First and foremost I would like to thank the staff at the Maui Coastal Land Trust http://www.mauicoastallandtrust.org
for all of their hard work and dedication to preserving Maui's open spaces, and coastal culture.
Every month the Maui Coastal Land Trust offers a FREE GUIDED TOUR of the Waihe'e dunes. The tourguide, Scott Fisher, is a wealth of knowledge. The Maui Coastal Land Trust (MCLT) has, through hard work, acquired the land, which will now be protected in perpetuity. The tour is accommodating for all ages from keiki to kupuna.
This past Saturday I went on the hike with some MCLT staff and a full group of interested hikers. We started off with an informative briefing at the MCLT office (which is a darling , old style plantation home nestled up in Wailuku Town). First, we drove to a site where we were given a beautiful view from on top of the dunes. Being from Upcountry, I am accustomed to looking across to the Kahala Wai (West Maui Mountains). This view is just the opposite, it is the majestic panoramic view from Waihe'e across and up Haleakala. It is absolutely breathtaking.
We were then given a tour of the coastal portion of the land. The stories, the history, the legends, the geology, the archeology, the botany, there is a bounty of information there in that small marsh.
We continued on our educational journey. We hiked down, around, over, and across, and eventually came to a bluff that looked across the coastline. It was absolutely stunning. A gentle squall rolled in from on the ocean and gave us a light rain shower. It was a beautiful blessing to end the journey (and a relief from the heat).
We took a different route back and continued to learn about whatever we questions we could conjure up. Dale Bonar, Executive Director and Scott Fisher, Project Manager are both so personable and willing to share their mana'o about the Waihe'e sand dunes and marsh. They also truly enjoy listening to what others have to share about this lovely place.I thank the Maui Coastal Land Trust for offering such a great educational service to the community. Moreover, I would like to thank the entire staff for working so hard to protect and preserve our 'aina. Preserving our 'aina is the first step in preserving our culture and our communities.
MAHALO NUI LOA!
Summer Starr
p.s. The event is open to the public, but call (808) 244-5263 for reservations.
