Finale :-(

(Read from the bottom up to read our blog from day 1)

Our last day on Maui.

This morning was picture day on the beach for the team and for the Seniors.  Our original plan to shoot on the grounds of the Grand Wailea resort yesterday afternoon was quickly reassessed due to the $500 access fee.  Ouch!  We found another great site as the Hawaiian morning provided windless conditions and perfect lighting from the East rising sun over the Haleakala crater.

Some spent their last day on the beach, others, shopping for souvenirs, and others, along with the biggest kid in the group (you know who you are….) on the Maui Splash. If you can’t find the perfect wave in Maui, then go to the place where they make it.  You can board surf it, body surf it, bogie board it, and swim it up and down.  Surfing for 8 please……no waiting,

Packing today was no fun.  Just a sad reminder that after 4 days of volleyball, 6 days of beach time, dinner in Lahaina, our Molokini and Turtle Town snorkeling adventure, and incredible hike through the ‘Ohe’o Gulch, swimming in the many fresh water pools, and cliff jumping in 7 Sacred Pools, we’ll be back in Orange County soon.  How does it never fail that you can’t fit the same amount of clothes in your suitcase for the trip home?

We had the opportunity to make many new island friends and were hosted by 2 of the most friendly teams that we will probably ever meet.  Rich in Hawaiian tradition, we leave our new friends with a definite appreciation of local hospitality very rarely found on the Mainland.  Our girls will have many fond memories of their trip and with an opportunity to get to learn more about each other.  That will, no doubt, translate to a stronger team on the court this fall.

The sun will be setting soon signaling our last moments on Maui and our inevitable our flights home.  Many of us will be nodding off, just as I will, and soon, we’ll be home to share our stories with friends and family.

Maui No Ka Oi!  (Maui is the Best!)

Short of the EAC, but just as good, dude. Sweeeeeeet!

We’re Molokini bound on the Lani Kai catamaran.  The seas are relatively calm on our short 4 mile trip to the crater.    Tons of tropical fish to see and if you’ve been out there before, you’ll know what I mean.  The larger fish (tuna, shark, etc) we elusive today to delight of some of the apprehensive snorkelers.  We spent almost 1 1/2 hours in the crater before moving on towards Makena.

Further in the distance is Ko’oalawe (Ko-oh-la-vay).  This was a military bombing site where over 250 unexploded bombs still rest.  As a result of many years of extensive shelling, the island’s aquifer was cracked and compromised the ability for the ground to naturally filter and contain fresh water.  In an ongoing effort, the military, federal gov’t, and geological organizations are gradually destroying and removing the unexploded shells and restoring the damage to the island.  Only the island itself can truly heal the damage with the ever shifting rock and lava, and occasional earthquakes plates that will eventually seal off and reform the natural aquifer.

Sorry for the slight detour.  Let’s get back to the snorkeling trip.  From Molokini we headed towards Makena and “Turtle Town” where the giant green turtle resides, as well as, Clint Eastwood, Woody Harrelson, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to name a few…..NICE!  The turtles are an endangered species and are constantly monitored on and off shore by several federal and private group protection agencies through the use of high powered binoculars and telescopes.  Divers can also be lingering in the vicinity to make sure that no one touch, ride, or abuse these incredibly huge and graceful mammals in any way.

The giant turtles were amazing as we swam next to several sizing up at about 3 x 4 feet and 500-700lbs.  “Dewd, that’s aawwesum!  Righteous, righteous!   Mister Turtle is 150 years old.”  “’Cause we were like, “whoaaaah”, and I was like, “whoaaaah.” and you were like, “whoaaahh…” Sweeeeeeeeet!”  (from Finding Nemo, of course).

The shortcut to Hana, sans dramamine, kind of…..

6AM and we’re off to Grandma’s for breakfast.  It’s about 24 miles from the condo’s via the Haleakala Hwy, but only  2 miles as the crow flies.  Go figure.. We invaded the locals as 26 of us crowded the small and intimate restaurant.  By most Hawaiian food taste & quantity standards, Grandma’s is right up there.  Rice, Mango’s, Papaya, fried Spam and Portuguese sausage are breakfast staples here.   Quite tasty if I do say so myself.   Definitely Hawaiian breakfast comfort food.

