Sunny 1st week of December on Maui

View towards West Maui from the beach at Kenolio Park in North Kihei.

Here are some pictures and video from Maui this warm and sunny first week of December. Trying to get some fresh air in my 'sick' lungs provided a few photo opps to share with you. Enjoyed some waves at Hookipa (formerly known as a place to see windsurfers) and little sand crabs on the shore at the beach in front of Kenolio Park in North Kihei. Wish you were here!

Shortly after I took this photo, just beyond the rocks along the shore, a horse appeared from the trees (being led by it's owner of course) and played around in the water for a while!

After I layed face down at the beach to get alittle sleep, I felt a little tickle under the towel on my cheek. I peeled the towel back and found the source....cute huh?

Here are what the waves look like on your average day at Hookipa, on the always windy north facing shore of Maui. In the next 48 hours the biggest swell in almost a decade is expected, hopefully I can get some video of that!

ALOHA....

Views of Hawaii - Spring 2009

A "Dalmatian" pigeon we saw at Lani Kai

We've been fortunate to already have gone to Hawaii twice this year so far! Ken had mileage points that got us there in January. Then, since Ken still doesn't have a job, we were able to take advantage of a last minute unheard of cheap package deal in April, just before the busy travel season of Golden Week here in Japan (guess that's how retired folks can get good deals). So, off we went again for just a few days. We got in a bit of golf and good eatin' in during those times. We also enjoyed relaxing with Janet mom, especially the times we spent on Waikiki beach renting lounge chairs and umbrellas and acting like real tourists! That is the first time I have ever gotten in the water at Waikiki, since when you live on Oahu, you avoid going there at all costs.

We had such a wonderful time, everyday, we had good weather and soaked in the ALOHA...it sure goes along way to soothe ones soul!

Here are some pictures from both trips with some details below them. Hope you will find them enjoyable.

Whales off of south Maui coast

More Whales off the south coast of Maui

Ken as we start out a beautiful morning of golf at the Kahili Golf Course (years ago called the "Grand Waikapu") in Wailuku Heights, Maui. In the background is Haleakala, a rare view without too many clouds blocking the top of the mountain!

A view at Elleair Maui Golf Club and the new homes they are stacking in around the course and on the hillside there in upper Kihei that has long been open land.

Me and Mom's toes in the sandy shore at Waikiki

An Oahu firetruck parked in front of the Safeway on Kapahulu (which has a Starbucks), we liked the surfboard on it!

Our newest fun destination on Oahu (new for us) the Lion Coffee factory store/cafe. Ken is posing here in front of their somewhat cheesy display in the entrance.

A view of Windward Oahu (Kaneohe town) from the Ko'olau Golf Course. This course by the way, has some of the most beautiful scenery however is a pretty tough course to play!

Another view at Ko'olau Golf Course, the green colors were just amazing here as the sun broke thru a cloud!

Me getting ready to drive at the Waikele Country Club on Oahu

A mother Goose at the Waikele Country Club

Baby Geese at the Waikele Country club...so cute they were!

These birds were everywhere at Waikele Country Club, I believe this one was young as some of the other ones had more distinctive black on their chests

A bird looking for a handout at the Elleair course on Maui

Ever wondered how to keep some Plumerias you find on the golf course on your cart for decoration? Well I have, they usually blow off but I decided this time to poke a little twig in the center and then push it all into the one of the holes for holding a golf tee. Silly but these are the little things one enjoys when we can't be in Hawaii everyday.

Another shot of a Plumeria in the golf cart tee holder

Ken at the Ted Makalena Municipal Golf Course on Oahu. It's a flat course that we enjoy playing. Don't expect much in the way of facilities if you go, the holes aren't even marked and it can be confusing to follow the golf cart path for a first timer. See, doesn't my Plumeria look nice in the cart?

We finally made it to a Lampert's Ice Cream, Ken with his order

Me at Lampert's, the beginning of eating my way to oblivion

We love Leonard's malasadas and they have graciously placed a wagon where you can get some fresh and hot in Waikele (in the parking lot in front of the Big Kmart) instead of having to drive all the way to their bakery on Kapahulu, YUM!

The pet hotel delivering Daisy to us to the place where we parked our car at the airport. This caregiver let Daisy ride in front and watch for us to come get her. Can you see her face in the windshield, I think at this point she saw that I was approaching.

The second time we came home, the driver had Daisy in the back of the van, there were other dogs up in the front waiting to be reunited with their families. It's a nice service the pet hotel at Narita airport has. They will bring your dog to you as you are picking up your car at the airport parking, very nice for tired travelers!

