L is for Lahaina
A couple of you will remember that we went to Maui in 2021. We had gone to Portland in June to scatter my father’s ashes, and on our flight home, everyone on our flight was gifted a free flight anywhere that Alaska flies direct! What? The catch was, we had to book within a few days, and we had to travel within a few months. So we looked at our options, and decided we wanted to go to Maui.
Of course, the flight wasn’t ‘free’, because Alaska Airlines charges you for upgrades like picking your seats (so you can sit together), checking luggage, that kind of thing. Some flights are more than others, based on time of day, so if we didn’t want to go in the middle of the night, we had to pay more. (Actually, we did fly red-eye home.) I also spent a bit more and got us more legroom. Still, the flights would have been about $3,000, and we ended up paying about $1,000, so that’s a big savings. Also, I use my Capital One Venture Card for almost everything, which gives me 2 miles per dollar if I redeem it on travel. That paid for our Airbnb. So we had to pay for food (not cheap) and a rental car (not cheap, but I checked the price a couple of weeks before our trip and the prices had come down quite a bit, so it wasn’t nearly as much as we had expected.) Was it a cheap vacation? No. Was it a lot cheaper than it could have been? Absolutely.
We stayed in Kahana, which is North West of Lahaina. We went into Lahaina twice, to go on a dolphin watching tour one day, where we saw the beautiful Lahaina Banyon Tree, and for lunch another day, at a place called Fleetwood’s on Front St.
Fleetwood’s on Front St. was a popular restaurant, and they had an art gallery downstairs where one could buy prints of famous musicians. Ted especially had a great time looking around and looking at the photos and album covers.
Seeing the reports of the horrible wild fire that swept the historic part of Lahaina made us so sad. The fire hit so suddenly, and so many people were killed, so many more lost their homes and businesses. It’s horrific. If you look at this picture, you can see how dry this side of the island is, and how large the area of grass is just outside of town. The winds were so strong, and there was nothing to stop the fire. The Hawaiians are resilient people, and it will build back. Tourism is the largest part of the economy there by far, and Lahaina is a large part of that, so there will be money to rebuild. But of course you can never get the people back, nor the history of those buildings. Selfishly, I’m glad we saw it when we did.
30 Comments
Lisa’s Yarns
We were so saddened by the wildfire destruction, too. We honeymooned in Maui in 2017 and had an amazing time. We stayed on Napili Bay so just north of Lahaina. We grocery shopped in Lahaina, had a few dinners there, and also saw that gorgeous banyan tree. I know they will rebuild but it seems like such an overwhelming undertaking, especially considering how much more expensive everything is in Hawaii due to shipping costs and such.
J
Yes, it’s going to be much more expensive to rebuild than it would be in the ‘lower 48’ as Alaskans call the contiguous US. We spent some time on Napili Bay too, snorkeling and just lazing. Maui is so lovely.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
I’m laughing because I’m starting to dip my toes into the world of travel hacking, and it always seems like “free” travel is still expensive. And also that it doesn’t really apply to the kind of travel that I do where I’m driving and staying in Airbnbs. All that I can really claim is that my credit card points are offsetting the costs a little bit.
But with that said, what a wonderful place, and how wonderful that you “had” to go there to get your free flight! Haiwaii is on my list.
J
Beckett, Hawaii is beautiful! I’ve been to Oahu and Maui. I used to work at a small hotel chain that had a hotel on Kauai, and we could stay there for $50 a night. Some coworkers went and loved it, but the getting there part was more than my student budget would allow, sadly. I’d still like to visit Kauai someday.
Yes, travel is expensive, and ‘free’ should always be in quotes! I was impressed with myself for that trip though.
Ally Bean
Lahaina was pretty and memorable. I enjoyed seeing it back then and like you was/still am horrified by that fire. Things change, often in ways that remind me of how fortunate I have been to do what I did.
J
Agreed, we were lucky to have seen it when we did. Sigh.
