A Day on Haleakala

I spent a day traveling up 10,000 feet on the Haleakala volcano on Maui.

Maui WOW

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. —

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. —

Hawaii's Grand Canyon- Waimea

Paradise on Earth- Na Pali Coast

A beautiful sunset sail around Kauai's Na Pali coast today. Some visitors kayak the 15-mile stretch of fluted cliffs, sea caves, and scalloped beaches during the calm seas of summer; others make the trip in "extreme" rafts, outboard-powered assault craft that can surmount almost any sea. Even more take the one-hour helicopter tour to get the Jurassic Park view—Nā Pali starred in that movie, as well as in King Kong, South Pacific, and many other Hollywood fantasies. The young in heart and leg hike a harrowing 11-mile goat trail to the largest of the valleys, called Kalalau, where they often overstay their five-day camping permits by weeks or even months.All are latecomers to a geologic drama that has played out over millions of years. The Nā Pali Coast is the scarred shoulder of an ancient shield volcano that once rose more than five miles from seafloor to summit. Like all the Hawaiian islands, Kaua'i was born over a plume of magma called a hot spot.  Rain—nearly a hundred inches a year in parts of Nā Pali—carved out the deep valleys from above and draped white-plumed waterfalls over the precipices. The result: a series of plunging valleys, fluted walls, and razor-sharp ridges soaring thousands of feet from the Pacific. On big screens and small, Nā Pali has come to represent paradise on Earth.

Looking for Rainbows!

Rainbows Everywhere

In Hawaii it is easy to spot rainbows everywhere.  Real rainbows in the sky, rainbow art on buildings, on t-shirts, jewelry, buses, street signs etc..  Even though rainbows are common here, seeing one is still special to me and a nice surprise to make me smile.  Are there "rainbows" in your life?  A nice surprise that makes you  smile that may be right in front of you each day.  Look for your rainbows of life each day. We all need a nice surprise to make us smile.  What is your rainbow?

Kauai Sunrise

The day begins quietly and slowly in the Princeville community on Kauai's north shore. The sun peaks through the clouds as it rises with all different shades of oranges contrasting the brilliant blue skies.  It is how most days begin on the north shore quietly with a pause to feel the gentle ocean breeze, to smell the fragrant tropical flowers, to hear the ocean's waves and to see another Kauai sunrise.

Oahu- Big City, small wonders

First stop is Oahu- a big city but many small wonders.

First stop is Oahu- a big city but many small wonders.

Stopping for Sunsets

My first stop is the island of Oahu.  Let me share with you my favorite Hawaiian daily ritual of always stopping for sunsets.  My first night in Hawaii and of course I stopped to watch a beautiful sunset on Waikiki Beach. Always stop for sunsets!

Sunset, Hawaiian Style

As I watch the sunset in Hawaii, I am reminded again that this is a quiet time of completion, reflection and pause. This is my favorite Hawaiian daily ritual for everyone to experience. Each day, there is anticipation as the sun gently lowers towards the ocean. People gather and plan where they will be to watch the sunset.

As I watch, I pause and ponder the sacredness of this place and this moment. There is a stillness and quiet hush as all onlookers watch and wait for the sun to disappear. In this brief moment, I believe we are lifted beyond our individual lives to contemplate the bigger picture and to consider how we are all connected. There is knowledge in this stillness as we all participate in the celebration of the day’s end. Never miss a sunset. One happens every day.