Last days on Maui

Our time on Maui is coming to an end, and we are leaving yet another magic spot. This island is full of energy, wind, waves, climatic zones, lush vegetation, and an eclectic mix of people from around the world. In just over two weeks we have met more interesting people than we would in our “normal” life for years (the big learning for me is to avoid living a “normal” life and fully conscribe to the principle of unconventionality, as heavily promoted by our friend Tim from Montauk/Perth). There are good reasons for people to gather here, the beauty, the waves, the food, the energy of Haleakala, but most of all the spirit shared by the people who now call this their home. Also, this seems to be a stop for other “extended world travelers”, who also appreciate the spirit of special places like Maui.

Rainbow over Spreckelsville beach

I will always remember Kanaha as the place where I first played with waves way above my head on my kiteboard. It is such an amazing rush, very rarely have I been in the flow for such long periods of time (I was out every day for 2-3 hours). Jumping across large breaking waves feels like flying above the sea, carving bottom turns and off-the-lips just on the edge of the breaking curl feels so like the most playful way of kissing the ocean. The Hookipa for kiters is Lanes, a hideous spot just to leeward, which goes off once you have made it out. One issue – besides the mountains of white water waiting to wash you onto the reef – is that to get into the water you need to launch on a small beach and then walk across approx. 50 m of sharp reef just to get into the water. The great thing is that this keeps the number of kiters to usually below ten, with our friend Marc Coslett being one of the guys who charges out there with big turns and kiteloops in the waves. Gerry and Gesine need lots of practice before heading out into these waves. Here is a suboptimal shot of it, but it gives you an impression of scale.

Maui's kitespot for real men: Lanes

We feel a strong bond to this island and we shall return. Here are some impressions from our last days on our favourite beaches.

Baby Baldwin beach pool - great place for the kids to swim as the reef completely blocks the waves

watching the sunset at Big Beach in Wailea

Among the early settler were the Portuguese who also introduced the Ukulele - here is one of their monuments in a multicultural park which also features Chinese, Japanese and Polynesian shrines

Robinson in Kanaha

late breakthrough of the sun at Wailea's Big Beach on the Southwest coast

good bye Maui

Categories: Hawaii - Maui