Maui Sunsets

Po'olenalena Beach

It's been raining on and off for the past few weeks. There has been too much rain to really enjoy things on Maui except for maybe the waterfalls during the hot weekend lately and the beach. But one of the things that everyone seems to love no matter what is a beautiful sunset at the end of any day. You could have a good or a bad day and that sunset could stir up such feelings of awe. It to me is what makes a long day complete.

No matter what age we are young or old, we find ourselves or others stopped to enjoy the last rays of the day. It is always different and never the same as the everyday brings new adventures, weather, and enviornment. Maui I must say has some of the nicest sunsets around.

A view from Wailuku

Sunset coloring the sky in Kula

No matter where I am on Maui I always find the time to enjoy the pretty colors that color the sky as the sun goes down at the end of the day. Whether it may be somewhere in town, on the south shore or the north shore.

Sunset at DT Flemings Beach

Going.....

Going........

Gone!!!!

 Its a celebration of the end of day and the start of a new one. Live, love, and laughing Maui is the only way to be. All I can say is I consider myself fortunate to live on this beautiful island as it will always be my home and my love for nature makes me appreciate it more.

A Local Piece of Heaven!!!

It's been very hot during the weekend. Most people pack up the family, and some grinds, meet up with some friends and enjoy the day at the beach. If the beach is not your thing and you just want a bit of peace and somewhere cool to go then the various streams and swim holes in Maui are some of the other places to venture.

Today we ventured off to one of our favorite local swim spots.  Many of the local residence and those of us who grew up living near and swimming here or were brought here by friends and family through the years come here every now and then. It isn't very big but most times it can be a nice secluded paradise in the middle of town. Some of us go walking up the dirt road along the river for exercise and walking our dogs. Others just enjoy the privacy and total serenity.

Today it was just a swim session away from city life. Of course we packed up the kids, a few towels and spent a few hours at the pond. The water today was very clear and the waterfall along with the temperature was just right. And don't forget the fact that it was deep enough for the favorite pass time of jumping off the waterfall. =)

Waterfalls are one of the special things that I love about Maui. Its the one part of nature I totally can enjoy. A place that you can swim, sunbathe depending on the location, sit around and soak up the nature and peace, read a book, etc. It's my favorite photo opportunity whether its for nature itself or as a background. Selfies are a must for days like these.

All in all any day spent in a place as beautiful as this on a hot day where you can soak up the sun and the nature around you and enjoy it with some family, friends or alone if you prefer is awesome. Totally purifying, cleansing your whole day and makes everything just positively awesome.

Just Loving Live Maui Style!!!

Inspired by Nature

I so love the fact that Hawaii is such a melting pot of various cultures. It is normal for us to go to school with Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaii, Korean, Portuguese, German, etc. A lot of these nationalities have been here for generations when many where shipped in to help in the plantations. A lot of these nationalities have married into other nationalities causing even more of a melting pot of combined cultures. A wonderful way to experience this is by taking a field trip to one of my favorite spots.

Heritage Gardens Kepaniwai Park

Yesterday we decided to visit one of our favorite parks as we were growing up. The park is called Kepaniwai Parks Heritage Gardens. It was established in 1952 as a showcase of Maui's many cultures. Here you will find houses and gardens that represent the Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Portuguese, and Hawaiian nationalities. 

Japanese Gardens and House

I decided to visit for inspiration on a wedding that we are planning for next year. The theme is to be Japanese, so of course the Japanese gardens is a place to see. Its a great spot for weddings and photo opportunities. 

The Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino gardens have a pond that runs through them with bridges you can cross. A favorite pass time is to watch the Koi swim cross the bridges. There is also a bamboo pathway along the top. This side is a great for back drop for pics 

Chinese House and Gardens

Chinese Lion In front House

                                 

Filipino House and Bridge

I think most of us that live here on Maui have some memories of our visits here. Growing up and even now many of our families have come for potlucks and family parties. It is a favorite spot to visit whether it be for lunch, a quick swim to cool off in the stream nearby, or just to relax and enjoy the surroundings. It is also a favorite spot for birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers,weddings, wedding receptions, and graduation parties that happen throughout the year.

Korean House 

Portuguese House and Garden

No matter what it still is a cool place as an adult or kid to roam through the gardens and check out the houses, bridges, streams, and gardens. A place that helps us remember how all the different cultures come together as one. Because of this variety we have had the opportunity to grow up with these cultures around us, learn the different lifestyles first hand, experience the authentic varieties, tastes, and styles of cooking, along with the languages, beliefs, and traditions.

Thanks for the field trip and walk down memory lane. It was a nice cool day soaking up some inspiration, beauty, and culture. I enjoyed the time spent with family and enjoyed watching the curiosity of the adorable little boy that I watch during the day as he got his new learning experience on culture not to mention fishes =),

English Missionaries House and Gardens

Hawaiian House 

I'ao Stream

Thank You Mother Nature

Some of the most interesting things that make Maui so special is as simple as Mother Nature. For example, the highlight of this past week's news in the State of Hawaii is the approaching of Hurricane Iselle and Hurricane Julio. Yes, I know it should be looked at as a con and not a pro but I must say its simple things like this that show how special it can be.

It is usually when storms such as these come about that Maui becomes united. Hawaii has not been directly hit with a hurricane in years since 1992 with Hurricane Ineki which caused billions of dollars in damage. Since that time technology has evolved not only in different ways to monitor these storms but also how people network together to keep informed. Thanks to not only cell phones which keep us connected even when away from home social media has contributed to a large portion. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, etc.

In the past people relied on television news, word of mouth, radio, and of course the news paper. Thanks to social media we are kept updated almost instantly. The government even uses social media to keep people to updated.

One of the most important steps to keeping our families safe is being prepared. A large part of preparation is going shopping for the items we need to keep us going. Food, bottled water, batteries, propane, gas for generators, etc. Now water and food is the fasts to go out. Especially water which is bought by the cases.

We are thankful that the stores did their very best to keep the water stocked up for all of us. But it is amazing at how thanks to social media everyone knew what stores had supplies and which ones were out at the moment. Social media kept us updated to what was going on in the stores, on the road, and with the weather. It also let us know if our family in other parts of the state where safe. Pictures from people all over the state were posted of what damages where caused after the storm on the island of Hawaii.

Thankfully both Hurricanes have pasted our beautiful islands with much less damage that what could have been. Yes, the island of Hawaii did have the most damage but thankfully our families are still safe. Maui did have damages and road closures upcountry along with electric outages. But I am just happy that we are all safe and were well prepared.

I do thank God for the fact that our beautiful island of Maui did get the rain we much needed. This is the first summer in a while that has had so much rain. I know that most of us don't like being stuck indoors or working in rainy weather but it does keep some of our most special places beautiful so that we can enjoy them.

This is one of the private waterfall/swim holes that some of Maui's local people go to to get away from the city and just enjoy a cool swim in the pond or even just relax. Not more than 10 minutes away from city life but yet a mini paradise within itself. This is one of the pros to having rain during the summer. Little places such as these look amazing after rain. Almost heavenly.