Hello Friends and Family,

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Kapalua Shoreline Trail, Part 3

It is all downhill from here — and I take a short side excursion along the Kapalua Golf Villas. It is a lovely place to stay with lush landscaping plus views to die for — golf course, shoreline, ocean and Moloka‘i off in the distance. Here is a stand of Bougainvillea — one of my favorites and one that also grows well in Arizona.



More landscaping — here a stand of Natal Plum with a lovely display of blossoms, immature fruit and mature fruit, all in close proximity. And the fragrance of the flowers is heavenly.


Since the Bay Course was closed for aeration, I was able to venture past the condos onto the course itself. This is hole number 10 (the beginning of the back nine) looking uphill in the direction of the green.


A few steps further and back up to the sidewalk along the road and this view presents itself. The number 10 tee box and the number 18 green are just below the club house with Moloka‘i and the ocean in the background. Spectacular — and even better once the aeration is complete.


Continuing down the hill to the Lower Hono‘apiilani Road I pass Coconut Grove. As some of you may recall from previous LAHP issues (or your own experiences), this used to be a real grove of coconut trees (I certainly recall those days).

A few years ago I saw a photo (on display down at Ka‘anapali Golf Course) of Kapalua Beach before any development — and there was only ocean, beach and coconut trees.


On the ocean side of Coconut Grove (the two story buildings to the right side of this photo) is, of course, Kapalua Beach. Since it is a bit later than the beginning of my walk, there are a few more people now. In a couple hours the parking lot will be full, people will be parking along the road or in the parking lot for the Kapalua Tennis Garden (this is allowed according to posted signs).


Between Kapalua Beach and Napili Kai Beach Resort is this tiny cemetery. How many folks visiting the beach are aware of this little sacred plot? Not many, I'll bet.


Next, I walk across Napili Kai Beach Resort and stop to take a look at this unusual fountain. They always have flowers standing here complementing the soft sounds of water trickling down the pair of vertical rocks.


A few steps more and I'm on the beach sans shoes and socks. Love the shadows cast by the palm trees in the early morning light. There are a couple people out on the ocean and I was tempted to Photoshop them out. What the heck, let them enjoy the early morning ocean too.


Turning to the left we can see the rest of Napili Beach with Napili Shores Resort on the far end of the beach and Lana‘i on the horizon. As is typical, it quite calm this morning — the waves will kick up with the trade winds mid-day and in the afternoon.


After I returned to our condo and took a quick shower, we wondered down to the Gazebo for lunch. Johnny had his favorite meal, cheeseburger (no veggies, no condiments) and french fries (plenty of ketchup). I recall having the Kalua Pork and Mizuki had fried rice.

We were there at lunchtime and only experienced a very short wait — breakfast is so popular that you may wait 20 minutes or longer for a table — but it is so worth it. My favorite breakfast item is three pancakes (and they are huge), one topped with bananas, one topped with pineapple and one topped with macadamia nuts. Couple that with the view and you're in heaven. If you haven't experienced a meal at the Gazebo, do plan it on your next trip to Maui — you won't regret it. For those who don't know, the Gazebo is located at Napili Shores, next to the lower swimming pool, overlooking Napili Bay.


Well, this wraps up the photos from our Maui trip. I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did taking, Photoshopping and sharing them.

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com