Spring Break 2023. Mary Lynn has been wanting to go to Hawai’i, had never been. 60th birthday present realized! We thought about Oahu, the big island and all that, but focused on Maui & Kauai. Our first AirBnB was at the “Shores of Maui” in Kihei. Perhaps one of the best we’ve stayed at, fully equipped, including beach chairs, snorkeling equipment, long board, stocked & styled. Pool & hot tub daily, after arduous days of tropical adventuring. First up, digs & neighboring vittles…







So close, a great restaurant, hangout, garden/nursery: Kitoko Maui. Lots of inspirations for the yard, and an interesting dining arrangement with different vendors for different courses (an in-house variation on the popular food truck court)…








ML wanted to go snorkeling, so we drove up to Honolua Bay and were not disappointed. Got a great parking spot and walked through a beautiful forest glen to a rocky cove. I was in the water for almost two hours oogling the fish and hangin’ with the turtles. Fun & beautiful, and sunburn & snorkelips. Unfortunately, did not have an underwater camera (google it)…


















The next day, Sunday, we went on the “Road to Hana.” Started early, the rain – and the traffic – didn’t appear until much later in the day, so it was rather glorious. A new waterfall around every bend…










Some odd bygone hydrologic (illogic?) endeavors, interesting signage, and the occasional view up the coast. In the extra part of this batch at the end, some studies in far away and close up…


















Made it to Hana, went to the decrepit wharf in the bay. Then kept going…





After Hana, you kinda round the corner of the island, and it keeps getting better. Went to one of the more appealing road side farm stands that had a lovely garden walk.













Serendipitously, I’d been reading “American Stories,” a series of interviews with famous historians about more famous people. One of them was A. Scott Berg on Charles Lindbergh. It was great, illuminating, I learned a lot – including that Lindbergh was buried at a little church near Hana on Maui! Who knew? So we went there – during the Sunday morning service – and it was great.









The next day we tried to go up to Haleakala, but didn’t have enough gas, and it was very cloudy. Took a pic and turned around. Then, ML wanted to hit a nice beach so we did. She finally got to see a turtle whilst snorkeling. More around Kihei…












I like exploring, so ML hung out while I went to Ahihi and saw the big lava flow – and you can too…




Next up: Kaua’i! Another great accommodation – a Vacasa in Kapa’a. Check it out…








Just a walk away was an ancient Hawaiian cultural site – surrounded by fancy hotels (looks like a putting green with low walls). Please read the signs. There’s more: more signage, a cute church kinda near the lighthouse, a locals-only beach, and some stunning classic Kaua’i views…



















Below: kooky Kaua’i – an old chimney, a junk store, local warning signs, geckos, and other historical remnants…










ML wanted another all day beach day, so I dropped her off for a while and went to explore the south east corner of the island. The next day we explored the north side, but our late start precluded a good parking spot. Nonetheless, we checked out some cool spots – beaches, caves, and a nature preserve featuring a Chinese cemetery with Buddhist shrines.
















Art at the airport, on purpose, and there to be found. Mahalo for your patience and perspicacity. Aloha…

