EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

The boys and I did a quick weekend trip back to O'ahu. It was a planned sort of a get away, and we had been looking forward to it, really, from the minute we first landed here on Maui. My little cousin, and by little I mean sixteen, which is all too entirely big if you ask me, was confirmed in our church. It's a rite of passage into adulthood and a sending off of sorts as one embarks on a closer walk with God. Since he asked that Charlie of ours to be his sponsor, to stand beside him at his confirmation and to pray for him as he makes his way through this life, well, of course we were there. We are so proud of our little cousin. We always are.
And while this weekend was filled with family and friends and very little sleep, like a good catch up with loved ones often is, well, it also lent itself to just the teensiest of self reflection. This weekend confirmed two things for my ever searching soul. One, O'ahu is the island we love most, just don't tell Maui, 'kay. We just really do love that busy isle with it's capital city. It has it all from the hustle and bustle to the ability to lose yourself on a mountain hike or more secluded bit of beach. O'ahu, if you can see past the traffic, has everything. And, two, my family really does love Charlie and would trade me in for their own version of him without pause. And yes, that stinker of a Charlie knows it. Stinker.

Somewhat on accident we found ourselves staying at The Moana for the weekend. It's the oldest hotel in Waikiki and is an amazing little gem in a place now saturated with hotels of all shapes and sizes. A quick climb up the short flight of stairs to the main hall and one is instantly transported to a place in time far simpler than these. It's as if you can feel the ghosts of surfers and royalty and romantics lingering there still.

We loved being there, although, Charlie and I both agreed that it is a place to go for drinks under the banyan tree and a short sit in the old rocking chairs looking out at Kalakaua Avenue, and not as much as a place to stay the night. Spa resort prices and all, you know? And truth be told, some parts, the en suites, just felt old and not at all in the historic sense.

But darn it if those old bones don't get me every time. And if I wasn't just saying, as we were checking out from our room, that I could so easily spend another day and night snooping around those old halls, studying the kaleidoscope of trim and molding there.
We're settling back into life on Maui these days. Turns out even twenty minute flights carry the potential for chapped lips and scratchy throats, although I suspect we're suffering a bit more from homesickness than anything; Tyty especially.


Be well. Live Sweet, n
The Moana Surfrider, here.