Our Ohana: October 2012

We went for a nice, short Maui vacation. We left Oahu on Friday morning and came home last night. We had a really great time! Maui is now our favorite island in the state. Let me share with you our little adventure..

waiting to board the plane/ Honolulu to Kahalui

We arrived on Kahalui at 0830. With hungry stomachs, we were ready to devour some ono Maui breakfast special. We headed to this place called Tasty Crust over at Wailuku as suggested by our good friend Ryan Okimoto, a Maui native. This place did not disappoint.

for reals, they're World Famous

melt in the mouth pancakes/ double thumbs up for dat

With stomachs full, we were ready to explore! We had a few hours before we can check in to our hotel. So, we headed to the West Maui mountain. The drive was beautiful, delicious and dangerous. Breathtaking views, yummy island produce bites and narrow, one lane roads that can lead you off the cliff if you're not cautious.

wow

view of the Haleakala

giraffe on the road side

Mike, Me and Da rock

didn't I say breathtaking!

fresh off the oven banana bread was onolicious

One of the many Ululani Shave Ice in the Island. Not da best kine but we love Pink!

Bruce was napping away in the car

Bruce and his dada

with 2 of my babies

I forgot what this spot is called but doesn't it look like a big shaka sign

he's too cool

I have to make this photo a little bigger so you can spot Oahu in between Lanai (on the left) and Molokai(on the right)

After a couple of hours of driving adventure, we got to check in to Aston Banyan over at Kihei. Which we highly recommend to those who don't want to spend that much! They let us check in as early as 1200 and we got a free upgrade for being a military family. We also loved the old Hawaii feel of our suite. I wanted to take home some of their furnitures and paintings home but that would be too much excess baggage to pay! After resting a little bit and freshening up, we went to have some lunch. Kihei was a perfect location for us. The beach was right across from where we were staying. There were plenty of reasonably priced eats, farmer's market, craft fairs, Times Market and Foodland. Basically everything that we need! Plus we didn't have to deal with traffic going to any of our destinations.

Shaka pizza and Subs for lunch/ Another of Ryan's recommendation

After some exploring around Kihei, we decided to head to Makena's Big Beach. We witnessed the most beautiful sunset. The downside though is that there are no showers and only porta potties if you gotta go. Adjacent to the Big Beach is the Little beach. Unless you plan to enjoy the sunset with a bunch of moonings and more, no need to go there! Not that we went, we just heard..

Naia is always the first one to brave the waters

no, that's not one of my boys surfing/ I thought it was a cool photo

just beautiful waves

waiting for sunset

the waves, setting sun and Kahoolawe and Molokini in the background

Mike did a great job capturing this great sight with our smart phones

Day two..

Started with early morning General conference in our suite and Foodland breakfast special, cereal, milk and toast. After the morning session, we headed East side to Makawao. Makawao is a charming little town with the world famous, Komoda Bakery. They're famous for their cream puffs, Long Johns and stick donuts. You can also find a lot of organic stores and produce here.

Maui gas price

Don't judge the place by it's signage

walking the streets of Makawao

Minit stop special is a must

visiting this place where Mike spent some school breaks as a kid

and the kids got to play on the renovated tree house that Mike used to play on

Makawao Union Church

Now, it was time to head to Kahalui so Mike can attend the Priesthood General Session.

Queen Kaahumanu Mall/ waiting for Dad

Then it's beach time at Kamaole , which is located just across from Aston Banyan.

Mike and the boys/ and that's Kahoolawe island in the background

West Maui mountain

sunset at Kihei

because I can

the boys

with my Boocey

Day Three

Last day of General conference. We were glad to incorporate watching the sessions with our trip. With our spirits lifted we headed for Hana drive. One of the most beautiful drive in the world. I tell you, Maui is a really world class island from pancakes, gorgeous sunsets and breathtaking scenery!

Listening to Elder Hales

Not the most reverent audience during the conference

Now on our way to Hana..

A must stop/ you can find many of these shacks a long the way/ We had this deliciously refreshing pineapple, lilikoi
smoothie

tall bamboo/ everything was so green and lush

Hawaii untouched

I enjoyed the view for Mike since he has to keep his eye on the road

at one of the lookouts/ Bruce napping away again

yay halfway there

one of the many waterfalls we saw

and another one

Mike and the kids liked it more than I did. We have better coconut candies in Cebu

on our way to Waianapanapa(Black Sand) beach

Nainai inside the cave

It was challenging to do this pic. Bruce wouldn't stand still but I still got to capture one of his little feet

Daddy and his little mermaid

Hana Bay

After reaching Hana, instead of going all the way back where we came from like most tourists will do, we decided to go all the way around to Kula Highway. This was after we talked to some locals about the drive and knowing that we rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The drive was way too awesome or should I say narley as what one local lady described it. We didn't get to take a lot of pictures though because number one it was getting dark and number two we had a puker.

totally narley, dude

Day Four

Originally we planned to leave Kihei at 0330 to get to Haleakala in time for the world famous sunrise. But the Hana drive wiped us out. So we left after 0600 and saw the sun rising on our way there.