Being Jewish in Hawaii

One of the best things about being Jewish in Hawaii is the fact that the beautiful natural landscape of Hawaii is the backdrop for our lives-both secular and religious.

A weekend getaway can mean a trip to an outer island. That’s exactly what we did last weekend. We went to Maui.

My husband decided in June to finally plan some much needed vacation time for July when both kids go to the mainland to attend summer camp.

Usually when the kids are away we stay home and call it our staycation; we go out to eat at a restaurant or two,  see an R rated movie, explore beaches on other parts of the island –and I do a lot less laundry.

It does the trick, finding us a bit more relaxed, a lot more connected to each other and very cheerful when our children return home and  our family schedule resumes.

This time my husband was determined to get away, completely. Amenable wife that I am, I agreed and we planned our somewhat spontaneous trip to Maui.

It was one of those perfect vacations where everything goes smoothly. We found parking at the airport, we checked in easily for flights in both directions, the rental car office in Maui did not have a long line, our room was ready when we got to the hotel and everything else you might imagine.

We didn’t arrange a whole lot of plans ahead of time. We made reservations for air, room and car and that was about it. The rest we sort of made up  along the way, asking people for suggestions as to restaurants and local  spots of interest.

There has to be a special blessing we say when things go that well.

One of the highlights of the trip was our experience with the Pacific Whale Foundation on an Eco-tour adventure to Lana’i. We cruised out of Lahaina Harbor and headed across the channel to one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots I have ever seen. We saw a spectacular display of marine life with schools of fishes swimming around us and dolphins cruising right off the bow of the vessel.

The crew members were young and enthusiastic and friendly and particularly knowledgeable about the sea life and ocean and islands around us, including their stories.

And then there is the sunset.

At home it often comes and goes and we don’t get to enjoy it. We are busy finishing our day or making dinner or rushing off to meetings. But on vacation, watching  the sunset is an activity. And it was beautiful, every single time.

I know there is a blessing for when you see a rainbow and that Jewish holidays start and end at sunset. I just don’t know if there is a special blessing for a beautiful sunset experienced while on a weekend getaway with your husband to Maui. But there should be–and I am ready to make it up right here, right now if necessary.