We returned from the World Cruise in September 2015 and have just spent our longest period at home since retirement (7 months). Fortunately the retirement lifestyle is back on track and we are finally back to our jet setting lifestyle.

It was only a six hour flight, but yes, we are soaking up the sun on a Maui beach, while listening to surf lapping ashore and the ever present trade winds whistling through the palm trees. Oh! did I forget sipping a Pina Colada, Mai Tai or other tropical refreshment.

If this isn’t paradise, it is awfully close.

After an evening at a Seatac hotel, we boarded the Hawaiian Airlines A330 flight and six hours later arrived at Kahului Airport, for what must be about our 10th visit to the great island of Maui. While working, we used to visit every year for 3 to 4 weeks, in October/November, but it has been almost 3 years since our previous visit. How has it changed?

Quickly into our usual routine, we picked up the car, stopped at Costco then off down the road to our Worldmark condo in South Kihei. Check-in is a breeze and we were quickly enjoying the view from our 4th floor balcony.

View from our balcony

We have a 3-bedroom, as our daughter, son-in-law, grandson and a couple of their friends arrive on Wednesday. The only negative is the rather small balcony, but you must admit, the view is spectacular.

After a quick dinner, it was time for sunset, which we usually watch from the beach. However, tonight we enjoyed it from the balcony, while sipping an adult beverage.

Sun setting over Lanai

As our previous visits were always at end of October/November and 1 in early March, we have always experienced the sun setting over the water. Unfortunately, being only a couple of months from the summer solstice, it now set over the island of Lanai.

Hawaiian State Flag

For a U.S. state, it is very interesting to find the British “Union Jack” prominently displayed. So what does the state flag represent. In addition to the Union Jack, it includes 8 stripes, which represent the 8 major islands of the chain – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Lanai, Molokai, Niihau and Kahoolawe.  The stripes repeat in the sequence of white, red and blue. But, you may ask, why is the Union Jack displayed in the most prominent location in the flag.

It is thought that on assuming control of all Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha I used a Red Ensign, which is the flag used by British Merchant ships. This was most likely donated by Captain Vancouver on account of the King’s friendship with King George III. However, in 1816 he developed the precursor to the current flag, which had the Union Jack and either 7 or 9 stripes. The current flag was developed in 1845 and has been used by the Kingdom, Protectorate, Republic, Territory and now State of Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Kingdom was one of many British protectorates and their Kings maintained close ties with British royalty. During a tour of the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, on a previous visit, they described one of the king’s visits to UK. Prior to meeting the British King, he met the Prime Minister and requested membership in the British Empire, to which the Prime Minister of the time declined.

This was a most unfortunate response, as if the response was positive, we could easily move to Hawaii full time, especially the great island of Maui.