We were getting used to Hawaiian time but I set an alarm every morning so I could witness the gorgeous sunrise.
We couldn't believe our luck! Another Hawaiian monk seal!
After our morning we drove north around the island past Hanalei and Princeville to the end of highway 560 where is far as you can go by car.
Our view looking through the windshield...
Views of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
We circled the parking lot of Ke'e beach and then drove about a mile down the road to park along side it. Get there early is the mantra I always have and we didn't follow this day. Many people had the same idea to hike the famous Kalalau Trail which is 11 miles long and full of beautiful scenery, difficult and hazardous, has narrow trails and slippery rocks. 
Some were headed to the Ke'e Beach which is known for great snorkeling and swimming. It also can get very crowded. We noticed these signs near the parking lot. Thank you for the warnings...eeek!
While it can be costly to get here and depending on where you choose to stay can be pricey, the parks, trails, beaches and ocean are all free. If you would choose to visit national parks, the yearly pass for $60 for a family is well worth the cost. We found that while staple groceries as bread and milk are expensive but that other things are not much more then your local store. Getting the "card" for discounts at the grocery stores also saves a lot of money.
While it can be costly to get here and depending on where you choose to stay can be pricey, the parks, trails, beaches and ocean are all free. If you would choose to visit national parks, the yearly pass for $60 for a family is well worth the cost. We found that while staple groceries as bread and milk are expensive but that other things are not much more then your local store. Getting the "card" for discounts at the grocery stores also saves a lot of money.
The trail was quite a challenge in some areas and we heard that much farther down the trail was difficult, steep with small walk-ways and sheer drop off.
The higher we climbed the views got better and better. It was so pretty.
A look at Ke'e beach
A jungle! Surprisingly there were few insects except we did see some GIANT spiders in the corners of the bathroom at the trail head.
The blossom of the o'hia tree
0.5 miles into the Kalalau Trail was a beautiful view of the Na Pali coast. We had sandwiches there and headed back down. The first 2 miles of the trail lead to Hanakapi'ai Beach. It takes most people 1 1/2-2 hours each way to hike just to that beach. To take the entire, ultimate hike it is one of the most famous in Hawaii.
lunch and a passer-by asked if we wanted a picture all perched along the cliff having our turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips and oreos.
Ke'e Beach
going down...in some ways almost more difficult then going up!
We got there after 10 and not only was the parking lot completely overflowing, the sides of the road leading up to it were packed with not many optimal places to park (not like that stopped many from making some really questionable decisions). We had to park about a mile from the trail itself. We didn't stay at Ke'e beach as our beach gear was far away.
The painted church, Wai'oli Hui'ia in Hanalei.
We drove back and got ready for the night out at the luau. We had transportation to the Smith's Tropical Paradise and we were all so excited to go to our first luau.
They had abundant birds, plants and trees. They had many peacocks strutting around the property as well. We took a tram around the grounds before the luau began.
Getting a shell lei and a greeting to start the evening.
The evening started with the Kalua pig emerging from the pit of where it was cooking. They used conch shells to "call" in various directions.
The modern luau now is a feast with entertainment. Earlier in history, this feast was called a 'aha'aina or pa'ina.
The pig is cooked according to a traditional Hawaiian method that uses a type of underground oven called an imu. They dig a dirt pit about 6 feet long and 3 feet deep. They put rocks inside to maintain the head and vegetation like banana leaves. They cook the pig for about 6 hours buried in layers of sand and soil. They bring it out and, voila...one tasty cooked pig!
The served many dishes including poi (a thick tasteless porridge made from the taro plant), fruits, cake, and lomi salmon.
They had mai tais and beer to drink for the grownups and hawaiian punch for the kids. They had live music and even a time for you to get up and learn the luau on stage.
The entertainment consists of many different types of dances including Polynesian and Hawaiian tradition and stories. It was fascinating and fun to watch!
Pele, the volcano goddess.
And fire dancing at the end!
We all loved it! The girls were tired but all smiles!
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