10th July 2017
A lazy morning this morning, that’s what holidays are all about hey! The sun sparkles off the ocean as it rises to our east into another clear blue sky. From our balcony we can see that down at the beach the palm trees are still swaying in the breeze as if waving in a new day. Meanwhile we catch up on some news, love the powerful way the US news is presented. The US print & digital media wants to collude to attack Facebook and Google over their advertising revenue dominance. Due to local antitrust laws that, is going to be one hell of a challenge. The world is in the process of change its palpable here, in Australia we see the changes filtering down but America is on the front line.
Matt is just catching up from his 24 hour flight ordeal yesterday but we have a rendezvous with Lahaina this afternoon. Once he is up and about we take off down the Honoapiilani Hwy towards Lahaina. Lahaina was originally capital of the Hawaiian kingdom, the famous British explorer James Cook came here, both British and American settlers and missionaries followed. As a port the town played host to many whaling vessels that stopped over to resupply and take shore leave with the more than friendly natives. Today it is a picturesque town, sailing boats and working vessels sit side by side in its harbour, their reflections rippling off the water. While green covered sheer sided mountains rise behind, overlooking the town. Very much a tourist destination these days, with fine art, food, water activities and this amazing climate to offer it is very popular.
We find a shaded undercroft carpark conveniently adjacent to the outlet mall off the main highway and are drawn to the shops. Matt has a few items to purchase ahead of son Troy’s & partner Heather’s wedding next Tuesday. We spend a successful hour or so browsing and buying, all the outlet stores are well stocked with merchandise at sale prices that are irresistible to the usually frugal Matt.
After returning our packages to the cool car we walk back to Front street, the sun is now beating down relentlessly reflecting sparkling diamonds of light back off the ocean. The street is a mishmash of restaurants, tourist shops, art galleries and historic sites, we wander along passed the Chinese temple Musuem and Cookhouse Theatre the latter of timber construction and miraculously still standing in original condition. Chinese indentured workers played a big part in this town during the days of the sugar plantations that provided so much economic growth for Hawaii after the whaling vessels stopped coming. We pass by Jimmy Buffets “Cheese Burgher in Paradise” restaurant and Mick Fleetwood’s “Fleetwoods” restaurant. Stop under the cooling shade of a Banyon tree where a plaque marks the original residence of William Richards and wife Clarissa Lyman. These two hardy souls arrived in 1823 to Christianise the heathen Hawaiians. Their home even fired upon by ships canons as they tried to prevent the mingling of Hawaiian women and sailors as they came to port after many months at sea on whaling expeditions. I recommend reading James A Michener’s book “Hawaii” an historical fiction that is based on fact, he has only changed the names to protect the “innocent”.
We enjoy freshly brewed ice tea, coffee and sandwiches by a Koi and turtle filled stream before heading back down Front street to the carpark ready to make our way back to the Honua Kai. The Sun once again fades into night, from our lanai we have a partial ocean view that looks out over manicured lawns, sparkling swimming pools and swaying palms. As the light fades and the flaming torches come alight we set the table for a home cooked pizza, open a bottle of wine and discuss the day. Matt contemplating just maybe another shopping spree while we enjoy the cool night breezes flowing off the now dark ocean.
