Yup, that’s right. It’s that time of year again. Just like the sun rising in the morning, the humpbacks come back to Maui year after year. Sort of like the swallows returning to Capistrano. I always loved whale watch season. Usually during my early morning ocean swims, I could hear them singing since water is a great transporter of sound. I have come very close to them while on a boat or kayaking and the thrill never goes away or lessens in the least. Graceful and magnificent these ancient creatures are. These marine mammals travel great distances to take advantage of the best breeding grounds and feeding spots. North Pacific humpbacks, for example, mate and give birth in Hawaii and then travel to Alaska each summer to feed.
These gentle giants are famous for their singing abilities — belting out seductive ballads to attract mates or to challenge other would-be suitors. But they also have other talents. Their unique hunting skill, called bubblenet feeding, involves a group of humpbacks working together to capture schools of herring. Each whale has a particular role in the process: One whale swims in a circle while blowing bubbles under a school of herring. When the bubbles rise, the school of herring can not escape and form into a tight ball in the center. Other whales vocalize — grunting or screaming — to scare the herring to the surface. The whales then rise with their mouths wide open to capture large amounts of fish.

When on Maui, don’t miss out on an opportunity to see these majestic creatures. Contact Maui Sights and Treasures and they will get you all set up.

My good friend Jane, aka The Beav (a long story), has recommended this outfit in Greece. The Beav is no novice when it comes to kayaking. I have seen her do class V rapids with the bravery of a Roman warrior, so I’m sure she was yawning at this event. Anyway, here is more info regarding this company, who’s name is definitley on my list of things to do in the not too distant future.

Sea Kayaking Kefalonia is a sea kayaking outfitter based in Kefalonia, the biggest island in the Ionian sea, Greece.

It organizes daily and multi-day kayak trips as well as sea kayak courses in the crystal clear and warm mediterranean waters of the Ionian sea.

It is run by Yvonne and Pavlos, a local enthusiastic young couple. Pavlos is the only Greek sea kayak instructor certified by BCU (British Canoe Union). He is a BCU 5 Star Sea, Level 4 Sea Kayak Coach.

Sea Kayaking in Greece

Greece is a Mediterranean country with 15000 Km of coastline, almost half that of the whole Mediterranean Sea. With more than 3000 islands, maybe the most delicious and diversed cuisine, and rich history and mythology, it forms a perfect terrain for sea kayak vacations.

Ionian sea is on the west coast of Greece and is a real paradise for kayaking. Generally, it is the calmest sea in Greece and its warm, crystal clear waters along with its numerous islands and islets offer a variety of possibilities, from nice crossings to beautiful coastal paddling, sea caves exploration and many more…

Below you can find a list of our sea kayaking tours.

In addition to the multi-day tours that we have productized, there is always the possibility to customize a paddling tour to your needs and tastes.

Check them out here

One of our very favorite things to do while on the island is this horseback ride at Mendes Ranch.
A breathtaking trail ride across Mendes Ranch, an actual working ranch with views of the Blue Ocean, West Maui Mountains, Haleakala, and some of Maui’s largest waterfalls!

Giddy up and aloha

In the latest readers poll, Tommy Bahama’s in Wailea was voted the best place for a cocktail on Maui. “We have what we call, Island Time, which is Tommy’s version of a happy hour,” says GeneralManager BeauMoore.
“It runs every day from4 to 6 p.m. and again every evening from 9 to closing. The drink prices are almost chopped in half. But we use all top-of-the-line ingredients.The pupu are priced at only $6. It’s a real deal, but unlike some other establishments, ours has an air of sophistication to it.We also feature livemusic daily from 5 to9:30 p.m.“Wemake our sour mix from scratch. And, all of our juices are fresh pressed each morning saysMoore. “It makes all of the difference. Tommy’s also has itsown line of rum distilled in Barbados. The
light rum is called White Sands and the dark is called Golden Sun. The two are our
own proprietary blends.” Contact Info: Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe is located at 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive

After spending 22 years on Maui, 8 in Lake Tahoe and one in Palm Springs, I’m living a vagabond existence in my VW camper van. I go wherever the road takes me and I love it. After years of major obligations and many huge mortgages, maintainence fees and headaches, I have wiped the slate clean and I’m enjoying each and every minute of my new found freedom.

Jill and I love the Kea Lani Resort in Wailea. Why? Many reasons. The fabulous beach – Polo Beach. The fine restaurants, including Nick’s Fish Market. The spacious rooms. The outstanding location on Maui.
Gentle ocean breezes. Stunning sunsets at one of the world’s most scenic places. Located on the pristine white sands of Wailea, The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui is Hawaii’s only luxury all-suite and villa oceanfront resort of all the hotels and resorts in Hawaii. Each of the one-bedroom seaside suites includes a spacious living room, separate master bedroom and marble bathroom. Each room has a large personal lanais. If you are fortunate to be able to enjoy top notch luxury, then enjoy a two or three-bedroom oceanfront villa with kitchens and private plunge pools.

One of the most popular sounds to come out of the Hawaiian music scene is island reggae. If you’re hosting a party, or any other special event, and you want to set a laid back tone, pick up a copy of “Reggae in Paradise” from Neos Productions. The folks at Neos have a knack for selecting the songs that get the party started and keep people coming back for more. This CD features local artists and the most requested hits by international stars such as “Taxi Driver” from Steel Pulse, “Black Roses” from Inner Circle, and “Perfect Proposal” by Wayne Wonder. Check out

Kumu Hula George Lanakilakekiahiailli Naope passed away at 81.

Co-founder of Hula’s most prestigious event, the Merrie Monarch Festival he is also known for reviving the male hula. His many accomplisments include promoting Hula & the Hawaiian culture around the world.

Services are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 6 (Evening) and Nov. 7 (Morning) at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

If you have not been to Ulupalakua you must go. This place is beyond magnificent. The scenery is spectacular and the wines are pretty decent. They also have more going on – ULUPALAKUA CARES

Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invite the public to take a Sunday drive to Ulupalakua for Ulupalakua Cares from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maui residents and visitors will have the chance to learn about efforts to preserve natural resources, native plants and open space. Maui environmental organizations will have informational exhibits and representatives on hand from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tree lovers will not want to miss the “Walking Tours of Trees” with arborist Ernie Rezents on the historic grounds of the winery at 12:30 and 3 p.m. The free event will also feature exhibits from environmental organizations, lunch specials, wine tasting and tours at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. and live music by The Hula Honeys from 1 to 4 p.m. For details, call 878-6058.

The Grand Wailea hotel plans on adding 300+ rooms to an existing 800 rooms. The cost is $250 million.