Last days anywhere are always bittersweet. Sad to leave the beauty and relaxation of the island for the hustle bustle of work and home, but happy to be returning to family, fur babies and friends.
In all of it we are supremely aware of how blessed we are in all aspects of our life together.
We had more visits from the red crested cardinals, and I am so enamored that I had to include some.
We took pictures of the islands around Maui as we drove to the airport:
http://www.chachasconeyisland.com/american-travel/hawaiian-islands/
Molokai you know from past pictures from our deck. Known best for the Leper colony that existed for decades on the far side from us. Such trgic stories of afflicted toddlers being taken from their families, husbands and wives torn apart. Cut off from escape by 2,000 sheer razorback cliffs behind them and wild lava beaches in front. Even after the cure for leprosy was discovered, those who lived there were allowed to live out their lives before the state takes it back. Ernest told us that the final person afflicted has passed and the state will soon open the area to the public, which have not been allowed to disturb the privacy of the inhabitants all these many years.
Lanai, which for years was the Dole pineapple island, is now a golf resort since Dole can grow their pineapples cheaper elsewhere. Sigh!
Then Kahoolawe, the long low island which was routinely used for bomb dropping practice during WWII. The Navy used the islands for live bombing runs until 1990. So much live ordnance remains on the island that it is uninhabitable. The island has been turned back to the state and the only visitors allowed are native Hawaiians for their cultural and spiritual uses.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahoolawe
You may be able to pick out Molokini, the half crescent crater, just to the left of Kahoolawe. This is a hot dive and snorkle spot with spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, multitude of local fish, and sharks in the depths (I hear) although we have not done the excursion ourselves.
We are so fortunate, as Americans, to be ableto call these islands our own!
Final sign off for our great escape to Maui!
