Chasing Clean Air

Maui: My Favorite Things To Do

Ohhh! I'm delinquent writing about Maui. The beautiful tropical island with gorgeous white sand beaches.

Being near the Big Island of Hawaii with its active volcano means Maui occasionally  gets vog (occasionally all the islands do) in which case head for the hills. The higher the elevation the better as vog/smog tends to settle in lower elevations like my newly beloved Kihei.

Areas recommended that are higher up and less likely to experience vog include: 

Kula - I was told there are cottages there.

Pukalani

Makawao - I was told air is moist here.

Ulupalakua Ranch and Winery where I was told the air is sweet and clear.

But if you have asthma and vog rolls in, and you're not able to roll out, stay indoors and recirculate a/c air. Take it easy. Have your meds handy. In my three week stay in Hawaii, I happened to experience vog one day in Kihei, an area that tends to get more air pollution than other areas due to its proximity to the Big Island, low elevation, and proximity to a sugar cane plant active about 7 months out of the year.

Things I loved to do in Maui included:

• Playing sun-goddess. True. I even learned to lay on the beach as if I had nothing to do. (never!) Here. I will stand and pose. Photo taken with iPhone. :)
• Staying at The Day's Inn in Kihei. Okay now you know my not so secret get-away on the amazing Keawekapu Beach voted most romantic Hawaiian beach by the travel magazine Conde Nast. And the beach had it's very own cove!
• Walking the beach. Taking photos at the beach. Going back from the beach to the hotel in order to weight-lift. (Those are strong arms. Anyone who reads this blog knows, it is my firm belief that a woman's duty if nothing else includes maintaining toned arms.) 
• Eat. The best restaurants are on Maui. I have a real thing for sushi long after the last bite in Maui is over. 
• Let me tell you about Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar, the best food, pricey yes, but worth it. Call ahead and learn about nights they offer half priced specials. In Kihea (808) 879-0004.
• Then there was Maui Vietnamese Restaurant at 1280 S. Kihea Rd. (808) 875-2088 It's an unassuming family owned restaurant in a Kihei shopping mall, but don't let its simple facade fool you. The food and service is top-notch and a vegan's paradise.

Dreamy Hike Above Los Angeles Clouds

The remedy for almost anything is hiking under an almost full moon, which I did last night.

Los Angeles at its best.

Why hardly anyone walks the trails beats me but no doubt the absence of humans makes for this dreamy landscape's charm.

Claustrophobia Unleashed On Atlantis Submarine

Spelunking in a cave is not my idea of a good time. I'm a claustrophobic, which, you'll understand, is the reason that sinking like an old ship or even the Titanic in a gown and pearls, is not my idea of fun.

But.

I never say never.

And when doing my clean air search on Maui, I was invited to do just that.

Sink.

And here is what I happened when I drove to Lahaina and descended 134 feet on the Atlantis Submarine.

(Claustrophobics, watch video at your own risk.)

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Clean Air Kauai: My Favorite Things To Do

Kauai is the most remote and least touristy of the Hawaiian Islands. An exotic paradise with white sand beaches, emerald  mountains, and spectacular sunsets.

No wonder Jurassic Park and South Pacific were filmed here.

With little industry and gentle trade winds, the island pulsates with oxygenating life.

To soak up Kauai's vibrancy, I will recommend special activities to do and places to stay. But keeping with the Chasing Clean Air tradition, let's begin with the scoop on Kauai's air quality.

A Few Special Hawaii Moments

A few special Hawaii moments....

At end of paved road near Grand Hyatt Kauai there was an unpaved road. A hen and her chicks walked across the way, as I looked beyond the dirt road toward the secluded beach and lush green mountain, and I wondered...