Mahalo Maui

Aloha from the beautiful, tropical island of Maui. To say this place is like a dream is an understatement. With picturesque views that go on for days, Maui is an unforgettable destination. From sunrise to sunset, the views are absolutely gorgeous. Just see for yourself...

I woke up at 6:00am to catch this beautiful sunrise over the West Maui Mountains. This view was from my balcony at the Royal Lahaina Resort.

Traveling to Maui is pretty seamless and easy. You can easily get to the Maui Airport (OGG) from Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Chicago in just about 7 to 9 hours, depending on the location you depart from. From Denver, it took about 7 hours to arrive in Maui.

Be sure to check for the latest updates on any travel restrictions or travel advisories before booking your stay in Maui. We had to upload our health information to a secure portal in order to gain access to our own unique QR code. Once the QR code is scanned by the ticket agent, you are provided with your own wristband which verifies that you are healthy enough to enter the island. The wristband is presented to the gate agents upon arrival in Maui and once you leave the airport, you no longer need to wear the wristband.

The Royal Lahaina Resort is an amazing, scenic resort and it sits on a golf course, with green fields that go on for days. The palm trees perfectly line the golf course, giving you all the island feels. The beach surrounds the resort, so you're just steps away from the ocean if you book a stay here.

Location: Kaanapali Beach. This beach is simply amazing. The views are almost unreal, especially the way the clouds kiss the tops of the mountains. These mountains, formerly known as Mauna Kahalawai and Haleakala, were formed about five million years ago as a result of an undersea volcanic eruption. If you're on the beach gazing across the ocean, these mountains (known today as the West Maui Mountains) complete this beach scene.

The sand on Kaanapali Beach was perfect; I spent hours relaxing on this beach, catching some waves and sunshine. The weather was so perfect, I took the best nap on the beach. The waves are quite the site to see, but don't be fooled: these are strong waves and they can take you right out, if you're not too careful. This is probably one of the main reasons surfers love coming to Maui to surf. There were plenty of families and dogs walking along the beach in the early morning hours and throughout the afternoon. I recommend getting a nice spot on the beach early and staying all day.

I was so inspired by the world around me, that I decided to write a new poem. My time on the beach here in Maui inspired my newest poem titled, "Mahalo." Mahalo is an expression of gratitude and it is commonly used across the islands of Hawaii to express gratitude.

Check out the poem below:

Mahalo

The clouds kiss the mountaintops

Or are the mountains kissing the clouds?

The sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the sand,

Sand granulates falling from my hand.

Peace.

Island breeze puts me right in the center of peace,

Still

In peace, not in pieces.

I'm grateful to be here, my vision is clear,

More clear than it has been.

I'm leaving the has-been's where they should be,

Open to the possibilities of what should be,

What could be.

Cool Hawaiian waters flow deep and wide,

Reflecting on the love I have to give inside.

From the inside looking out, I've got more work to do,

Stay true to the vision, stick to the plan

But for now, I'll keep running through the sand,

Never forgetting this perfect weather and the picturesque views,

Leaving all the past behind me

In my rear-view.

I caught the sunset from my balcony too and it was just as beautiful as the sunrise. How could you not be in awe of such a beautiful, tranquil vibe?

Hibiscus flowers are native to Hawaii, much like plumerias and gardenias.

Fun Fact: There are 8 main islands in Hawaii. Many people are most familiar with four of the eight islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Most tourists visit the "Big Island," better known as Hawai'i. The Big Island is the largest island in the United States. Maui is nicknamed The Valley Isle, for all of the many valleys and mountains surrounding the island.

I hope to travel to more of the Hawaiian Islands, especially Oahu and Kauai. I didn't get to spend nearly as much time as I would have liked in Maui, but I couldn't leave without eating an authentic poke bowl from the island. Poke is a diced raw fish and is generally served with white rice. Poke is one of the main dishes of the Hawaiian cuisine and this Hapa Poke Bowl from the Royal Ocean Terrace Restaurant was so delicious. Mine was Mahi Mahi and it was prepared to perfection! Not pictured are the many Mai-Tai's I had to accompany my dinner. You can't go to Hawaii and not try a Mai-Tai. Mai-Tai comes from "mai tai-roa aé," which means out of this world, the best!

After dinner, I ventured out to Whalers Village, a local beachside mall featuring plenty of shops and restaurants. There was even a Hawai'i Wildlife Discovery Center and a large display of a whale's skeleton. I was able to take the free trolley to and from Whalers Village, which was decorated with the cutest Christmas decorations. I got some really nice souvenirs and local Hawaiian snacks, so this was well worth the trip.

Hawaii is known for its plethora of sea life and wildlife. It is home to some of the largest whales, like the Humpback Whale. Whale season in Hawaii is November through early May, with December being one of the best months to catch the whales hanging out in the ocean. Whales come to Hawaii for the same reasons we travel there: to relax and catch some waves. You can book a whale watching tour in Hawaii as a group to see the whales in action.

Happy Holidays, from Maui!

Ohana means family in the native Hawaiian language. Ohana can be used to refer to your immediate family, but it typically refers to those also included in your extended family.

You can count on seeing plenty of the locals setting up shop alongside the busy roads and highways to sell their merchandise to tourists. Most of their products include fresh coconuts and Hawaiian Tiki statues. These Tiki's are hand-carved and they traditionally represent certain gods or powers, thought to provide protection and success for healthy crops to the owner of the Tiki statue.

"A Day Without Aloha is Just Another Mainland Day."

Maui captured my heart in just a short while and I'll be back one day soon. It is such a beautiful place to relax, learn, and enjoy. Hopefully you're ready to book your next vacation to Maui soon too.

For a serene scene that can't be beat, Mahalo Maui!