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Maui | 2025
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  • Siewch

Maui | 2025

A quick weekend trip for the Maui Invitational Dive Meet. Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 19, 2025
    SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    N479HA at the gate at HNL.
    Our seats on HA556.HA556 turning onto runway 08L at HNL.HA556's takeoff roll on runway 08L at HNL.HA556 landing in OGG on runway 02.Routing of HA556 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Honolulu to Kahului

    September 19, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Hawaiian Airlines HA556 | HNL/OGG
    Economy Class
    Boeing 717-200 | N479HA ‘Akepa
    ATD/1942 | ATA/2022

    We made this trip to Maui for Jeff to compete in and coach four of his divers at the Maui Invitational Dive Meet hosted by our friend Dennis. As an added bonus, Dennis' condo at Kīhei was available for us to stay at, so we decided to make a weekend trip out of it.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    Jeff executing one of his warmup dives on the 1 meter.
    Jeff executing one of his warmup dives on the 1 meter.The Tropic Lightning Diving Team at the Maui Invitational.Some of Jeff's best dives at the Maui Invitational.Someone sneezed loudly during Jeff's first dive, but he didn't ask for a re-dive.Jeff on the 3M board at the Maui Invitational.Jeff on the 1M board at the Maui Invitational.Jeff on the 1M board at the Maui Invitational.Jeff on the 1M board at the Maui Invitational.Jeff on the 1M board at the Maui Invitational.

    Maui Invitational Dive Meet

    September 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The Maui Invitational Dive Meet was held at the Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool in Wailuku. We woke up very early on Saturday morning to make the 25 minute drive from Kīhei to Wailuku for warmups starting at 7am. The competition itself started at 8.30am. Despite the early start (Jeff is not a morning person), Jeff and his team competed well. After the meet, we had shave ice at a nearby store before we headed out to commence our weekend explorations.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    The stupa at the Maui Dharma Center in Pāʻia.
    Jeff with his stuffed crepe at Cafe de Amis.My mahi mahi curry at Cafe de Amis.Our nutella crepe at Cafe de Amis.Speedo man mural at Pāʻia. This mural has been updated since we last saw it in 2023.A mural by "Bunksy" at Pāʻia.An informational sign about the Maui Dharma Center.The Dalai Lama blessed the Maui Dharma Center when he visited Maui in 2007.The stupa at the Maui Dharma Center.Information on how to spin the prayer wheel at the Maui Dharma Center.Jeff spinning the prayer wheel at the Maui Dharma Center.Spinning the prayer wheel at the Maui Dharma Center.Maui Dharma Center.Maui Dharma Center.Maui Dharma Center.

    Pāʻia

    September 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    After saying goodbye to Jeff's team, we made our way to one of our favorite restaurants - Cafe de Amis in Pāʻia. This restaurant features a random mix of Mediterranean and Indian dishes and crepes on their menu, but somehow it works. I had a mahi mahi curry and Jeff had a crepe stuffed with Italian-style lentils. We completed our lunch with a nutella crepe.

    Earlier when we had shave ice with Jeff's divers, one of the diver's parents mentioned that there is an alpaca farm upcountry. We were intrigued by this and we researched it while eating. We hemmed and hawed for a bit over the steep price (~$70 for Hawaiʻi residents) but we reasoned that the price may be worth it just for the experience, so we booked a 3.30pm visit. We had about 90 minutes between lunch and the start of our farm visit. After lunch, we visited the nearby Maui Dharma Center before making our way upcountry to Makawao.    Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    A video of the memorials for the Vietnam War, Korean War, World War II, and World War I.
    The four memorials at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.The World War I memorial at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.The World War II memorial at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.The Korean War memorial at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.The Vietnam War memorial at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.The Vietnam War Memorial featured a somewhat inaccurate map with Bangkok in the wrong location.The Gettsburg Address at the Maui Veterans Cemetery.Maui Veterans Cemetery.Maui Veterans Cemetery.Maui Veterans Cemetery.Maui Veterans Cemetery.

    Maui Veterans Cemetery

    September 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Jeff and I still had time before our farm visit and so we planned to stop at Makawao town en route. As we approached Makawao, I spied the Maui Veterans Cemetery and we decided to make a pitstop there. It was a peaceful place with memorials to Maui veterans who died in various wars, including the two World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    The "Take Art, Leave Art" booth outside the public library at Makawao.
    A cool sign at a shop in Makawao.A one-legged chicken outside the public library. It seemed quite content and well fed.An artsy storefront at Makawao.The main street at Makawao.The main street at Makawao.The main street at Makawao.The main street at Makawao.

    Makawao

    September 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Our last stop before we went to the alpaca farm was Makawao town, where we spent a few minutes walking through the artsy main street. Our favorite sight was a booth in front of the public library encouraging people to leave or take art. Inside the booth were a few small paintings and a ceramic mug.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    Miss Sassy being a little aggressive towards another member of the pack.
    The pack outside the barn after the rain passed us over. The little one is only a couple weeks old.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.The green stuff on Sassy is spit from the matriarch. It smelled pretty bad.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.This alpaca is pregnant.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Me feeding the alpacas.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.Maui Alpaca Farm.There are sixteen alpaca colors.One of the steps in weaving alpaca wool.A humorous sign cpmparing alpacas and llamas.One of the angora rabbits.One of the angora rabbits.Jeff with a fluffy bunny on his lap.One of the angora rabbits on Jeff's lap.The angora rabbits at the Alpaca Farm.

