Manele Bay, Lāna’i, February 4, 2022

Rough seas in Maui and an interesting reef here at Manele Bay inspired us to wait one more day before making the ʻAuʻau Channel crossing.  So today was a mixture of snorkeling the reef, quick swims around the cat, and simply enjoying the wonderful weather and rocking motion of the boat.  The reef itself has been the most interesting one that we have come upon.  The reef is reasonably colorful and has a pretty good fish population.

Our crew of three:  Captain Whitney, born in New Orleans, moved to Indonesia, and now holding her American Captains License here in Hawai’i, a very competent sailor.  Jess our cook, first mate, and other duties as required born in Kansas, moved to Colorado, and now lives in Hawai’i working full time on this boat.  She holds a degree in biology, is a licensed dental hygienist, and still looks forward to more changes in her life.  Penny, more than a mascot less than a deck hand.  Probably most skilled at lifeguarding and finding good places to take a nap.

Manele Bay, Lāna’i, February 3, 2022

I have been sleeping on the deck of the boat.  Last night it was on the trampoline that stretches between the two hulls on the bow of the catamaran.  The nights are clear of light pollution and I see so many more stars than I do in O’hīo.  So many, that in some cases, constellations that I can easily recognize at home, here are so enmeshed in starry backgrounds, that I have a hard time discerning them from the mass.  Orion, my favorite, does still stand out and Betelgeuse shines the brightest possible red on his shoulder.  Far redder than I’ve seen before.  At night, while lying on the trampoline, those countless stars are what I watch until I fall to sleep. 

 

This trampoline was my bedroom.  Perfect!

Shark Fin Bay

I took a morning dip in Shark Fin Bay and Glenn and Susan snorkeled it pretty thoroughly.  We made use of the paddle-boards on the boat to get a closer look at the basalt cliffs.  We spent the rest of the time lazing on the deck and then after lunch, Captain Whitney and Jess set sail for Manele Bay.  Along the way we passed the “Pu’u Pehe (Sweetheart Rock), which has Romeo and Juliette (Hawai’ian Style) story associated with it.  We ended the day at Manele Bay near the Four Seasons Resort.  Glenn and Sue tried to go ashore on the paddle boards, me with a short boogie board and fins. The surf against the underwater rocks prevented us from getting to the sandy beach but it was a good swim/paddle and time not wasted.  

 

Sweetheart Rock (the legend of the death of two lovers)

Dinner aboard the "Aloha Swim"

The beach we could not get onto

  

Captain Penny, February 1-5, 2022

 One of my favorite things about being on a catamaran for five days was our Captain Whitney and her Wonderdog Penny.  Penny is a nine year old mutt Whitney bought for $50 and who uses her cerebral matter more than the average human. She truly keeps track of all events happening on the boat and watches over each of her passengers as if it’s her destiny.  Each time someone jumped into the ocean she would watch them and bark just once to let everyone know there is a person overboard.  When whales were in the area she would stand, nose pointing at them, like an Irish Setter pointing a pheasant.  Only if one got close to the boat, maybe within 20 yards, would she let out with a couple of barks just to let us know to pay attention.  She stored up all this energy for lifeguarding and whale watching by taking frequent, but short, naps all over the boat, on towels, on our laps, on the trampoline, on the seats around the fantail.  

Carl swimming at Diamond Head under Penny’s watchful eye

Getting ready for a sunset

                            

                                               First Mate Jess taking Penny ashore at Needles

                                                        Captain Whit paddle boarding with Penny

                                                    Bedtime for the Captain and Penny

                                                We all love Miss Penny 💕 

Shark Fin Bay, Lāna’i, February 2, 2022

After sleeping on board and waking up to coffee and a nice breakfast prepared by Jess, we took the dinghy to an abandoned World War II harbor.  Tightroping  across the dilapidated concrete wharf we walked onto the island and along the beach for about 45 minutes.  After adjusting the day before for the waves of the sea it felt good to stand without the boat rocking beneath my feet.

 

From this harbor we crossed the Kalohi Channel to the island of Lanā’i.  First stop was an area along the coast called “the needles” for the rock spires that cling to the coastal cliffs, but I thought even more interesting were the several blow holes along the cliff base. One spectacularly came crashing out of a cliff cave.  We snorkeled the area and then had a leisurely sail to Shark Fin bay where Jess, our first mate, prepared a steak dinner for us.

The Rock Formations called the needles

Very cool blowholes, we swam and snorkeled here.

Sandy's leisurely sail

Carl's leisurely sail

The rock formation that gives shark fin bay it's name

The Kai’iwī Channel, February 1, 2022

Today, we had to leave our room overlooking Waikīkī Beach and Diamond Head.  The next leg of this trip is from O’ahu to Maui via catamaran.  We boarded at about 9:30AM and took off almost immediately.  Glenn and Sue are joining us for this part of the trip.  First stop was at the base of Diamond head where Captian Whitney anchored for about an hour allowing me and Glenn a chance to swim in the shadow of Diamond Head. I find the sea water here in Hawai’i brisk and invigorating, just about the perfect.  My son thinks that it is al little cold, too many years living in Florida I suspect.  We spent the rest of the day sailing to Moloka’i, trying to get our sea legs, and sea stomachs.  My stomach has recovered, I’m not sure I will ever get those sea legs back.

Diamond Head From Sea

Waikīkī Beach from the Sea

Swimming in the shadow Diamond Head

O'ahu, January 31, 2022

Today is our last day on this island.  We decided to spend it just kicking back on Waikīkī Beach.  We rented an umbrella and a couple of chairs and set on the beach watching the waves, reading (I finally finished my Christmas Book, "Maphead" by Ken Jennings), sticking our feet in the water and soaking up the some of the rays.  

Our son Glenn and his wife Sue arrived in Honolulu yesterday.  We met up late in the day and went to a restaurant up on the other end of the beach.  Upon the recommendation of a friend who has spent some time in Hawai'i, I enjoyed some butterfish.  It was a superb meal and I would order it again.  

.  Many years ago Sandy's parents vacationed in Hawai'i while here they attended a Don Ho performance, which they talked of fondly.  Outside the restaurant was a statue of the singing legend.