Kaupo, Maui

St. Joseph Catholic Church established in 1842 by the Sacred Heart Priests from Belgium

lava beaches and Kaupo Gap

After celebrating Eucharist on this day of Pentecost I went with friends to visit Kaupo, the southern side of Mount Haleakala. It was a beautiful drive from Wailuku passing the towns of Kula and Ulupalakua where St. James the Less Catholic Church and Tedeschi Winery are located along the Pi'ilani Highway. The roads were paved until we traveled up to Kuakini Bay. We passed St. Joseph Church which was established in 1842 which faced the Kaupo Gap. The landscape changed from black lava into lush and bucolic country side where it was filled with trees and green mountains. What a contrast of barren lava beaches to green country side.
If you ever travel to the Island of Maui be sure to visit this area of the Island which can be approached from Kula or from Hana passing Kipahulu Valley. Besides the elegant hotels in Ka'anapali and Wailea Maui offers natural beauty of mountians and beaches.