Aloha to Maui - Random pictures

Tandem surfing

Palms reaching over the beach

Dragon Turtle

Totem Pole made from tree trunk

Open comment today!  One randomly selected commenter form this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 20, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Red sky at night, sailors delight.

Aloha to Maui - the Wo Hing Museum in Lahaina

Lahaina - "cruel sun" - is a whaling port turned tourist town in West Maui.   Nestled in the north side is the Wo Hing Museum.  The Chinese symbols wo hing refer to "peace, harmony, and prosperity."  

From the Lahaina Restoration Website (at this link),

In 1909 the Chinese living in Lahaina formed the Wo Hing Society, a branch of the Chee Kung Tong, a fraternal society with chapters throughout the world. In 1912, using private donations, the society built a two-story temple on Front Street. The building served as a fraternal and social meeting hall.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a ceremonial lion – the “Dancing Lion of Taipei” – a traditional symbol of good luck.

It housed a sacred altar room on the second floor for religious ceremonies. 

Here are gifts for their religious ceremonies .... 

... including fruit, candy, and coins! 

We found a dragon for a New Year's parade!

The kitchen outside demonstrated how the immigrants cooked ...

 .... that is one big wok!

Do you like Chinese food?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Also from the Lahaina Restoration website,

Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the Father of Modern China, was a Chinese revolutionist and a western medical doctor who began his education in Hawaii. From 1879 to 1910 he made six trips to Hawaii and spent more than seven years in the islands preparing for the 1911 Chinese revolution which led to the overthrow of China’s Manchu Qing Dynasty. Dr. Sun was then elected as the first provisional president of the Republic of China. His brother Sun Mei, a silent hero behind the revolution, operated a large cattle ranch in Kamaole, Maui and he, as well as many Chinese on Maui, provided crucial financial support for the revolution.

Aloha to Maui - Honolua Overlook and Kahakuloa Head

Continuing the Road to West Maui ... 

... we stopped at Honolua overlook.  The cove is popular with snorkling cruises.   

The winding road leads to ...

... to the Kahakuloa Head.

From Hawaii Web (at this link)

The 18th Century Maui king, Kahekili, use to spend time in this area. Legend states that before breakfast, the agile King would climb 200-feet up the hill and "leap" into the water below.

I loved the vastness of the rolling volcanic hills with green cover.

Underneath is rich red rock!   Are you adventurous to leap off a rock? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Beauty grows from the beast.

Aloha to Maui - Dragon's Teeth

Maui is famous for its Road to Hana in the southeast corner of the island.  Since we stayed in the northwest corner, we found a "new" road ... to Dragon's Teeth.    

From Hawaii Web (at this link),

Makalua-puna was created from one of the last lava flows on Maui. However, the lava here is a little different from the rest of the lava on Maui - it is much lighter, denser, and fine-grained. The wind sweeping over the point caused the lava to harden in an upward fashion. The jagged points of this formation look like dragon's teeth, thus the name.

Hundreds of years of salt spray has whitened the lava and even eroded holes through some areas.

 

Nearby is the Honokahu Burial Site ...

... where generations of Hawaiians were buried since 620 AD.  

The cove offers a scenic point ...

... for generations to come. 

Have you seen any "dragons" on your travels?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open through Saturday, October 12, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Sunset from our condo ...
with Moloka'i in the distance.

Aloha to Maui - Krispy Kreme, Iao Valley, and Royal Kahana

We have a winner from last week - BN100 wins a Maui 2013 calendar!   We visited Maui - the Valley Isle - for Fall Break.   First stop - Krispy Kreme!   Maui hosts one of the few places to buy them hot off the assembly line!  We enjoyed apple fritters (left) and chocolate bars (right).  

