| 12/28 -- I was looking through some old photos and came across the ones where we tried to get to Hana through the southern route. The road was blocked but it is a beautiful route. Slow, but beautiful. |  |
| 12/27 -- It was a thrifty kind of day. I first
started at the Salvation Army and found a water suit for
$4.95. I had a dream last night my water pants disenagrated
while I wore them. As much use as they have received that
could be how I know it is time to send them packing. Not good!
I took the dream as a sign and purchased the suit. These
things are $40+ new, so this was a find. Next, I headed to
Maria's Treasures, LLC. My attention was caught by this cute,
purple number. I asked how much and Maria said $25. When I
hesitated, she dropped to $20. As much as I bargain hunt, I
decided I deserved a treat. Maria calmly held the shirt up to
herself and said, "I was going to buy for myself, but I
have problem. Big Boobs." Maria is maybe 5 ft, with ample
bosoms and a very candid personality. She then showed me the
kicking pocketbook she got from the previous owner of my
shirt. I asked "does she always get rid of such great
items?"
"Yes! She is getting fat.". Next, she asked me a question. "Where you from?" I replied Va. Oh! I want to go there. They have an army base, I am single, I want a military man." When I mentioned Oahu had a base "too many girls there."
|
 |
 |
| 12/26 -- We visited Kula last week. In reading
the Maui Time Weekly, I realized the wreathes and flowers I
had seen under a tent were part of a class they teach up
there. I made a page showing a wreath and some of the flowers
used for it.
As I stood under the tent, I took a photo of Kite Beach and surrounding area. I posted it on the right. |
 |
| 12/25 -- Another Christmas has come and
gone. After some video conferencing with our families,
we headed to Kite Beach for a luscious session. I then came
home to feast my eyes on the beautiful roses my awesome honey
gave me for Christmas.
While on the beach today, we did over hear a female kiter comment to a single, male kiter, "You can tell who all the single people are, they are out today." I am not sure I agree. She was out with her husband. I was out there with mine. Jody was kiting with her father. I am fairly confident in the previous set of photos, the guy kiting had his father in tow. Couple and families that have common interest will do what they mutually enjoy Christmas Day, for some, that is going to Kite Beach.
|
 |
| 12/25 -- Up, Up, Away anddddd CRASH! I had a bad feeling about this person. The wind started of at 19 mph soared to 27 mph at one point dropped back to 20 before going back to 27. Most of the girls were riding a 5 meter or 7 meter kite. The guys fluctuated between a 7 meter and 9 meter kite today. This is a size 14. This is not San Francisco. |  |
 |
 |
| 12/25 -- Merry Christmas! The moon was officially full Dec. 24th I believe, so it is waning now. I decided to take some early morning shots and get the moon setting and the sun rising. The one on the left was taken closer to 6 a.m. while the one on the right was about 6:45 a.m. (closer to 7 a.m.) |
 |
 |
| 12/23 -- A bike is such a wonderful way to
travel. We decided to do an early morning ride to Wailea and
back. We ended up turning around at the Maui Prince Resort.
What a unbelievable piece of real estate they have. I think it
just changed hands for the bargain basement price of $300
million. In our travels. we passed the Keawalai
Congregational Church located in Makena. I found some history
on the church. Founded in 1832, the church later purchased the
land on which it stands for $80.00 in 1864. The church
consists of a stone-wood combination and backs right up to the
water. With Maui's weather, one can easily see services being
held outside regularly. What a view. If you feel the need to
attend church, this would be the spot.
As everyone realizes, Christmas is upon us. I have to remind myself of it daily as I associate cooler weather with the holiday season. The shock of seeing Christmas decorations while sweating is just starting to wear off. After our biking adventure, it was shopping time. To the mall we went. See's Candy is always a mandatory stopping point. After a little light shopping to Kite Beach we drove. It was blowing. John took out the kite I normally ride, the 7 meter. He came back to say he was even over powered on it. In the bottom right photo, I took a quick photo of Kent as he launches his kite. Kent normally resides in Canada but he is living in Maui for the winter, as we are. I think he is over 70 and hits Kite Beach regularly. Impressive.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 12/22 -- What a lazy, fun filled Saturday. For starters, we found some rocking yard sale deals. I acquired a bag of unused Channel makeup for a whopping $.50. Another yard sale had one of the original videos on how to kiteboard. I can't wait to watch it. The kite looked like a shiny plastic bag with some lines attached. The true score, for John anyway, is the new, shiny Pogo Stick. Our neighbor in Virginia thought the Sky Ski looked like a Pogo Stick. Funny! |  |
| 12/21 -- It was noon on Friday and we were done
working for the weekend. The forecast on kitebeachcam.com
didn't look stellar. Like the regulars, we are becoming choosy
about our wind. We decided to head up to Lahaina for
the afternoon. In discussing surfing with locals, we learned
some of the spots between Kihei and Lahaina were great to
learn the sport. We decided to check them out. We see they
are beautiful to boot.
