Well,

This should be my last blog post. I thought it would be a good way to keep family/friends posted on my Maui move. I also thought it would be a good way to share my experiences with those that perhaps were thinking of doing something similar. Apparently, I was incorrect on both accounts. I have not received any comments, nor have I received any emails about the blog.

At first, I found blogging therapeutic. Now, I find it is simply a futile effort to keep people from my past up to date on my life. But, everyone is busy with their own lives; doing their own thing. Who the hell has time, much less cares, about my experiences in Maui. It is understandable. That's just life. As we move on, we "say" we will keep in touch, we "say" we will not forget one another. But,it is just a matter of time.

Aloha all!

If you're on your way to Hana, you just have to stop in at Paia for an hour or so. Paia is a nice little town of approximately 2,500 - 3,000 (maybe more by now) with about 50 stores, boutiques, restaurants, surf shops, hair salons and a great health food market with organic veggies called Mana Foods. This health food market has it all in the way of healthy groceries. Paia town is quite an eclectic place. Ever wonder where all the old hippies that used to live in communes wound up? A lot of them are here You will also find plenty of musicians, artists, and just some cool people. Close by is another "hip" town called Haiku. A lot of surfer dudes seem to live here. It offers a lot of beautiful scenery, lush greenery, hiking trails, waterfalls, and beautiful country-side. Just outside Paia is a place called Hookipa beach with its great "winter" waves, and a little farther is the home ofJaws. This legendary wave can be 70 feet in height and comes to the North Shore of Maui about a dozen times a year. Jaws also has a Hawaiian name; locals call it Peahi. Jaws can be explained by the unique shape of the underwater ridge here. The height and the form of a wave depend on the sea depth and the shape of the sea bottom. Near the North Shore of Maui there is a large underwater ridge, located about 30 feet beneath the ocean's surface. As part of a storm swell passes over the ridge crest, it slows down because water travels slower in shallow water. Other parts of the swell travel faster in deeper water, causing the wave to focus on the ridge; a process called refraction. The reef squeezes the wave "inward and upward" to form a "peaking wave." I have yet to see it and those fearless (or senseless) ones that surf it; but this will be my 1st "winter" here.

Until next time.

Aloha

Great beaches (some of the best in the world), great golf, great views, and a whole lotta money That pretty much wraps up Wailea. The white sand beaches are really awesome. And there are several of them. So, if one is crowded, just move on down to the next. There is a paved pathway that runs throughout all of the resorts; the Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, Fairmont, etc. It is a great way to check out the beaches and scenery. A little farther south of Wailea is Makena. Bordered on the north by the posh Wailea Resort area and on the south by the 'Ahihi Kina'u Natural Area Reserve, the Makena area of South Maui, offers a return to nature and much earlier days of Hawaii. Space and freedom are the signature of Makena. It is the place where the paved road ends and the lava fields begin. Lots of great snorkeling areas to the south of Makena. And two great beaches; Big Beach (often referred to as Makena Beach) is aptly named. It is long and wide with plenty of white sand. Little Beach is a small hidden beach adjacent to Big Beach and is Maui's only "clothing optional" beach. After seeing it, I can only wish some had chosen the right "option" But, hey, to each his own.

Until next time.

Aloha

It is not the town itself that makes Hana so unique. No, it is the "road to Hana" that attracts the visitors. While the town itself is quaint and picturesque, driving the road to Hana is an experience you will never forget. The waterfall pictures in my gallery were taken on the way to Hana. The drive is an all day journey. Yes, you "could" drive it in 1 1/2 - 2 hours (traffic permitting), but why would you want to unless that is where you reside. It is only a little more than 50 miles, but there are 56 one-lane bridges and over 600 curves and turns. So, you want to take your time, chill out, and enjoy the beauty. Make sure and take a copy of the book "Maui Revealed" on the journey. It is the "bible" for exploring Maui and is a necessity for the Hana trip. They do a great job in detailing the road mile-by-mile and will assist in finding that perfect little romantic spot far from the maddening crowd. There are numerous resources available on the Internet that will tell you more, and show more pictures, so I will not spend any more time ranting and raving about this drive. One thing I will add though; if you should ever make the drive, go about another 7 - 10 miles to O'heo Gulch, a.k.a. Seven Sacred Pools. You could spend a day there in itself. But, make sure and check the weather forecast before heading that way. If they have had a lot of rain, the water will be running to fast and they may close off this area. There is also a four mile trail that you can hike into and see some beautiful scenery. Here is a link to some pictures:

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/html/sites/seven_sacred_pools.html

Until next time.

Aloha!

Lahaina, which means cruel sun, is often referred to as the "jewel" of Maui. This old "whaler's village" is an eclectic haven. Rich in natural resources, it is probably best known for its cultural resources. It is a cool little place, but the traffic can be a nightmare, or as they say here on Maui, "a real buggah"! There is only one way in and out of Lahaina, and if the two-lane highway should have an accident, well, just plan on spending your evening there. But there is plenty to keep you busy. In Lahaina harbor, you can visit the Carthaginian, the only authentically restored "brig" in the world, and see the whaling museum. Also in Lahaina harbor are the Fort on the Canal (built in 1831), the old Courthouse (built in 1859), or take some time to visit the infamous Banyon Tree. This "tree" came from India in 1873 and is the oldest of its kind in Hawaii. At the time of its arrival, it was only 8 feet tall. Now, it stands over 50 feet high and shades nearly two-thirds of an acre. I will try and get a picture of it in my gallery. There are many old historic sites from the 1800's in Lahaina to keep you busy. When you get hungry, check out Bubba Gump Shrimp, BJ's Chicago Pizzeria, Cheeseburger in Paradise, or Buzz's Wharf. They are all pretty decent and are relatively (I use that loosely in Maui) inexpensive. One more interesting thing about Lahaina is the "Halloween Party" it has. I haven't been here long enough to experience it yet, but from what I understand, it is like a mini Mardi Gras during that time.

Until next time.

Aloha!