down to kihei

There's so much to share about our recent trip to Maui, that I'm going just keep posting segments until I feel complete. I hope you enjoy the slow journey around the island with me.


On anniversary Wednesday, my horoscope in the Honolulu Star-Adviser said "The world is your oyster." The exact words my high school counselor, Mr. Bononi, used when we were reviewing my aptitude tests. I could have benefited from some concrete advice about college funding, but really, it's a nice timeless blessing, and has turned out to be true.


After driving between double rainbows on our way to Kihei, via Kahului, we made a nice connection with Johanna for yoga at the beach, swam at Kamaole and Big Beach, stopped off at Joy's Place where we were greeted warmly by Jimmy's radiant smile! Perched on a stool with our chili, hummus wrap, and thai mushroom soup, I spotted a Green Anole Lizard out in the bushes. I wasn't able to get a shot of him, but click here for a beautiful photo from another Hawaiian traveler.

Dinner back in Paia at the amazing veggie Vietnamese restaurant Fresh Mint, was spectacular. I am one happily married woman. So much joy!

haiku in haiku

One morning on our way to Kahului by car, a big vibrant rainbow appeared off to the right, then it split into a double rainbow, and as we drove, we passed between the two arcs. I didn't have my camera but I did have my notebook...

tropical highway
bends between surreal rainbows
sacred mountain breathes

coconut heaven

With a little help from Matt, we discovered Coconut Glen's at mile marker 27 on the Hana Hwy: Coconut-based ice cream at the friendliest little shack on the island.


The incomparable Glen was on hand for this photo op. His chocolate chili chipotle flavor is incredible! You really have to taste it to believe it.


The lovely Joei served up local passionfruit (Lilikoi) flavor in a coconut half with a green coconut spoon. Everything is fully compostable, so it wasn't a big surprise to find the latest issue of Permaculture Activist magazine on the front counter. Joei is quite the vegan baker too! You can connect with them on Facebook to see how things are progressing with both ventures.


Fresh coconuts, apple bananas and enormous avocadoes make days in Hawaii so sweet!


...and of course, strawberry papayas with a squeeze of lime every morning!

island anniversary

Celebrating our anniversary in Hawaii was restorative. Our first couple of days we laid low, checking out Haiku and Paia, and walking in the rain. There are quite a few sacred sites on the island. Ram Dass was taking people to see all of them. We visited this Tibetan stupa on our anniversary, and did a clockwise rotation to set positive intentions for our next blissful year.


Vietnamese dinner at Fresh Mint was the best, and I recommend it highly. Everything is totally veg, so no worries about hidden fish sauce! For our anniversary dinner we had Pho noodle soup, fresh salad rolls, mushrooms and green beans. It was fresh and delicate and so good, it was gone before I even thought about taking pictures. The next day, we went back for lunch and had Pad Thai and another delicious noodle dish. Took pictures this time.


In Haiku, we met Claire from the Basque region of France. She made the pretty silver, turquoise, freshwater pearl earrings I'm wearing here.

discovering maui

What is it about mountains that feel so sacred? Is it that they're reaching for Heaven? We just returned from a beautiful week on Maui, the Hawaiian island formed by Haleakala. We discovered tropical beauty along the Hana Highway, and the mellow, welcoming spirit of Haiku.


The road to Hana takes you right through the middle of lush rain forest. You can see how the road cuts along the green in the background here. Most stunning is the black volcanic rock against the turquoise sea.


A major highlight was meeting Annie, our host at the Haiku Plantation Inn. She was so loving and invested in every guest's comfort and happiness! She had the jacuzzi warmed up and ready for us each night when we came home. Thank you Annie!

before and after

The breakfast nook was one of our first house projects when I arrived a few years ago. This is the "after" shot.

We removed the built in benches (out of sight in this picture) and installed a breakfast counter overlooking the canyon. Our contractor discovered that the hardwood under the linoleum tiles was in great shape, so we had it restored. There is so much warm wood in this old Craftsman cottage, and the nook feels very cozy now.

The studio really took a lot of work. We started by shoring up the back corner against the fence which had been eroded by a neighbor's fence-building project years earlier. Not an easy thing to lift a building and create a partial foundation with local stone! Then there was an enormous amount of prep before painting, and the result (see last post) is pretty wonderful.

morning greens

Baby bok choy, plus cabbage, beets, onions, tatsoi, kale, spinach and peas are all loving the greenhouse conditions, as the sun returns after a couple of rainy days.


Doesn't the Sweet Orange Studio look great this morning in our new colors? I'll have to post a "before" picture soon, to give you the full impact of this change.


And speaking of oranges, how about this enthusiastic bunch of tangerines preparing themselves for winter?