Week 886-888 - Back to Maui - 08-20-2023

Back to Maui

In 1999 we were persuaded to purchase a time share in Maui. Our is at the Marriott Ocean Club on Ka'anapali Beach. We visit every odd year. This year we would be there on our 49th wedding anniversary.

We went alone, just the two of us. That lasted two days before Emily and Chad and five grandkids showed up. And they brought with them their vacation buddies: Jason/Angela, Mitch/Amanda and five more kids.

1) Leaving the San Jose, California airport. The flight from the West Coast to Hawaii is 4 to 5 hours. It is the world's longest flight over water with no place to land during an emergency.
2) We were pleased that it appeared that the flight attendant was asking the Lord to bless a safe trip.

Amen! We are at Kahalui Airport on Maui.

1) Our 3rd floor room has a nice view of the pools and the ocean.

The beauty of the Marriott Ocean Club resort is stunning.

The pools cover a half acre with room for hundreds of sun seekers.

The beach is just feet away with a 1/2 mile walkway to Whalers Village. The villages has dozens of shops and restaurants.

All kinds of wildlife are tanning themselves.

After two days of alone time, Emily/Chad, kids and friends arrive on Tuesday. We housed two of the grandkids for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday, August 3rd, is our 49th anniversary. We booked a lovely dinner cruise on the Trilogy IV launching from the Lahaina Harbor.

Zach, our server, graciously took our photo. Raquel, the captain, was thrilled as we passed through Maui dolphins for the first 30 minutes. Captain said they don't typically surface until dark. We assume the dolphins knew it was our special day. They were too quick to get any decent photos.

The four course meal was from an all star chef. Ellen had the Mahi Mahi and Pete got the sirloin steak, both delicious. Obviously the chef knew it was our big day.

The 3-hour cruise was cozy with about 12 couples, great views and sunset photos.

Okay, we had our day. The next day was Angela's birthday. Husband Jason surprised her with a snorkel/happy hour cruise. That included Emily/Chad and Mitch/Amanda.

Everyone on the birthday cruise had a great time. Angie did too! But what about the kids?

We took "our" ten kids for the afternoon. They swam in our pools and slid down the water slide, as we raced around counting to ten. Whew! We got them all safe and up to our room. The kids watched the movie while grandma made dinner. Pete just collapsed from swimming with the kids and trying to find the runaways.

Next we had the perfect timing of Marriott's Lizard Hunt. All our kids and a dozen others followed the game leader around the resort. Everyone captured a lizard (some with the leader's help). They posed with their lizard and then let them go. Ellen's lizard wanted to hand around.

Ellen found a free Luau next door at the Hyatt. Each pair of adults were free (normal price $210 each). All you had to do was sit through a time share presentation. The sales people were nice and not pushy. We were every impressed by the Hyatt.

Unlike our converted hotel rooms, these units were created as time share suites. Very nice. But, we were just there for the Luau tickets. We were told that they really don't expect many buyers, so its okay to just sit through their spiel. (Note the pickleball court on synthetic grass, a first for us.)

Saturday night and it's time for the Luau.

We posed with Emily/Chad and their gang. They had to pay for the kids, but they got 1/2 off. Great find by grandma Ellen, saving them hundreds of dollars.

Emily/Chad and friends sat at the Adult Table. Ellen sat at the Girls table. Hmmm, where does that leave Grandpa?

The Drums of the Pacific luau is a traditional one that tells stories with each act.

The hula girls gave lessons, and the fire dancers were excellent.

Friday and Saturday we had three more grandkids at our resort. We're not sure but we think someone told the resort about our anniversary. At least that's how the last fireworks display seemed to show.

Paradise Lost

The whole world knows about the travesty of the Maui fire. We all need to pray for those who lost loved ones. They lost family, their houses, all their belongings and their jobs. Lahaina is a tight knit community and they will rebuild.

We were able to visit this historic community a dozen different years. It will never be the same. But the people will. They have always been so accommodating and high spirited.

Our own resort started a fund for their associates, of which 37 lost their homes. They will match the first $250,000.00 given and already the fund has $200,000.00. How sweet it is to see the Marriott corporation's generosity. If needed, associates will be housed at the resort for many months to come.

1) Front Street from our photo looking North. 2) A Google Images view from the South after the fire.

1) The Pioneer Inn established in 1901. 2) Only the historic metal placard remains.

1) The World's Largest Banyan tree covered 1/2 acre. 2) It is still standing with hope that it will survive.

We left two days before the fires. Our daughter and friends beat the fire by just a few hours. We are thankful.

"If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1st Corinthians 3:15

Eventually all things will be destroyed. It is our prayer that those who perished knew the Lord Jesus and their life is now with Him.

With love, Pete, Ellen (No Mandy)

Photos from August 2023