Humpback Whales

A news headline in the current Maui Weekly read: 

The Return of the Whales - They're back!

It turns out that Maui is thee place for these whales during their winters in the South Pacific
They spend summers in Alaska eating tons of krill a day getting fat and then in October/November they start heading south (between 2,500 and 3,500 of them) and the majority of them like it right here off the south coast of Maui. 
Why Maui you might ask? Read a brief page about it here.
They have their babies, hang out and then head back, sometime around May. One interesting note is that they don't eat here - not anything, they live off their thick layer of blubber acquired from feeding up in the cold waters during the winter.
This is new and unexpected news to us and we will be exploring it further with Tracy's parents starting next week when they arrive for a seven day visit. We're booking the whale watch boat today!
Other interesting Maui/whale links:
Pacific Whale Foundation
Whale Trust
I'm hoping to get pictures from the boat.........stay tuned. They guarantee whales to watch, if none are found they give you a free pass to try again. Also, the laws here seem strong and well enforced - "It is unlawful for anyone, without special permission, to come within 300 yards of the humpbacks in the known calving areas and 100 yards in all other areas."
Aloha!

Dusk Walk in the Neighborhood

Walked out the gate and up the street as evening began it's slip into night.

The road, up which we are about to walk.

Sights to behold

Thinking there is a profound message here.

Looking back down our road.

Further on we encountered this grand tree person seemingly a well positioned sentry watching over the affairs of the area.

Death With Dignity

Being a forager and an opportunist, I was more than delighted to discover my very first avocado tree with fruit nearly ripe for the picking.  I will watch it and descend upon these luscious orbs with my 10' fruit picker when they are ready for harvest.

Fantastic flora!

Upon return we were greeted with this.  Further words unnecessary.

New Plates

The old '73 Ford van draws lot's of attention around Maui - probably because it's old, looks so clean and shows no rust!

One problem since we arrived is driving around with the Washington plates, one (of many I suppose) major tip offs that it's Haole's at the wheel.
No more, got re-registered and got the new plates and the safety stickers (far right hand side on the bumper) on Friday.
Now were locals!  Hah!

Some of you asked for more van pics:  click here, here and here for more.

Purple Home Fries

This is the second time (we bought two) cooking this strange potato-beast.  As I cut the unit into sections, I noticed a white "sap" coming from around the edges and wondered, again, if it was really taro, not a potato.

It looks like a sweet potato on the outside; sort of tan and with some of the usual sweet potato features.

Turns out, it's Hawaiian Sweet Potato and makes a nice homefry.

I love the color and we'll purchase again so an even wilder appearing dish might be made.
Should we try to grow these?  Now we need to learn about growing potatoes and if it's feasible in our Haiku, wet. 600' altitude.
TM

Living in the greenhouse

Just took a short walk through the garden this morning and took a few shots of things growing in our yard:  First up is Noni, a very bitter fruit that is very good for you. It's made into juice and you'll see it in healthfood stores. Read about it here.

Walking by our pond I caught a glimps of Billy. He's one of two resident bull frogs. They are both named Billy. Ask Tracy about that.

Ok, so.....that's one of those, then. It's probably 3 feet taller than I.

Liliko'i - grows on a vine and tastes so fine. I watch these like a hawk and pick them when they begin to turn yellow. Read more at the post called "Favorite Eats."

Mailbox adornment. The delightfully odiferous Brugmansia. The smell is tropical, sweet and wonderful, but don't eat them.

Breadfruit. These little one's have a way to go before ready to eat. They get as big as a football and a lot heavier. Messy to work with and not much of a flavor, but done right they can be OK.

Polmelo. Like a mild grapefruit. There are 4 or 5 trees of them here.

The banana. Stalks of these are everywhere on the property. This one just happens to be hangin' out right next to the house. We can reach it from our porch.

Limes. Gotta have'm. We gott'm. Just one tree but it seems to be adequately prolific.

Finally, just a pretty picture of another stalk of bananas.  There are a few more things out there to show off. I'll get to them soon. Check back!

Beautiful Sunday

Awoke to the the hardest rain that we have experienced, so far. Sitting on our screened lanai (porch) with morning coffee, rain pouring down all around, but WARM - T-shirt and shorts warm, all we could do is smile and feel thankful.
Within an hour the clouds blew away and the tradewinds picked up to a nice 10-15 miles an hour, sun came out and the rest of the day has been perfect. Bright blue sky, clear air and temps. here in our shady haven probably not more than 78.
A friend from the island showed up with a dozen chicken eggs from her backyard coop, a large bag of bananas, some liliko'i and lemon grass for Tracy to plant. Plenty aloha all around!
Now we're heading toward dusk and the rain clouds are coming in and piling up against the mountain and waves of sprinkles to rain and back around again and again. Rain feels really good here.

What's in the garden?

Plants just outside the front door.