Dining out in Wailea
Ester and Michiko - winning singles matches at any temperature
Taking a break in the shade
The other road to Hana - Kihei side of the island
En route to Waimoku Falls
Our friend Carlos and his crew
Dinner with Carlos and his wife
Lilly, Jamie and Sarah
Marissa, at our aloha picnic
Sporting our leis from our friends
Everybody loves the Pringles duck bill
The sun sets, the sprinklers start their rotation
They have arrived
Feed me!
The family moved out. This one didn't make it.
The road to Hana
As advertised, breathtaking waterfalls...
...and television personalities from Columbia documenting their travels
Chris said he needed to document this for his buddies.
She's at home pretty much anywhere.
Upstairs at the house we rented in Hana
This place had it all...
Beautiful flowers...
...mangoes...
...avocados...
...and bananas, as well as star fruit and papaya trees.
I really wanted to be in here, but the spider webs deterred me.
Another crazy flower
Bus stop at Hamoa Beach
Search light pointing over the beach
Chris wishing he had his boogie board
Magic Kurtz goes up for a shot.
I believe there's a tractor of sorts underneath the greenery.
Last month's rockslide
The route to Jaws, a popular location for hard-core surfers
Hansen family friends, Diane and Heather Meridith, visiting from Utah
Max gets a daily dose of love from Chris.
Even Jazz is making friends here! This is our neighbor's dog, Zoey.
The fierce 3.0 doubles team at the Wailea Memorial Day tennis tournament
Big reward after errand day. This was at a German restaurant in Kahului, across from the Pacific Fish Market.
All I wanted was a tuna salad sandwich on a cute lanai. The giant beer was a bonus. So was the giant nap we had to take afterwards.
Is it a circus? Sort of. A Big Top of dead bugs inside our backyard neighbor's house that is getting fumigated.
Danger! Peligro!
There goes the neighborhood
Happy Chris preparing to go boogie boarding
Along our walk
More flowers along our walk
Right outside our door! Look at the detail of that nest and those perfect blue eggs.
The nest
Mama, well camouflaged
St. Pat's at Mulligans with our favorite "local" band, Brown Chicken Brown Cow String Band
Later that day, sand castles at Keawakapu
Drumming down the sun at Little Beach
The family relaxes while Jazz looks for something to fetch
Everybody loves paddling with the Kihei Canoe Club
Dinner at Cafe O'Lei
Ah the bounty of the swap meet!
Sue and Cole take it all in
Mmmmmm. Apple bananas.
A few days later, we hike Waihee Ridge
Crazy color contrasts on the forest floor
Looking out over Waihee valley, one of the first hikes we did last fall
Enough hiking. Somebody needs to get back in the sun!
Drew's left arm - a continuing theme
View along Hana highway
Hana highway
Three Bears waterfall
Lahaina Banyan tree
Honokalani Black Sand Beach, Wainapanapa State Park
Black sand beach
Wailua Falls along the Hana Hwy
Bamboo forest along the Pipiwai Trail, Haleakala National Park (Lower part near Hana)
Waimoku Falls, terminus of the Pipiwai Trail
Along the Pipiwai Trail
Atop Haleakala, Haleakala National Park
View from above - cane field burning
Above the clouds
Haleakala's crater
Sunrise over Haleakala
Science City research station
Whale breaching, as seen from the boat on the way to Molokini
Mongoose
Road to Lahaina
View from the table at the Lahaina Fish Company
Happy hosts
Two Cottey girls and two lucky guys (and Drew's left arm)
Linda and Robert at Kam III - the one day they didn't spend at the beach, but still went to the beach
Friendly game of horse in the backyard - with a little bit of smack talkin
The lovely birthday girl and her charming escort
Mmmm. What have we here? Dinner, anyone?
Ti leaves help hold in the moisture while the pig cooks
Now THAT's good eatin.
The "after" picture. Wonder who has to clean up this mess.
Our man Travis and his tribal tattoos
Pork, fish, steak, veggies, and yes, a side of poi.
Linda and Robert choose two souveniers
Last day at the beach. This is when my family would ask, "Got a match?"
Yahoo! Whale day!
Princesses of Whales
Maui Roller Girls
Yet another group we don't see in parades in Colorado
These guys had to be so psyched to get a gig
It wouldn't be a parade without a walking totem pole.
And the life-size blowup whale
Gladys takes care of her meds.
David rolls up Danish thin pancakes . Mmmm.
Chris and David
Jamie and Katie
Group from the American Legion
Final journey
Gladys with some friends
Our accommodations at the neighbor's when Glady's house was full.
James, Chris, and lil ol' Gladys
All together
It wouldn't be a trip to Lander without a visit to the bowling alley.
Sue and Cole
Julie winds up
Trish, Gladys, David, Cole and Julie cheer on the next bowler
Beaver Rim, descending into Lander
Another shot of Beaver Rim. Those are snow-capped mountains in the background (not the ocean).
