Paia Bob

Sometimes finding the best opportunities for photos comes off the beaten path.  While patrolling in Paia, I decided on instinct to meander off of Hana Highway and down one of the side streets into a mini residential subdivision.  I ran into a well known Paia personality named Paia Bob.   A 22-year resident of Maui, Bob is an outspoken Hawaiian rights activist with often controversial points of view.  You can find his videos on YouTube here.

Walking Da Docks

Lahaina harbor is festooned with activity boats which provide entertainment ranging from diving and snorkeling, to submarine tours and deep sea fishing.  Tourists are constantly coming and going - people just trying to enjoy themselves.  A great day for a visit to the west side of Maui.

Do I Have To Eat?

I love pizza, but clearly this little guy is more interested in his toy vehicles.  I'm passing by Flatbread Co. in Paia at dusk.

Endangered Species

Trucks are usually meticulously cared after in Maui, and the vehicles certainly serve to project the feelings and personalities of their owners through decals, stickers, and photos.

What does it exactly mean to be local born?  A person born in Hawaii by local parents?  Hawaiian by blood?  Does the sticker insinuate that most residents in Hawaii actually come here from somewhere else?  

I do understand the Hawaiian by blood thing being bred out slowly but surely.  

Night Stars

As the night falls on the North Shore of Maui, the first thing I see is the planet Venus.

To see other night stars in the area, one just needs to head to Charley's in Paia.  Here you will find a healthy dose of North Shore nightlife as well as live bands.  Willy Nelson comes here.  

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Over the Fourth of July weekend, I experienced the 55th Annual Makawao Rodeo - Hawaii's largest.  Competitors and spectators from all over the state converged at the Oskie Rice arena for 4 days of festivities.  It was my first time here, and I was surprised yet again at the diversity present on Maui.

For me, it was an eye-opener to be exposed to real Hawaiian cowboys from working ranches, such as Ulupalakua Ranch and Haleakala Ranch.  I am on Maui right?  Simply surrounded by names such as Circle (insert random letter) or the aroma of fresh farm animal manure made me realize and appreciate the Valley Isle all that much more - so much going on for a 750 square mile volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

What A Ham

I don't know what my obsession is with cats lately, but here's a series of shots of my sister's cat Francis, named after the musician Francis Black.  He has the most interesting facial expressions I've ever seen on a feline.  Perhaps he drank the stuff out of the brown bottle sitting next to him...