Quality Budget Travel Haleakala Maui

The majestic

Mt. Haleakala

beckons travelers 

worldwide

 . I look to the mountain several times a day knowing how fortunate I am to live  close to a place of such astounding natural beauty. People come from far and wide to visit, photograph, contemplate and hike in this spectacular national park.

While many dream about taking a break from our routines, making dreams come true takes a little ingenuity, effort and patience. 

Most travelers do their own research and no

longer use agents to design their trips.  We now have travel information coming from several sources  with advice on where to stay and what to do. 

Quality budget travel in Hawaii is certainly possible. 

I love to travel, but have not gone far from home in awhile. Being self employed with two businesses does not afford me much time off.  

However, living in one of the most beautiful places in the world makes it just fine to stay home.

The way I see it, travel writers  have a wonderful job. I always thought that would be a fun job, travelling with a purpose, intending to entertain others with your adventures and advice.

Maui Visitors Bureau

  sent me many media writers throughout the years. Most of those writers were fully scheduled during their time on Maui. I was not convinced  they were relaxed enough to enjoy their visits, running from one event to another.

 Hosting these writers and hearing their stories of the world travel makes for a lively breakfast while  also igniting my personal travel bug. 

 Darley Newman of  

Equitrekking

  was one of the travel writers I hosted. She recently aired her 

Adventures in Haleakala National Park

 for a segment on Budget Travel. 

Darely's

 Horseback Riding experience into Haleakala crater

 covered the unique geology and flora of the mountain moonscape. 

Trails winding through the pastureland on the flanks of Mt. Haleakala also gave Darley a taste of the lush land with breath taking bi-coastal views far below.

She managed to highlight her affordable stay at the

Hale Ho'okipa Inn

 and I appreciated her  coverage of my quaint bed and breakfast. Nice to see photos of my little establishment on national tv!

Many Mahalos to Darley!

If a great vacation is just what you need, consider Upcountry Maui, one of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth.

Aloha,

Cherie

www.maui-bed-and-breakfast.com

www.homesalesmaui.com

Maui Hiking

Aloha,

A special week has come to a close. Last week was spent hitting the trails on Maui with my active family visiting from the mainland.
After a couple of years of swimming for my main excersise, I have made a switch back to hiking and walking, and am very happy for it.  So is my dog, Annie, as she  loves  running and sniffing and meeting other dogs  on the trail.

Our first hike was one I call the  Bushwhack Hike. This hike is challenging because it's an old fisherman's trail that is often overgrown and difficult to find. Without a machete or a sickle it's impossible to navigate when in the overgrown state. One needs to really remember the topography and landmarks when hiking this area. Someone has put a few markers on the trees recently and that helps when standing in deep brush. The trail finally opens up to a cliff requiring some careful maneuvering to get to the beach. This hike will whoop even the hardiest of hikers. We all survived, a bit scratched up, and I ended up carrying little Annie for a good portion as the underbrush was so thick and overgrown with vines. Floating in the pools at the ocean after all the work of getting there, is a wonderful reward.

After a day of beach time rest and recovery, we were ready for a Haleakala National Park hike. The young folks in my family took off for a little beach retreat while us older members laced up our boots and headed up the mountain. I did not have a full 11 mile crater hike in me, so we went for a stroll down switchbacks, Halemau'u trail at 8,000ft level . This really is an amazing hike that leads down to the Holua cabins. I would recommend good hiking shoes or boots as the rocks on the trail are uneven at best. It was mostly clear when we started, and then clouded up on the way back . It can get a bit damp  because of the usual cloud cover. A rain jacket has come in handy here more than once. This trail is a mystical experience, native plants line the rocky path, and the vistas are  definitely other worldly.

If you are not ready for a challenging hike, Haleakala National Park has many other options available. The trail walk at Hosmers Grove usually is dotted with birds for the bird watching folks. The top of Sliding Sands Trail will give you a magnificent view into the crater and walking a short ways down the trail still can be a bit challenging  due to the altitude at the top. I happily share my knowledge and experience of Maui trails with my guests at Hale Ho'okipa Inn..
Maui offers many, many opportunities to enjoy nature on the trail, easy, or rugged. If I could hand everyone a script for a healthy, happy life, it would read :
" Walk Every Day that You Can"
Hope to see you Walking Maui, soon. With much Aloha,
Cherie

Silversword of Haleakala

Aloha,
High atop Mount Haleakala a  plant grows that is unique to this moonscape environment.  The Silversword only grows on Haleakala in volcanic cinder,  subject to freezing cold and high winds.The skin and hairs are strong enough to resist the wind  and protect the plant.The succulent leaves of the Silversword are covered with silver hairs reflecting the bright sunlight on the rocky slopes . In the leaves  a gel like substance attracts and stores water for dryer seasons.
 Blooming usually occurs from July through October.. The flower stalk can reach up to 6.ft.  in height covered in  sticky hairs to prevent crawling insects from creating damage.. The life span of a Silversword ranges from five to fifteen years.  After flowering the plant will die. 
 It's summer, and I am due for a trip up to Haleakala to look for  blooming plants to photograph. This photo I took a few years ago, and it's still one of my favorite images.

