Puka ‘ana

Hawai’ian Sunsets

Mea ‘ole

Lush foliage...and the Geico Gecko...

Today, I eschewed the traditional Hawai’iam traditions, for something more generally American.  Today I engaged in the long sought after ritual of “mea ‘ole”  After all this time on vacation it was certainly time to treat myself to this luxury, after all, this is what vacations are for…right?

“Mea ‘ole” is the Hawai’ian translation for “nothing”, and that is precisely what I accomplished today, nothing.  I did nothing in the sun, I did nothing when I hopped into the pool.  I even kept the nothing-ness up when I accompanied my sister to the gym.  This, of course, was after my 2 hour nap – a nap necessitated by all the “nothing” that went on today.  This is likely to be my final post from Hawai’i, but I am excited to return to the continental United States and resume more opinionated posts on all things I have been thinking.  This “blog-lite” thing also may have diluted my writing a bit, but it sure has made me a bit more prolific.

Aloha!

...a LOT of nothing...

..the island of Lanai in the background...

Hau’oli

Tonight at dinner, I confessed to my mother and sister that one of my favorite things about our resort is the little radio that plays great tunes throughout the bathroom.  As soon as I received their eye-rolling looks of judgement and confusion, I decided to refrain from the more damning secret.  Not only do I enjoy turning on the radio in the bathroom, but I also like to dance and sing while brushing teeth, getting ready for the shower, even showering.  Ridiculous…yes, but the bathroom is gigantic, and being able to do the Electric Slide while humming along to Stevie Wonder makes me hau’oli – happy.

Maui has been phenomenal in so many ways, and while it is certianly not over, it has again brought to light the important aspects of life.  I loved chatting up a few random people and having irreverent conversations, I cherished the envigorating sun.  I enjoyed having my family around, and most of all I realized that I dd not regret  counting down until I got home.  This paradise is unparalleled, but it is my great group that friends sustain me on a daily basis.  That could have been stated better…ah well

So check out the bathroom where I have my nightly R&B concerts…

...sliiiiiide to the left...

...sliiiide to the right....

...this palatial bullsh*t...

...Maui nearing dusk...

Ola!

“Ola” is Hawai’ian for “life”, and I must say life is good.  The sun doesn’t just shine on you, it invites you onto the pool deck or the beach where it envelops you.  My skin feels richer (& darker), my lungs feel healthier, and everyone is happy.  The clouds that pass overhead daily do not bring rain, just some necessary shade.

While taking in these parts of the good life, I have been vexed by this woman staying at our resort whom I see at least twice a day.  She is heavily tattooed, and as such, wears this skimpy bikini all the time.  One of these tattoos is of an elk or caribou, or reindeer, or moose.  Basically, a deer with huge horns.  It’s located on her lower right calf and it bothers me.  It bothers me due to its seeming randomness, it bothers me because of it’s location, and it bothers me because its one of about 12 tattoos.  Most of all, it bothers me because despite all the amazing activities I’ve taken in while here, this ridiculous “caribou tattoo” is one of the 3 most strangely interesting things I will remember.  Obviously, I have to step it up in the “cool sh*t” department.

Well, I will make that my goal during these final few days.  Here are some more goodies (unfortunately no pictures of the “caribou tattoo”)…

...our friend, the sun...

...and it's muse, the moon...

...lush...

Wa’a….Ay!*

Today the sun shone down on us and adventure found its way into our daily routine.  On a “whim” (booked only a day in advance” we gathered ourselves for a 9:15am canoeing extravaganza of the southern Maui coastline.  It was marvelous, aside form having both tour guides make fun of me after I wore a basketball jersey baring my name, only to casually chuck the jersey onto a beach chair, and miss by a good 13 inches.  We learned a little elementary Hawai’ian, saw a couple sea turtles, and I for the second time in 2 days, successfully overcame my motion sickness and pressed on to have an amazing time.  Canoeing against this undulating waves oof the Pacific, while bearing the relentless sun was quite the time indeed.  I am rather proud of capturing any glimpse of the sea turtle, as I had to hold the paddle, try to not fall into the ocean, and keep my camera dry.  Where is the Pulitzer prize for graceful photographic acrobatics? And again… the best pictures to date….

...that damn elusive sea turtle (lower right)...

...got a little carried away with the "foliage" setting...

...another Maui sunset...

*Hawai’ian for..”Outrigger canoe…yes!”

Aloha

So evidently, Aloha means everything.  From “hello” to “good evening” “goodbye” “how are you”.  It’s analogous to “hola”, and I find it amusing.  I can just throw out “Aloha” whenever I want to..at the bar, at the beach, on the phone, on the plane, and because I’m from the far away “East Coast”  This is one of the many new things that I have realized while here in Hawai’i*.  I quickly realized how many people savagely butcher the phrases, names and native culture of Hawai’i.  From the massive amount of islands, to the pronunciation of words, to the constant stream of absurd questions**

Another thing I realized was that as I get older, I’ve noticed that I have a verhy interesting perspective.  I am somewhere between young adult and regular ass old adult. I can relate to the twenty-somthings, but also enjoy hanging out with the “Viagra” generation.  As I was sitting by the pool…

The pool, as obscured by feet.

I watched the young rambunctious kids.  Splashing, running, screaming and basically breaking ALL the rules.  I reminisced about the other family vacations that I had been on, and how much of a nuisance I was.  One thing that I distinctly remember was the annoying habit of running up to the pool and launching off the edge curling my body and proclaiming to all in earshot “CANNONBALL”.  I laugh thinking about it, and when I heard this about 39 times yesterday, it immediately brought me back.  I simply can’t believe that kids insist on screaming the name of this and ONLY this.  Never on the pool deck, have I ever heard “WALKING!” or “DIVING” or “PENCIL”.  Just makes you wonder….some of the best pictures so far….  Aloha!

Majestic view from the lobby

The view from the canoe of Kaho'olawe (I think)

Maui sunset...

*Note the real spelling

**No, you stupid woman, we don’t eat “turtle”

Komo Mai*

Hello world!  I am enjoying my family time here on the tropical recluse of our youngest state.  Did you know that Hawaii recently celebrated its 50th anniversary (recently, as in a few weeks ago).  I know that there aren’t any “original”

My evening view…

pictures here to speak of, but I’m working from the “business center” of this hotel, adn the internet is very “business”.

This is a magical and mystifying place.  I am currently secluded in this resort, and have yet to check out the island via air, land or sea yet, but we’re getting there.  The 6 hour time difference is a bit much, but hopefully the 9:15 snorkeling will shock me out of lethargy.  Stay tuned for some great award-winning** pictures.

*Komo Mai is the traditional Hawai’ian phrase for “come in”.

**They won awards in my mind.