Along the NaPali Coast

On Tuesday we had scheduled at boat ride along the NaPali Coast.  The cruise went along the virgin coastline for about 15 miles.  We passed the entire Kalalau Trail and its final beach.  Beyond that is practically untouched Hawaiian valleys and cliffs.  The boat ride stopped for an hour at the far point for snorkeling (pictures of that to come later).  Along the ride we were able to stop and listen to our guide explain the history of the different valleys we passed.  They also took as through several caves along the way.  I took many pictures but with the boat moving and the light constantly changing not all of them came out great.  Here are some of the highlights.

I will recount one of our guides stories.  One of the beaches we passed along the way was an old Hawaiian burial ground.  Hawaiians believed that one's power was kept in the bones so they removed them to a remote location that no one could assume that power.  Commoners were buried together in a mound at the base of cliff; royalty required much more craft in hiding the bones (they had greater power).  Slaves were lowered down by a rope from the cliff top and instructed to place the bones somewhere in the cliffs.  Once their deed was done the rope was cut and nobody knew exactly where the royal bones lay hid.

The first beach along the Kalalau Trail.  It is a four mile hike in;
After this a permit is required.  I like the trickling creek into the ocean.

This waterfall is called the hulu dancer (I forget the Hawaiian term)
because it sways with the wind.

A rainbow in her lower skirts.

This is inside a cave along the coastline.
A small creek opens to a beautiful waterfall.

Hikers deep along the Kalalau trail, about 9 miles in.

I really like the way the sun rays shine into the valley.

Look familiar?
Hollywood enjoys buying the rights of this beach for movies.
It was in the fourth Pirates movie.

A look back towards Hanalei, we got lucky and missed a mini storm.

Waves crashing against the rocks; this is one of my favorite shots to try to capture.
I took many of these types throughout the week around the island.

I also spotted two separate pods of dolphins along the way.  One of the pods was particularly playful and I caught a few dolphins jumping out.  We saw one spin in the air but I missed that photo... guess you can't get them all.