    Maui Alpaca Farm

    September 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    The Maui Alpaca Farm is a short drive uphill from Makawao. As we approached the farm, dark clouds starting gathering, and it was drizzling when we reached the farm. We were the only visitors for the 3.30pm tour, so our guide ushered us into the covered angora rabbit enclosure to play with the large fluffy bunnies. Unfortunately, all three bunnies weren't cooperating that day; they jumped off our laps after being placed there, and they didn't accept the grass we tried to hand feed to them.

    It was pouring when we were done with the bunnies, so we donned raincoats provided by the guide and we made our way into the barn in the adjacent alpaca paddock. There, we interacted with ten or so adult females and two young ones (the males were kept in a separate enclosure). Our guide told us about alpaca behavior and social structures. We witnessed their pack behavior in action when one alpaca, appropriately named Miss Sassy, started acting aggressively towards one of the others. When the pack matriach saw what was happening, she spat at Sassy several times and then stayed around to urge the victim to stand back up.

    I've always wanted to see alpacas or llamas spitting, so I was perversely delighted to witness this. I had always assumed that they simply projectiled saliva, and I surprised to learn that they spat regurgitated half digested food. It smelled really bad. In fact, the matriach kept her mouth open after spitting because it tasted so bad. Apart from interacting with and feeding the alpacas, we were treated to a demonstration on how alpaca wool is spun into threads.

    Our visit to the farm was a little pricey, but it was well worth it because we got to interact with animals we would not otherwise have access to.

    After visiting the farm, we returned to Kīhei where we chilled a little before heading out for a pizza dinner.    Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    Views of the Maui Channel with Kaho‘olawe on the right and Molokini on the left.
    The Kīhei shorefront.The Kīhei shorefront.The Kīhei shorefront.The Kīhei shorefront.

    Kīhei

    September 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    When we stay at Dennis' condo, our usual ritual is to put the sheets in the wash, walk over to Kīhei Caffe for breakfast, and then return to put the sheets in the dryer before heading out. This time round, our departure was delayed a little because the very old washer gave out, and we had to hand wring the sheets and bail out the water.

    In this entry are photos from the shorefront during our walk back to the condo.    Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    'U'u or bigscale soldierfish at the Maui Ocean Center.
    Maui Ocean Center, with black tipped reef sharks taking prime position.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Pufferfish at the Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.A venomous frogfish at the Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Starfish and octopus at the Maui Ocean Center.Octopus at the Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Cultivating corals at the Maui Ocean Center.Cultivating corals at the Maui Ocean Center.Anemones at the Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.A camouflaged flounder at the Maui Ocean Center.Moray eels at the Maui Ocean Center.Maui Ocean Center.Seahorses at the Maui Ocean Center.A green turtle at the Maui Ocean Center.Shark mouth at the Maui Ocean Center.The view of the harbor from the Cultivating corals at the Maui Ocean Center.

    Maui Ocean Center

    September 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    After dealing with the washer drama at the condo, we made our way to the Maui Ocean Center at Māʻalaea where we enjoyed viewing the various marine creatures on display. The highlight for us were several juvenile black tipped reef sharks, and a juvenile tiger shark.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    Our view of Kukaʻemoku at ʻĪao Valley.
    ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.Our view of Kukaʻemoku at ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.A loʻi at ʻĪao Valley.A loʻi at ʻĪao Valley.The streams at ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.ʻĪao Valley.

    ʻĪao Valley

    September 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After eating lunch with Dennis and Susan at Wailuku, we headed to ʻĪao Valley for an easy, half mile walk to view the ʻĪao Needle, also known as Kukaʻemoku. We also visited the streams off the path, as well as some gardens with native vegetation.Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    A traditional Hawaii house at the heritage gardens.
    The stream next to Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Portugese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Portugese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Portugese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Portugese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Korean immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Chinese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.A statue of Dr Sun Yat Sen at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Japanese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Japanese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Japanese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.The tribute to Japanese immigrants at Kepaniwai Park.

    Kepaniwai Park & Heritage Gardens

    September 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    On our way to ʻĪao Valley, we spied a park with pavilions just off the road. On our way out of the valley, we decided to stop by and have a look. As it turned out, Kepaniwai Park and Heritage Gardens included a Native Hawaiian house, and structures paying tribute to immigrants from Portugal, Korea, Japan, China, and Puerto Rico. However, the grounds were far from peaceful because the park was also a popular picning spot for the local community.

    After visiting this park, we headed back to Wailuku for shave ice before going to the airport for our flight home.    Read more

  • SiewchMaui | 2025Traveler
    HA556's takeoff roll from runway 02 at OGG.
    N494HA at the gate in OGG.HA355 pushing back at OGG.HA355 pushing back at OGG.HA355 taxiing to the runway at OGG.HA355 taxiing to the runway at OGG.HA355 overflying the West Maui Mountains.HA355 overflying the West Maui.Inflight views over the island of Lanaʻi.HA355 overflying the Lanaʻi.HA355 overflying the Lanaʻi.HA355 overflying the Lanaʻi.Flight path of HA355 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Kahului to Honolulu

    September 21, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Hawaiian Airlines HA355 | OGG/HNL
    Economy Class
    Boeing 717-200 | N494HA Koa'e Kea
    ATD/1720 | ATA/1753

    Our return flight was a tad bit dramatic because a boy across the aisle threw a tantrum throughout the flight when his sister took the window seat. He even said that he didn't want to be a part of that family anymore. You can hear some of his fake crying in the videos I posted. It would have gotten really annoying if this flight had been any longer.Read more

    Trip end
    September 21, 2025
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