Black Rock Dive Ceremony
As sunset approaches Puu Kukaa, a 40-foot rocky outcrop fromed by lava flows on this north part of Ka'anapali, better known as Black Rock, a narrator at the Sheraton Resort takes you back to the 18th century when Maui's King Kahekili proved his courage by making numerous dives into the ocean from this rocky outcrop. Today, a young man lights torches throughout the area around the Cliff Dive Bar and heads out to the volcanic outcropping to make his climb.
A dancer at the Cliff Dive Bar provides a traditional hula as the youth climbs Puu Kukaa, lighting torches along the path, tosses his lei into the ocean as an offering to the kupuna (ancestors) before diving into the ocean below.
A neat and rather quick show. To get a good view, get to the Cliff Dive Bar early. I still needed all of the 500mm lens to capture the warrior climbing Black Rock and diving into the ocean. I was disappointed that tourists climb this rock and stand around while the ceremony takes place, getting in the way of pictures and the overall experience. Notwithstanding that, the lighting of the torches and ceremony set against the setting sun is a must-see when visiting Maui.
Here are some of the pictures from the ceremony. Click on an image for a larger view.
