Late winter/early spring in Colorado brings mixed blessings, at least as far as the weather is concerned. Some days give a taste of what is to come - sunny skies and warming temperatures. Other days Old Man Winter reminds us that it’s still early in the year and not to get our dreams of summer out prematurely. This year we took Mr. Winter’s threat seriously and booked a trip that would take us some 3,300 miles west to a place where the winds are warm and the waves beckon.
It had been years since I had been to Hawaii. Sophie, my better half, had never been. So we decided now was the time. Since neither of us had been to Maui, and on the recommendation of friends, it was to the Valley Isle we would go.
My wife, who should have been a travel agent, found us a deal too good to pass up and off we went to the joys of the soon to be forgotten Southwest Airlines Cattle Call. We transferred in Las Vegas (why do a Cattle Call just once when you can do it twice?) and were soon passing over Los Angeles at 37,000 feet on our way to the Aloha State.
On my first trip to Oahu many years ago it was still customary to receive a lei when arriving. I hear Hawaiian Airlines still does that but not so much Southwest. Still, it was nice to deplane and immediately feel the warm breezes caressing our soon to be sunburned skin. The airport at Kahului is one of the nicer airports I have visited recently and the “Welcome to Maui” signs appeared to really mean it. Picking up our rental car (Maui seems to be very car dependent and we’d have been lost without our own set of wheels) we were off to our condo at the Kihei Bay Surf which was affordably priced and centrally located amongst the string of hotels and condominiums that make up much of Maui’s west coast.
We’re the type of travelers who like to see and do as much as possible when we visit someplace new so the next morning we were up with the crack of a tropical dawn and on our way. I don’t know what we missed during our ten days, if anything, but it can’t have been much. From Hana to Lahaina, Haleakala to Molokini, Waimea to Pa’ia, and a side trip to the island of Lanai, we saw most everything we could think of to visit. And yes, it is chilly, if not downright cold, at the top of Haleakala so if you head up to view either the sunrise or sunset (we did the latter not wanting to get up at 4 a.m.) bring a sweater and coat and don’t be that guy who actually wore shorts and a tank top at the summit.
A quick word on Lahaina which was devastated by wildfires in 2023. Much of the area remains closed to tourists and we tried to respect the boundaries while still wanting to patronize the businesses and restaurants that have reopened. The locals seemed to appreciate the trade and the hotels, shops, and eateries that were open in the area seemed to be booming but the devastation was readily evident and will clearly take a long time to recover. In short, if you visit Lahaina by respectful of the fact that many are still hurting.
As I mentioned, we took a side trip to the island of Lanai which is 98% owned by Larry Ellison who co-founded Oracle Corporation. He has done some major improvements and the renovated Four Seasons Resort goes down as one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever visited. While the accommodations were way out of our price range we did have lunch by the pool overlooking the ocean and I can attest that the sliced cauliflower pizza is to die for. And if you’re interested in a good walk ruined the Cavendish Golf course is free to play and we saw several folks on the morning ferry carrying their clubs specifically heading over to get in a round of losing balls.
Here’s a quick video highlighting some of our visit. I know many of you have been to Maui so watching will be like Old Home Week for you as you’ll recognize much of what you’ll see. If you have only thought of visiting Maui (or Lanai!) hopefully this will get you off the couch and connecting with your own travel guru. As Warren Miller once said, if you don’t go this year, you’ll only be another year older when you do. Thanks Warren, we took your advice!
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