Nicole MacPherson
We have been to Lahaina many times; we always stay in South Kihei in Maui, and would take day trips to Lahaina. I was absolutely devastated to see the destruction of many places we have been to. One of our favourite restaurants was destroyed. Such a special place, and with so much interesting history!
J
My sister stays in Kihei when she goes to Maui, and loves it. The whole thing is tragic.
Margaret
I too was happy that I got to visit Lahaina before it burned although the destruction of property and life means that the city will never be the same, even when rebuilt.
J
Sigh. It will definitely be different. I’m sure there is thought about how best to rebuild. The history is gone, but perhaps there is a way to honor that.
sarah
Oh these beautiful, beautiful pictures!!
J
Thanks Sarah!
nance
Great photos. Ted looks so cheery with his beautiful wide smile.
When the terrible fire went through Lahaina, the first thing I thought of was the magnificent banyan tree. I remembered your photo with it! I was so gratified when they showed photos later of its resilience–new growth and healing signs came relatively quickly.
J
Oh, I hadn’t heard about the Banyan tree looking like it will survive, though I was VERY hopeful!
Elisabeth
This is just beautiful. Also, can I move in with you and just sneak into your suitcase? You seem to have the BEST trips.
It is devastating how many beautiful places have been destroyed by fires/floods this year, but I am glad you were able to see this gorgeous spot in all its glory. I hope things can be rebuilt quickly, but of course it will never be the same 🙁 I’ve never been to Hawaii. Definitely on my bucket list of destinations.
J
Elisabeth, come along! I have loved seeing your posts about Italy and Paris, too!
Suzanne
Okay, I am super suspicious of this “free” travel. Did you have an unbearably long wait? Was there a screamer on your flight? Or someone with aisle-affecting diarrhea???
Whatever happened, the photos of your trip are amazing. What a beautiful location! The devastation from the fires is such a tragedy.
J
Suzanne, NO, thankfully, it was a promotion they were having, and in our case was a celebration of Pride Month. So fun. Disco lights and music, a free flight, and swag. Our gate at the airport was decorated with balloons and music too. So FUN!
Ernie
That photo is amazing. A free trip? Or at least a good deal on a trip to Hawaii? Fabulous. I’ve never been to Hawaii. I hope to go someday. It looks beautiful. That is so tragic and sad about the fires damaging the historic town and how awful that people were killed.
J
Hawaii is so amazing. So different than say, Europe. Much more low key and lots of time just enjoying nature. The topography and people are so different, but otherwise I think of it as being like Alaska.
Meike
Free flights? How lucky! It sounds like you had a really good time on Maui. So far we have only been to Kauaii (what we loved) but I was thinking of trying another island sometime.
J
Meike, I would love to see Kauai, it is so lush and verdant.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
What a wonderful oportunity and what a saving. Hawai must be wonderful. I have never been but I would love to see it.
It is sad what climate change and natural distaster can destroy and what is lost for eternity. I am glad I have seen Venice as this wont be around so much longer.
J
Oh goodness, yes, Venice. I’m glad you were able to see it too!
Jenny
Wow, that’s a pretty good deal for a trip to Maui! We were there in 1999, so quite a while ago. But it was a memorable trip, for sure. The fire was such a sad event! Like you, I’m glad we got to see it when we did.
J
Jenny, going to Maui was never really on our radar for a vacation, so I was surprised that we all came up with the same place when we looked at our options.
San
Hearing about the wildfire and the destruction of Lahaina was so heartbreaking. I am glad you got to experience it. I haven’t been to Maui but always wanted to go.
J
San, There is still so much beauty to see on Maui if you get a chance to go!
Stephany
Oh man, a “free” flight to Hawaii sounds AMAZING. I would love to go someday but it just feels so very expensive. One day, though! I will make it happen.
Your trip sounds like an amazing time. The destruction in Lahaina is so devastating.
J
Hawaii is indeed beautiful, but from Florida it is a LONG way. When we lived on the East Coast, it was much more common for people to go to the Carribean.