I love Maui. It is also very deep.
Until a while ago, people used to say “where there? I was told,
It is one of the islands in Hawaii that became famous for that great fire.
Many people who have never been to Hawaii associate it with Honolulu. They may think that Honolulu is the only place in Hawaii.
However, Hawaii is actually a diverse group of islands, including Kauai (Haruki Murakami’s favorite island), the volcanic island of Hawaii, and the aforementioned island of Maui. In fact, Hawaii is a diverse group of islands. It is surprisingly deep.
And although I am initially satisfied with Waikiki Beach, I gradually want to visit the islands (just like Okinawa).
And I have been to all the islands except Kauai, of which I have grown very fond of Maui.
In fact, when I went there, the air was clearly different from the other islands. It is totally different from Hawaii, where you can feel the power of nature, and from Oahu, which is generally a touristy place.
In a word, it is gentle. The air, the wind, the sky, the mountains (Haleakala), the ocean, everything that enters your senses is gentle. It feels like that.
When you look at it on a map, it looks like an old lady bowing, and just like that, it is somewhat relaxing and liberating at the same time.
Perhaps others may feel differently, but my friend who loves Hawaii also said that Maui is the best place to see the best of Hawaii.
I prefer Kapalua, Kaanapali, and Wailea, where it is always sunny, but when I visit Kahului and Hana on the north side, where it rains more often, I feel relieved because they are somewhat like Southeast Asia. There is such a duality, and the villages of Hawaii’s inhabitants, who live a primitive life as it is, are also scattered.
It is not often that I go to a foreign country and even want to live there, but this island of Maui is the only place I have ever wanted to live. I thought I would be happy if I could write novels in such a place all the time. I even seriously looked for a condominium.
Why Maui? I don’t know why. I just know that the atmosphere is just right. I can only answer beyond such logic.
I am sure that everyone has a place like Maui for him or her somewhere in this world. It may not have much to do with Hawaii, but I heard that Ryotaro Shiba was seriously thinking of living among the nomadic tribes of Mongolia. But in my case, it was this island of Maui.
And after my last visit, there was Corona, and suddenly the news of that big fire.
I was surprised and felt a sense of loss as if my hometown had been burned to the ground when I saw those burnt ruins in the images. It was the first time I had such a feeling in a foreign country.
That banyan tree, the swaying foliage, the cool shade. Just the thought of losing them all in one night made me feel quite sad.
There were many rumors flying around that the fire was a natural disaster or the result of some kind of conspiracy, but I didn’t care about those rumors. The scenery of Lahaina will never come back.
As I write this, I suddenly and inexplicably feel like going to Hawaii. I hope the yen’s depreciation will end. I wish I could revisit and do something for the lost Lahaina.
“ Every wind feels gentle on Maui. ”