Ken and Gladys. June 2008.
Happy Anniversary!
Aloha Bret!
Dinner for seven
Relaxing after a grueling day
Aloha Allan!
How did Adam get so lucky to have such a chill uncle?
Our group road trip - surf competition at Hookipa
Messeroles watching the surf competition
Aloha David! Dinner for nine
Their nightly ritual
After making a fantastic dinner, Julie works ahead to prepare tomorrow morning's breakfast.
Sure, we can accommodate seven guests. You betcha.
Now THAT'S five-star accommodations!
Dinner courtesy of Chef Allan, sous chef Bret. Entertainment by the Hansen Brothers.
What's that? You say you want to treat us to dinner? Sure, we'd love to go to Sansei.
At last, we made it to Iao Needle State Park
David waits patiently for the blowhole to erupt
Here it comes
Ah hah! Later we found out there was an even bigger one around the corner. Lesson learned: if you're going to a major tourist site and no one is there, you're probably at the wrong place.
Later, after everyone was gone, we had a moment of contemplation as we watch the Tibetan monks working on a sand mandala
All three pieces of luggage!
Messerole girls taking in the sun
The end of the first day of sunning - Julie has had enough
Mike and Anna
Adam chucks one
Adam tries for a wave (and wishes for a rash guard)
An alternate use for the bowls of hot water
Mike proudly displays his Vietnamese spring roll
Even Adam gets in on the fun
Our Christmas eve spread - pupus Asian style
Beach wear for everyone
Now she's ready to surf!
A rash guard, at last!
Everyone needs a coconut bra
A proud father-son moment
Messerole family Christmas
Aloha Ellie and Kelly!
Happy feet
An inside day
Chris prepares dinner - mahi mahi
Our first dinner on the beach
Talkin' smart
This is how it's done
Happy to be with friends, and back and Sensei for sushi
Sushi with the Lucys
This is what winter means in these parts
Chris on his birthday, working on Beatles tunes
This snail was minding his own business in our backyard, until Chris came along with the mower. Look at the size of that thing! Escargot, anyone?
Sunday tennis at our instructor's friend's house. That's Chris in the blue shirt, hamming it up.
Jen winds up for a killer return.
Chris hustles to make the return.
Chris again. His opponents are shaking in their shoes.
No lights? No problem!
The gallery, where we watch the action. Chris, Ester, Barb (our instructor), Jan, and Heidi
We all get schooled - watching the pros at the Wailea Fantasy Camp exhibition game. That's Tom Gullickson (from Onalaska, WI), Corina Morariu, Lyndsay Davenport, and Robbie Ginepri.
Warming up - Robbie and Tom
Check out that grip!
Same grip. They must know what they're doing.
I'm pretty sure my serve looks something like that.
Fans line up for autographs
Some of our new tennis friends, and plenty of snacks
Meanwhile, overhead, Liza and Mark were en route to Maui.
Aloha!
Sunday lunch at the Hula Grill in Lahaina
Sunday night dinner at Sensai
Monday morning ziplining
Monday afternoon sunning
Monday dinner at Longhi's (almost Longhini's)
Wednesday sunning - check out those flippers!
Wednesday night dinner at Nick's Fish Market - Mark and Liza's treat, and what a great treat it was!
They're trained up and ready to go!
Liza and Mark wondering if the waves get any bigger than this green stuff they're on.
Now that's more like it!
Mark hangs ten.
Saturday morning stand-up paddling (sunshine not required).
A few days later, Thanksgiving. Jen opens some cans and boxes and prepares a feast.
Mmmmm butter.
Our first poolside Thanksgiving. Not bad.
Everyone's happy about the day.
Friday - snorkeling beats shopping.
At last - the lefse arrives. Made and shipped by Brenda Hanson from Viroqua, courtesy of my mom. Thank goodness there was a bit of food left over!
This is how it's done.
Start of Xterra Maui 2008
Lap one of the swim - a 100 yard dash on the beach
Jen in her new Xterra garb
Chris in his new Xterra garb
Looking the other way from our little corner of Xterra - That's Conrad Stoltz coming over the wall, last year's winner.
Jen's 5th grade crossing guard training kicks back in with a vengeance
Chris puts his "best feature" forward
The real reason they race to the finish
Da WINNA!!!
Max uses Jazz's water dish as a paw cleaner
Big colorful spider on the way to Po'olenalena Beach
Path to Po'olenalena Beach - or as we like to call it "multiple weddings beach"
Wedding #1
Wedding #2 (& #3 in the distance)
Wedding #3
Wedding #4
This moray eel died gagging on all the romance it encountered on the beach
Jazz (the water dog) and Jen in the surf
Friday night dinner with Bob at Cafe O'Lei
Surf boards on top of the Subaru. We must know what we're doing.
Bob's thinking to himself, "Where are the waves?"
