Hawaii Day 7 June 2, 2023

Today was fun but I can’t believe we have to go home tomorrow.  Nick and I walked along the Kapalua Trail and by some incredible homes and golf courses.

We stopped at the Napili Market (grocery store) and got home around 10:30. We all put our suits on and hung out of chaise lounges.  Grant got SO sunburned on Day 2 that he wasn’t really wanting to spend a ton of time in the water but we had a small ball and the four of us played volleyball, soccer, baseball and hacky sac with it.  We drank some pina coladas and watched part of the A&M baseball game (vs Cal Fullerton in the Stanford Regional – baseball).  There were six turtles directly under our balcony this afternoon!

Hard to see turtles under the balcony

We got dressed in our family picture outfit and drove into Kaanapali where we had dinner reservations at Leilani’s on the Beach.  We first got gas in Kahana and drove down the Lower Honoapiliani Road a bit. We parked in Kaanapali and walked through Whaler’s Village, getting to the restaurant about an hour early.  We opted to dine outside where we could seat ourselves immediately.  The menu wasn’t as extensive as the main restaurant but we started with ceviche then each got meals we loved while listening to a band of three guys play Hawaiian music and other songs from Little Mermaid.  The sunset was stunning and we were able to get a great family photo. 

First trip where any of us packed "nice" clothes.

Afterwards the kids got gelato and we headed home. 

What a fun trip.

Hawaii Day 6 June 1, 2023

 Today was rather epic.  Up and out the door at 6:15 to get to the airport ridiculously early to fly to the Big Island.  Our flight left around 9:10 and landed in Hilo at 9:50. We rented a small Kia and drove to Volcanoes National Park (in the rain), arriving around 11. (Park 52!)

First stop was the Visitor Center and it was packed.  We ran into a strange bird in the parking lot.

Strange Bird

We bought the magnets, stamped the passbooks then set out on drive.  First stop was the lava tube (which was very cool).  We parked ½ mile before the lava tube and hiked down to it on a cool path that overlooked Kilauea Iki Crater.  The lava tube was cool and sparked an interesting conversation amongst the family about how different cultures choose or choose not to get out of your way on a hiking trail. 

We drove all the way down to the Ocean Arch (Holei Sea Arch) – AMAZING

 Then we ate smushed sandwiches and apples at a picnic table.   

We followed the 19-mile road back towards the visitor center, stopping to look at a few craters along the way.  We then drove the Crater Rim trail that goes towards the west.

We stopped at the Steaming Vents then drove to the end of the road to the Uekahuna Overlook.  It was raining and I’m sure the view could have been amazing but we didn’t see much.  But the steaming crater in the photo below was the one that had been erupting and side note: began erupting again on June 7th.

We drove back past the Visitor enter and took a left on Hwy 11 then took a right a few miles down the road and drove 11.5 miles up to the Mauna Loa Lookout – Mauna Loa erupted in November 2022.  Prior to that it hadn’t erupted since 1985.  The drive was windy, one-lane and a bit treacherous.  Along the way we saw 5-10 Nene which is some sort of endangered duck looking thing – they don’t move out of the road.  

Endangered Nene Hen - probably endangered b/c they don't get out of the way of your car.

When we got the top, we couldn’t see a damn thing but had the day been clear, who knows.  Total bummer.

We got back to the airport at 5 (stopping to refill the car and grab snacks from the gas station).  We returned the car, printed boarding passed, made it through security and to our gate in like 23 minutes – so cool – as was the Hilo Airport.

We had to wait a while for our not-very-full flight but it was great.  I love Hawaiian Airlines with their turquoise seats and lots of leg room!  

Nick and I split a Bikini Blonde beer (Maui Brewing Company) and we got back “home” at 7.  We drove to Paia and ate dinner at Paia Fish Market then got home around 9…I think.

Funny comments of the day – Grant, who’s on Accutane, has very chapped lips – he and Ryan were having fun taking jabs at each other and Ryan told him he had POW lips 😊

We pretty much went straight to bed when we got home.

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!

Hawaii Day 4 May 30, 2023

 Long day today – up at 5:30am and on the road at 6am for the Road to Hana and Haleakala.  From where we’re staying it takes a good hour to get to Paia which is the starting point for the Road to Hana.  Our first stop was Ho’okipa Lookout – supposedly the home to world class surfers but today was the home to chickens, roosters and a bunch of ugly Instagram Influencer want-a-be’s taking stupid pictures of themselves. (see example below:)

Narcissist  Influencer

Next stop was the “Garden of Eden” which was pretty-ish but a rip off because we had to pay $70 to get in.  We saw a waterfall we could’ve seen from the road but walked around some and did see some cool plants and trees (e.g. rainbow eucalyptus and penis flowers).  We also pet a cat that matched the color of the gravel path – the kids determined he was highly evolved

Highly Evolved Cat

Next stop was Halfway to Hana for famous banana bread (and I will say it was warm and delicious).  Then to Wailua Valley overlook with a very tall skinny waterfall in the distance

From there, after passing lots of water falls and other beautiful sights, we stopped at Pua’a Ka’a Falls, parked and watched people jump in including Abs Guy.

Grant debated doing it but opted not to.  I told him that if the road past Haleakala was closed, which we’d seen signs that it was, then we’d have to double back and he’d have a chance to try again later.  As soon as we left, Ryan was regretting not doing it.

Next stop was the South Visitor Center of Haleakala NP (Kipahulu Visitor Center and our 51st park!)

We ate our standard picnic fare of pepperoni, cream cheese, ritz crackers and apples, then got our passbooks stamps and did a couple of hikes including the ½ mile loop Ohe’o Gulch (Kuloa Loop Trail) which was stunning (seven sacred pools and a black sand beach) and the Pipiwai Trail back to Falls of Makahiku.  

