Cloud 9

Robbie and Cat arrived safe and sound from California.  Ryan was scheduled for his first solo serving shift at Freds last night; so Robbie, Cat and I had ourselves a nice, leasurly, healthy dinner on our lanai. 

This morning Robbie and Ryan decided to take us girls to the Iao Valley.  The ʻĪao Needle (shown in picture) is a famous landmark in the state park.  Lush vegetation covers the lava remnant and rises 1,200 feet from the valley floor.  The needle is surrounded by the green dense cliffs of the West Maui Mountains, an extinct volcano.  

There is so much history on this island. The stories begin to sound like legends; however it is simply Maui's journey. The 'Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous battles that occurred in 1790 and changed Hawaii history forever.  King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in an effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.  The battle was said to be so bloody that dead bodies blocked ʻĪao Stream, and the battle site was named Kepaniwai ("the damming of the waters"). 

Appropriately ʻĪao in Hawaiian means "cloud supreme".  As you can see we were literally wandering in the clouds!  We had already seen the valley from our helicopter tour but once again the journey on foot was a must experience and completely different view. 

 

THE BRITISH ARE COMING!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, not really, but we've got company!!! And just in the knick of time...with so much down time our minds have taken a toll and we are starting to lose it.  I think we have begun to feel the island fever kicking in! *note photo

Robbie and Catlin are arriving this afternoon from CA.   Both (you CT followers know them) grew up in Madison with Ryan.  Robbie and Ryan were roomates out here in Kihei, HI years ago and have been life long friends.  Can't wait to see those two back together on their turf.  They are only here for a weekend, but we are excited for their visit.

Friday (YES TOMORROW!!!) KATE IS COMING!!!  Kate (you MA followers know) is literrally a life long friend.  Ryan and I have been together a year and he has yet to meet the infamous K.  There are bound to be quite a few late nights with lots of stories and plenty of laughter. We are so incredibly excited to share this amazing place with her, and believe you me.... she deserves it :)

So, there you have it...last minute lots of details all worked out and we both have old and new very dear friends all together in one FULL house!  Once again we feel blessed to be surrounded by the beauty of this island and have loved one's to share in the joy.

Say a prayer for safe travels of all.  We might be MIA for a few days, but we'll do our best to keep you in the loop and I am sure by the time the house has cleared out there will be plenty of fun adventures to share.

Aloha Spirit

These may sound like the ramblings of  a mad man, but I assure you that there is no madness in my mind as I type these words to whomever's eyes they may grace.  This morning while going to get the newspaper and a little fresh air, while at the stop sign, a purple minivan with a large samoan drivin it was waiting to take a left as I was awaitin a right turn onto S Kihei Rd.  I looked at him, he looked at me, not in the way that the the streets were gonna clear like back in the old west because a gun fight was a brewin, but in the "Hey wait a minute, I may not remember a name, but that smilin face is one I won't forget".  So it took a bit for the traffic to clear and the dumbfounded gazes to pass, but as it did my friend who  I have not seen in three or so years, passed by me shootin the Shaka, yellin "What up bruddah" and smiled with the most genuine smile a person can posess.  I knew it was my friend when the "Grin went from cheek to cheek", and his gold tooth glistened off the sun.  I have been awake for about an hour or so, but as I have always been bad with names, to start my day seeing an old familiar, friendly face does wonders for the soul and the mind.  Every person i have seen  today since then has shown me the same smile, patience and appreciation for life.  The Aloha Spirit!
Aloha Friends-Ryan

I heart Pa'ia!!!

Took a fun little jaunt to Pa'ia (pronounced: pie-E-a).  Pai'ia is an awesome hippie town on the north coast of the island.  The atmosphere reminded me so much of North Hampton with all the fun shops, great cafes, chill atmosphere and free spirits! 

Neither Ryan nor I are big shoppers at heart but we found plenty of fun, earthy, crunchy boutiques that tickled our fancy and so we moseyed  in and out of tons of fun shops. We filled our bellies at Cafe Mambo.  The food was fresh and delicious, the mood chill and comfy and the service great. (Note to self: return to Cafe Mambo some Thursday night for their projection screen movie theater night). 

On the way out of town we stopped at the Maui Dharma Center.  The center is open during specific hours for prayer and meditation; however, we were here to tour today not to worship.  The Lha Bab Stupa (shown in picture) signifies and tells the story of the historical Buddha's return to Earth after teaching his mother the dharma in the celestial heavens, (thus liberating her from cyclic existence) as a way to repay her kindness.  Buddha used celestial stars to descend back to Earth.  For this reason, there are stairs on the Stupa in each of the four directions.  The walls are covered in colorful hand painted pictures and there is a copper Mani Pray Wheel in the center of the structure.  There was a plaque out side that explained the story, significance and directions.  It said to enter, grab onto the wheel, start walking clockwise and start praying, and so we walked and prayed!  There's a lot more history and religious information on this center as you can imagine but this pretty much sums it up for the "tourist" need to know portion. 

So, "right on" (as they say around here) you get a 10 in my book Pa'ia and I am defiantly looking forward to lots more visits and memories in this fabulous little town!