Sunsets are a passion of ours and our trip to Maui last month didn’t disappoint as you can see from this picture. Before we had a chance to kick back with a Mai Tai and enjoy the fabulous colors of the sunset we first had to drive to our condominium on the other side of the island, …..and that is where the adventure begins…..

After arriving on the non-stop flight from Denver to Kahului Maui we rented our car and accessed “Waze” for directions to our condo rental in Honokowai. Though we had been to Maui many times before, we felt “Waze” could help guide us through the rush hour traffic. We didn’t know it would be on one of the most hair-raising and scary roads we had ever driven on! Buckle up,…Highway 340 here we go!

The barely one lane road went around and around many blind curves, many with no barriers between the road and steep drops off the cliff! We followed a car in front of us which did the honking on the really tough corners. On one steep hill I had to back up for 200 feet to let another car get by.The road to Hana is a piece of cake in comparison. Sweaty palms and a massive driving headache developed until we reached the two lane highway near Kapalua 90 minutes later on the North Coast. Never again! “Thank you, Waze!”

We settled into our condo rental in Honokawai, south of Napili. We definitely needed a holiday break from such a crazy past 12 months!

The beautiful island of Molokai in distance once had a leper colony. This was our Northwest view while Lanai was to our southwest.

Kapalua Beach at 8:45 AM. Resorts and condominium developments have reduced the amount of public access to the many beaches on Maui. Parking is always a major problem so I recommend arriving early in the morning to find a spot and to beat the crowds.

Maui is famous for seeing amazing sunsets!

We love finding great breakfast spots like “808 Grindz Cafe” in Lahaina. The 45 minute wait was definitely worth it! “Grindz” is pidgin English for delicious food.

“What did I order you ask?” I started with two eggs, hash browns, Portuguese (Linguica) sausage, toast,….and followed it up with Macadamia nut pancakes. Oh yes, …onolicious!

Hawaii consumes more “Spam” than any state in the union with over 7,000,000 cans sold per year!

Two green sea turtles, which Hawaiians call “Honu”, head up the beach from the sea for a nap. The turtle on the bottom was over 3′ long. They are a protected species and hold a special and revered meaning for Hawaiians. During the course of 4 days we counted over 20+ sea turtles either swimming close to the shore or on the beach in front of our condo. We saw some whales as well.

The “Kapalua Coastal Trail” was a hike we have wanted to do for years.

We started the trail at Oneloa Bay and worked our way to Namalu Bay.  Molokai sits majestically in the distance.

Powerful waves pound the shoreline cliffs. 

Marla gave the trail her 5 star rating!

Mai Tais anyone? Kimo’s in Lahaina was better than ever! Marla had a barbecue of Maui pork ribs and teriyaki chicken and I had a very delicious baked Mahi Mahi.

Kimo’s is famous for their “Hula Pie”, macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts. Of course we shared it! So deelish!!!

We hadn’t walked all of Front Street in Lahaina for years.  The Banyon Tree Park is a welcome break from the commercialism of Front Street.  

The Banyan Tree planted in 1873 in Lahaina is the largest in the U.S. Believe it or not, this is one tree spread by its aerial roots.

Marla and I grabbed the last table for the “Whale Watcher’s Happy Hour” at the Sea House Restaurant in the Napili Kai Beach Resorts. I must say the happy hour menu (available at various times depending on the season) is well worth the drive and the views are spectacular!

On our last night we caught the “George Kahumoku Jr.’s Slack Key Show” at the Napili Kai Resort. This is Led Kaapana, a master Slack Key guitarist and totally fabulous! These are treasured Slack Key artists and really a treat to see! At intermission I bought the last jar of guava jam made at George Kahumoku’s farm in Maui. Incredible!

This is our last Maui sunset as we travel next to the Big Island to visit with my brother and nephew. Aloha,….till next week.