So Lowell Thomas and Lucky Lindy were correct to fear what eventually happened One of my best memories of Maui was eating at Mama's Fish House near Paia around forty years ago. Magical.
Hit it a few times over the years after, and after moving to Hawaii, took the Superferry over from Oahu, eight or so years ago after a twenty year absence and the place had changed so much we did not recognize it. You used to park on the sand lot, now they have valet parking.
Prices are stratospheric. Gone totally tourist. yet another reason to avoid the island. Yes I am conservative and like things the way they were.
The early morning helicopter ride to the southern base of Haleakala (sp?) was outstanding. Best E ticket ride ever...for me at least. Pilot zoomed to the Seven Sacred Pools, not, at tree top level, did a slow turn around them and then Hulu ! upslope, nose down. Sitting in right front I could see the ground running past under my feet. Into the mist before the early morning cloud cover, the rotors were casting circular rainbows above and below us. Nose still tilted downward we entered the could, nothing but white all around and then the break thru. Zooming at what felt like 30 feet above the terrain suddenly the lip of the crater appeared along with the vast deep unworldly crate with the ochers and purples on the leeward all brightly lit, with shadows to the right. Clearing the lip, the pilot hit the throttle and dove, again nose tilted downward a bit. Wahooooo! Felt like Slim Pickens riding the missile. Dear wife was quite happy to be in the back seat looking straight ahead over my shoulder.
Were told the entire island of Manhattan could fit with room to spare and not one roof tower peek above the rim.
Truly one of those events that has to be experienced first hand. IMax won't cut it....mebbe.