Aug. 23, 2016---Snorkel Maluaka

we were pleasantly surprised when we woke up to sunny skies.  So we took advantage of the sun here on the South side and went to another beach.  This time to Maluaka.  It's not the easiest beach to find, but it's worth finding it!

It's very deceiving from the overlook.  Looks like a lot of sand bottom, but there is a reef system to the left that keeps going and going and going.  So did we!

 I was happy to see these guys again.  Last time we were here we didn't see any.  But that was the trip when south surges kept coming one right after another and we didn't get to do much snorkeling.  We've already done more snorkeling this trip then we did all of our 3 week trip 1 1/2 years ago!  Anyway---this is the only beach on Maui where I've seen these Lagoon Triggerfish.  Only other place I've seen them is at Tunnels on Kauai (maybe on the Big Island, but that was in the days before digital underwater cameras).

 Here's the Lagoon Triggerfish's cousin--the Reef Triggerfish.

 There were several schools of fish here, too.  Here is a school of Orange Bar Surgeonfish.

 Pebbled or Multiband butterflyfish

 We noticed a boat full of snorkelers so went to check out what they were seeing.  This apparently one of the Turtle Towns and we did see several turtles.

 That's the rig I want!

 We continued all the way to the next beach.

 Heading back I saw one lei triggerfish.  Certainly more of them up in Kapalua.

 Saw a couple more of these guys.  I believe it's an adult male Palenose Parrotfish.  I've seen many juvenile ones before, but don't recall see one this big and colorful.

 I believe this is the female adult Palenose Parrotfish.

 we also don't see many star fish in Hawaii, but there always seems to be a few of these little guys here. 

 Another Lagoon Triggerfish

 By now we had been in the water about 2 hours, so we got out and sat around for awhile.  This is looking out over the beginning of the reef system that goes to the left.

 After awhile, we decided we weren't done snorkeling yet and headed to the right side of the bay. 

 lots of colorful sea urchins

 a belted wrasse.

 There was a school of large Ringtail Surgeonfish there, but not a whole lot else.

 looking back towards the beach

 Heading back over we waited for this catamaran to come in and leave again.

 Then we went back to the first reef system for a bit longer.  Love the pink tails on these Pink tailed Triggerfish.

 Even saw a snowflake eel.

 and a juvenile Emperor fish

 At the outter edge of the reef was this HUGE school of yellowfin goatfish.

zoomed in on them

 and, yes, another turtle

 something spooked the goatfish and they came swimming at us.  Never saw what spooked them.

 a needle nose butterflyfish

 hardly ever get pictures of these guys, they run and hide quickly---Spotfin Squirrelfish

 Wish all the coral was in as nice of shape as this one!  Sad to see so much damaged coral.

After about 2 more hours of snorkeling, we decided that was enough.  When I looked up towards the sun I noticed it had a rainbow around it---not very noticeable, but it was there.   Don't see that often!

 After resting up and changing into dry clothes, we headed out for dinner.  There is a school at the corner of our street and Highway 31.  I decided to look up what it means---"treat others with respect".  Needs to be more of that!

 Tuesday night is prime rib and lobster ($29.99) night at Beach Bums in the Maalaea marina, so we decided to go back there.  For some reason, this is the first time I noticed the cool carvings on the posts in the shopping center.

 More of the posts.

 We got the meal and a salad and shared it.  I got the prime rib and veggies, Ken got the lobster and potatoes; then we shared the salad.  It was very good.. 

 Love wandering around the marina and taking photos.

 I left Ken to pay the bill again and I wandered around a bit.

Ken and his new friend waiting for me to come back.

 As we were leaving the parking lot, I noticed the top of Haleakala was peeking through.

 We stopped on the north end of Kihei right along Kihei Rd.  Didn't have much color today.

 That pretty much was it for sunset.

And we're pretty much done for the day!