Island Time, Keiki Style

Live in the sunshine
Swim in the sea
Drink the wild air

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Xavier has adapted very well to island life. The vitamin D and the tropical air have been so good for him, so good for all of us. He has some new vocabulary words including "aloha," "beach," and "fish." Below are a few of his highlights from Maui...

Throwing the football on Baldwin Beach.

Watching the surfers, kite boarders and windsurfers from Ho'okipa Lookout.

Welcoming the sun from the summit of Haleakala National Park. (Haleakala means
"House of the Sun.")

Hiking the 12-mile Sliding Sands Trail through the volcanic crater (a breeze when you are riding on your Dad's back).

Spotting the rare Silver Sword plant which grows inside Haleakala's crater and no where else on earth.

Stopping to smell the flowers on an Upcountry hike.

Exploring the lava cliffs in Hana.

Driving the Hana Highway, which was extra enjoyable since we rented Cabin #3 overlooking the sea in the Wai'anapanapa State Park to break it into two-day trip.  Wai'anapanapa means "glistening waters."

Splashing in the fountain at the Maui Mall.

Seeing many, many humpback whales breaching on a sail to Molokini.

Hiking through a bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls.

Smelling a plumeria blossom while modeling a new aloha shirt.

Playing at Baby Beach, our local beach.

Directing sand castle construction with his pals Sage and Summit.

Examining coral, shells and rocks and then throwing them into the water.

Posing for the camera at 'Iao Valley State Monument.

Finding new friends at the Maui Ocean Center

Singing songs at story time with Auntie Nina at the Makawao Library.

Waiting out a tropical downpour in Queen Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center where we rode the train, romped in the indoor playground and read books at the Maui Friends of the Library shop.

Scooping up local art in a second-hand shop in Kahalui.   

Napping on the beach beneath swaying palm trees.

Marveling at the 100-year old Banyon tree in Lahaina.

Riding the tram at the Maui Tropical Plantation and shouting "All Aboard!" with the "Ducky" (his word for Conductor).

Exploring the art at the Hui No'Eau Visual Art Center

Reading a few tales of Old Hawaii and endless books about trains.