Those of you that have done the “Road to Hana” know that it is quite the long adventure and requires a good dose of dramamine, a few airline barf bags, and lots of patience to tolerate the masses of tourists that attempt to make a day of it through the switchbacks and twisty turny roads  to Hana.  The majority of people drive around the eastern side of Haleakala and frequently stop at every sign of others stopping to see what everyone else is stopping about.  Several hours of this and many fail to actually make the trek all the way out to Hana (54 miles from airport).  After taking over 3-4 hours just getting to Hana,  they find themselves white-knuckled, impatient, and ready to push a very slow driver off one of the road side cliffs.  There’s usually a brief food stop and a quick “shishi” break and they’re ready to turn back and head home.  There’s actually a small percentage of people that make it all the way out to Hana, then continue on to the western road past the “7 Sacred Pools (more on this later) and attempt the drive along the one to one in a half lane road along the scenic cliffs and western lava fields back to Grandma’s in the Haleakala upcountry.

We stop briefly at mile marker 39 on a small black sand beach to stretch and throw rocks at the coconuts on the top of the beach’s palm trees.  After 10 minutes of throwing lava rocks in the trees we have success!!  A few scenic pictures and we’re off to the gulch……

Our Hike through the ‘Ohe’o Gulch (a.k.a. The 7 Sacred Pools)
The Pipiwa trail, on the upcountry side of the road, takes us on a 4 mile roundtrip hike into the gulch along the edge of a few precipitous cliffs to several small pools below.  Along the Pipiwai Trail at about the .8 mile marker is Infinity Pool and Makihiku Falls. It is fed by the Pipiwai Stream and has a row of thick rocks that keep you from plunging over the 200-foot waterfall during normal flow times. This pool is much more secluded than the more popular Seven Sacred Pools and less traveled by hikers.  This is a smaller, but, beautiful falls that is surrounded by lush tropical landscape.  It’s pools provide a refreshing spot to cool off before continuing up the trail.  Not far from here is a huge Banyan tree that seems to bring out the monkey in everyone.  You just have to climb it.

Next we come to an incredible section of the hike through the bamboo forest.  At times the outside light is almost totally occluded by the towering forest of bamboo trees.  We stopped many times to listen as the wind would gently blow the trees together to make the familiar sound of bamboo hitting against each other.  Once we got through the forest we could see the Waimoku Falls in the distance.  Even from a half mile away you could appreciate the magnitude of it’s height, beauty and power.   From the base of the pool the falls towers 400 feet up a wall of sheer lava and, while it’s constantly fed by the daily showers on Mt. Haleakala, it’s volume was only a third of the torrent that can be experienced after a significant rain storm.  The area where we were standing is unapproachable during time of substantial rain.

The group relaxed here to cool of from our 2 mile hike to admire the Falls.  The water is a cool low 70’s compared to the ocean’s  low 80 temperature.   It was fun watching Coach Utterback as he was the biggest kid at heart on the hike, curious to see what was around the next corner, stopping at every pool, and sitting under the water falls to enjoy a natural water message.
That is, until the park ranger reminded him of the falling rock danger from a 400 foot falls.  Ouch!

After our hike back down the canyon, we got a quick bite and headed ocean side down the Kuloa Point Trail to the 7 Sacred Pools.  The bottom of the trail edges along the Pacific Ocean as it pounds the jagged “a’a” (ah-ah) which is rough and jagged verses “pahoehoe” (pa-hoe-e-hoe-e) smooth lava rock .  By the way,  it’s a local misnomer why it’s called the “7 Sacred Pools” because there’s actually over 24 of them and according to the locals they’re not really sacred.  Sure helps to draw in the tourists though.  The land here was actually originally purchased by a private investor and when he discovered the incredible beauty of the surrounding area, it was donated to the Haleakala State Park to forever make it accessible to everyone.

It’s time for a bit of adventure.  Jumping off a perfectly good cliff to the pool below…….ok!  We’re in!   Uh, and just how deep is the water below?  Now worries.  Over a long period of time, the torrential rain and often violent falls erode the layers of rock and lava below and carve out pools to depths of up to 40 feet deep.  Not exactly like jumping into a glass of water.  Many of the girls and coaches and even me took a shot at leaping (ok falling) from 25 feet up.  Doesn’t look that bad from the pool, but, is deceiving when you’re ready to go and your mind says, “ARE YOU CRAZY?”  AAHHHHhhhhh…………………….SPLASH!!

