Maui

October 18^th, 2019

It is an ABC store, I am officially in Hawaii!

It is time for the 2019 Hawaii Food and Wine Festival.  This morning Sophon and I flew to Hawaii gathered our luggage and then found our shuttle to the hotel.  We boarded the shuttle and driver said that it would take 45 minutes to get from Kahalui to Kaanapali.  I was surprised by that and thought, how many times did I make that drive and yet I had no idea it was that long.  I guess when you are looking at beautiful scenery time flies.

About halfway to Kaanapali, the driver pointed out a building with a domed roof, he said it was a Frank Lloyd Wright house that was designed for Arthur Miller’s wife, Marilyn Monroe.   Arthur and Monroe divorced, and Frank Lloyd Wright died before it was built, his designs were later adapted to become the clubhouse for the King Kamehameha golf course which is often referred to as the Marilyn Monroe house even though she never lived there. I had been Maui before but nobody pointed that out to me.

Our room at the Sheraton was no ready, so we went to lunch.

I am always surprised at the number of kids and toddlers that are vacationing here in Hawaii. On the plane there was a couple on the other side of the aisle with a toddler who fussed the entire five-hour plane ride.  When I travel, I try to keep it simple one suitcase and one computer bag, I cannot imagine strollers, diaper bags and everything needed to keep a toddler happy.  I really cannot imagine.  Yet aren’t these the people who are complaining about student loans and affordable housing?

Maui was once known as the honeymoon Island, the majority of visitors are families with children and I always find myself wondering why the kids aren’t in school.

The hotel’s luau took place less than 100 yards away from my room.  I couldn’t see the stage, but it was fun watching the people who were attending.  I think every luau follows the same format.  It starts with a lei greeting, followed by a picture with the Hawaiian sunset in the background, and then Mai Tais.  Once the guests have gathered, they blow the large conch shell to officially begin the party, the host comes out teaches them a few hula moves followed by the pulling the pig out of the pit, the buffet lines open and once the guests are seated comfortably, the show beings complete with a royal court marching in, hula dancing and a fire dancer.

With Hawaii being three hours behind in time, it was an early night.