Paradise Lost and Found

A true story!

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It was 6AM. We barely got out of Pdx to catch our flight to Maui. Our nonstop was canceled at the last minute due to the grounding of Alaska’s Boeing 737–9 Max. Taking our bags out to the car, nearly slipping on the ice and snow, we made it to the airport! We arrived in Phoenix with an hour and a half wait and another security stop.

We were off!

We were not too pleased with losing the whole day traveling but still, we were looking forward to 10 days of good weather, snorkeling and boogie boarding being at the top of our list. The ocean was beaconing and it glistened and sparkled a spectacular blue green.

We decided to stay in Kihei. The thought of seeing the fire damage in Lahaina on the west side was just too heartbreaking to bear. I had thoughts of volunteering at the Maui Humane Society but evidently that needed to be scheduled much earlier.

Instead we tipped the locals as much as possible. They say that Maui is the most expensive island. This is probably a true statement. We had our share of happy hours and take out. We also made delicious papaya, pineapple, banana rum drinks!

Arriving at our Airbnb, the host had transposed my phone number which was the security code. We were locked out. Ok, “things” do happen. Notice I am still remaining upbeat here!

Kihei was Very busy with traffic of cars, people and flashing yellow crosswalks. This was not what we anticipated. Still, we had a limited oceanview and could see occasional humpbacks jumping in the distance.

Is this really paradise?! Thinking back, I should have realized how busy it might be with tourists as Lahaina lost so many hotels and businesses due to the devastating fires.

The next day we optimistically walked down to the “Auntie Snorkel” to rent equipment to enjoy the beautiful water and beaches. My partner rented his board. I decided to wait to rent snorkel equipment thinking the high waves and muddy water would be gone in a day or two. The shop is very helpful and highly recommended.

The surf was unusually high the whole time and the beaches across the street from us had red flags for 10 days!

We had rented a Jeep and decided to go exploring. A friend had suggested visiting the Kula Botanical Gardens. It was beautifully perched overlooking the ocean at over 3,000 feet of elevation.

Established in 1968 by Warren and Helen McCord as a display garden for Warren’s landscape architecture business, the owner continues to work some of the gardens at age 90. Kula Botanical Garden is located upcountry on the slopes of Haleakala and encompasses 8 acres of colorful and unique plants, amazing rock formations, a covered bridge, waterfall, koi pond, aviary and the carved tiki exhibit. There are hundreds of varieties of plants to enjoy and photograph.

That evening my partner started feeling sick to his stomach and “lost his lunch” half the evening. I can only surmise heat stroke of sorts or a 24 hour bug. The next day he rested most of the day. I wandered around and looked at a market selling the usual Hawaiian shirts and memorabilia. In the evening I watched the sunset across the street from our condo at Kamole Sands III.

The mornings are the best time to catch a sunrise and get a walk in before it gets too sticky and warm.

Two days later, we were walking down to our favorite coffee and açaí bowl spot. All of a sudden, boom, my husband hit a very sharp stick! The top of his foot was gushing with blood we could not control! He is prone to passing out. That is very scary to me. As luck would have it, a fireman and an ex cop came to our aid. We also received assistance from a lifeguard. Still , we had to call an ambulance. We waited for around 20 minutes for it to arrive.

There is only one hospital on the island and it was a half hour away. I was not designated to drive the rental but walked back to retrieve it.

I actually almost beat the ambulance. After bandaging his foot, taking his blood and giving him a tetanus shot, he was finally released. They were very through and also wanted to take an EKG. We said “no, please release us.

I must say the staff at Maui Memorial Hospital were very kind and professional. One of the nurses even retrieved a sandwich before we left.

To end this on an upbeat note. We had a lovely dinner at a restaurant the locals go to called Nula’s. The ukulele music and hula dancers were just what we needed to soothe our weary souls.

I estimate I have been to the islands around 13–14 times. While this was not the best of times, it had its moments of serenity, beauty and seriously great mai-tai’s!!

Aww well, it is winter in Maui. I imagine next week will be much better weather as here we are in the airport once again with a delayed flight home. We will not arrive in Pdx until 1:30AM. By the time all was said and done, we retrieved our car at a local airport hotel and climbed wearily into bed at 3am.

Stay tuned for my next photographical story on the luscious Hawaiian flowers and foliage.

While I was writing this, I thought of my medium friend, James Beaufait. Enjoy his beautiful and heartfelt story on the Aloha spirit!

Mahalo!

✍ — Published by Lisa Precious / Smiley Blue at Dancing Elephant Press. Click here for submission guidelines.