 In the 1920', visitors to the summit  uprooted  silversword plants to roll down the jagged lava slopes, also picking them  as souvenirs  These practices brought the Silversword close to extinction . The shallow root structure is very delicate and can be crushed by walking  around the plant. I was once lucky enough to smell the exotic fragrance by leaning in towards the blooming stock without stepping off the trail..
 Feeding by goats also severely damaged  plants. Goats and pigs are  fenced out of the crater area and since 1992, the Silversword is legally protected from damage by humans.
The protection of our  eco system is important in so many ways. We have lost so much that was unique to the Hawaiian islands. 
Enjoy and visit the House of the Sun, and please be very sensitive when visiting the treasure that is Haleakala.

With Aloha,
Cherie

June Celebrations and Savings

Aloha All...

This is a celebration time for many families. Graduation has just finished and here in Hawaii it's a really BIG deal, especially for high school. Seeing your kids and grandkids covered in lei, with huge smiles is one of life's greatest pleasures.  Two of my grandchildren graduated, Aukai from 5th grade. to middle school, and Raven from high school. My other granddaughter, Mehana, was the emcee at Raven's graduation, and my, oh my, what a happy and proud Tutu, I was :).

Hale Ho'okipa Inn Makawao

  is also celebrating an award...

Tripadvisor

. grants an Award of Excellence yearly, and Hale Ho'okipa is the recipient once again. It makes me very happy to know that guests who visit and stay at

Hale Ho'okipa really enjoy our Historic Hospitality.

2013 Award of Excellence

In honor of this award, I have just posted a special called the "June Juggle" offering an $8 savings off the room rate per day for the rest of the month of June. Below are some tips of what an $8 dollars  a day in your pocket  can do to make your vacation even more wonderful:
1 pound of ripe delicious Lychee from Mana Foods( the best food store in all of Hawaii)

4  boxes of local ono strawberries at Pukalani Superette

2 nights of discount will satisfy your appetite at the popular

Paia Fish Market(best fish burgers around)

2 nights discount will get you into the amazing Haleakala National Park, good for three days!

If you have the Spirit of Adventure, come to Maui. Please always treat the Kai ( Ocean) and Aina (Land) with  respect. One of the reasons that I love my guests so much, they usually arrive with the clear understanding that Maui is a very special place. 

If you live here, you know that a swim in the ocean will change the rest of your day for the better, a dip in a mountain stream when it's safe, is worth the effort of getting there.

A glorious sunset  on the beach won't cost you anything. Cooling off in a tradewind breeze is yours for the receiving..

It is possible to enjoy Maui for the budget conscious. Our local Saturday Farmer's market is a great place to shop locally for great produce and great prices .

 Come,relax and enjoy the  breeze on the lanai under the branches of the majestic Norfolk Pine.

Here's to the Good Life, a life with purpose and full of gratitude, lived with respect.

A hui hou,

Cherie

End O' Summer Annual Sale

Aloha All,

It's that time of year again..perfect weather, quiet north shore beaches, clear days in Haleakala Crater, and the super sale at Hale Ho'okipa Inn Makawao.

I recently posted a $5 off sale, and now because I want to make sure all my guests have the best possible time while on vacation on Maui, I am offering an additional savings for August and Sept.
$10 OFF Per Night!!  Here are a few suggestions of what fun you can have and what ono food you can eat  with that extra money in your pocket.
4 boxes of  delicious Kula strawberries from Pukalani Supperette.
2 pounds of  Hawaii lychee at Mana Foods
2 outrageous  Maui Dragon Fruit at Mana Foods
A tastey salad at Makawao Garden Cafe

Put all your savings together and see what wonderful treasures you can find at Maui Hands or the Sheri Reeves Gallery in Makawao. Both galleries have affordable beautiful island art .
Or, how about an evening of entertainment at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center?...There is always something worthwhile seeing or listening to at the MACC.
You know that you'll need a Haleakala National Park  pass. So,for just $10, a 3 day pass is yours! The pass is good for the summit and the other side of the national park in Hana.

It's endless, all the wonderful food, great events, tours and special gifts that you can enjoy with your savings from staying at the Hale Ho'okipa Inn. It's a win-win for all, and that's what I like!

Hiking up at Haleakala has been fantastic the last few days. I helped my guests get geared up yesterday for their great adventure. They took the 11 mile hike through the crater and said it was an experience of a lifetime . Being from the UK  I don't imagine they get to do alot of volcano hiking.

 This coming weekend is the State Canoe Paddling Races on Oahu. If you get a chance to check it out, don't pass up the opportunity. I miss paddling, but still get to hear all about it from my friends and family. My Big Island family will be working hard and having fun with all the vendors at the races. Look for Moku Nui for some awesome island apparel.

