Memories of Maui

Hawaii is a preferred vacation destination for many people in the US, mostly for those living on the west coast of the country. One can escape the grey, rainy winter weather in Seattle, Portland, or San Francisco and in just five hours arrive in warm, sunny Hawaii. Of return vacationers, most have a favorite island and a specific spot on that island that they return to time and time again. For us it was Kapalua Bay, Maui.

Maui is the second largest of the eight major islands in the chain and is known as the Valley Isle due to its unique geography. We visited multiple times in the early years of our marriage, and have very fond memories of our adventures there. I wasn’t using a digital camera in those days, so all my Hawaii photos are in storage in the US, except for the one above. However, dear friends Dave and Rosanne visited Maui last month and provided these photos.

Thanks Dave and Rosanne for the beautiful photos.

The active shield volcano Haleakalã, is an interesting place to visit. Rising 10,023 feet above the ocean below, it can be seen from many places around the island. We chose not to participate in the bike tour called Maui Downhill, but for those looking for a thrill, it will definitely deliver.

The Road to Hana is one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken. This 65 mile drive with 620 switchbacks (I kid you not) from Kahului to Hana, offers amazing scenery and white-knuckle moments at every turn. A variety of items with the slogan I survived the road to Hana, are available for purchase all over the island.

On one of our visits, we took a small plane from Honolulu to Maui, which took us past the white cliffs. I still remember my 14 year old step-son, as he stared, transfixed at the cliffs. It was his first trip to Maui, and he loved every minute.

A few years later, we returned with three year old Alexis. She had so much fun jumping into the pool, over and over again, knowing her dad would always catch her.

Lahaina was once the capital of Hawaii and dates back to 1795 when Kamehameha I first arrived. Twenty years later Kamehameha II had a residence there. Lahaina was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962 and had multiple buildings dating back to the early 1800s.

Several of our most treasured works of art were purchased in Lahaina, a spot that, until last week, was a lovely town filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries, historical monuments and more.

On Tuesday, August 8th tragedy hit this lovely town when a raging wildfire destroyed 2,200 structures, many of which were private residences. Residents has little or no warning, and many jumped into the ocean to escape the fast moving flames. Firefighters actually felt their hoses running out of water while fighting the fires.

The fire is considered to be the most destructive in US history. The death toll is currently 111 and expected to rise as the search for missing people continues. As many as 1,300 people remain unaccounted for. Forty search dogs, as well as 1,000 first responders from around the world, are on site helping locate missing persons, and to provide aid and comfort to the survivors who have lost everything they own. The cause is still under investigation, but climate change was a contributing factor. This article in the Seattle Times has some details of how the fire started and raged out of control.

Its unfathomable to image the damage, destruction, loss, and tremendous heartbreak that the residents must be experiencing right now. If you would like to make a donation, click here for a list of local charities that desperately need help.

On our first visit to Maui we learned this saying, Maui No Ka Oi; it means Maui is the best. It’s heartbreaking to imagine that much of Maui’s history is lost forever, but like it did thousands of years ago, it will rise again.

You haven’t been to paradise if you haven’t been to Hawaii. Bruno Mars.

I have always been proud to have been born in Hawaii. Barack Obama.

Tricia