After a quick stop, we headed up the road. Our destination, the Salvation Army. We heard this one was cheaper than Kihei's. I am not sure about cheaper, they definitely win the messier title. John wants to make a kite cart. It would allow us to move the kite gear to a location in one trip, plus it would allow us to keep track of it. We were half way home the other night when we realized a board was missing. I left it by the ocean, out of sight, yet still hoped John saw it and packed it. Oops! Located on the west coast of Maui, Lahaina is gorgeous. If you look one way you will see the ocean, if you turn around, mountains rise up in the background. The requisite chickens were surrounding the Salvation Army also. The are some serious looking dudes. They gave me the evil eye as if to say, "DON'T you come closer ..... or I will run."
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| 12/20 -- After several e-mail exchanges, I was
intrigued to meet Phyllis. The details I had accumulated prior
to the visit were as follows; one of the few female Commercial
airline pilots in the 70s, commanded sailboats,
excellent writer, lover of books, lived in Guam, researched
WWII in the Pacific.
For full story Kula
|
 |
 |
| 12/17 -- OMG! It was such a freaking fun day. I thought it was going to be a rough one, I thought I had completely forgotten how to kite, but the wind gods befriended me. We rode. My transitions are really smoothing out, John's jumps are really coming together. We arrived back to shore exuberant. I think the photo on the right shows how much fun we had. |
 |
 |
| 12/15 -- I added a new page under locations
today. It is of Wailea; The Shops at Wailea and the Wailea
Oceanfront Boardwalk. Both are beautiful places. The Shops at
Wailea is how you make and outside mall.
For the full page click here:
|
 |
 |
| 12/14 -- The wind is blowing like crazy in Kihei today. John had to work late and wondered why I wasn't on Kite Beach without him. Personally, I like knowing some one is around to fish me out of the harbor if needed. Plus, I wanted to take some Christmas theme photos of Maui. I hope to make one page out of them in the near future. Instead, I ventured into uncharted territory today. Due to my tight wad tendencies, I normally stay away from places such as "The Shops at Wailea", but I just knew they would have Christmas decorations up. Oh my goodness! They know how to make an outdoor shopping mall. It was spectacular. Unlike the Mainland though, the sales people were darn nice. |
|
12/12 – What a day! Pulling into Kite
Beach’s parking lot, I was surprised by the lack of cars.
The wind was blowing, the sun was shining, and it was a
beautiful day in the neighborhood. I quickly figured out why.
The wind between the beach and 100 yards off shore was
intermittent at best. Four people had tried, called uncle and
left already. I heard from those trailing back to land, once
you got out there, Mother Nature turns up the volume and
riders were met with strong, gusty wind. The men were riding 7’s
and that is the smallest kite in our quiver.
I looked at John, “your turn to go first.”
Yesterday was one of the shakier days I have had in a long
time. I wanted my next attempt to be under reasonable
conditions. The third, I mean fifth time (including
yesterday) was the charm. As I headed out to sea, another
kiter was returning directly in my path. The launcher has the
right of way. Normally I make allowances, but not today. I
kept on path; I wasn’t in the mood to budge for anybody. It wasn’t my best ride, but I went out,
I rode and I returned to land intact. On the beach was Joe, on
a pair of crutches. A lot of people think kiteboarding is
dangerous, while it has its moments; you have to remember life
can be dangerous. A few weeks ago, as Joe stood between his
car and his car’s open door, another vehicle backed up,
shutting the door on his legs. Ouch! The other driver didn’t
have insurance.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 12/12 -- Living in Maui has opened my eyes to
many new things, including a fresh perspective on myself. I no
longer consider myself left of center. I might be far right.
