Memories of Lahaina, Maui

Question

Aloha.  The elite's wreckage of Maui by the 8-9 August 2023 wildfires can't erase the many fond memories of an idyllic paradise with breathtaking landscapes and warm and vibrant people.  Maui no ka oi (Maui is the best).  For many, the tranquil, peaceful town of Lahaina, nestled between the beach and the West Maui Mountains captured the essence of Hawaii, and many may not know that the former whaling port was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii for 25 years in the 19th century.  May God bless Lahaina and the people of Maui.

It's been almost a half-century since I was stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Army.  My son was born in the Tripler Military Hospital on Oahu.  But my memories of and love for Hawaii are still sharp.  As a private pilot flying out of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, we had a chance to visit Kauai, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, and even Lanai.  Of the many favorites we visited, Lahaina stands out.  We discussed how it would be a great place to live - if ever.... 

Please feel free to share your memories of Lahaina (and Maui), and, as you do, send a kind thought to her people.  Mahalo.  

Comments

What a magnificent, heartfelt post, Ray.

And it certainly elicited some wonderful answers.

Answer 1

Flying a single-engine airplane into Kaanapali Airport just off the beach a bit north of Lahaina was always interesting, especially the first time.  Flying out of a busy military airbase I was well aware of wing vortex, tiny cyclones generated off the tips of wings of larger aircraft as they climb, but an experienced pilot had told me that Kaanipali had something similar that often occurred from the strong winds called windshear, a sudden change in wind direction.

Pilots landing at Kaanipali had to check the wind socks at both ends of the short airstrip and beware if they were pointing in opposite directions. Running into windshear when coming in for a landing could flip the aircraft. Sure enough, the two windsocks pointed different ways, so I came in low and set down hard right on the runway numbers.  As I was chocking and tying down, a pilot asked, "First time here, eh?" It was time for a Bloody Mary at High School Harry's Windsock Lounge.  Landings at Kaanapali got smoother over time, but I never missed the numbers.

Answer 2

ALOHA I love Lahaina the first time in 1988. I fell in love the big banyan tree and the little shops around town. I love the historical events that take place since it was a whaling port. Love it. SO happy the banyan tree is alive and hopefully getting better everyday.   LONG LIVE LAHAINA AND MAUI and her people always in my thoughts. Mahalo Ray  for this free space.

Answer 3

Mahalo for this beautiful page. I loved Maui and Lahina people, scenery and Love that banyon tree.

Answer 4

The slow regeneration of the Lahaina banyan tree is seen by some as a rare sign of hope for the people of Lahaina and Maui.  About 40% has been cut off, but it is struggling to survive.  I came across this article 8 months after wildfires, Lahaina’s iconic banyan is sprouting new leaves.