Aloha Maui 1/5

Hawaii Travelogue Part 1
 

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a 
- that’s the name of the Hawaii's state fish that grunts like a pig!  What a mouthful!

I had a lovely vacation in Maui this December. In Hawaiian folklore, Mau’i is the name of the half-mortal god who fished out the islands of Hawaii with a fish hook. He forgot to tie them all together so they spread out. The island of Maui is named after him. The Hawaii island chain is actually a volcanic seamount chain that formed as the Pacific tectonic plate moved over a magma hotspot. Islands no longer on the hotspot, reduced and stopped their volcanic activity and over time became coral reefs like Kauai in the north. Ancient Hawaiian legend says that Pele (Goddess of Fire), was chased by her sister Na-mako-o-Kaha'i (Goddess of the Sea), from Kaua'i in the north all the way to the Big Island in the south, where she now currently resides. Big Island has active volcanoes and a new underwater volcano Lo’ihi is forming further south of  Big Island. Maui has a dormant volcano - Haleakala. Sunrise from its summit is supposed to be spectacular - but its also supposed to be freezing cold up there early morning (some 35 deg). 

When you land in Hawai'i, the first thing you notice is its laid back, ‘take it easy,’ atmosphere. Given its warm weather, the airport itself has open air corridors. An immediate reminder that you are in Hawaii, and  not just any tropical place, are the signs outside the airport restrooms. The figures on the sign for the men’s (kane) and women’s (wahine) restrooms both wear the Hawaiian lei (garland made with the plumeria flower). It sure brought a smile to the lips. It was warm after the California cold, bordering on 75-80 deg. 

I got to visit Kauai and Big Island two years ago and this was my first visit to Maui. Everytime I visit Hawaii, I really don't want to come back. I would like to just live permanently by the beach. 

Aloha and Mahalo Maui

..  kou moana ( your ocean)  
..  kou kahakai (your beaches)
..  baby kohola jumping (whale)
... honu swimming (turtle)
..  the ua (rain) in Hana
..  and the waterfalls 
Just nani !(beautiful) 
I loved my visit 
Mahalo  Mau'i  (thanks)

- Hari Srinivasan


Hawaii Travelogue 2012
Part 1 - Aloha Maui
Part 2 - I Survived the Road to Hana
Part 3 - West Maui
Part 4 - North Beaches and Watermen
Part 5 - Whale of a Tail
Part 6 - Humuhunukunukuapua'a and the Coral Reef
Part 7 - Living Aloha