Pumped up on sugar, we headed to Waiehu Beach for Maui's archaeological sites.  From Hawaii Web (at this link),

Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiau are two of Maui's most accessible archeological sites. The lava foundation is the remains of these ancient heiaus, or Hawaiian temples, originally built in 1240. On occasion, some of these temples were used to perform human sacrifices to pay homage to the ancient gods.

It is thought that Pihanakalani Heiau is probably the last site where Kamehameha I performed such sacrifices on Maui as a tribute to the war god, Ku. These heaius were reconstructed in 1958 and are on the National and State Registry of Historic Places. 

A deep sense of ancient Hawaiian history fills this site and makes the visit very worthwhile. The views of Wailuku and Kahului are also spectacular from this area.

The heiau guard the entrance to the Iao Valley.

Also from Hawaii Web (at this link),

The lovely, deep valley of 'Iao features the 'Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle presiding over the 'Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu'u Kukui Crater. Once used as a natural altar, the 2,250-foot stone pillar, covered in green foliage, is really a basaltic core that has survived eons of swirling water. 'Iao Valley is a peaceful lush area with easy hikes, exotic tropical plants, and clear, natural pools. The ridge-top lookout offers a fantastic view of the valley and Kahului Harbor.

'Iao Valley is a peaceful lush area with easy hikes, exotic tropical plants, and clear, natural pools. The ridge-top lookout offers a fantastic view of the valley and Kahului Harbor.

'Iao Valley is the site of one of the most famous and bloody battles that changed Hawaii history forever. On this site, In 1790, King Kamehameha I destroyed the Maui army in his effort to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

The battle site is called Kepaniwai, "the damming of the waters", as the fallen soldiers and their slaughtered families littered the 'Iao Stream.

Today, the stream offers recreation to Hawaiian ohana (families).

Everyone gets into the water!

Despite its bloody history, the 'Iao Valley has returned to its serene setting.

We descended down the valley and followed the coastal route to our condo at the Royal Kahana - north of Ka'anapali.

What's your favorite doughnut?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 13, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 14.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Paddle boarding outside our condo.

Off to Maui - Special tips from Jaswinder Park of HAOLE WOOD

We have a winner from last week's posts - Jane!  My family will be away this week on Maui for Fall Break with the Boy Scouts.  Today's special guest and Maui resident, Jaswinder Park from HAOLE WOOD, offers a few tips:

Dear Boy Scouts in Maui,

While you are flora and fauna-ing it over on The Valley Isle, boo-hoo, where your toughest choice is deciding between 81 beaches of inviting sands colored by the whims of ancient volcano gods, know this: you are lucky! Whether you hit up the Sugar Cane Train on your expedition or learn how to windsurf in Kihei, please take a break from counting your farts or whatever it is you boys do for entertainment, and breathe in the (hopefully non-fermented) sweetest air on the planet.

Having never been a Boy Scout, I have, however, dated a few grown up ones, and I would like to officially go on the record to petition for some new merit badges:

1.  I will see your helping an Auntie across the street and raise you with a “Learn your Mom’s favorite shave ice flavor.” (Root beer rules.) And then surprise her with it.

2.  Mastering a little Lomilomi for that special lady in your life will take you far. A shoulder squeeze, little reflexology on the tootsies . . . Shaka to you. Well done.

3.  Roses are overrated. You will NEVER go wrong with orchids. Never.

So whether you are looking for fun or trouble in Maui, remember two things:

1.  The smeller is the feller,

2.  You are lucky, because you’ve just been given the Wahine Secrets of Life.

Mahalo!

Jaswinder Park

Haole Wood

Mahalo, Jaswinder, for joining us today at SOS Aloha!  We will look for you on Maui!   I featured Jaswinder and her creator, Dee DeTarsio at this link.   I am giving away a Maui calendar to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave ac omment about your favorite flavors for shave ice (or ice cream).

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 6, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 7.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Jaswinder and other adventures from Dee DeTarsio, check out her website at deedetarsio.wordpress.com.  

Even Danno and Steve like shave ice ...