Hanukkah in Hawaii 2010

Happy Hanukkah! Why not - David gets 8 days of gifts and a chance to light the candles (aka play with fire) every night.  This man is into Hanukkah.

Well, actually I begin with where we ended - back at home in Menlo Park (with all the comforts of home with a few days left of Hanukkah - where we left the presents for the most part).  So let me back track and take us back in time.

Last week we spent Hanukkah in Hawaii - Maui specifically - very laid back.

Summer found a nice house to rent like usual.  This was a real treat.  This is the front entrance - just passing through the front gates.

Here is the view from the house - ocean in the background and palm trees everywhere.

David and Bubbie made the most use of the deck - lounging primarily.

Of course, the inside was quite nice too.  You can see Summer is hard at work on her computer in the living room - tracking down great places to eat. (I mean working very hard on Google work of course, what was I saying.)

You find Summer consulting with Lee (her dad) on an important culinary selection.

Bubbie (my mom) really was working on a proposal while we were there. Not bad for 83 - still writing and winning proposals.  Don't worry - she had fun (this was just part of her fun).

When it rained for a few minutes here and there David found himself busy understanding theories about Vietnam and other political propaganda stories:  I mean he learned to play dominos.

When the sun came back out - there was almost always a rainbow to enjoy.

As long as it was dry again, it was time to explore the territory on the plantation.  David found all sorts of things to enjoy when the sun came out.  For one he found out he was a big crocket fan - well he became one as soon as he saw the stick and the ball and was told you were actually allowed to hit the ball with the stick.  Lee aka Papa and David spent time trying not to get hurt, I mean enjoying the turf and the sportsmanship between them.

Oh yes - did I mention David is a water baby - he loves the water, any kind of water, from washing the dishes (what child labor laws) to the jacuzzi - just a few feet away.

Well - we could not stay at the plantation the entire time right?  So off we went for our first culinary selection:  Mama's Fish House (on the east coast by Haiku where we were staying).  A lot of movie stars and politicians go there.  

Ok - so we were not politicians or actors but we enjoyed the food and company just as much (maybe more since there wasn't any politicing going on - just kicking back and relaxing and enjoying the food and the atmosphere).

Since the place is right by the beach (I wasn't kidding), we took a stroll - David and Summer could not resist.

OK - lets put it on the table.  Food was a very common theme throughout the journey.  Lets fast forward to the gourmet quality luau we enjoyed.  The menu was extraordinary, the food was served at your table (instead of the normal buffet style), and instead of a lot of bulk - there was an endless serving of choice smaller meals with a beautiful presentation each time.

Yes - there was dancing too - from Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa - well you get the idea.

David was enthralled and why not - he thought everyone there was celebrating his birthday (he just turned 4 in November).  We did not try to dissuade him from his beliefs - especially since they presented him with a birthday cake and one woman - who we had never met - came over to congratulate him and tell him that she spent more time watching him than the performances. I must say he was on his best behavior - that many hours with adults (no other kids around) he sat in his chair, ate his food, and watched the performances (including the dancers who played with fire).  Did you notice the subtle theme here - Hanukkah candles and Luau fire dancers?  This kid does like fire.

Well - we had to work some of that food off.  So we went hiking once again on the Haikua side of the island.  Who took the lead?  What a surprise:  Mr. I. M. Independent.

Don't let anyone kid you, this was a real hike and as you will see the terrain gets a little rougher along the way.  We start with a road and then a path.

But from there we hike along the dry river bed - smooth rocks (some wet) that don't always stay where they are supposed to be.

Yes - that is Bubbie - my 83 year old mom and she is hiking right along with us - going along some pretty rough and at times steep terrain.

David maintained the pace too

It was worth it. We made it to a beautiful pond and waterfall where we took a break and a dip (remember David is a real water baby - if there is an opportunity to take a dip he is there).

Ok - we all took a dip and don't let anyone tell you differently -  it was COLD!

Lee and Bubbie watched from the comfort of the fallen log and dry rocks.

We did not stop the adventure here.  It was time to try a submarine and enjoy the beauty below - in the great blue depths of the ocean.  We were off to Lahina on the Reef Dancer.

We are submerged.  

What kind of fish was that?

Ok - time to go to the surface and look around. Who was the first one up the stairs?  You are still guessing?

Ok - we all enjoyed the move from down under as it were to the surface.

Once we got back on land well we had to find some kid stuff to do right - and what was waiting outside the old Lahina Court House - a big, bright, blue slide.  Who ran like crazy to it?  Once again - you paused for even a second.  (I know it could have been me you were thinking about - but no adults allowed here.)

After we worked up a bit of sweat it was time for a little snack, but why is David eating all of Papa's (Lee's) chocolate ice cream?

Hey - we deserved even more food by this time.  So you guessed it. It was time to eat yet again.  No worries I will cut this story short and bring you along our last dinner on the island at Hali'imaile - another gourmet restaurant.  Of course, getting there was no simple task.  The road narrowed to nothing at one point, there were hair pin turns, but Summer handled it, like she was driving on the reservation. I sat back and handled navigation.  (Hey stop laughing we got there didn't we.)

Another family dinner (the woman who runs this place received a commendation from the Senate for her small business operations - she really deserved it for the quality of her food and presentation).

You thought I was kidding - look at this presentation (and the taste - light and... you get the idea).

We hope you have enjoyed this story and these pictures in the same way we enjoyed every course we ate and every step we took - celebrating family.