Bob explains what actual waves look like, and what it takes to surf them.
Paddle like your life depends on it!
Just look at those waves crashing behind Chris.
Chillin' in the shade.
Mmmmm. Sushi.
Local high schoolers prepare to welcome the Hawaiian outrigger canoe teams
I'll be getting tattoos like this before I leave the islands. And an outfit.
The winning team, Shell Va'a, getting a warm welcome.
Another Tahitian team coming in - they placed 4 of the top 5 positions.
An aqua-commercial
Waiting, waiting...
At last! David Hanson's team, Oceanside, backing in after a grueling 6 hours and 50 minutes. Way to go, guys!
Brothers reunite
Bob and his younger brother
Oceanside support crew
Dinner and a shaka
Our ride back to the airport. We called for a cab and got a limo. We must be doing something right!
Excellent end to an excellent day
Getting ready for our first surf lesson
One of the "offices" of Maui Surf Boys
Headed to the Maui County fair
You need to know a bit of Hawaiian to know where to find your lost child
Mmmmmm poi!
Orchid display
This one looks like it's about to say something, like, "Who put this crazy hat on my head?"
Here's a lesson in identifying local fruits and vegetables. These are passion fruit.
Persimmons
Jack fruit
Macadamia nuts
Dragon fruit
Ummm, either avocados or mangos
Noni
Um, some kind of nut
Bread fruit
Apple bananas
No idea. Something edible, believe it or not.
Achote (spice)
Horse radish beans
Ti leaves
Japanese squash
Taro
More taro, star fruit in the background
Bansai tree
This tree is 125 years old!
Giant pumpkin
Quilt show
Popsicle birds - they really are that color
Check out these feet!
carving in our neighborhood
sunset at Big Beach
heading up the road to Poli Poli
watch for cattle on the road
curvy curvy
strange orange moss on the trees
looking back down at Kihei
paved road ends soon
small dirt road to the trail head
misty start - looks like Ireland
scary looking forest
Jazz's eyes glow from the forest
beautiful shot - I loved the mist
close up of the crazy tree branches
green canopy
through the mist
brave Jazz leads
so lush
the redwoods
so tall
overhead
some kind of disease on this redwood
tiny blue flowers in the path
beautiful white flowers on large bushes
delicate hanging red flowers
old abandoned cabin
Jazz looks out
The branches grow back down into the ground to support the tree. Crazy.
Long, shaky suspension bridge. The Nepalis could teach them about bridge construction.
Chris in the bamboo forest.
That's some mighty tall grass!
Nadal revs up to serve an ace...wait, that's Chris Hansen!
Venus gears up to serve an ace...Wait, that's Jennifer Kurtz!
Our ship has come in...Wait, that ship is leaving.
Groovy trees, golf course, and us on our bikes.
Biking to the ocean.
Got your tickets for the gun show?
We actually had people over! Very exciting. This is our family friend Rose from Seattle and her boyfriend Craig.
Out to dinner with Rose and Craig.
Chef Hansen consults YouTube to learn how to fillet a fish. (Pronounced "fill it," by the way.)
It's this easy--paper towel, cutting board, sharp knife, and YouTube.
Mmmmm. Fish guts.
YouTube sez...descale your fish in the sink with icewater and a spoon.
If Jen had forearms like this, she could fillet too.
Napili Bay
Cute Jen at Napili Bay.
Cute Chris with his mai tai at Napili Bay.
Lucky cows
Anniversary dinner at Mama's Fish House in Paia
View from our table
We love good food - and we love taking pictures of it!
Our front porch
Our front yard - giant flowers
Trail at the end of our block - a few days before the fire
Flowers we see along our walk to the beach
Bus riders have all sort of amenities while they wait
A welcoming sign as we begin our trip around the top of the island. This sign applies to almost the entire journey.
Oh yeah, and this sign.
They say it's dangerous, but they don't really mean it.
Chris taunts the ocean
Ocean 1, Chris 0
Lucky chicken
Crazy long vine. Tarzan was nowhere to be seen.
Ending another beautiful day
Jazz's new look. Photo courtesy of Bret, bandana courtesy of Ellie and Kellie. She's in good hands.
Pho in Kihei. Chris is happy.
Going...
...going...
...gone.
Sam teaches Jen how to take a cat nap...or maybe it's the other way around.
Dinner at a Greek restaurant in Kihei. The bartender knows the Augustines!
Sunset view, standard issue with dinner here.
Jen's conference room
Napping lessons - day 2
Dinner at Lahaina Fish House (sunset, ocean, blah, blah, blah)
Hiking on Lahaina Pali trail
Water, anyone?
Jen's getting the "hang loose" of this place
Looking over across the bay to Kihei.
Wind farm supplying electricity to Lahaina.
We picked the brownest place on Maui to view the greenest part.
Smooching on Lahaina Pali trail
