Inspiring Writing Locales: The Hawaiian Island of Maui

Maui from the air. Used by permission of Jen Kazmaier.

Google Maps. “Maui`

Writing is a solitary vocation. Where one writes can make up for much of the solitude and certainly enhances the writing experience, particularly if the locale has some role to play in the story. One such inspiring locale is Maui. I’ll let the images, for the most part, speak for themselves. Here are a few topics that make Maui special.

The Haleakala Dormant Volcano

Like the other Hawaiian islands, Maui is volcanic in origin and the landscape is dominated by two dormant volcanoes. The larger, on the east side of the island, is called Haleakala. This mountain, at least from the west slope, has none of the precipices and rock faces that I came to expect from hiking in the Rocky Mountains, but rather slopes up relatively gently from the east coast of the island to the summit. Indeed from our balcony (lanai) on a clear day we could see the observatory and the Red Hill Lookout at 10,023 feet.

Hikes around the Haleakala Crater.

Taking the hike to the edge of the crater is an awe-inspiring endeavor and gives one a sense of the size of this volcano. Numerous hiking trails allow for the exploration of this massive formation.

A view of the Haleakala crater from the rim.

On many mornings, before sunrise, the summit can readily be seen from the foot of the mountain, but as dawn breaks it frequently becomes cloud covered.

Summit of Haleakala. Used by permission of Phil Kazmaier.

The Hana Highway and the Tropical Part of the Island

Haleakala has an enormous influence on weather patterns on Maui. South and west of the mountain, the land is quite arid with many dried-up water courses. In contrast on the other side, there is a great deal of rainfall, with many creeks that can flood rapidly after a heavy downpour. The abundant moisture provides a tropical rain forest setting.

A Rainbow Eucalyptus

Maui Coral Reef

There are many coral reefs close to shore on Maui and it is relatively easy to find good snorkeling close to accessible beaches. Here are a few images that we were able to capture using a rented underwater camera.

Slate pencil urchin

Likely a Butterfly Fish

Likely a Needlefish

My best guess: a school of Black Durgon Triggerfish (although I don’t see the extra “trigger” fin).

Closing Remarks

Maui beach lava rock which reminded me of Edvard Munch’s THE SCREAM.

Whether you’re writing an adventure situated on a tropical island, or like me, re-reading Jules Verne’s MYSTERIOUS ISLAND with its dormant volcano, Maui is an inspirational locale for writers and readers alike.

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