LAHAINA MAUI MEMIORIES

[fdover]

When this horrific tragedy in Maui occurred I started thinking about all my visits to that great paradise. My late wife, Kathy and I first visited in 1983 we stayed in a condo owned by an employee if Security Pacific Bank, where we both worked. It was at the other end of the island. It was a beautiful place called Honokeana Cove (please excuse the spelling). It had a cove for great snorkeling, which my wife loved. The only problem was the cloud cover that came over from Molakai. The temperature was 20 degrees cooler than Lahaina. Well the next year we stayed there again thinking the clouds from Molakai would leave us alone. They did not. The next year we stayed in Lahaiuna at the Maui Islander, a couple of blocks off Front Steet. We continued our annual trips, of which there were 32 with the next lodging at the Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. It is on Front Steet, but at the beginning of it. It by the way appears to be the only standing structure on Front Steet not consumed by the fire. It is a 7 story structure with suites on the 7th floor and large passthrough units on the first floor. Over the years we stayed in units on the upper floors but finally opted for the first floor larger units. It sits right on the beach and we walked every day and picked up pieces of surf glass. The blue was the most elusive, but there is some. I have containers of the glass we picked up over the years. Downtown Lahaina was a short walk and we did it every day. Stopping at shops to look/buy including Crazy Shirt. One year early on we had to buy a cheap suitcase to take all of purchases home. Kimo's was our go to restaurant for lunches and dinner. The best mahi-mahi and sashimi on the island. The ambience was second the none. Looking out to the ocean and Molakai with a mai tai and the love of your life.
As the years went by we never tired of Maui and Lahaina. We loved the hustle and bustle on Front Steet the wonderful shops and people. We met many people that we hung out with around the pool at the Lahaina Shores, eating sashimi and smoking cigars(until that was outlawed). Kathy died 11 years ago today. Her cousin, husband and I took her ashes to Lahaina and put them in the surf at the Lahaina Shores. She loved that setting.
My current wife, Bette and I have been to Maui. She had never been, so we did all the tourist things which she enjoyed. Bette now has fronto temprol dementia(FTD) and will not be travelling again. I don't know if I will ever go back. It will never be the same. It is so sad to see that beautiful place destroyed. Thanks for listening to me on this journey.
Mahalo, Fred

 

[6518John]

I finally had time to watch and read some accounts of this tragedy and the footage is the closest I have ever seen to the pictures of the nuclear strikes on Japan.

 

[Onomea]

I, too, have fond memories of Lahaina. For about ten years, we'd visit Hawaii on our summer home vacations. Early on to the Big Island, and later to Windward Oahu where we owned a couple of houses. We'd typically spend over a month there, with me flying back and forth to Tokyo on business if necessary.

We visited Lahaina for a few days in July of 2003 during a couple of weeks visiting Maui. We stayed in the Plantation Inn, an historic hotel that along with all the rest has been destroyed.

In reading about the tragedy, I've learned that Maui Strong - Hawaii Community Foundation is a reliable organization to which to donate funds to help the community. Perhaps some of you who cherish your memories of Lahaina will join me in donating.

 

[max]

Three years ago, we took a cruise around the islands for our 50th. The ship docked on Maui and we were there over night. I just can't remember what we did on the island other than some whale watching.

My wife says we took a bus trip to several places. Trouble is there were so many bus trips that trip, I can't remember what was what.

 

[hsguy]

fdover, thank you for your wonderful post! Like you, my late wife and I made many trips to Hawaii, our first trip to Maui was in 1981 if memory serves. We grew to love the place and people. My wife passed in the Summer of 2015 and with much trepidation I returned in late fall of that year to escape the 4 walls of my home. I had vowed if it didn't feel right after I got off the plane I would reboard for the flight home. As it turned out I stayed and it was very comforting and healing being in a place we both loved. I have returned several times since and it is always comforting.

We took our Granddaughter there and her experience of seeing the whales and hearing their song while snorkeling I think set her on her career path to study environmental policy and she is currently working on her Master's degree in that field. She spent last summer in Australia on an internship with Greenpeace, I am very proud as would be my wife!

Maui is a very spiritual and healing place and my heart is heavy for what has happened and I pray the residents eventually receive the same healing and comfort I have. I attached a picture of my Wife an Granddaughter watching the whales and a song that always moves and comforts me. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoRpWEE-E0Q[/ame]

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Three years ago, we took a cruise around the islands for our 50th. The ship docked on Maui and we were there over night. I just can't remember what we did on the island other than some whale watching.

My wife says we took a bus trip to several places. Trouble is there were so many bus trips that trip, I can't remember what was what.

Did you happen to partake in any Maui Waui/Wowie? That
may explain loss of memory.