Our granddaughters were with us for almost 3 weeks this summer, a shorter time than usual. They flew from Omaha to LAX with a change of plane at Midway airport in Chicago (really out of the way!). This was their first time to change planes alone. They managed it, but didn’t like it much; who does? Anyway, we picked them up at LAX on Sunday night, May 27, spent the night at hotel close by and then all flew to Maui the next day. We had a change of plane in Kona, Hawaii, but we didn’t see any of the volcano or lava. The air was too thick with VOG (volcanic ash mixed with fog) and the air quality at the airport was very poor. The whole airport, including gates and waiting area is outdoors, so we got to experience it, for a short time.
Getting ready to take off at LAX
Jim and Jerica by window
Sky was full of Vog
First meal on Maui, in Lahaina
On Maui, we had a luxury rental car, so plenty of room for luggage and the necessary groceries. We checked into our timeshare complex, Kaanapali Beach Club and were given an oceanfront condo. It’s a great view, but we had requested several times for a corner unit, so we had views of ocean and coastline (or pool). We were able to get one of those units 2 days later, so worth moving again. Ours overlooked the pool on the 8th floor, no. 808. The first morning we did the Breakfast Orientation, sometimes you win free shows or excursions, but not this time. We also agreed to attend the “Owners’ Update” (really an aggressive sales session) in order to get discounts on a Luau. It lasted 2 hours and was not too painful. Had to say “No” a lot.
Enjoying the sunset from timeshare
Full view of KBC pool area
KBC pool view from timeshare
Waiting for the sunset
Rainbow and rain storm over mountains
While at Kaanapali, we went to the beach (especially enjoyed Pohaku Park, very close to the timeshare and new to us) several days, spent time at the pool (the pool area is huge and quite enjoyable) and went into Lahaina (historical Whaling village) a couple of times. We also drove north on the “head” of Maui and saw the blowhole and ate lunch at a pretty beach, D. T. Fleming state beach.
Largest Banyan Tree in USA
Banyan Tree Selfie
The Kaanapali Beach Club had their own, family run Luau, so we gave it a try. The entertainment was really good: singers, musicians and dancers. The food was as good as we’ve had at other, more expensive and elaborate Luaus. They even buried the pig in the ground, Kalua pig in “imu”. This was the first Luau for the granddaughters.
Girls ready with drinks and leis
Entertainment at Luau
Lauren by the Imu (pit oven)
Jim and girls at table for Luau
We also visited Iao Valley, and the Maui Ocean Aquarium.
Beginning of trail at Iao Valley
Cool weather at Iao Valley
At the top of the trail, the Needle
Entrance to shark tank
Diver giving talk at Shark Tank
On that same day, we met good friends, Dan and Kelley at Da Kitchen, for lunch. This is a very popular Hawaiian food Restaurant. The girls enjoyed Katsu chicken. We went there again, the next week.
We waited to rent snorkel gear until later in the week. Jerica and Lauren got the hang of it pretty quickly. They both have become very strong and enthusiastic swimmers. Jim didn’t go in the ocean, so I was the one to go with them and show them how to get all the gear on. He did, however go in the pool with them. Later, Dan and Kelley gave us all pointers on getting those fins on while being hit by waves! The water was pretty chilly, so I wore a T-shirt over my swimsuit, so attractive! I had forgotten to pack my rash-guard shirt. The girls didn’t seem to get as cold as little old me.
Beautiful beach at Pohaku Park
Beautiful water at Pohaku
Good place to picnic, D.T. Fleming
D.T. Fleming and Lauren with Boogie Board
Snorkeling at Makena Landing
Our second week, we checked into a condo in Kihie, Haleaka Shores. (Our checkin was delayed because cleaners were still there.) The condo was on the 3rd floor, but only one set of steps and had a huge great room with our bedroom off of it, with only Japanese slider doors. We liked the looks of it, but had problems right away. The kitchen floor kept getting wet, and then it was flooded, I kept putting towels down, drying them and replacing them. This was after hours, of course, so had to deal with emergency services personnel. They couldn’t get a plumber out until the next day. There was over an inch of water and it was creeping toward the living room rug area. In addition, the girls AC did not work and their room was very hot. We couldn’t cool it off by opening the slide door, it wouldn’t budge. Luckily, Jim picked up pizza for dinner.
Our first condo in Kihei
Well, the next day, the plumber came and supposedly fixed the leak, under the kitchen sink. I had to call management back again in order to extract all the water. We gave them permission to come in and left for the beach. We had a nice day and when we came back we had a call from management that they had to move us. The water leak was extensive with heavy damage. We finally agreed on a nice condo at Kamiole Sands, nearby. It overlooked their pool with view of ocean and an elevator to 4th floor. So….. we packed everything up and squeezed into the car with all but the driver, Jim holding food and bags. We got unloaded and set up by dinner time. This new one had a loft up a spiral stairway for the girls to sleep in with their own bath.
Selfie on Lanai, our first night at Kamiole Sands
Spiral staircase in Kihei condo
But, the new condo had problems. Again, the girls’ room was hot. There was only a window AC unit for all the great room and the loft. Since heat rises, they got none of the cool air. We had another AC in our bedroom, which kept us comfortable, but didn’t help with the rest of the unit. Also had TV problems, but that’s enough whining. We enjoyed this condo because of the location, beautiful lanai and well equipped kitchen. And, we had a lot of fun during the day: snorkeling, Road to Hana, visits with Dan and Kelley, and more pool time. We snorkeled at Makena Landing 2 days and swam at our favorite beach, Keawakapu or “Kapu.”
Beautiful beach and lawns at “Kapu”
Beach and shoreline at “Kapu”
Viewpoint on Road to Hana
Lava Rock at Keanae Pennisula
View north from Keanae
Dinner on Lanai at Kam Sands
Small beach at Kihei Boat Ramp
Jerica is very quick to burn, so she had a sunburn almost from day one. We kept applying #50, but it doesn’t stay on too well in the water. Lauren didn’t sunburn until later in the 2nd week. She and I went to the beach and hadn’t planned on staying long, so did not reapply. Oops. But hers wasn’t as bad, or at least she didn’t feel as much pain.
We had a lot of good food, but picnicked most days at the beach. Jim made Cioppino one night for us and Dan and Kelley and we had leftovers from it for 2 more nights! We also all enjoyed the big breakfast (2 for 1) at Moose McGillycuddy’s.
Great breakfast at Moose’s with Dan and Kelley
It was a great 2 weeks and the girls were enthralled with Maui. Jerica said, “this makes me hate Nebraska.” No contest there. After Maui, they came to our house and stayed a few days. We played Pickleball, went to the pool and ate at their favorite restaurants, including In-in-Out Burgers. The visit went so fast, really 3 weeks is too short. They flew home (non-stop) on Saturday, the 16th.
Waiting for their flight home
Aloha!
El Fabrica de Juan with full moon
Keys Travels 