Maui, Hawaii, 6 March 2015

Having headed north in Maui the previous day, we headed south, along the coast from the west.  This is a viewpoint we came to near the side of the road, with the island of Kahoolawe in the background and a volcanic vent in the foreground.  There is very little population or agriculture in this part of the island, due to its relatively recent coverage by lava.

.

A similar view from the same location, in infrared.

.

A half an hour further on, we came to a viewpoint at the top of a cliff, possible Nu’u Bay, I’m not sure.  At the bottom of the cliff there appeared to be a second hand car dealer’s yard.  Well, at least I presume they are second hand.  If they are new then it would appear the yard is a bit too close to the sea.  Good tyres, though.  In buying a second-hand car it’s always important to look for good tyres. (There may be other criteria, I forget for now).

.

There is a remarkable sculptural quality to the panelling.  I’m not sure whether you pay extra for that.

.

This vehicle, with very fetching upholstery, comes with a spare fuel container in the boot, which is conveniently left open so you can see that.

.

This car is beside what appears to be a small heiau.  A sacrifice to Motuka, the god of stray vehicles, perhaps?

.

As you can see, the sea is not far away at all.  We already had a rental car so I didn’t need to go down to the bottom of the cliff to investigate purchasing another vehicle.  Besides, the driveway seemed a little rough and I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to drive one out of there.

.

 

A little later, we came to St Joseph’s church at Puka’auhuhu.  I didn’t photograph the church itself, but this is the vicarage, or whatever alternative word may be appropriate to describe the residence of a priest.

.

At the back of the church was this cemetery.

We also met Dave Wyman from California, on holiday with his family.  This is his photographic website.

.

Not much further on was the great metropolis of Kaupo, with a store and a couple of houses.  Here we have a Mustang driving past.

.

… and one of the houses.  Even as late as the turn of the twentieth century, there was a thriving community here, but very few now.  Walkers from the top of Haleakala may come out here, after walking though the Haleakala Valley and through the Kaupo Gap.

.

This is the Kaupo Store, built in 1925.

.

Inside it’s like stepping back in time in more ways than one.  This is part of the museum of Nick Soon, the original owner of the store and a photographer by trade.  Nick died in 1970 and the current owner took over then.

.

Further again along the road, this is Hui Aloha Church at Mokulau.

.

It was built in 1859, when there was a more significant population in the area, and has recently been restored.

.

.