We would love to join us on one of our upcoming cruises. Click here to learn more and save on our special group pricing!
Meet Me In Maui
It’s 10:30 p.m. The world is dark and quiet for most—but not me. Not here. Not with them.
We’re sun-kissed and sore from days spent conquering the elements: riding ocean waves, climbing lava rock, and learning to accept the inevitable gusts of wind that come with the territory of being on an island.
Now, we’re in for the night, gathered around the kitchen—swapping stories, laughing, singing, dancing, and overindulging in delicious coconut cream and chocolate pies from Leoda’s—a conquest of its own, but not a terribly hard one once the gluttony takes over.
But even better than the pies is the company I’ve had the pleasure of sharing on each of my several trips to the beautiful and serene island of Maui, Hawaii.
In Hawaii, there’s a Polynesian word for the sort of company I’m referring to—ohana—and it means family, or inner circle. I’m grateful to have shared many memories on this island with several people I’ve come to know and love. Each experience and each person has brought a new perspective on what ohana really looks and feels like to me.
To me, ohana feels loving—like Dad gifting me my first lei: a necklace of delicate flowers intricately strung together and frequently made and worn in Polynesian culture as a symbol of love, honor, respect, and affection.
It feels empowering—like having the courage to try new activities because those around you make you feel safe enough to explore them, such as taking group surf lessons in Kihei Cove. After all, nothing says “family” like tandem surfing on the same board with your best friend from childhood, alongside five of your cousins riding the very same wave.
It’s joyful—like the laughter coming from the front of the catamaran where we sit, watching massive humpback whales leap through the ocean before us. They swim together in what is known as a “pod”—seemingly their own little version of ohana.
Families have their highs and lows, similar to the topography of the land we explore. Whether we’re taking in a sunrise view from the top of Haleakalā National Park—where a dormant volcano sits high above the clouds—or exploring the depths of the sea in Molokini Crater (coincidentally another volcano, but this time submerged underwater and quite spectacular for snorkeling), we’re testing boundaries together.
I mean, you know you’ve found the ones you can count on when you say, “Hey, you jump in the water before me and make sure there are no sharks, okay?” and they actually do it. As I write this, I’m hearing myself say that for the first time, and I’m reevaluating my own conscience. Sorry about the sacrifice, Dad.
And much like the land we summit and the ocean we swim, our ohanas are ever-changing. The banyan trees that canopy above our heads as we ride down the coastline highways are another perfect example of this growth, connection, and change. As the tree matures and its branches spread, they grow down to meet the ground and form another trunk. This is what makes the banyan tree particularly special—and it’s a feature we should adopt as we think about lineage moving forward.
Most of us are familiar with the traditional family tree, where branches grow out and up to signify new members. But in reality, it should look more like the banyans—growing out and down—symbolizing the establishment of ourselves, planting our feet on the ground, while still working to uphold the same tree and make it stronger over time. A true testament to love, unity, support, and patience.
Ah, patience—a virtue most would say they’re working to master, especially when it comes to dealing with family (or maybe just mine?). Well, I have just the practice for it: the famous Road to Hana.
A 64-mile stretch of scenic road along the east coast of Maui, it’s certainly the most “rite of passage” pilgrimage you can partake in on the island. And while the 10–12-hour journey is not for the faint of heart, it’s absolutely worth it. So don’t be discouraged by the road signs with illustrations of cows falling off cliffs (yes, you read that right). The drive is beautiful, and both times I made it, I saw no falling cows—only gorgeous coastlines, black sand beaches, bamboo forests, serene waterfalls, and incredibly lush flora and fauna.
There’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned road trip for that quintessential family experience—just another activity in Maui that brings ohanas together… or maybe tears them apart after 10-plus hours in the car. Luckily for me, that wasn’t the case.
Although I love a good adventure—riding the Road to Hana, snorkeling, surfing, hiking volcanoes, and more—the magic of Maui was found in the small moments for me: sitting around the kitchen island at 10:30 p.m., laughing over pies, or watching surfers manipulate the waves from a distance on the beach.
I particularly enjoyed not being forced—or even expected—to wear shoes anywhere, and never worrying about sticky fingers or messy faces from fresh pineapple and papayas, because the ocean was always there to wash the residue away.
I found comfort in the feeling that the odds were always good of seeing a rainbow or hearing the soothing sounds of a ukulele.
And I especially love that every time I go, I’m reminded of how beautiful the word ohana is—and how lucky I am to have it.
Thank you for the memories, sweet Maui. Until we meet again, aloha!
Cheers, friends,
Anabel
Socials
Start Planning Your Adventure
Are you ready for an adventure, but don't know where to start? Let us create a journey tailored just for you. Take the first step towards your dream vacation. Use the contact form below and let's begin crafting your perfect getaway.