Maui Wow Weee!
So, we instantly fell in love with the little island in the Pacific that is Maui. Instantly! We stepped off the airplane and felt the warm air, cool breeze, smelled that wonderful Hawaiian smell, and were met with friendly “Aloha’s”. Ellie’s hair started to curl up from the humidity right away, and we were soon taking off the layers of clothes we had on from the lovely 4 degree Utah temperatures.
We stayed just north of Lahaina in Ka’anapali at a resort called the Honua Kai. It was right on the beach and had excellent amenities including a great pool area that was kid friendly and a nice market with lovely cupcakes and fresh locally farmed produce. We had a lovely room with a kitchenette and a good view of the ocean from the balcony. Except for the Luau, one dinner out, and a handful of lunches we were able to have low stress meals in house.
The highlights of our trip:
- Snorkel/Dolphin and Whale watch boat tour to the island of Lanai So, when we go to the snorkel site I went out got spooked and promptly returned to the boat, Gary went out had a great time and encountered a fish half his size, Ellie got all geared up stood on the boat deck where the waves went from her knees to her chest jumped in with Gary got 10 feet away from the boat then with out crying or screaming or anything just pointed back too the boat and she was done. Props to my three year old for being so brave.
- Driving the Road to Hana
- Lounging at the Ohe’o Gulch in Kipahulu at the end of the road to Hana
- Morning walks on the beach
- Eating spaghetti and clams (mermaid food) on the balcony as the sun set
- The “Reefdancer” boat tour which is a glass bottom boat where we were able to see an Octopus
- Attending the Old Lahaina Luau where Ellie exclaimed she was going to “eat the pigs body” after she watched them dig it out of the pit. Wha?
- Dancing with the wee one at the Luau
- Watching the amazing dancers “princesses” at the Luau
- Discovering Napili Beach and successfully snorkeling there. We were able to watch a sea turtle hang out in the surf from the beach
- Getting the family down to the beach for a sunset
- Watching the sunset from the top of Haleakala Crater
Animals we saw:
- Humpback Whales
- Spinner Dolphins
- Sea Turtles
- Octopus
- Sand Crabs
- lots of Fish
Gary’s favorite part = swimming in the Ocean and learning the “Hawaiian Way”
Danette’s favorite part = morning walks on the beach watching all the whales, snorkeling for the first time, and watching my kids discover and love the beach
Ellie’s favorite part = seeing the Octopus, playing in the waves, and eating pig at the Luau. (Side note again my girl was brave as she was swept off her feet by more then one wave while we were there. She would get up and look at us as if to check in to see if it was ok and then smile at what a thrill that was and get right back after it. Oh to have that uninhibited drive to play and not fear consequences. PS Mom we were right there with her each time)
Owen’s favorite part = We think by the excitement we witnessed from him that he really liked playing in the waves and eating sand
Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip. (If you would like to see all of the photo’s from our trip visit our flickr site here )
Owen just laughed at me when I told him with a very serious voice not to eat the sand
and some videos too…
We could get used to Maui
7 comments
Love this post! It is getting me excited for our trip to Hawaii in 13 days and counting. The kids have a long list of fun things they want to do. Thanks for sharing.
That looked like so much fun!i love the videos and the sunsets are beautiful. hope u had fun!-Summer
Looks like so much fun! Glad you all had a good time! Love the pics!
Dannette,
Looks like yo guys had a blast. The Air Force has a resort over there someplace that you can rent beach houses or hotel rooms for hardly anything. I keep hinting, but I think those days of travel are gone!! Glad you had a great time! Your kids are adorable!!!!
My favorite things about your post 1. there is a pineapple on your dinner table 2. that Ellie is loving pigs (McKenna is in a pig phase now too) 3. that Owen is on a high fiber diet, atta boy! The dietitian in me is so proud 4. that you assured mom you were a responsible parent and finally that the Marcoccia clan would actually consider trading snow for sand! Aloha!
Leslie, Not sure if it’s my age speaking or… but unless I am skiing deep, blower POW.. i am kinda over the snow and cold 🙂
What a great post! Loved all the smiles.