Kahului, Maui, Hawai’i
The stop on the island of Maui is now in Kahului. Due to the fires last August on the windward side of the island there simply is nowhere to go right now. Kahului is a deep-draft harbor, on the leeward side of the island opposite Malaea, and located on the vast plain between the two volcanic mountains, Pu’u Kukui to the north and Halali’I to the south. It consists mainly of light industrial areas, and commercial shopping centers. It isn’t really a tourist attraction in and of itself, unlike Lahaina was before the fire. The non-sailors should know that an island’s windward side faces the prevailing, or trade, winds, whereas the island’s leeward side faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by hills and mountains.
The excursion this morning shown as Iao Valley, Botanical Gardens and Lavender Farm. The first thing the guide said as we boarded the bus, is that this tour will not go the Lavender Farm. Most of the people were, like us, upset as this is what we were really all hoping to see. Such are the challenges of running tours. However, it should be pointed out that the Lavender Farm is never open on Thursday. Regent should probably have known this a year ago when we signed up for the tour. Now if it has been a “free” included excursion it wouldn’t have been an issue. However this is one of the few excursions we paid extra for.
Towering emerald peaks guard the lush valley floor of ʻĪao Valley State Park. Located in Central Maui just west of Wailuku, just about a twenty minute drive into the hills above Kahului where the Mariner is docked. It is a peaceful 4,000-acre, 10-mile long valley which is home to one of Maui's most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot ʻĪao Needle. This iconic green-mantled rock outcropping overlooks ʻĪao stream.
Aside from its natural tropical beauty, sacred ʻĪao Valley has great historical significance. It was here in 1790 at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamehameha I clashed with Maui's army in his quest to unite the islands. Even with ʻĪao Needle serving as a lookout point, Kamehameha defeated Maui's forces in a ferocious battle that ultimately changed the course of Hawaiian history.
There was a well-marked, paved pedestrian path leading from the parking lot to view ʻĪao Needle and the ridge-top lookout which provided incredible views of the valley. The needle is sometimes covered in clouds, although today it wasn’t. It was hard to believe that people once were here. The natural beauty is amazing.
Our next stop, nearly an hour away on the side of the southern volcano, The Kula Botanical Garden. The garden was established in 1968 by Warren and Helen McCord as a display for Warren’s landscape architecture business. Over the years it evolved into a tourist destination that draws thousands of visitors each year. Even now it continues to be family owned and run.
The garden encompasses eight acres of colorful and unique plans, amazing rock formations, a covered bridge, a waterfall, koi pond, aviary and a carved tiki exhibit. There is even a exhibit with a Jackson Chameleon exhibit. Before you get too excited and jump on an airplane to see this well advertised tourist destination, keep in mind it was started by Warren over sixty years ago. Today, it is quite possible that the family is not making a great effort to do much but live off their father’s legacy. Unfortunately, the legacy hasn’t been kept up to what were probably Warren’s standard. Nice, but not worth the $10 per person admission fee. Great advertising though.
The last stop was supposed to be a flourishing lavender farm with sweeping views of Maui’s Central Valley. However, being Thursday that isn’t possible. So, instead today we are going to visit Ocean Organic Vodka. There was a short tour of their facility, from the outside only, then a tasting. Now the tasting included the three rums, one vodka and one gin which they offer. Don’t care much for vodka, but it was very good.
However, the three included rums were spectacular! The first was a toasted coconut rum, Mike this would be great in the “blue” drink. It was by far the best coconut rum, ever. The second was a very good dark rum. The third a more traditional rum. All of them were good. However, then Patrice announced “for those who bought the Brum tasting” … Well, it looked really cute in the bottle. So, for $10 each we got to taste the Brum. Now this is a really nice rum. Unfortunately, only available at the distillery. :>(
Maybe someday a free ticket will come my way and we can visit Maui and buy some. Or, if any of you every get to Maui, visit this place, buy some and bring it home and I’ll help you drink it! P.S. It was $150 a bottle for 750 ml.
The Mariner is pulling away from the dock as we speak and we are on our way to the big Island. Tomorrow we will visit Hawai’i’s only UNESCO site, good questions as to why but that is for another day, volcanoes national park. One of the few UNESCO sites which may blow up on its own.
Tonight was another easy dinner. Salad and baked potato at the poll grill. Although our tour isn’t until noon tomorrow we have to get up early for a zoom call with the accountant.
When we got back to the suite after dinner there was a note on the door telling us that the tour operator had just received word from the National Park Service that the main overlook for Volcanoes National Park is being closed beginning February 1. It isn’t like it is their, meaning Regents or the possibly the tour operator’s, fault, but really so many changes in the tours. Yes, Regent writes up the excursions two or three years in advance, and yes, we sign up for them a year in advance, but why must the changes be so last minute?
It just seems to me that they know more than a day or an hour before the excursion starts that some change must be made. The “tourist” should be allowed the opportunity to cancel or maybe ever change tours. Generally they turn out good anyway, and they are after all “free” excursions. Yes, I know we pay for them as part of the included price, but there are several “free” excursions at each port.
These are such “first” world problems. There is no reason to do anything or get upset, we are still having a great time.
Ciao, Buonanotte - Enrico
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