Sea turtles swim lazily in the clear waters and visitors often snorkel under the shadow of the palms, while the waters lap the beach. An isolated sun-splashed beach along Hana Bay on Maui is perfect for private contemplation of the island's charms. Although Maui is the second most visited place in the Hawaiian archipelago, few visitors roam this dark, sandy shore. A strip of land in the distance fills the view with greenery which sways in the balmy trade winds. The foamy sea washes up a lone coconut, waiting to be claimed by the next beachcomber, who scans the horizon for dolphins and monk seals.
Puffy clouds drift in groups against the pure blue sky.
The warm sun rises and falls across the bay, near the former sugar town of Hana, marking a perfect day. In the 1800's lusty whalers collided head-on with fervent missionaries and the local population. Today the proud sailing brig Carthaginian, a replica of the type of ship that brought New England missionaries around Cape Horn, tugs at its moorings. Once Hawaii's capital and bustling with sailors from the seven seas, the town is now a base for modern adventurers who dive the sea floor, fish for marlin and search for humpback whales. Waterfront shops along Wharf Street offer their wares under the dry, hot sun.