Wailuku Cross

The Kapilau Ridge, at the west end of Wailuku, separates 'Iao Valley from Waikapu Valley. A short, steep path follows the ridge to a large wooden cross that can be seen all the way from Waiehu. The cross was built in 1956 by students of St. Anthony's High School, and is still maintained by students. Though it's a rugged cross...a mismatch of lumber and scrap held together with nails, screws and a couple of bungee cords...it still feels majestic.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

and exchange it someday for a crown.

-George Bennard (1912)

The Exchange

"Conversation is an art in which a man has all mankind for his competitors, for it is that which all are practicing every day while they live."

-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Skylime

Plantation Days

"Our house is a very, very fine house, with two cats in the yard.

Life used to be so hard; now everything is easy 'cause of you."

-Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

This isn't really our house, but it is a beautiful cottage located in Lana'i City, and it's typical of the countless old-but-restored plantation-style homes you'll find on any of the islands.

Pukana La

Maui sky at sunrise, August 20th, as seen from Wailuku.

From Top to Bottom

From sea level to just over 10,000 feet, Maui offers substantial climate change: from the 80+ degree weather at the coastline, to the snows-on-occasion summit. What's even more remarkable is the travel time between these extremes: the Haleakala Highway holds the world record for most elevation change in the shortest distance...just 38 miles from top to bottom.

'Oko'a

'Oko'a - different, separate, unrelated.

Take a Walk

Most of us don't like to admit we're as dependent on cars as we really are, and we all know the trendy (though valid) reasons we're supposed to find alternative, earth-friendly means of transportation. But here's a selfish reason that might motivate you: there's hidden beauty out there that's only visible at walking speed.

Try this: Find a route you drive frequently. Park. Get out, grab your camera, and start walking. See if you don't notice things you've never seen before. See if you don't find beauty in something that was mundane just yesterday. See if you don't discover hidden works of art.

Taking a little poetic license with Stephen Stills' lyrics, "Love the Place You're At."

Carpe Occasus

I've mentioned before that my favorite light is at the end of a day just before the sun goes down, but I was thinking about it today and I realized there's more to it that just the quality of the light; it's also the state of mind it puts me in that makes me look forward to it so. Trust me, I'm in no rush to get through my days...it's just it's as if the final glow of the day says to me, there you go...there's one more for the books. And at that moment I realize, once again, a day has passed and I was there to see it all, and I'm blessed and content with the life God has given me.

Twisted Kiawe

Native to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, kiawe (mesquite) was first planted in Hawai'i in 1828 and it now considered naturalized here. It lines many of our beaches and is a bit treacherous thanks to it's spike-like thorns, but it makes fantastic firewood and a great BBQ coal.

Wailuku First Fridays

The first Friday of each month, downtown Wailuku closes Market Street between Ka'ahumanu Avenue and Vineyard Street to set up a block party! Classic cars gleam under the street lights, shops host "open houses," artists display their goods, cafés temp you with food booths, musicians entertain, fire dancers spin, neighbors say hello and strangers become acquaintances.

Kai 'ina

Ethereal Tide

Summit of Haleakala: 10,000 feet up still felt like sea level.

The crashing surf and stormy swells of Heaven.

Kahakuloa

Kahakuloa Village is a beautiful, remote community

on the Northern shore of West Maui.