Health food stores, fasting diets, internet searches on herbs,
a course in religions of the world, a now old diet free of
chicken, beef or pork, meditation; have been a part of my life
to varying degrees for many years. Co-workers look in horror
as I pour Flax Seed on my toast or stock the refrigerator with
fresh squeezed carrot juice. For most of my life, these
leanings have been atypical. In Maui, people view me as a conservative
banker. It is a welcoming, refreshing, hilarious change. While
I know a lot of new age concepts, and tried many interesting
diets, I don’t really live the lifestyle. Just the other
day, I overheard another condo owner as he talked to his
girlfriend in the parking lot on his cell phone. He
congratulated her, with genuine joy and enthusiasm in his
voice, for being on her path in life. In an earlier
conversation with John and me, he discussed the Master Fast
they were going to do for two weeks to cleanse their insides.
After that, they were only going to consume raw uncooked food.
I love the idea. Once, years ago, I tried the same fast. I
lasted 24 hours. In passing, I mentioned the beautiful, full
November moon, he excitedly relied, “It was very
powerful.” One wonderful, female neighbor and I had
a conversation discussing sharks and surfing. She learned from
locals, surfers hang with sharks all the time. The surfers
claim, if you have the right energy, they will leave you
alone. Not enough faith on my part. If I see a shark, I am
coming to shore thank you. As everyone realizes, Maui is warm. Ants
thrive here. One sweet couple recommended spraying a
concoction of water and soap on them. Pesticides are
unhealthy. Yes! But they kill the ants. Water and soap only
drowns a small percent. I did try it. Even a visit to Mana the world’s BEST health food store, maker of fresh squeezed beet and carrot juice I might add, is exhilarating. As I stood in line, the woman in front of me discussed dancing with her male friend. “Everyone needs to dance everyday,” she said theatrically with a wave of her henna stained hands. “Dance for him,” she instructed her 8-year old son. He simply shook his head no, as he stared at the floor. Wishing for a giant hole to open I am guessing?
|
| 12/11 -- For the first time in a week, our day
was back in Maui order. We worked, we jogged on our lunch
break, we headed to Kite Beach around 1 p.m., yet, my act
wasn't together. I launched the kite, the kite hit the water,
I re-launched but the lines were tangled. John helped me get
launched again but the kite hit a lull and dropped. The third
time, I hit the water running, but left my board on the beach.
It really is hard to kiteboard without a board. I called
uncle. John on the other hand tore it up. I saw some great
jumps and very improved landings. Hoorah! Mary Beth was out on our normal launch spot today. Typically, she launches upwind of us, but that particular section was closed. It also occurred to me recently, I didn't have a single photo of John and I together on this trip. Instamatic camera in tow, we approached Dave and Suzie Dorn. Suzie kindly took a photo of John and I, plus a photo of John and I with Dave. They own Action Sports Maui, a great place in which to take kiting lessons. After today, I think I need to sign up for some myself. Dave and Suzie also live within a few blocks of us. We asked how they survived the Kona Storm; did they experience any damage? Nonchalantly, Dave shrugged his shoulders, "It wasn't that bad." A small stab of envy poked me. "You didn't suffer any damage?" John marveled. We were damage free mind you, but the storm impressed me. Nonchalant about it, I wasn't. "The garage flooded, we are still getting the mud out of it." "And the office" Suzie calmly injected into the conversation.. "But not bad" he repeated. I had to wonder what he considered real damage. *photos linked flickr
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 12/9 - What a day, what a day, what a day. The
sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the wind was minimal
and it was a Sunday. A bike riding kind of day. We rode up to
Kanaha Beach Park, stopped by the health food store, Wal-Mart
and came on home. It was hot, I was sweaty and it felt good.
After dinner we decided to stretch our legs on Sugar Beach.
John made a staircase out of sand to ease our climb up the
embankment. We also pass this statue frequently on our walks.
I decided to take a quick photo of it.
Before our bike riding journey began, we met another neighbor in the parking lot. She quickly let us know many facts about herself. She is 68, has been surfing for 7 years and the new, hot pink surfboard in her van was her 7th one. A surfboard a year she averages. We got the scoop on the best spots to ride for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders. Hookipa Beach Park, which seems harrowing to me, is one of the locations she has ridden. She did have concerns with it though; she didn't want to accidentally run over someone. It gets crowded out there. Her board is heavy. *photo linked flickr
|
 |
| 12/8 -- When we first decided to come to Maui
and voiced this decision amongst, friends, family, co-workers,
there was one common response; it is expensive there. Food is
expensive. Well, since residing here, we have found many cost
saving endeavors. Just last week, a papaya in the neighboring
complex came to fruition. I had been eyeballing it for weeks.
