Hawaii, Maui, Valley, Isle, Lahaina, Kimos, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Baldwin, Missionary, Home, House, museum, Public, Library, King, Kamehameha, taro, patch, Apuakehau, Front, Street |
Hello Friends and Family, |
Link to this year's index by clicking here. |
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Continuing my stroll through the one-time capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, this sign caught my eye — Kimo's, one of my favorite dining spots on Maui, on Front Street, right in the heart of Lahaina. I had already eaten lunch but was a bit thirsty so I decided to stop in for a cool beverage. This sign is so familiar to me that I began wondering how old Kimo's is. I seem to recall it being here on my first trip to Maui so I had to do an online search to satisfy my curiosity. The founding year was 1977 which is about the time of my first trip to Maui. Seems to match my recollection. |
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I was seated at a table right next to the ocean, fortunately with an umbrella to protect me from the hot tropical sun. And the view! Looking straight out we can see the island of Lana‘i, formerly "the Pineapple Isle" and now "the Larry Ellison Isle" (that's a lame joke on my part — Ellison is the co-founder, executive chairman, and chief technology officer of Oracle Corporation as well as owning 97% of the island). Great view regardless of who owns the island. |
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As you might expect, there were numerous protests by Native Hawaiians and environmentalists. Eventually the military capitulated and turned ownership of the island over to the state of Hawai‘i which has established the island as a Reserve. Because of unexploded ordinance, people are generally not allowed on the island. Efforts are underway to locate, remove and dispose of the old munitions. In areas which have been cleared, only Native Hawaiians are allowed to visit for cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes. |
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At one time, the home was in total disrepair but the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, gutted the building then restored it to its current condition. |
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The Masters' Reading Room, like the Baldwin House itself, was restored by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation and is still in use today — the ground floor houses an art gallery and the second floor is used for meetings of the Foundation. |
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Next to where I was standing to take this photo is what looks like an old cultivated area — I'm guessing that is all that remains of the taro patch. Naturally, out of respect to Hawaiian antiquity, I did not walk into that spot. |
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The library (and nearby Pioneer Inn) sits on a small peninsula of land which provides a nice breakwater for the harbor but also a wonderful spot for a view of the length of Front Street in Lahaina. Note the island of Moloka‘i in the distance. Also, note that the photos of both Lana‘i and Moloka‘i show no clouds right at their summits. We had nice weather during my whole two-week trip, except for the first day (which drenched me but also provided that fantastic sunset which I shared earlier). |
To be continued... |
Life is good. |
Aloha, B. David |
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com |