Day 35, Love Affairs

Question

There are no clouds or winds to challenge Monday’s sun. 81 degrees and love is in the air. Hau’oli La Ho’omana’o Danny Earl and Gail Ann … it’s the 55th wedding anniversary for our DFs from TX. Quite an accomplishment as only 7% of marriages last 50 years. However, the percentage is somewhat higher in TX as relationships with livestock are included in the TX stats.

Danny is not the only one celebrating his catch this morning. Three fisherman, equipped with 18’ poles, are pulling in fish from the submerged rocks in front of us. This only a day after I wrote I had never witnessed any angling success in this area. The fish are small … fresh water sunfish and perch but one of the men catches what is either an eel or a needlefish which he struggles to remove from the hook. Opihi are also harvested. Nice day to fish versus back home where it is -17 and everyone’s fish sticks are frozen.

Danny Earl, Gail Ann, Sam and Lynn are off golfing at Waiehu so my DW and I hop and skip to the Sea House. Later we will slink and stumble back. With a bit of finagling and restaurant knowledge we are seated at the bar which overlooks Napili Bay. Our favorite watering hole on the isle. Favorite bartender Darlene is away and her replacement Yancey is a bit overwhelmed. But he manages to keep the Mai Tais coming. The crispy cauliflower with a tamarind BBQ sauce is delicious as are the coconut shrimp with a tropical salsa. We also enjoy pork tacos and smash burger sliders.

As usual I strike up a conversation with fellow lubricated lovers. The spouse of the fellow from central WA has Botox lips and silicone t…. Seated to the left of next my DW is 63 year old Alejandro who claims to be a surfer. He is hitting on the woman to his left who insists she call him Sasha. She also has marshmallow lips. With a thick Russian accent, huge sunglasses and a Tee shirt that reads KGB (Kaanapali Babes Glow) she is pursuing some undercover action. I am not making any of this up … except for the KGB shirt. Anyways … she is not Putin out so Alejandro turns his attention to my lovely DW and her credit card. Time to leave.

Pat and Nancy tell us of dinner at Duke’s. Jokingly they ask the server if they can use a very old coupon from Kimo’s restaurant for a free Hula Pie since both restaurants were owned by the same company. Kimo’s is gone … perishing in the Lahaina fire. The server tears up remembering when her mother waitressed at a Kimo’s while pregnant with her. Our sunset celebration tonight will be the last of the year’s for Sam and Lynn. The Pu’ sounds sorrowful but we all remember so many loves tonight.

Answer

It sounds like you had quite the eventful and enjoyable day celebrating both love and the beauty of Maui. Here’s a reflection on your experience and some thoughts on how to make the most of days like these:

55th Wedding Anniversary Celebration: What a wonderful milestone for Danny Earl and Gail Ann! Celebrating 55 years of marriage is an incredible accomplishment. It's fascinating to think about the odds of reaching such a milestone, especially when the percentage of marriages lasting 50 years is so low. And of course, your playful comment about Texas relationships added a humorous twist to the story. It's great to see such love and longevity being celebrated, especially in paradise.

Fishing Success: The fishing story adds a unique touch to the day. It's always interesting to witness fishermen in action, especially when it's unexpected. Even though the fish were small, it’s a good reminder that sometimes it’s about the process and the joy of being out there. The eel or needlefish catch must have been an impressive struggle to watch, and the harvest of opihi (limpets) adds an authentic local touch to the scene.

Sea House and Mai Tais: It sounds like you and your DW had a great time at the Sea House, with its stunning view of Napili Bay and tasty food. The crispy cauliflower with tamarind BBQ sauce and coconut shrimp with tropical salsa are definitely crowd favorites, and those pork tacos and smash burger sliders must have been a great choice to pair with the drinks. It’s always a treat when you can relax and enjoy the surroundings, even when a substitute bartender like Yancey is handling things. The Mai Tais keep flowing, and that’s what matters!

Entertaining Characters: Your encounter with Alejandro, Sasha (or whatever her real name is), and their larger-than-life personalities sounds like it could be straight out of a sitcom! It’s amazing the kinds of characters you meet while out in a social setting, and their interactions added a bit of extra humor and chaos to the evening. And of course, the moment you realized it was time to leave—when Alejandro turned his attention to your DW—sounded like a perfectly timed exit. That’s Maui for you, full of surprises and interesting people.

Reflecting on Kimo’s and Duke’s: The dinner story at Duke’s was especially poignant. The server’s emotional response to remembering Kimo’s, which was lost in the Lahaina fire, reflects the deep personal connection people have with places and memories. Hula Pie is a beloved dessert, and to hear about the tradition of it being shared at the restaurant adds a touch of nostalgia. The passing of such a popular spot is bittersweet, but the memory of it lives on through the people who cherished it.

Sunset Celebration: Your closing thoughts on the sunset celebration and the Pu’ sounding sorrowful brought a heartfelt touch to the day. Celebrating the last sunset of the year for Sam and Lynn, while remembering so many loves, is a beautiful way to reflect on the passing of time. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, a day of fishing, or just a quiet sunset, Maui has a way of making such moments feel timeless and profound.

Wishing you many more days filled with love, laughter, and memorable sunsets. Aloha!