Launiupoko

With the rest of the family having arrived the night before, we could finally get our vacation off to a start with everyone on our second day in Maui. We fixed breakfast together, took a dip in the pool at our lodging, and then set out to hit the beaches!

A sleepy Mio with her morning pick-me-up. lol

Preparing breakfast in the kitchen of the 2 bedroom condo we rented during our first three days in Lahaina.

Taking a break — Mio had a great time in the pool with everyone!

Dan teaching my brother Kosei how to snorkel.

Mio and Mama at Kaanapali — Kaanapali is one of the resort areas of Maui, and it was really gorgeous with its clear blue waters, smooth sand, and well-manicured grounds.

Feet in the water. — Dipping our feet in the water… Mio does not look very excited, probably because she’d just woken up.

A video of Mio giggling while playing on the beach with Uncle Ted:

After a couple hours at Kaanapali Beach, we moved a little further south in West Maui to Launiupoko Beach, which had a rocky cove, and had sand that was a lot darker, almost like a black sand beach. It was different from Kaanapali but still very beautiful!

Sisters at Launiupoko — My sister Miwa and I at Launiupoko Beach.

Miwa and I at Launiupoko — My sister and I trying not to crack up while posing for our “candid” photo.

It was so relaxing! — It was so relaxing to just sit on the beach!

Sand creations in the gray (black?) sand.

Playing frisbee on the beach — My brothers and sister playing frisbee in the water.

Miwa playing with the sand — Meanwhile, Dan, Mio, and I played in the sand.

Mio at Launiupoko Beach — Mio was a little apprehensive of the waters, but she felt safe with her aunt and uncles.

Later in the afternoon, we drove over to downtown Lahaina area to visit the Banyan Tree Park.

The Yokoyamas by the Banyan Tree — The Yokoyama siblings

Yokoyamas in Maui! — Our first time in Maui!

Dan and I by one of the branches of the Banyan Tree — The Banyan tree forms multiple trunks from roots that drop down from its branches. Here’s Dan and I by one of the clusters of its several trunks.

At the huge central trunk. — The huge central trunk of the Banyan Tree.

Dan, Mio and I at the Banyan Tree — Mio’s face in this picture cracks me up…

We then walked around downtown Lahaina and did some souvenir shopping, and enjoyed an afternoon snack at Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice stand.

We had heard from our friend that Ululani’s had the best shave ice in all of the Hawaiian islands, and we were at first skeptical. Our favorite shave ice during our last trip to Hawaii was Waiola Shave Ice in Honolulu, which we’d found out about from our friends who had lived in Oahu who told us it was so much better than the more famous Matsumoto’s Shave Ice (and sure enough, Waiola was 10 times better than Matsumoto’s)! Dan and I have been having cravings for Waiola since our trip two years ago, so it was hard to imagine any shave ice could be better than Waiola — but we were pleasantly surprised to find that Ululani’s ice was really similar to Waiola, but even better! The ice was really fine and soft, the flavor variety expansive with their locally made syrup, combined with lots of great topping choices (like sweet cream, azuki beans, mochi pieces, and the option of adding ice cream at the bottom), and they poke holes throughout the shaved ice before pouring the syrup on so that it gets evenly saturated. It was truly shave ice perfection — so amazing! Ululani’s has since dethroned Waiola in our minds, and it’s now the new shave ice we dream of tasting again. (Thank you Komy for recommending it to us!)

Watermelon, mango, and lychee with mochi pieces. — I had watermelon, mango, and lychee flavored shave ice with mochi pieces.

Obligatory pictures of every one with their shave ice…

Kosei with his large shave ice... upset that they didn't have azuki beans. — Kosei in mid-complaint about Ululani’s being out of azuki beans.

Happy Mio — Mio got to try a couple bites, too!

After a fun-filled day, we headed back to the condo to wash up, cook and eat dinner, and play board games at night (our favorite thing to do when we’re reunited with my siblings). I’ll post about Day Three next, in which we explore more of West Maui! 😀

(Special thanks to my brother Ted for taking some of the amazing photos that were used in this post.)

Maui 2012: Day 2