Continuing my walkabout of Lahaina, photographing "record shots", I shot this vista of the Lahaina waterfront — that section of sidewalk along the seawall that I shared last week. I love this view — it rather captures the quaintness that still enchants the visitor and resident alike.

On both ends of this stretch of Front Street are buildings built out over the ocean. The green building is Cheeseburgers in Paradise and I believe the one beyond the blue building is Kimo's.

Many of the buildings along Front Street are quite old but reasonably well maintained. The Kishi Building, for instance, was built in 1903. Most of these buildings are now home to restaurants and shops...

and art galleries. And more art galleries. I am always surprised because the art for sale is generally quite expensive. At least Wyland's artwork is mostly related to the islands and the oceans surrounding them. Many of the other art galleries offer works that have no connection to Hawai`i.

Perhaps the folks here on a cruise aboard the Golden Princess have a few spare bucks for art. Or maybe they are just down to pocket change for an ice cream cone as they tour Lahaina.

Cruises have become a popular way to tour the Hawai`ian Islands. They provide transportation, lodging, food and entertainment — so I understand the appeal. Personally, my tastes run toward a more immersing experience — taking my time to get to know a new place, its people and what delights it has to offer.

This photo shows the area in front of the Piorneer Inn where the launches drop off and pick up cruise passengers. It appeared to be pretty much deserted — all the passengers had returned to their ship — and shortly thereafter the ship sailed on it is next port of call.

By the way, the Pioneer Inn was built in 1901 and is one of the oldest hotels still operating in Hawai`i and is one of the most recognized landmarks on Maui. It was built by George Freeland who was born in England and the Freeland family still owns the property today although it is operated by Best Western.

From the Lahaina Restoration Foundation website, "Constructed in 1859, much of the material used in the construction of the original Courthouse came from King Kamehameha III's palace (Hale Piula) that was destroyed during the Kauaula wind of 1858.

A report was made to the U.S. Interior Department recommending that the timber and stones from the wreckage be used to construct a new Customs and Courthouse on the site of the Old Fort. As a result, an appropriation of $6,000 was provided for the Lahaina Court and Customs House. The new building contained a Custom-House, a Post-Office, a Collector's Office including a Money Vault, an office for the Governor of Maui, a Police Court, a Courtroom, and offices for the Sheriff and the District Attorney.

In 1925, the Maui County Government provided restoration work for the Courthouse building which included a new gabled roof, the present entrance and a second floor balcony. This building functioned for almost 65 years, where upon the County of Maui funded a major restoration to the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Once the restoration was completed, a management and maintenance agreement was signed between the County and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation."

Sailors whose ships were anchored at Lahaina objected to the missionary ban on native women visiting their ships — and in their anger fired off cannons to protest the prohibition.

A fort was built in 1831-1832 in which to incarcerate rowdy sailors and others who disobeyed the new laws inspired by the influence of the missionaries. The building collapsed 70 years later, leaving portions of the wall...

and the four cannons used to protect the site.

Again from the Lahaina Restoration Foundation website, "In 1834 construction began on the Baldwin Home and was completed in 1835. The thick walls were made of coral and stone. The structure was sturdy consisting of hand-hewn timbers. In 1840, a bedroom and study was added, and in 1849, an entire second story was completed.

The owner, the Reverend Dwight Baldwin had his medical training at Harvard College prior to his theological studies. His educational background coupled with many natural abilities guided him to be helpful in the establishment of a system of just and democratic laws and most importantly the education of the Hawaiian people who learned much besides religion. They were taught reading and writing in Hawaiian and English, trained in agriculture and mechanics, studied the practical arts in the high school above Lahaina; and finally learned to understand constitutional government, diplomacy and finance. As a practicing physician, Rev. Baldwin helped save the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai from the scourge of smallpox during the terrible epidemic of 1853.

The home itself, the household furniture, the aged photographs and artifacts, the displays and library present a fascinating picture of the busy Sandwich Isles life as lived by a missionary who was both a physician and a constructive community force."

One cannot miss the huge banyan tree nearby. It was planted in 1873 and has grown to cover 2/3 of an acre. It is one of the largest Indian Banyan trees in the world. There are frequent craft fairs held under the tree as well as musical performances. Colored lights are strung from branch to branch to celebrate Christmas with the lighting ceremony being one of the highlights of the season for kids of all ages.

The tree is so big that branches have dropped air roots which have grown to provide additional trunks to stabilize the tree and provide nourishment from the soil.

I hope you have enjoyed our stroll through Lahaina town — it is always a treat for me.