Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makakiki Hou

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Forget that "White Christmas", we'll take a Hawaiian holiday any day. The scenery and the weather have been BEAUTIFUL!!! So far we have been to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. We still have Hawaii, Lanai, and a return trip to Maui on the agenda.

What We've Done:

Enjoyed a beach front resort in Kihei, Maui

Walked the Kihei to Wailea coast daily

Took 3 great yoga classes right at our resort

Watched a pod of Spinner Dolphins put on an acrobatic performance while we were eating breakfast

Saw many lovely rainbows and magnificient sunsets

Went to two basketball games at the University of Hawaii

Walked the beach at Waikiki in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It's great at night!

Did the circle tour of Oahu on "The Bus"

Watched the big waves on the North Shore of Oahu

Looked for Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha in Kailua

Went to the Bill Maher Show on New Year's Eve

Saw great fireworks on Dec. 29, 30, and 31! Awesome shows over the water at Waikiki.

Rode "The Bus"

Climbed Diamond Head on New Year's Day

Visited the Honolulu Hale (city hall) to see all the local Christmas decorations and Christmas trees, including a tree dedicated to empty cans of Spam

Visited the Honolulu Palace at night in honor of Queen Kapi'olani's birthday

Did the walking tour through Honolulu's Chinatown

Had excellent food and fun Hawaiian drinks

Arrived in Kauai in time to witness the 30 foot waves rolling into the North Shore

What We're Doing:

Seeing lots of whales doing their thing out in the ocean

Enjoying the ocean view from the Adirondack chairs and the hammock at our cliff-side condo

Walking Hanalei Beach and exploring the little town of Hanalei

Taking great yoga classes

Walking and hiking around Kauai

Eating at some of our favorite restaurants

Riding "The Bus"

What We're Going To Do:

Visit Waimea Canyon on Kauai

Drive to the Kalalau Lookout to see the awesome views of the Na Pali Coast of Kauai

Visit Kauai's south coast and the town of Po'ipu

Maybe do a helicopter tour of Kauai's Na Pali Coast

Possibly do a kayak trip up the Wailua River to a secret waterfall

Fly to the "Big Island" and spend a week there doing fun things

Ride "The Bus"

Then, fly back to Maui and do some more things there, like take a Paddleboard lesson, drive to Hana, and do a day trip to Lanai.

Needless to say, we're having a great time and have never missed seeing a flake of snow!

Aloha,

RPM

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Photos

Maui beach walk
Our daily 4.5 mile coastal walk from Kehei to Wailea and back.

Spinner Dolphins at breakfast
They jumped, they twirled, they flipped and they looked like they were having a blast.

Iao Needle - Maui
This is the site of an ancient Hawaiian battle. It is now a state park.

Honolulu Christmas at City Hall
Santa and the Queen

Christmas decorations
This was the "tourist tree'.

The Hawaiian tree!
Decorated with cans of Spam and rolls of toilet paper?!

Riding "The Bus"
Voted the best transit system in the U.S. It's the way to travel on the islands. Cheap, clean, and efficient!

Comments

[Melissa Burdick Harmon]

Lovely Photos
Enjoy your Hawaiian holiday. I am off to Tel Aviv next week - where I will enjoy another of the world's loveliest beaches, followed by a jaunt up into the Galilee. I haven't been to Hawaii in a long time. It looks just as beautiful if not moreso. Whatever happened to us two small town kids, that keeps us on the road all time? My next trip after Israel is to Baltimore. (Oops I'm forgetting Winchester, Virginia.) Try not to be TOO jealous. Happy 2012! Melissa

[Cliff]

The Spam Tree
Who knew that spam grew on trees. And I guess milk comes from refrigerators! Life is so simple! Have a great 2012. Cliff

[Marian, Dave, and Sydney]

Happy New Year, you two!!
We are hoping to go to Maui for Spring Break, last week of March/first week of April. Will you still be there?

[Nancy]

Hi RPM, I finally took the time to check out the new information and pictures. Loved all the pictures, especially those of the beaches at sunset. I want to nap and/or watch the whales from that hammock. The blog is still coming to our old e-mail address,so you need to change that or I won't get your blogs anymore ) : Glad you are having a great time and wonderful weather. I think of you often and am looking forward to seeing you both in Feb. No news from here. It has finally gotten cold, but no snow so far. Take care and have safe travels. I almost forgot!!! We had really goos sourdough pancakes from the starter you sent . Love, Nancy