It’s been a long day and we’re heading back to the one lane road to beat driving it in the dark.  Utterback, et al, however, are heading back to the Infinity Pool.  Just can’t get enough of it………

The Finals and Dinner in Lahaina

Day 2 started with second round of pool play then a break for lunch before proceeding to the playoff brackets.  The Capo Black & Gold teams found themselves competing against each other  in the Gold bracket in the quarter final match.  The Gold team advanced to play a competitive Baldwin team from Maui, then on to the finals to play Kamehameha for the third time for the week.  Capo Gold took the final 25-19 with 4 of our seniors joining 2 local players from KSM and Baldwin for the Tournament All-Team.  Congratulations to Bre Moreland, Alma Serna, Jordyn Moscoso & Sofia Furlong for their accomplishments.

It was a fun tournament and we met some very friendly local while we were there.  The hospitality was first class and we look forward to our next experience with the Hawaii tournaments.   This evening we enjoyed a short drive along the western coast of the West Maui Mountains to Lahaina for dinner.  It was perfect timing as we enjoyed another awesome sunset over the island of Lanai.

The ocean is warm and the locals are friendly…..

School on the island is in session so we have the morning to enjoy the beach.  Sleeping, shopping, tanning, henna tattoo’s, and surfing are on the schedule for the day before we head upcountry to Seabury Hall for the Maui Classic.  The wave’s are ideal for our novice surfer’s, and while keeping an appropriate distance from the experienced local’s our group had a wide swath of shoreline waves to ride.

This evening is the first round of pool play.  Both teams played well and the evening was capped off by Seabury Hall hosting both Mainland schools (Capo and St. Stephen’s of Austin, TX) to a local potluck and meet and greet with the teams.

Beach & Scrimmage, what else is there?….

Paddleboarding and more time at the beach is the order for the day along with Henna tattoo’s and, of course, a local plate lunch.  We scrimmage with   another local private school,  Kamehameha Schools of Maui.

History on this organization is quite intriguing.  This 9 year old school is the 3rd of the Kamehameha Schools with the original school in Oahu and 2nd on the Big Island of Hawaii.  The granddaughter of King Kamehameha acquired an expansive inheritance of land on several islands and, although she never had children, she wanted this land to be developed to benefit the children of Hawaii.  As a result, she secured the development of the Kamehameha Schools for native Hawaiians along with a substantial endowment, which in recent years equalled over $8 billion dollars.  That’s right, $8 billion with a “B”.  Whoa…….  Needless to say, the Maui Campus is first class and quite impressive and pales to CVHS’s 3000 student enrollement, as it supports grades K-12 with a mere 450+ total students.  No deficit in educational funding here.  As compared to private schools in OC, KSM tuition is approximately $2700 (K-6), $3400 (7-12), and $6300 (7-12) if boarding on campus.  As you may have guessed, many of our girls quickly volunteered for the “volleyball exchange” program………..

After another friendly scrimmage with KSM and St. Stephen’s of Austin, TX, the Warriors graciously hosted both schools to a potluck and customary local prayer.  It was a nice touch to a great day.

Our Crib at the Kameole Beach Royale

Today starts with a relaxing day at Kameole Beach 1.  It’s right across from the condo’s with plenty of restaurants and shopping within very close walking distance.  Our location is perfect for the group.   The weather is beautiful, the beach is beachy, and the water is warm.  Tonight we met the Spartans of Seabury Hall Prep School as they host us for a friendly scrimmage.  The teams meet in Hawaiian tradition with the exchange of gifts and an exchange of Aloha’s and friendly hugs.   Maui No Ka Oi!

After a quick trip back to the condo’s we capped off the evening grilling burgers on the roof top garden to watch the sun set on a beautiful evening.

Planes, shuttles, & automobiles

Various flights and 2500 miles later,  WE’RE FINALLY IN MAUI!!!  We settle in our condo’s for the first night on the “rock”.  More to come……..

Howzit!

In a few days we’re off the Hawaii for the Maui Classic.  Before we leave, we have a weekend of fundraising starting with the Booster’s Texas Hold ‘em Poker tournament on Sat.  followed up by our Car Wash hosted by Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita.  The group is excited and looking forward to playing in their second summer tournament on the island.  Beach’s, waterfalls, snorkeling, volleyball, plate lunches, and (of course) spam musubi await………………