As much as I love Hawaii, Maui in particular, I’m not fond of the two flights and twelve and a half hours it took for me to arrive. That’s not counting the two-hour drive to the airport and the two hours for check-in prior to flight. But, I’m here and the fresh floral scent is tickling my nose. Maui. My heaven on earth.
It’s been more years than I want to count since I last visited the Valley Isle. My youngest daughter and I made Maui our spring break destination for her sophomore year of college. Oh, the fun that we packed in four nights. From one hundred and thirty feet below the water surface to the look out on Haleakala Crater.
As a writer, I wasn’t feeling inspiration from my recliner with the house closed up tighter than a tic since fall was in a hurry to arrive in Indiana. My editor had messaged me both times I missed my scheduled dates to have my latest work in progress to her. When I apologized for the second time, she suggested a change in scenery. I have no idea where she thought my change of scenery should be, but I was long overdue for a visit back to Maui. I decided she was correct. I rescheduled two weeks out with her and then booked my flight, car, and hotel.
Now, I’m standing next in line to sign the rental agreement and to obtain the keys to a rental car. I’m not going to be frivolous and get a convertible, because I’m here to work, on the beach, with my laptop. Just me, my back pack, and carry-on will fit just fine in a compact car. Have you seen the small parking places at most restaurants? At least I’ll be able to park and get out of my vehicle without a can opener.
Soon I’m out of the airport, heading southwest on 380. At Ma’alaea, I turn right onto 30 and head northwest along the coast. This is when I wish I had another driver, so I could watch the waters off the coast. The Pacific Ocean is calling to my soul. It’s when I’m passing by the lovely town of Lahiana, that I feel like I’m almost home. I’m too early for whale watching, but I can envision them frolicking in the warm waters off the coast. My mind takes me back to when my daughter and I took the whale watch tour. Unfortunately, I won’t have time for touring, as I’m here to work. To get the words in. To meet the deadline with my editor.
I pass the Whaler’s Village and watch for my turn onto Kaanapali Parkway. I can’t help the smile on my face when I pull onto the property of Ka’anapali Beach Resort, known as “Hawai’i’s most Hawaiian hotel”. My Hawaiian home away from home. I quickly self-park, grab up my small amount of luggage and go to check in. This is where the Hawaiian hospitality shines.
“Aloha. Welcome to Ka’anapali Beach Resort. It’s so good to have you with us. May I make a reservation for you?”
“Thank you. I have a reservation. My name is April Decton.”
She checks her computer. “Yes, I see we have you staying for five nights, checking out on Tuesday. You’ll be in a lovely courtyard view room with a king bed. Does this sound, correct?”
I sigh. Five weeks would be more to my liking, but I reply, “Yes.” I hand her my credit card and driver’s license.
She hands my documentation back to me, “Here is your key card. I noted that you are a return guest wearing your kukui nut lei. Will you be joining us tomorrow afternoon at one-thirty for the restringing of your lei to add a white kukui nut? I can text you a reminder to add to your calendar if you would like.”
“That would be perfect. Mahalo,” I reply.
“Enjoy your stay. Aloha.”
I hurry to my room, drop my luggage and head straight for the lanai. I can never take in enough of the floral and ocean scents and the sound of the waves. I plan to sleep the next five nights with the sliding door open. I am tempted to drop into the chair and take it all in, but I’m ready to get out of my mid-west fall clothing and put on attire more conducive to the sunshine and eighties temperature.
The rest of the afternoon and evening, I reward myself with relaxation. My travel time was grueling and I face a five-hour time difference. I need to acclimate myself to Hawaiian time.
After putting on my swimsuit and lathering myself up with sunscreen, I put on my flip flops, and fill my Remade sari coin purse with my room card, debit card, a tissue, lip balm, and a hand sanitizer wipe. Against my better judgement, I put my cell phone in the waterproof case and loop it around my neck. I should leave it in the room so I’m not distracted by calls from back home. Lastly, I grab my beach towel and sunglasses, then head out to the whale shaped pool.
I enjoy being around the water, but not necessarily in it, so I sit to the edge of the pool and take in the breeze and the sun. The pool area is quiet, as most vacationers are still doing tours. I relish the quiet. After a while, I realize that fighting a nap is a lost cause, so I find a lounger under the palm trees and let the ocean lull me to sleep.
Jolting awake, I hear children’s laughter as they run through the palm trees, heading for the sand and shoreline to allow the water to tickle their toes. I’ve only napped for about an hour, but it was the power nap that I needed.
I note that the Pau Hana Pool Shack doesn’t look too busy. I order a burger and fries, promising myself that tomorrow I will include some Hawaiian cuisine to my palate. Some people don’t like poi, but I rather enjoy it.
After eating, I go for a walk along the beach, finding myself at the Whaler’s Village. There’s nothing I need, but I can’t be in Hawaii and not visit an ABC Store or Hilo Hattie. I end up buying a Palm Tree Muu Muu that I can wear to dinner tomorrow evening.
I walk along the beach, back to Ka’anapali Beach Resort. More people are out around the pool and garden area. The Pau Hana Pool Shack has nearly every seat filled around it. I decide to return to my room, sit out on the lanai and get in a few words before I call it a night.