Maui No Ka Oi

Since my last attempt at the hiking the Kings Trail, which travels along the coast, didn’t follow through to its completion, I took another shot at it this morning. Ditching my first companion (as Chelsea still hasn’t returned from her Hannah-less week,) I took to the trail with Larissa, this time starting from Wai'anapanapa, a much easier, and just as scenic trek. As the sun glistened down on the crashing waves, and as we paused to watch the hunchback whales actively shift about from a distance, I tried to imagine just what Maui must have been like years and years ago, when in fact a King did stride along this trail. Just like any spot, the history of Maui, through its geological formation from volcanoes 30 million years ago, to its kings and queens, to its mythological past, is fascinating. 

Inspired by this walk, and satisfied at the perfect coconut I commandeered on my way back, I decided to give myself some homework, and research more about this land whose history I’m only temporarily part of.

Maui, a half human sorcerer in mythological times, was a prankster that possessed a built of Paul Bunyan and Hercules combined (quite the man!) And the island Maui, naturally named after this stud, is the only Hawaiian and Polynesian island named after a god. Since some of his pranks are a little inappropriate for my possible younger audience (which I know probably doesn’t exist….) I won’t go into too many details of his legend and death, but I highly recommend looking it up if you’re in need of a laugh. 

Winding down after the trail in our hammock with my fresh banana smoothie, I also released my inner science nerd, and read about hunch back whales, and how really no other place in the world right now has more of them than the waters of Maui. From November to May, they migrate to here to mate, give birth and rear their young. Feeling very lucky, as I’m smack dab in the middle of this season, it doesn’t take too much time or patience to look out at the ocean and see some movement from these incredible animals. I could go on and on about them now, but will spare you the reading….

Many Hawaiians believe that a certain animals are spirits that protect their families, which they call their Aumakua. Here at Hana Tropicals, Krista and Ian feel their Aumakua is the Hawaiian owl, Pueo. The Pueo has shown it’s self at many critical times in their lives, and one even lived in a tree above Amy’s tent on the property. I believe that mine is the sea turtle. I love those little (well some not that little!) guys, watching their heads bob up and down in the water. Since I’m not the most comfortable (STILL) swimming in those intimidating ocean waves, I like to think my Aumakua is protecting me while I swim, or sometimes just float. :)

The animals, the slightly disturbed prankster god, hell even the banana’s, prove that even if I wasn’t already impressed the minute my plane landed, I’m defiantly in full belief that Maui No Ka Oi. Maui is the best. 

Aloha.