Hawaiian Flora and Fauna photos

Here are some more pictures of the beauty of Hawaii, flora and fauna. Especially dear to us is the Nene, the Hawaiian Goose which is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. It was named the state bird of Hawaii in 1957. The Nene is the world's rarest goose.

Once common in Hawaii (prior to 1778, when Capt. James Cook arrived, it is said that there were about 25,000 Nene), hunting and introduced predators such as mongooses, pigs and cats reduced the population to 30 birds by 1952. The Nene's nest is particularly vulnerable as it nests rather haphazardly on the ground. Thankfully the Nene breeds well in captivity, and has been successfully re-introduced. In 2004 it was estimated that there were 500 birds in the wild (and good numbers in wildfowl collections). It is easiest to see wild Nene flocks on Kauai where there are no mongoose (the only island void of the mongoose).

The "Nēnē" gets its Hawaiian name from its soft call. My husband and I think it sounds like such an endearing tired and sad little 'honk'. We LOVE to meet Nene and hear their voices. We met one at the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo (on the Big Island) that came up to the edge of it's enclosure and just honked up a storm for us for quite some time. She/He was such a sweet little goose, very friendly but probably because it was being kept in captivity.

These Nene can be seen enjoying living at the inner gardens at the Kauai Marriott Hotel. We went there to eat at one of our favorite restaurants in Hawaii, Duke's , named after the famed 'father of surfing' and all around super interesting Hawaiian guy, Duke Kahanamoku. We recommend you try Duke's Kauai location if you go to Kauai. Say hello to the Nene for us!

Anthurium in a beautiful pink color.

Some fishes we were snorkeling with one day while on Kauai (image caught with my new and fun underwater camera). The darker fishes are Black Triggerfish, called Humuhumu'ele'ele in Hawaiian, and are cousins of Hawaii's state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (Humuhumunukunuku for short, ha ha ha).A gorgeous tree on a golf course on Kauai

One of our favorite little doves in Hawaii, the Barred Dove (introduced to Hawaii in 1922). They have such a sweet little call, that is nice to hear in the morning. We think it sounds like they are sometimes saying "not at all". This is one of the things I miss when I am in Japan. There is something soothing to me having these little doves around everywhere.

Sweet smelling white plumeria flowers, filling up the air with loveliness, another thing I miss when I am in Japan.

A very colorful Gecko which I have only seen in the Kailua-Kona area of the Big Island(where this photo was taken) but it probably lives elsewhere unbeknownst to me . Doesn't it look like it's smiling?

Hibiscus flower photos from Hawaii

While in Hawaii, I often take photos of flowers. Here is a collection of Hibiscus flower photos that you might enjoy. The varieties seem to be endless!

Windsuring on Maui - February 2008

Having a good time

While on Maui, Ken enjoyed a day of Windsurfing. Action Sports on Maui offers windsurfing lessons, or equipment rental to go on your own, at Kanaha Beach, near the Kahului airport. This beach often has the right amount of wind for windsurfing and kite surfing. The instructors are great and you can even get out there if you have never windsurfed before!

Click here to go to Action Sports' website and get alot of detailed information about Kanaha Beach itself!

Looks like Ken had a lot of fun doesn't it?

The different windsurfing groups getting instruction and readying to go out

View of the place at Kanaha Beach where the windsurfing instruction takes place

Ken, starting out from the beach

Windsurfer Ken

Windsurfer Ken

Windsurfer Ken

Hauling the equipment up to the beach at the end of the fun

Views of Maui - February 2008

My favorite view of the West Maui Mountains

Here are some pictures from our recent visit to Maui. It was such beautiful weather while we were there. The photos of whales are from 2 separate whale watches we went on.

When I look at these pictures, I can only think to myself "Maui no ka oi" (and "I'm in Japan instead of Maui because.... why is that again?").

View of Kaaholawe from Makena area

This little Zodiac was a blast! It was really fun being real close to the water.

View of West Maui Mountains from the Zodiac boat

The ocean so still that it is reflecting the clouds in the sky above like a mirror!

A whale swims slowly by us off of the shore of South Maui

A Mama whale very near our Zodiac boat!

A whale playing "eye spy"! This whale kept slowing popping it's head up out the water over and over. Was it looking at us on the boat?

Mama and baby whale lazily floating around near our boat

A Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) pops his head up near the shore in Kihei

Another Honu coming up for air

Big Beach in Makena. Wow it was such a beautiful day here!

View of Ulapalakua area on the slopes of Haleakala from the lava fields south of Makena

The firetrucks in Maui are yellow.

It looks like the moon, but it's really the top of Haleakala (as seen from the visitor center at the summit of the crater).