![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
While many Hawaiian beaches provide the paradise of glittering waves and pristine sand, the intimate, clean setting of Ulua (oo-LOO-ah) Beach in Wailea, Maui offers a unique location for tourists and locals of all ages to enjoy.
Named the tenth best beach on the island by Maui Best Guidebook, Ulua lies in a residential area of South Maui and is enclosed by luscious greenery on both sides of the shore. The sturdy branches of a patch of low-hanging trees create a region of shade on one side, providing an area for people to picnic and relieve themselves of the scorching afternoon sun.
Even at peak hours of the day, there are relatively few people scattered along the shoreline, and there is more than enough space for everyone to settle in. Along with the private setting, tourists also noted the conveniently short distance of the bathrooms from the beach.
The proximity of the shore from the parking lot also allows easy access to the water, and the privacy of the beach allows not only children to play safely but also adults to relax peacefully. The narrow strip of warm, brown sand is a short distance from the water, enabling parents to comfortably watch their children while enjoying the beach on their own.
Because Ulua beach contains very little trash and debris, the clean environment is one of its most prominent attractions. Carmen, a visitor from Hong Kong, felt that Ulua “is a heaven” compared to beaches at home.
From building sand castles and boogie boarding to snorkeling and sunbathing, Ulua visitors of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities at any time of day. Many interviewed tourists preferred this beach for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities at the nearby coral reef.
“It’s a beautiful little beach. We come back every year for the snorkeling reef,” two tourists from Oregon, Cliff and Leroy, said.
Wayne, a tourist from Tennessee, also said that “the water’s good, and there’s good snorkeling around here. The beach has a good balance of both snorkeling and swimming areas.”
Despite the diversity of reef life available to snorkelers, tourists should still be cautious of the steep drop of the ocean bed about 20 feet from the shore.
Nevertheless, the ebb and flow of the gentle waves and the clean, children-friendly atmosphere preserve the relaxing, intimate comfort of Ulua Beach, a timeless resort for visitors of all ages.
