in Lahaina, but rather than taking the main highway, took the very narrow and winding mountain road looping around the northwestern edge of Maui.

Poelua Bay as we approach the north tip of Maui

Looking inland

Caught a forest fire team in action

Looking back on Kahakuloa Head

Nakalele Blowhole

Looking across the island towards Haleakala from the highway lookout

After the white-knuckle drive, it was nice to relax by the pool at the hotel and go for a walk along the beach.

Apr 14

For our last full day we decided to head up Haleakala. We got an early start, but had no intention of trying for sunrise. We did, however, have time for a nice hike around the top and some spectacular views.

Looking across the island to our destination of Haleakala

Looking back to where we started from Haleakala Highway

Haleakala radar stations at the volcano's peak

Desert conditions at the top of the volcano, very different than the tropical beaches

Beginning our hike down into the crater on Sliding Sands Trail

Beautiful hike further down the trail

Kalahaku Overlook on our way back down from the peak

Hikers making their way out of the trail

Penguins housed at the Hyatt in Maui

Penguins putting a show on for the hotel guests

Sunset at Black Rock Beach

Last view of the setting sun from our hotel

With the final hours of daylight, we had time to enjoy the club lounge before heading to bed.

Apr 15

Before our flight back to Honolulu, after a nice early morning run along the beach, we had some time to explore the town of Lahaina.

Wo Hing Museum in Historic Lahaina, destroyed in the Aug 2023 wildfire

Baldwin Home Museum, also sadly lost in the fires

Lahaina's famous banyan tree in the old town square. This tree, while badly burned in the fires, still survives as of July 2024

Old fortifications of Lahaina

Hiking Ka'ena Point on the North West coast of O'ahu

After landing back in Honolulu, we had just enough time for dinner and a short hike in Northwest O’ahu. After dinner, we headed back to the airport for our overnight flight back to Toronto through Vancouver.