I qualify that by adding Kona is Paradise to me!  Maui is just almost.  We landed in Kahului Maui about noon,  had a great lunch at the food trucks near the airport.

We then drove just a bit thru Lahaina and could see the old Banyon tree is alive!  It is trimmed a bit,  but lovely green! 

You can’t get closer than the street,  but you can drive all around it and the court house,  still on ruins.   there are a few lots being built on at this time,  but many open,  empty lots.   you can not drive farther on Front street but you get a glimpse of the ruins of several shops.   We shopped at the grocery there and are finally resting at our timeshare on Ka’anapali Beach, the Hilton Vacation Club.

sun has set and no whale sightings…. yet.   tomorrow we are going to relax and unwind,  maybe get down by the pool and the ocean,  and just soak up the Aloha!  Stay tuned.