Hawaii Day 5 May 31, 2023

 We started the morning leisurely.  Grant and I went on a walk and explored the rocky peninsula just south of us.  Along the way we saw a 1,300 sq ft home for sale (on the beach) for $8mm.  

After that we took our time getting ready and around 10:15, left for Lahaina.  We walked thru the Cannery Mall and Grant bought bracelets.  Ryan’s looking for something for boyfriend Ben and we were looking for something for Phil (who’s watching the house) and Mom (who’s watching the dog).  No luck today but we have more shopping in our future.  We hit Star Noodle at 11am (the only time all week I could get reservations) and it was great.  The first main attraction was a woman who we thought was man who was wearing a matching plaid shirt and visor with a wood varnished brim (see photo). 

Left side

The drinks were amazing.  I got a Celebration (passion-orange-mango vodka, sparkling sake and Yuzu juice), Ryan got a strawberry lemon soda and Grant got a Ginzu (fresh ginger juice yuzu juice and club soda).  Nick had a beer – always good.  They’re known for their pork sticky buns.  The dumplings were great and ironically their noodles were not great.  But we sat looking out on the water and the place was packed (for 11am lunch on a Wednesday).  Grant loved it, Ryan didn’t (but was a good sport) and Nick and I thought it was great!

We went back to our condo, changed, then drove to the main entrance of Haleakala.  We went up to the summit and it was raining and cloudy and there was absolutely no view.  But I think the kids understood why we wanted them to see the summit – because that’s what the entire park is really known for. 

Not having clear skies for the view sucked but still very fun.  We went from there to Kihei and stopped for a drink and appetizers (onion rings and chips) at Ohanas Seafood Bar & Grill.  There were some of the biggest roosters I’ve ever seen roaming around and there was a hen with two babies sitting on the patio of the restaurant.  Ryan, of course, was freaking out as she confirmed her chicken phobia that we first learned of in St. John’s.  We did a quick detour through Wailea so that we could see the old hotel (Fairmont) that Nick and I stayed in 20 years ago, then we drove home.  Basically, on the drive home I started my period and got a massive fever blister AND learned that our returning flight from Hilo to Maui (FOR THE NEXT DAY) was cancelled.  When we got home, I jumped on my computer and got tickets on Hawaiian Airlines (departing a few hours earlier than the Mokulele flight we’d been on).  Crisis averted but STRESSFUL.

Home around 6:30? Then frozen pizza & salad for dinner and we rented Tropical Thunder and the kids liked it.  Long day, even longer tomorrow but so great!