Twelve trips to the Hawaiian Islands has taught me a thing or two. Until this latest trip to Maui with Bob Silver, Marlene Faysal and Garland McClure, I had not realized how many decades had past since I first visited Oahu in 1965 when I was 25.  With six trips to Maui: when Lahaina was a sleepy fishing town  and I was staying at the Pioneer Inn and traveling to the Sheraton to sit by their pool by day and listening to jazz at night; to a wedding of Charles and Carmella’s son, Anthony; a vacation at the Hyattt with the grandchildren; to a visit with Sandi who moved to Maui and lasted less than a year living her dream, and to party with Billie Middleton near the end of her life with Wade and Amelia;  I remembered.  I found this trip to be so very unique because I have traveled to many places but returned to none.  It was amazing to keep finding my former selves peeking out from behind the banyan tree, the Grand Wailea marble post, the Sheraton bar, the Hulu sand cafe. There  I was  watching, remembering and making new memories. I was winding back and forth through time.
We had plans for this visit.  Bob thought of taking scuba lessons and doing a dive and possibly zip lining.  Garland packed his snorkeling equipment. I thought of a third trip to Hana and a ride up to Haleakala at dawn.  Marlene was willing to do whatever, whenever, wherever. As always a traveler exemplar ready for what presents itself.
In the end we did what I love the most in travel, to float. To let the inspiration of the moment take us.  And take it it did, to the goat farm (such fierce winds that I expected to see a goat fly by), the lavender gardens, the lava fields, and the blow hole.
Perhaps the event that most fit my nostalgic mood was the celebration taking place at the Sheraton.  The Sheraton was the first resort open in Ka’anapali in 1963 and was celebrating its 55 years on January 23  As a result they had devised a menu in which they had appetizers, entrees and desserts as prepared in 1963 and as prepared in the 2018 style.  Comparative offerings appeared for us to assess.  Hands down we all preferred the 1963 offering of lobster, sole and bananas.
For trivia buffs- The Sheraton was the first hotel by a major hotel corporation.  It was the first planned vacation resort in the islands.  It has been doing it’s nightly cliff ceremony since opening. The opening introductory rate was $15.
I can’t say that I preferred my 1963 self. At 23 I was just starting out on my journey; no children, a few years of teaching elementary school under my belt, a three year marriage, a new move to California away from family and friends.  1963 was a year of heart-wrenching change.  Though I preferred the 1963 cuisine, I prefer my 2018 self.  A self that has weathered many a storm that has raised two wonderful children, had a fabulous career, and a long marriage.  In 2018 with wonderful friends and the beautiful island, I was free to fully show up and feel the warm ocean breezes, note the awesome scenery, taste the delicious cuisine, be unencumbered. The breeze wasn’t a breeze but a monsoon, the road was not straight but curly cued with daring bike riders to avoid, the cuisine was expensive and not always so yummy, but in this decade I see the beauty beyond the annoyances.  In this decade, I appreciate  having been in Hawaii over 5 decades and being able to experience its  tropical beauty once more.

Ellen Blaufarb is a Marriage Family Therapist.

Sharing is caring!