We are drawn to this place. Our 5th visit and we come back to this old historic capital, Lahaina. It is hard to imagine that at one time sailors butchered Humpback whales in Lahaina. This area was literally the “Whaling Capital of the Pacific.” Today, it is a mecca for “Whale Watching.”
In the distance you can see the islands of Lanai and Molokai. The water is blue and the Trade Winds usually blow.
Our first visit we stayed in room 32 at the Pioneer Inn, a fancy name for a Best Western. Why that room? Arthur Frommer, the world traveler for advice once stayed there. It overlooks the largest banyan tree in the entire USA. It covers more than an acre of land. Its daddy is supposedly in India. Planted in 1873 by William Owen Smith, this tree is an icon for Lahaina.
We noticed back in 1998 that the birds will sing when they leave for the day, and when they come back to this banyan tree at dusk. It is actually a deafening sound.
We now stay at the Lahaina Shores Resort condos. We use VRBO to secure our accommodations. We now have a nice efficiency condo with a beautiful view of the mountains. We do miss the view of the sea and Lanai. However, by staying in a condo with a mountain view vs. ocean view, we saved $1,000.
The condo provides us with a kitchen so we don’t have to go out to eat unless we chose to. We like to go out for a lunch or Happy Hour when we can. We have been able to some restaurants that serve good food at reasonable prices during happy hour. Ruth Chris Steak House has a good happy hour even though it is recognized by most as a very expensive restaurant.
There is a six hour difference between the East Coast to Hawaiian time. It does take time to adjust. You wake up at 3:00 A.M. wide awake. The stock market is already mid-day. T.V. programs start earlier. The Walking Dead, for example, which starts at 9:00 P.M. EST, is 6:00 P.M. here.
We like to take an early morning walk that can last up to two hours. Front Street in Lahaina follows the coast line with quaint shops, restaurants and novelty stores, i.e. tee-shirt shops.
The famous Bubba Gump Restaurant is here and there is a large “Monkey Pod” tree growing in the middle of the building.
We have time now to explore more places than we ever have had. The Fleetwood restaurant is located above a jewelry store with an entrance off of a side alley on Front Street. We found out that this place is owned by “Mick Fleetwood,” the famous drummer of “Fleetwood Mac.” His drums are on the second floor.
Yesterday we encountered a first for us when a homeless guy fell from a bench and hit his head on the ground. We were the only ones around. Kathie, who has witnessed Grand mall Seizers before in her ESE position, knew what to do: “roll the man on his side”, called 911. About five minutes later, a Seattle paramedic walking the same route took over until the ambulance arrived. I truly believe Kathie may have saved this guy’s life. I am so proud of her.
