The Laid-Off Peripatetic (LOP)

Every year in January, I give myself the gift of a tropical vacation for my birthday. Last year, it was a trip to Maui for 10 glorious days of diving, eating and playing. I hadn’t planned on sight-seeing much, only because when I take tropical vacations my druthers is to remain supine when I’m not swimming with the fishes. As it turned out, the only beach time I spent was when I hauled my diving equipment in and out of the water during my shore-diving adventures with Shaka Doug.

Instead, I was drawn to the rainforests, the Road to Hana, the black sand beaches and most of all, the sacred places on Maui, Hawaii (the proper pronunciation of Hawaii is Ha-vy-ee…just so ya know). Some of these spots are where sacred temples used for sacrifices now stand—they are called “heiaus” and are sacred to the Hawaiian people. (I’m not referring to the “howlies” as the mainlanders are called by some Hawaiians, but those of actual Hawaiian descent.) Sacred places are located all over the island, but I was wrong in assuming they would all be easy to find so I settled for the two with the biggest road signs:

Haleakala Crater: Legend has it, that Pele, the goddess of fire, created the black sand beaches dotting Maui’s shores and also Haleakala, the volcanic crater. Visitors are warned by Hawaiians to never disturb or steal any stones from either place unless permission is given by Pele via a Hawaiian priest(ess) or all kinds of crazy bad luck will befall that person until Pele’s property is returned. Personally, I would rather not tempt a fire-based entity, but take your chances if you are so inclined. Regardless, both Haleakala and the beaches are worth visiting. However, be warned that you will freeze parts off if you take only your beach wear—the summit tops out at 10,023 feet. Not even a Snuggy will save your arse if all you’re wearing are short shorts.

Haleakala Crater

Black Sand beach just off the Road to Hana

The ‘Iao Valley (pronounced EE-ow):

The Iao Needle

The energy coursing through this area, which is known to visitors as a state park, will transfix you on the spot if you are attuned to it. There is a small, paved path that weaves around a fresh-water stream and you can see the Iao Needle from the tourist-designated look-out. But the most interesting aspects of this sacred place lie in a walking path that is, well, technically off limits—but that’s only if you get busted. Ironically, it begins just after the sign the says “Stay on the path.” It was during this hike that I found an ancient petroglyph etched into a boulder.

The Ancient Hawaiians practiced Huna, which is based on the principle that each person has three selves. It's demonstrated in this hieroglyphic in the shape of the legs, rectangular middle and the two lines above the head. Otherwise known as the unihipili, uhane and the amakua.

Prayer rocks wrapped in a kind of leaf are left on the boulder by Hawaiians offering prayers to the gods.

In 1790, the Battle of Kepaniwai took place in the Iao Valley. In an effort to unify the Hawaiian islands, Kamehameha the Great waged war on Kalanikuple and the Maui army. As it turns out, he won, but not without a cost. History recounts a battle so bloody that the bodies blocked the Iao Stream. Kepaniwai means “damming of the waters” in Hawaiian.

These are the other sacred spots, that I know of, but didn’t have a chance to experience…yet, anyway:

• Halekii-Pihana hieaus, which are ancient temples previously used for sacrifices. Not now, of course, it was more like circa 1240.
• The Bellstone, which is a large rock that sounds like a bell when hit by a pebble.
• The Seven Sacred Pools are actually a series of pools and waterfalls near the O’heo Gulch at the southernmost portion of the island.