Seven Sacred Pools

Makahiku Falls

It was a LOT more humid on this part of the island.

We finished up the hike, bought the hatpins and magnets and then did have to double back because the road to continue west was closed – which sucked EXCEPT that we were able to go back to the Pua’a Ka’a Falls and despite the rain, both kids jumped in!  Grant went back a second time and did a back flip (in Crocs!).  They were both so proud – definitely created an epic lifetime moment. I think the videos are too large to post but here's a picture of them afterwards!

Smiles post jumping off waterfall in background!

The drive home was long and windy and we stopped once just to allow Ryan’s car sickness to subside.  We stopped at Las Pinatas of Maui which was surprisingly delicious Mexican food in a strip center in Kahului (the city where the airport it).  Then Rya drove us the rest of the way home. It was 6 ish when we got back to the condo.

We watched the sunset, played Cards Against Humanity again and then Nick and I got in bed – it’s only 8:45pm but I’m beat. 

Today was fun – the day was long and most definitely felt more like a normal Bomersbach Vacation Day but tomorrow should be relaxing and Bougie. 

Hawaii Day 3 May 29, 2023

 Today was awesome.  We got up early again (can’t not).  The day started with this as our view:

I did yoga on the balcony and Nick did a workout.  We laid out in the sun and did some more paddle boarding (I had to take a Gen Z pic of my breakfast on the lanai with the kids in the background). 

Kids on paddle boards in the background.

Then we drove to the Ohai Trail – it was short – like 1.2 miles but the views were gorgeous.  We saw a mom and baby mongoose! 

From there we drove counterclockwise 1.5 miles (back towards our condo) and stopped at the Nakalele Blowhole.  

The hike down was fun and a little challenging and we saw the thing spew some but not like what I’d expected.  We even timed it to coincide with high tide but no luck.  We were all beat so we went back to the condo.  

Barb & Nick near the blowhole.

Grant and I took another (final) spin on the paddle boards and it was windy!  We both fell in.  Ryan took a nap and Nick ran to the grocery store.  Dinner tonight was ono fish, potatoes and a salad.  After dinner we drove down to Lahaina and walked, shopped and bought ice cream/gelato/dole whip (delicious).  We bought a couple of air mattresses and made our way back to the house and went to bed!

Hawaii Day 2 May 28, 2023

 We woke up early today (go figure).  We decided to walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail which is about 1 mile north of where we’re staying.  The map took us to a parking lot that required us to pay which was fine but the thing wouldn’t accept our payment so we drove another mile and parked just north of the Ritz.  Things got a little tense because we didn’t know which way to go but we followed three different phones’ maps and managed to walk EXACTLY back to the first parking lot.  Exactly next door to the first parking lot was the second free parking lot with a big sign that said Kapalua Coastal Trail.  Good grief. 

The hike was amazing.  For one stretch we walked on the beach then walked back to our car. 

Family on the Kapalua Coastal Trail

Ryan on the trail

We were trying to get back to the condo by 9am (local time) because most unexpectedly, A&M was playing Vanderbilt in the SEC baseball championship.  We lost but it was fun to watch and more fun that the game was over by 11.  The kids took the jeep and went into Lahaina then into Kaanapali and they had a blast – that’s a first on any family vacation ever.  

Nick and I read and sat by the pool then Alex from Maui Stand Up Paddle Board (http://mauisuprental.com/) brought us two paddle boards and they were fun! (This was around 2pm).  I highly recommend Alex!  We all went out on them but Nick had a little trouble because he’d had four margaritas!!! 

And the best part of the day was the giant sea turtles swimming DIRECTLY under our lanai. 

Taken from our balcony

After spending the day outside the kids and I walked to the grocery store to grab some snacks and other things.  We had such a good time.  While we were at the store Nick cooked chicken thighs, asparagus potatoes. 

Walking home from the grocery store.

We got home and Grant passed out on the couch – like didn’t wake up for dinner and didn’t wake up until 9:30!  Ryan, Nick and I ate dinner outside and it was lovely.

Ryan and I had a good talk after dinner then we went to be around 8:30 or so.  Good grief the time change is tough!

VERY FUN DAY!

Hawaii Day 1 May 27, 2023

 We left the house at 4 am and drove to the airport, parked, and got on a 6:15am flight to LAX.  The funniest moment of the day was Ryan tapping Grant on the shoulder at the airport and saying: “Don’t move or look now but there is a cheetah loose in the airport.”  Grant turned around to a lady in full cheetah attire and laughed out loud.  We got to LA and at a $100 lunch of sandwiches and water at the airport and flew to Maui, arriving at 12pm Maui time (5pm Dallas time). 

We got a white jeep and drove to Lahaina, stopping for lunch at Captain Jack’s Island Grill – delicious. 

Captain Jack's in Lahaina

We got groceries at Safeway in Lahaina (the initial family grocery shop is always a shit show.  Note to self:  give no one options.  make a menu and tell family members what they need to go get.) We then drove to our condo in Napili which is in between Kapalua and Kaanapali.

The condo complex is a bit old and run down but our view is exceptional.  The kids got into the water immediately and Nick and I went for a walk. 

View from Unit A-1 at Kahana Sunset

We ate a small dinner, had some drinks, Grant got drunk on a pina colada with a teaspoon of rum in it (JK) and we played Cards Against Humanity and laughed until we cried!

Bed by 9 pm which was 23 hours after we woke up.  Very long, tiring day but everything went about as perfectly as it could – no flight issues, no car issues, and no grocery issues - except for the shit show.