My suggestion to John that he climb the fence and retrieve the
tasty nugget fell on deaf ears. "How much do they cost in
the store?" he asked. "Normally, $1.79", I
replied. $1.79 savings, how could he refuse I thought to
myself. Boy was I stunned, "I will buy you one." Hmf!
Undeterred, I grabbed our broom, circumvented the fence, stood
under the tree in question, reached upwards and gave it three
good pushes. Viola! A papaya rained down on me. It was perfect
except for one small nick from the end of the broom. And it
was Free Food! Later, John had a disgusted looked on is face
as he held our broom. "What is this sticky stuff on the
end?". "Papaya" I replied sweetly.
A second example, on the surface, would appear to be an expensive outing. We went to the health food store. Or I went into the health food store, leaving John in the jeep. It was going to be a quick trip. I don't care where you live; health food stores are expensive. But I am addicted. But that is another story. Anyway, he struck up a conversation with some local dumpster divers. It turns out the store had tossed tons of Paul Newman cookies in the dumpster over a minor detail; it was past their expiration date. He grabbed 10 boxes. Once again, free food! They were very good by the way. And if you are real lucky, your husband will fix the neighbors computer for them and come home with bananas. As I have mention before. Free! *The photo on the right is a dramatization. It is not the actual event. To see full image, please click on it. It will take you to flickr.
|
 |
| 12/9 -- Yesterday, we grabbed out bikes to see
the aftermath of the Kona Storm. Shockingly, most places
looked fine. We did see where one boat crashed landed. As I
looked at the other boats anchored offshore, I mused,
"those boats would have been a terrible place to weather
the storm." Instantly, images of myself yakking over the
side of the boat, in a torrential downpour, on a rocking and
lurching boat as I held onto a slippery, metal rail, flooded
my brain. Surely, I would have gone overboard; swept out to
sea. John replied, "It would have been the best
place." Coming back to the present moment, I
pointed at the wreckage. "That one didn't fare so
well.". "He tried to come to shore." Hmm!
*image linked to flickr
|
 |
| 12/8 -- I think someone should have talked to Mother Nature. After reading the sign in the left hand photo, I turned around to see the sight in the right one. |
 |
 |
| 12/2 -- One of my favorite sites is to
watch the early morning sun's rays as it crosses over
Haleakala Mountain and come to rest on a little house
behind us. It seems more like a cabin in the woods
instead of a home in a subdivision. One morning about 2
weeks ago, the sun's rays were gently backlighting the
house. While I contemplated grabbing my camera, I
quickly brushed the thought aside and said tomorrow to
myself. It has never quite looked like that again. It
did look interesting today with a dark thick layer of
clouds up high with a lighter layer below; the light
layer kept moving west allowing the sun to peak through
every so often.
The clouds have been attributed to the wind blowing from the south. In the past few days, Kona winds have been hitting the island generating bursts of showers and wind. Mauinews.com's article reported, " James, senior weather analyst with the Pacific Disaster Center, said the first spatter of Kona rains will spread from Kauai and Oahu today, with “off and on passing showers on Maui, mostly along the leeward sides, Lahaina, Olowalu, Kihei, Wailea, Makena and up to Ulupalakua.” " For the whole article, click here http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=36483
|
|
| 12/1 -- Yesterday on the island was pretty
darn cool. As usual, we walked across the street to
survey the wind situation. One of our favorite places to
take in the view and wind of Maalaea Bay Harbor is the
whale sanctuary. John made himself at home on one of
their cute, blue benches. Out of the corner of my eye, I
saw a giant spout of water. "Holy Smoke
Batman!" Whales! What better place to whale
watch than the whale sanctuary. How convenient that
there were two of us and two giant, standing binoculars
for the public to use. The whales were shockingly
within a hundred yards of shore. We soon had company.
Two women joined the fray, with their own binoculars in
hand. Shew! One woman said she had been following their
progress around the bay. Right behind the whales was a
whale watching tour boat. We learned from the women,
that these boats have accidentally run into baby whales
in the past. Tsk!
On the right, I have a photo of the whale sanctuary taken at sunset at an earlier date.
|
|