Consider this an offical invitation to come to Maui, enjoy some savings and have a really sweet time.
With lots of Aloha,
Cherie

High Winds in Hawaii

Aloha,

Some typical Spring weather has been visiting the islands. Haleakala National Park had high winds up to 60 miles per hour today. Two sets of guests at Hale Ho'okipa Inn braved the elements up on the mountain. Yesterday morning also brought rain and even though the top of the mountain was above the clouds, they said they could hardly stand up and walk at the top. Today's guests did take a full day hike through the crater despite the high winds at the summit. A mile down the Sliding Sands trail the winds calmed down and they were rewarded with a great 11 mile hike.
I love this hike, but have not done it in awhile. I need to build up to it again..Maybe I'll go for it during the summer months. My first over night stay was during the summer several years ago, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

Here's to hanging on to your hat....welcome to the windy and rainbow!! season in Hawaii..love that fresh air!

A hui hou,

Cherie

Haleakala, House of the Sun

Aloha from a Spring day on Maui,

Relief has come and we finally had some trade wind showers. It is raining right now and everything is greening up a bit. It does feel like spring is right around the corner.

I'm posting some beautiful pictures of one of my favorite places on the planet, Haleakala Crater.

The raw moonscape of this volcanic crater draws you in. This picture was taken by a friend of mine, David Frazier, on his early morning journey to the mountain. The dawn of this day held alot of promise as the sunlight stole away the dark blues of early morning.

The Sliding Sands trail is miles of red, black and gray lava rock dotted with the silver sword plants. The silver sword pictures posted were taken by a guest who stayed at the B&B for 5 nights. His name is Klaus Leemann and he is from Switzerland. It was interesting that during his stay there happened to be another guest from Switzerland in the house as well. Breakfast was lively this last week with some really great folks. Klaus took some beautiful photos during his stay, and it seemed that he really enjoyed the time he spent in Haleakala National Park.

Going down this trail is great, coming back up is another story. Because the climb in altitude is significant, it feels a bit like walking through cement coming back up Sliding Sands.

The tough and challenging hike through the crater is something I look forward to. I do have to spend time getting prepared for the 11 mile hike. Although it is a rewarding experience, I am definitely worn out a bit when the hike is over.

I go to Haleakala because it is visually stunning, and because it is magnificently quite. The silence of Haleakala is like no other place I have ever experienced. When you stop walking, the silence is total.......................................................... It empties you out.......... and fills you up. If you spend enough time enjoying the quiet, the layers and mind chatter slip away. The spacious feeling inside the crater, and the profound silence keeps me coming back again and again.

The last photo posted by Klaus was taken at the end of the day. Shadows are growing longer, and the wonderful day on the mountain is coming to a close.

Haleakala is in my backyard, and I am truly blessed.

Come and visit our island home, you will be glad that you did.

Mahalo for the great pictures!

A hui hou folks, see you soon.

Cherie

Hawaiian Nene Goose, Haleakala National Park

Aloha,

I wanted to share a great photo of the endangered Hawaiian Nene goose that I recently took on a hike in the Haleakala National Park. I spotted these geese at the bottom of the switch back trail in the late morning. It was a wonderful site, and this is what keeps me getting up early and putting my hiking boots on.

The Nene goose was re-introduced on Maui in the early 1960's. Prior to this reintroduction, Maui did not have any nene left. In the mid 1900's there were less than 30 Nene in Hawaii. Before the arrival of Capt. Cook, there were an estimated 25,000 Nene in the islands. Now, there are approximately 2,000 Nene in the state of Hawaii. Hopefully the population will continue to grow.

The Nene goose is the Hawaii state bird. It is classified by the State and Federal governments as an endangered species. In 1907, a hunting ban was passed. Nene are non migratory, and the only goose endemic to Hawaii. The habitat for the Nene is the dry grass areas, and dry-land forests of the island. The goose consumes berries for it's water intake. The Nene's nest is on the ground, and the eggs and gooslings are being threatened by the mongoose. The clutch size is between 2-5 eggs. It's egg laying season is Oct. to Feb. The Nene has the longest nesting season of any wild goose.The male and female birds are nearly identical, with the male being larger in size. They normally grow to 5 1/2 lbs.

In the Haleakala National Park, sometimes Nene can be seen in the upper parking lot area around 8,000 feet. The birds are almost too tame. If you are lucky enough to see one, please do not get too close, nor feed them, or give them water.

Pi'iholo Ranch, a wonderful place to experience upcountry horse back riding, provides a Nene habitat for birds that were raised by the Maui Bird Conservation Center. To learn more about Piiholo Ranch, visit www.piiholoranch.com The DLNR has chosen a few areas in the state to re-introduce and monitor the Nene population.

OK, until next time, a hui ho, and Aloha!

Cherie