Saturday Morning

I suppose there aren't that many "cozy" days on a tropical island, but I still see the occasional gray, rainy morning as a good reason to stay inside, make breakfast and soak up time with family.  This morning was perfect...one of those all-too-rare moments in life in which time slows down just enough to let my senses wake up, too.  Everything blossoms: the smell of fresh coffee, the taste of homemade pancakes, the sound of my children's laughter, the embrace of my wife.  Life is good.

Morning, Noon or Night....

Kula 'Ula

Bailey House

Built in 1833 on the site of the Royal Compound of Kahekili, last ruling chief of Maui, the house served as the Mission Station for the Wailuku Female Seminary until 1847.  It was then occupied by the Edward and Caroline Bailey family until 1888.

Waiehu

Makani

When the Kaheawa Wind Farm was first proposed it caused quite a stir.  The fear was that the giant windmills would scar the natural beauty of the land.  There's no doubt the hills were better looking before the installation, but it does make one think: what's less attractive...20 windmills...or wasting 600 barrels of oil a day?  Over time, most have come to accept and appreciate the project; the harnessed wind provides up to 9% of Maui's electricity during peak hours, and up to 30% during non-peak. When the project began, no one could have predicted the turn the economy would take a couple of years later...

...perhaps now we'll see the natural beauty in self-reliance.

Connection

Rainbows are visions, but only illusions

and rainbows have nothing to hide.

So we've been told and some choose to believe it,

but I know they're wrong, wait and see....

Beach House

The beach house is actually the Education Center of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.  As many as 10,000 whales winter in Hawaiian waters, making the long journey from the cold, north Pacific Ocean, to calve in the warm waters of Hawaii.  Since the 1970's, humpback whales have been protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and they receive additional protection when they are in the HIHW Marine Sanctuary.

'Aumakua

'Aumakua is a Hawaiian word meaning family or personal god; often a deified ancestor.  The 'aumakua frequently manifested him or herself as an animal, such as an owl (pueo), or a shark (mano).  The appearance of an animal one regarded as an 'aumakua was often believed to be an omen, to be noted and interpreted for good or ill.  There are countless stories of 'aumakuas, in animal form, intervening to save their descendants from harm.

Wailuku Elementary

The original school building was built in 1904, it's had additions built over the years, and it's still in operation today.  On weekdays the school emanates life, but on the empty weekends, you can almost hear the echos from the past.

Celebrate

Doesn't matter if it's the 4th of July, Chinese New Year, someone's birthday, or just a game on TV...celebrations are a regular part of life on Maui.  Now that I'm a month into this, I thought I'd share a picture I took on New Year's, right above my house, only minutes before going inside to create this blog.  

Thanks for coming along...