Maui Flora

 Where we are staying, at the end of a short dead-end street, many of the houses have flowers in their yards. In the mornings the hibiscus are in full glory, but in the late afternoon, they curl up and sleep until next morning. Along our street there are hibiscus hedges and individual bushes, some ten or twelve feet high. 

Some of the other flowers are these pics from the street but mostly from Dean's yard.

Flame of the Woods

Brazilian Jasmine

This Flamevine hedge is on two sides of a house near the main road. When I first saw it I thought it was honeysuckle, but there's no aroma. Looked it up to find it is called Flamevine.

Papaya flowers near the top of the tree with young fruits below.

A Bougainvillea hedge borders the small road along one property. I see several colors of Bougainvillea as we drive around town.

A Pincushion Protea

One house has a hedge of Bird of Paradise plants.

Ikuko and I standing on the footpath bridge over the Iao River with Iao Needle in the background. A stiff breeze was blowing up the valley, as you can see by Ikuko's hair trailing out behind her. Mine didn't blow so much. 

The footpath winds up through Iao State Park with side trails here and there that wander down by the river. Behind the bush over my right shoulder is the lookout at the end of the trail. I went up there by myself, navigating the 135 steps and admiring the scenery.

The following is from the Hawaii-Guide website and describes the valley better than I could.

Nestled in the lush greenery of the 'Iao Valley is the natural rock formation called the 'Iao Needle. The green-covered stone protruding from the valley floor is actually an old basaltic core (volcano remnant). The 'Iao Needle is 2,250 feet above sea level, or 1200 feet tall from the valley floor. 

The traditional name is Kuka`emoku and it's known as the phallic stone of Kanaloa (Hawaiian god of the ocean); thus the 'Iao Needle was once used as a natural altar. The name 'Iao is pronounced "EE-ow." The 'Iao Needle is surrounded by a very lovely walkway and garden of lush tropical plants. Surrounded on all sides by the Pu'u Kukui Crater, it was the site of one of the most famous battles in Hawaiian history. 

In 1790 King Kamehameha I defeated the Maui army in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. It is said that when the battle was over, the stream was so damned with all the bodies that the water ran red with blood. The site was named Kepaniwai "damming of the waters." Nearby in the valley, you'll find the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens. Take Highway 32 (Kaahumanu Road) west out of Wailuku. This road turns into Highway 320 which leads directly to the 'Iao Valley State Park. Those looking to enjoy the scenic park must follow social distancing measures and wear protective face masks for the duration of their visit.