Haleakala Sunrise

According to the National Park Service (which is not staffed at the moment) the majority of visitors who come to Haleakala National Park drive up to watch the sunrise.  Gathered with a few hundred people we did not know, all bundled up to deal with the cold, we faced east.  And waited.

And waited.

And then....

There was one NPS representative there to clean the bathrooms and empty the trash.  There was another checking to see if we secured our sunrise permits for the summit, but not collecting any money.

Silver swords are rare.  They only grow at certain altitudes.  The plant grows slowly.  Sometimes it takes 30 years for it to bloom.  Then it will flower for two months with spectacular red petals.  And that's it.  They die.  Our group chased one visitor away from the areas where these plants grow.  They are classified as rare and endangered.  Walking in the areas where they grow can kill a plant that takes 30 years to reach maturity.  

 This one is in bloom but nearing the end of the two months.

Check again in 25 years for this one.  

Here's one from Forest & Kim photography.  None that we saw were close to bloom.

Everyone is enjoying the vacation.  What's not to enjoy.  

 Brian and Laura courtesy Diana Santacrose.

This is Brian courtesy Diana.  If the photo credits are wrong I am sure someone will tell me and I will update it.

Hawaii and chickens.  Think pigeons in Central Park.  They are everywhere.  Some local guides like to tell you the chickens escaped from coops during a hurricane.  That is urban legend.  The chickens were introduced to the island 800 years ago by the Polynesians, who liked to bring chickens everywhere they visited.  They've adapted.  They will eat just about anything.  Seeds, cat food, centipedes, lettuce scraps and cheese.  And they reproduce at will.  You see them everywhere.  And hear them everywhere.  Scientists are studying the feral chicken issue and hope to develop a humane solution.

Bloggers view from our room on the shore.  Pretty sweet.