MAUI IS AMAZING
It's been almost 2 years since I checked up on this thing. I guess I got something to reflect upon once again that requires more than a passing glance. This past Maui trip was nothing short of amazing. I feel like its a privilege to experience that sort of beauty despite our expansive efforts to ruin it all. In any case, we did all the tourist stuff that I hope I can recollect w/o writing it all down. There is something I did want to write down, and it is a mythological story that was told to our kayaking group during a lunch break:
This myth takes place on the very island of Maui. Two lovers are getting ready for marriage, and the villagers help out in every way they could. Not too long after, a girl tries to seduce the groom away. The villagers find out that the temptress was none other than Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. The villagers rush the couple out as quickly as possible toward the sea. Soon thereafter, Kane Milohai, god of the skies, gives a helping hand to the couple. He will drop a star from the sky, and if the two lovers were able to hold onto it together, they will be joined for all eternity. So, the lovers climbed to the highest hill they could find and waited for the star. Alas, as they were about to touch the star, Pele shot a stream of lava that separated the two. The groom went toward the mountains, while the bride went out to sea. The hill they climbed is now referred to as Red Hill in mainland speak. Flowers started to bloom from the places that the couple landed in. Near the shoreline, there are these prominent vine-like plants that cover the outcroppings of rock. In the mountains, there are these small shrubs. Both of them have teardrop shaped leaves, signifying their sorrow. And each plant blooms a half-flower. When placing two flowers from the same plant together, the flower doesn't quite become whole. But, when placing two flowers from the mountain and shoreline, they fit perfectly.
An abridged version that I hope is somewhat accurate. I couldn't remember all the Hawaiian names, so that made things a little harder. In any case, its one of the best tragedy stories I've heard, plus it explains the peculiar nature of the surrounding areas in a very elegant manner. Simply beautiful.
More to come later.
