Above is the header for that particular issue of the Poetical Journal.

Welcome

On this page you will discover additional pictures of the Valley Isle, Maui. Of course there are poems, five of them, recommendations, and videos that will delight you. Enjoy!

Peach blossoms at Sun Yat-sen Park (More later.)
 

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The Maui Swap Meet held behind the community college in Kahului each Saturday is always something we enjoy experiencing several times during our visit. Enjoy the clip. (If you have an iPad or phone and cannot view the above, click here.)

.Five Poems

Worship in Makena

Seated in the shade,
.... protected from the Maui sun,
.... the cool breeze
.... blows what little hair remains.
Keawala’i Congregational
.... is filled to overflowing–
.... over forty others
.... seated outside.
The minister’s amplified voice
.... flows from the ancient church
.... speaking of the “Good News”
.... and love we are to exemplify.
We are interconnected
.... whether near or far.
All too soon the music
.... fills the air in praise
.... signaling the end to the service.
With the benediction
.... we depart
.... to embrace the special spirit
.... that inhabits each of us and this land.

Comment: This was the first time that we attended this historic church founded in 1832. To our surprise, over 200 were in attendance. As the poem stated, we sat with 40+ others under the tree outside the sanctuary. (If you watch carefully in one clip, you will see through the sanctuary window some of those seated outside. Yes, after the first time, we arrived early so we could sit inside.) We truly appreciated the opportunity to worship in this sacred place.


Primordial

The restless sea,
.... never calm
.... with her infinite waves–
.... our birthplace
.... eons ago.

Perhaps some ancient memories
.... remain in our synapses.

Even the small child
.... tentatively longs to dance in her waters.

For here,
.... as the sand washes over the feet,
.... one feels
.... he has returned home.

Gazing out, listening between the silence,
.... pondering,
.... “Eons from now
.... will we ever again return
.... to her embrace?”

Comment: This poem is my first attempt at a poetical video. To see and here, click on the link above and right. The poem was written shortly after a beach walk.


Gifts from Mau'i

I could gaze forever
.... at the mountaintops
.... rising from the bay below,
.... the waving palms
.... that offer their morning greetings,
.... and the shades of green
.... that brighten the eyes.

I could inhale forever,
.... the pure air
.... scented with tropical fragrances.

I could taste forever
.... freshly baked banana breads,
.... the rich flavors of macadamian nuts,
.... and the sweetness of Kula strawberries
.... and exotic lilikoi.

Everyday, Mau'i embraces me
.... with her godlike gifts.  

Comment: To right is the view from the condo that helped inspire this poem.


Visit with Ali'i

I am seated among Ali’i lavender
.... where his spirit still walks
.... his field of dreams.
The trades blow from across the Pacific,
.... miles below.
I ponder, “Is there a more ideal place?”
Closing my eyes, inhaling and exhaling,
.... scents of lavender enter my being.
The breeze that carries the songs of birds
.... with their irregular but perfect beat
.... lifts my soul.
I smile.

Comment: A favorite place of mine which I have visited many times over the years is Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm. Ali'i, the visionary who created this wonderful place, passed over a year ago. I had met him in the past and was saddened to learn of his death. In fact, information regarding Ali'i and the farm appeared in two of my books. However, his dream continues under the operation of his son. There is a scene from Ali'i Chang's lavender farm pictured below.


A Beginning

Ocean breezes
.... bathe me,
.... cleansing away the worries
.... and wants.
The day is early,
.... adventures yet to unfold.
As the cuckoo birds
.... rant in the background,
.... the sun, perhaps for the ten billionth time,
.... peeks over Haleakala.
The future
.... is now.

Comment: None needed.

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Click on the above link to view short video of worship at Keawala'i Congregational Church, much of the music is in Hawaiian. Worth a view. (If using an iPad or phone, click here.).

 

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Enjoy the my first poetical video, Primordial. (If using an iPad or phone, click here.)

 

View walking Thompson Rd.

Windsurfing at Ho'okipa - one of the best places in the world for this sport

View from condo that helped inspire Gifts from Maui

The Pacific Whale Association celebrated its 33rd yearly Whale Day Festival - shown is one of the floats that kicked off the day's activities

Sunrise over Haleakala
Strolling along Thompson Road in Upcournty (Located in Keokea, Maui)
Wailea has a beach walk that goes on for several miles. Here is a small section of it near the Marriott Resort. The walk passes a number of small beaches such as the one shown.

