“Maui no ka ‘oi” is a local saying that translates quite simply to “Maui is the best.” I know quite a few who’d concur — and after returning to the island for this past week’s #seeMaui trip, I might just be inclined to join them.
As I sat on my final flight into Kahalui, I listened to three separate conversations between welcoming locals and excited tourists where friendly tips and advice were exchanged, and I remembered what makes Hawaii so special — the sense of aloha. Though I spent two and a half weeks on Maui last year, I was pretty impressed with how these five days showed me completely new aspects of the island — as well as reminded me how much more there is to explore. Within twenty-four hours of landing I was on the phone with my airline trying to extend my stay in Hawaii, and while it didn’t work out, I am already plotting my return. There’s just something about this place for me.
This week’s Photo of the Week candidates are only a small preview of all the Maui goodness that will be coming your way soon! It’s nice to be back in a position where I’m struggling to narrow it down to just five photos — I can’t wait to see what you guys go for this week.
Photo A
Welcome back to the Aloha State!
Photo B
Exploring Upcountry’s farm culture
Photo C
Palm trees and paddling out — what could be more Maui?
Photo D
Dinner at Humuhumunukunukuapua’a — not a typo, it’s the name of the state fish!
Photo E
Scuba diving off the shores of Kihei
Which photo is your favorite?
Got to go with the scubas!!! I’m a sucker for turtles!
Well then you would LOVE Maui… they are everywhere!
Although I love rainbows, there’s something magical about Photo D. So that’s my favourite.
It really is that classic Hawaii look, isn’t it? I LOVED having dinner there!
This was a tough one! I’m going to have to say “D” is my favorite. 🙂
The Grand Wailea was just classic Hawaii in every direction. I loved it 🙂
Photo A – there is nothing like eating pineapples from your own garden.
The pineapples really do taste better in Hawaii, too! A little less acidic, I think. Love them!
B for the comedy value and E for the haunting turtle. I don’t know actually – like them all!
I like to make it hard to choose 🙂 Thanks Yasemin!
That Turtle shot in photo E is amazing BUT I have to go with photo C. Paddling out with your best friend leading the way. Hard to beat that!
I would love to get Tucker out there on a board… not sure if he’s the surfing type just yet though 🙂
D, I love the colors
Thanks Rachel! Seems to be the favorite so far.
All of your pictures look amazing! I would go for photo E, since I love the underwater life 🙂
It’s been to long since I was underwater! Can’t wait to post the rest of these 🙂
I really liked photo A, but I have to go with D, love the relaxing colors.
Thanks Soffia! They are both just SO Hawaii to me 🙂 I guess that’s why they made the cut!
I have to go with Photo E … beautiful shots!
Thanks Justine! They were amazing dives… can’t wait to share the rest of my photos.
best photo of the week in awhile! i have a tie here…love the retro feel of A, but really, how can you compete with a spotted eel + sea turtle a la E.
have been enjoying your instafeed. hawaii has been at the forefront of my mind for some time — i’ve never been & must get my butt over there already!
Thanks! I feel like my Insta has come back alive since I landed in Hawaii 🙂 It will be hard to leave and try to keep things up!
I am choosing D. Stunning colours.
Thanks Steve! Sunsets in Hawaii are magical!
Photo E! Beautiful!
Thanks so much Molly! Great to put that underwater camera to work again!
D….if only because the name is so cool. Like the volcano in Iceland and the lake in Massachusetts that translate from local native american indian language to “you-fish-on-your-side-we fish-on-our-side-and-no-one-fishes-in-the-middle Lake.
Just don’t ask me to pronounce it! 🙂
E! I love turtles, and that is a fantastic shot. I’ve still not seen a sea turtle in the wild, I need to change that ASAP!
Katie, if you want a sure bet, come to Maui 🙂 I think you’d have to work pretty hard to come and NOT see one!
I love your photography! Most weeks I can usually choose my favorite photo quite easily. This week there is no possible way to narrow it down at all… I love them all equally and passionately. Great work!
Aw, thanks Sophie! That is a lovely compliment to hear. I’ll try to keep making it hard to choose! 🙂
D — the name is bonkers/awesome. And the photo is beaut too! L x
Thanks Lucy! I think they should have had a promotion for a free dessert if you could pronounce it 🙂
I know what you mean, there is something very special about Hawaii. The turtle photo is my favourite. Hawaii was the first place I swam with turtles 🙂
It’s amazing how many there are, right?! I feel like it’s rare to get in the water without being joined by one. One of the many magical things about Maui!
This week my favorite is Photo D
Thanks Stef! Definitely the overwhelming favorite this round.
Photo D- gotta love a sihouetted sunset…beautiful!
Thanks for voting Corinne — D is wildly winning!
As much as I love all of your photos of Hawaii and look forward to reading your posts, I think it is the turtle I relate to – suspended in the deep blue – free!
I always feel quite inspired by the turtles I encounter on my dives and travels… they are such wise and serene creatures. So I very much agree!
Definitely the turtle because it’s only 2 months until I do my padi now (errrm how long has this been coming?!) and I hope I see some turtles (not whale sharks!). I’m doing it in the Gilis so hopefully I will. I need to get my online learning bit done before I forget though! I’ve been practising swimming and treading water just to make sure I can do that too hahaha! Thanks for the inspiration, girl x
Trust me — you WILL see turtles in Gili! Gili Trawangan and Maui are the two places on this earth I’d most highly recommend to someone wanting to see sea turtles! You’re going to love your course. Be sure to email me if you have any questions x
Turtle power for me! 😉
Is that a Ninja Turtle joke? If so, I missed it 🙂
D is BEAUTIFUL !!! So are all the others, but D is my favorite.
Thanks Gram! If you go visit Uncle Mark again, you should ask him to take you there 🙂
I love D – looks like a beautiful setting!
Thanks Caroline! It’s funny, I find if there is a photo I’m waffling on including or not… that tends to be the reader favorite 🙂
A for Aloha. But also the scuba photos (E) are magnificent!
Thanks Jamie! I love the aloha lifestyle and that sign represents it beautifully 🙂
I generally do not vote but the photos this week are all so nice…. So E, of course!
Aloha
Not surprised in the least 🙂 Mahalo, Ron!
Definitely E! Nothing beats diving 😉
I have to agree with you there! 🙂
Wow. Both in C, the Turtle in E, but overall D! Love everything about it — the sunset, the silhouette, the water, and the peek of the restaurant.
Thanks Kristen! Love reading everyone’s feedback throughout the week.
I just went from zero to Advanced OW diver last month and I love diving! And turtles are my fav! So definitely E…first comment, I’ve been a silent reader for awhile 🙂
Nice to meet ya Ryan, welcome to Wanderland! I love diving too, as you may have noticed 🙂
D!
The clear winner for this round!
D! I like them all as always and damn you’ve gotten awesome at photography but D just seems like it could be a hard shot to capture well.
Thank you so much Cat! It was a tricky one, especially without a tripod! It was definitely worth the fuss though.