Maui Will Survive and Rebuild, Be Maui Strong!
This is our story how to keep the memory of Maui alive and well.
It began as an investment in a company specializing in energy savings for the hotel and hospitality industry. My BoomerGuy and I partnered with a technology and venture capital source and thus began our journey into the entrepreneur world of ways for hotels to save on energy years before it became fashionable to do so.
California ranks right up there with the highest utility costs in the nation, but it doesn’t compare with the high rates in Hawaii. While our business venture was focused mainly in California, we chose to open the doors and get our feet wet on the sandy beaches on the islands of Hawaii.
Needless to say, each island has its unique character and charm, but all have one thing in common, extraordinary tourism. You walk the main streets of Honolulu and it’s almost like being transported to Tokyo. The number of Japanese is incredible, and they flock to the Ala Moana Hotel for weddings—easily four in a day. Kauai is just the opposite with its serene environment, glorious waterfalls and lack of hustle and bustle. The Big Island, Hawaii, is majestic with Mauna Loa as the volcanic keystone. As fortune would have it, during our stay we were invited to the island of Lanai, which is privately owned by Larry Ellison of Oracle fame. The most common method of transportation for the “not-so-rich and famous” like us, is the ferry operating between Maui and Lanai. And that brings us to the island of Maui, where we conducted business and spent time exploring all reaches of the island.
At the end of the day, which was virtually any day of the year, our favorite island was Maui, the second largest island in the chain. It has a unique blend of tourism, geology, history, cuisine, luau’s, beautiful beaches and incredibly warm, friendly residents. All of which leads to the gentle, Aloha spirit.
Staying in Kaanapali afforded us the luxury of the finest in hotels and a peaceful and quiet surrounding, yet close enough to Lahaina to get our fix on five-star dining and much of the wonderful Hawaiian history. In the early-to-mid 1800’s Lahaina served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
It is largely believed the Polynesians were responsible for establishing Maui’s traditional culture where they developed a language, religion, economy and class system. They came paddling outrigger canoes and followed the stars across the night sky to Hawaii. No one is sure exactly when they came, but they have found relics at the southern-most part of the island dating back to 700 CE.
The name Maui comes from a mythological demigod, associated with fire from two ancient volcanoes that formed the island originally. As luck would have it, Filipinos and Americans changed that meaning to Love.
But now…today…as the mayor of Lahaina just said, “I’m telling you, none of it’s there. It’s all burned to the ground.” We are so sad for those who lost their lives, their families, and our friends and relatives who made Maui and specifically, Lahaina, their home. For those fortunate to have survived the fiery holocaust, we wish you well in your quest for deciding how to spend the rest of their lives.
The purpose of this blog is to help realize how fleeting life can be, and how to be thankful for everyday that comes our way. In addition, we wanted to share several photos of our time on Maui, memories from days past, yet so vivid in our thoughts of what was and now is.
Linked by unthinkable tragedy, the Paradise fire survivors are now aiding the Maui victims. A glimmer of HOPE Maui. In 2018 the Paradise fire broke out as the worst and deadliest fire in California history. It was a beautiful, serene community nestled in the Sierra foothills.
I just read that 1400 plus residents have rebuilt and now 10,000 people call Paradise home again. There is HOPE. If you can give to Maui, probably the best site would be the American Red Cross.
Mahalo Maui for all the beautiful memories. A hui hou kakou (until we meet again).
I’m Connie, your BoomerGal who reminds you to stay RELEVANT, noho pili. And remain hopeful, mana’ olana, Maui.