Recommendations:

As always, when visiting Maui, we return to old favorites and discover new ones. Here are some more of our favorites.

 
Coconuts Fish Cafe is a casual place to enjoy fresh seafood. The chowder is some of the best I have ever had. You are encouraged to share tables. The service is very friendly and efficient for the large numbers that eat there. It is currently ranked #1in Kihei by Trip Advisor.   Kula Country Farms has added a food wagon this year at its Upcountry farm stand. After you enjoy a delectable lunch, you can purchase fresh produce including delectable Kula strawberries. It is located Upcountry on Kula Rd., Rt. 37.
 
Main Street Bistro in Wailuku, Maui has been a favorite of ours for several years. The service is low-keyed and relaxed. The specials are written on a board. Expect a soup, one or more fish options, and one or two organic salad choices. As with many restaurants on Maui the decor is basic. This is the kind of place that is a favorite of local downtown business persons.   Maui Hands in Makawao is a beautiful, aesthetic place to visit. These Maui created pieces of art from paintings to designer lamps to pottery to jewelry will tempt you to purchase at least one item. The staff is knowledgeable and extremely helpful. (I especially enjoyed working with Luis–pictured above.) If you want to take home a quality piece of creative Maui, then be sure to stop by. You won't regret it.
 
Chez Meme Baguette Bistro is new to the Kihei restaurant scene. It serves a scrumptious breakfast and lunch. We tested the place out three times and found the food to be enjoyable and delicious. Since each order is fixed upon request, expect to have a bit of wait for the food. Currently, the personable owner acts as greeter and server. At lunch, a very reasonable special in the $8 range is provided–for Maui a real bargain. Jan especially enjoyed the pork chop special, and the Mahi Mahi sandwich is perhaps the best in Kihei.   Shaka Pops: Christine Vestfals has created a real taste treat, especially on a warm Maui day. Her "popsicles" are made from the freshest island ingredients. She blends fruits and on occasion herbs to create a refreshing, unique island treat. We especially enjoyed the tangerine creamsicle and lava flow (lemon/lime with mint). Currently, these treats can only be purchased at the Maui Swap Meet and specialty shows.

Please take a look at the online book and gift page

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Chinese Heritage on Maui: Few visitors to Maui know the name Sun Mei who in 1871at the age of seventeen arrived in Maui penniless from China. Over the years this visionary and entrepreneur became one of the wealthiest individuals in Hawaii. His younger brother, Sun Yat-sen also lived with him for awhile. Sun Mei never forgot his homeland and the desire to free his people from the corruptive rule of the emperors. Using his fortune to support his younger brother Sun Yat-sen who had returned to China to lead a revolution, he helped create the first Chinese republic. The Sun Yat-sen Park pictured below honors the younger brother for helping create modern China. However, it also honors Sun Mei, who without his money, the revolution would have failed. Incidentally, Sun Mei died broke in China due to financing the revolution.

Other pictures include those of the Keokea's Kwock Hing Society Building that still hosts regular meetings of the local Chinese population. The small Upcountry community of Keokea on the Highway 377 is filled with fascinating history of sacrifice, heroism, and perseverance. (The community is also worth a visit for Grandma's coffee and pastries, a view of the small historic Episcopal Church, and Henry Fong's Grocery. Don't do like most and simply drive through with a mere glance on the way to the winery. The Sun Yat-sen park is on the right two miles after the small town toward the winery.)

 
Entrance to the Sun Yat-sen Gardens off of Highway 377
 
One of the ornamental lions guarding the park
 
Back view of the entrance (The pink are peach blossoms.)
 
Close up of one of the guardians
 
The statute of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Chinese Republic, peers down on Kihe.
 
Front view of the statue
 
Another guardian
 
Lower floor of the Kwock Hing Society

Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm

Makena Beach, considered one of the most beautiful on Maui

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Thompson Road is a beautiful walk in Upcountry. Though it is a public road, it is only one lane so almost no traffic. The vistas are amazing! Local knowledge provides some great experiences. (If you have an iPad or phone and cannot view the above, click here.)

Looking back on Makena Beach–about a mile away

 

Biking through the cane fields, Mt. Haleakala in the background

ABOVE: Portion of a small beach near Makena that few tourists know. It is about 100 yards long.

BELOW: At least one sunset picture must be included when showing shots of Hawaii. This was taken from the grounds of our Kehei condo.

 

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