Continuing from last week — the tide pools along the Napili shoreline provide a nice foreground framing for the view of Moloka‘i across the Pailolo Channel. From Wikipedia, "Although the channel is only about 8.4 miles (13.5 km) at its shortest point, it is one of the windiest and roughest in the Hawaiian Islands. The name is probably a contraction of 'pai' (lift) and 'olo'olo' (shifting); some claim pailolo translates to "crazy fisherman," although this is more likely a recent interpretation.

Although I was staying next door at Napili Point, I was drawn to Napili Shores because of the Gazebo — a wonderful breakfast and lunch spot with fantastic views (revisit today's first photo). At that time, there was also a little market next to the front desk area as well as a nice restaurant. Those commercial businesses have changed over the years but still, provide useful alternatives to getting in the rental car and driving to Lahaina. Also, this exact spot in perfect for magnificent views of Maui sunsets.

Napili Shores impressed me with their landscaping — tropical with a lovely diversity of flowers and trees. I was further surprised at the variety of plumeria trees with their beautiful and fragrant blossoms. This is one of the most common types — white with yellow centers — they are very commonly used for leis.

Here we see another sample of plumeria, adding a touch of pink or purple to the blossoms. So lovely.

The next plumeria tree provided yellow blossoms, some with white edges on the petals. It also appears that the opening blossoms also add a bit of peach coloration

Of course, some plumerias also provide showy pink and purple blossoms with red centers.

And don't forget the red/purple blossoms — we have a rainbow of colors here! Also, remember that all the plumeria blossoms smell like sweet perfume.

Time for sightseeing. On the north side of Lahaina stands the Lahaina Jodo Mission. One online guidebook states, "This mission is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Hawai‘i and one which should not be missed." By the way, more recently, the Buddha has been cleaned up and looks so much more impressive than in this photo.

Here we see the temple. The original wooden temple which stood on this same spot burned to the ground in 1968. The new structure was built in 1970 and the design is in all ways authentic and true to the traditions of old Japan.

This is the largest temple bell in the State of Hawai‘i. Made of bronze, it weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. One side (ocean side), written in Chinese characters, are the words "Imin Hyakunen No Kane" The Centennial Memorial Bell for the First Japanese Immigrants to Hawai‘i.

Next is the Pagoda (Temple Tower). I think this may be one of my favorite photos from this trip — my Minolta SLR camera and Kodachrome film really did capture what I saw with my own eyes.

And we end today with a sad photo of the Japanese Cemetary next to the Mission. You probably cannot see it in the photo but all the tombstones are inscribed in Japanese.