Heading Back to the Office

January 22, 2014 18 Comments »

Iolani School Keables Chair

I read the schedule of presentations I was doing and then noticed something foreign on the list – “Office Hours”. I –  the woman who left the office 7 ½ years ago – was going to have office hours. Well this was a strange twist in my ever-evolving life. It was the last day of […]

Maui Surf Lessons: Becoming a Gnarly Surfer Girl

December 5, 2013 15 Comments »

Maui Surfing Lessons

A lanky bronzed guy with a baseball hat came up to us and said, “Hi, I’m your surf instructor.” Hmmmm – something is wrong with this picture. My Maui Surfer Girls instructor is a male.  That wasn’t quite what I was expecting – I felt as if I had already wiped out my Maui surf […]

Kahekili Highway: Maui’s Most Adrenaline Infused Drive

December 3, 2013 29 Comments »

Kahekili Highway Maui

“Oh Lord, please, please, please don’t let me meet another car on this road.” I thought to myself as I drove like a 90-year-old man. I had scooted up on the edge of my seat, hands at 2 and 10, knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel intensely, and my nose was practically on the […]

Condos in Maui for Every Style and Budget

November 26, 2013 9 Comments »

Just like we are all looking for the perfect mate, perfect view, or perfect cup of coffee – it’s important to find a perfect lodging match when traveling. Do you want perks, local experiences, views, budget, space, or luxury? I stayed at 3 very different places while on my recent trip to Maui, and my […]

Haleakala Sunrise Photography Tips

November 21, 2013 11 Comments »

Haleakala sunrise photography tips

I was groggy as I got up in the middle of the night, put on every layer of clothing I had, and drove for an hour. I was doing the sleepy march that many yearn to do in Maui – I was heading upwards to see the Haleakala Sunrise. Sunrise and Sunset in Two Different […]

How to Visit Lanai on a Budget and Travel More Local

December 18, 2012 8 Comments »

visit lanai on a budget

“But what about those who want to visit Lanai on a budget? This nagging question is what kept going through my head when I initially arrived in Lana’i. When two of the three hotels on the entire island are luxury Four Seasons resorts, what is a budget traveler on Lana’i to do? It took me […]

Ahi – A Hawaiian Legacy

December 4, 2012 3 Comments »

ahi tuna

In the channels that separate Maui from Lana’i is where you can find them – aku – otherwise known as bonito, a variety of Hawaiian tuna. Is it a coincidence that aku is also close in sound to the word ahi? We use the word ahi when we talk about tuna – but did you […]

Turtle Soup

November 20, 2012 3 Comments »

sea turtle up close

We arrive at Polihua beach after a long dirty off-roading drive. We get out of the jeep, slam the creaky door, dust ourselves off, and step out from the scruffy trees that we parked near. Immediately the wind catches me and blows me back catching me off guard and unstable rocking in the sand. Polihua […]

Hawaiian Lei Culture

October 16, 2012 4 Comments »

Lei shop sign

While in New York City for a month I’m dreaming about my next destination, the Hawaiian island of Lanai.  One of the things that struck me on my last trip to Hawaii was the culture and industry around Leis. A lei is basically any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. This […]