July 1, 2024 – Five Years Ago I Bought a One-Way Plane Ticket to Maui…………..
And I’m still here.
And I’m settled in and own a condo unit right on the Pacific Ocean. And I’m still officiating hoops and volleyball. And, bonus points, I’m still working and thriving as a Pool Attendant on Kaanapali Beach and have the three years of 1099s to prove it.
Imagine that – a kid from Pittsburgh kickin’ ass and handing out towels in an out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere island chain otherwise known as America’s 50th State?! Pretty sweet. Pretty gutsy. Pretty rewarding.
July 1, 2024 marked five years for me arriving on the Valley Isle. That’s what I’ve been telling everyone, but, truth be told, that date is not completely accurate. On Sunday, June 30th, 2019 my buddy Harry chauffeured me from his Redondo Beach condo to LAX for my one-way mid-afternoon blast off. I had three bulky suitcases and a carry-on and a smile from ear-to-ear because a fresh beginning was unfolding.
By the time the 5.5-hour flight arrived at OGG, then got a rental car, then stopped at Walmart, then drove 45 minutes to Honokowai (Maui’s west side) it was dark with a light rain that brought extra humidity. I had pre-booked a rental unit in Maui Sands Seaside for six weeks and upon locating the complex it was a sweaty struggle getting all the luggage from the parking lot into the second-floor unit.
Made it. Energy zapped. Beat. Time for some Rocky Road and Red Vines and a shower before unpacking a bit and night-night.
Woke up on Monday, July 1, 2019 super-jacked with first-day curiosity. Birds were chirping and the sun was shining – go figure?! Texts had come in. Did I make it?
I walked out the front door and took 10 steps to the left and, voila, there was the ocean and the islands of Lanai and Molokai. Yes, I made it. Bravo. Phase One accomplished with blessings galore. This island tale was just getting started………
Future blog posts will directly address:
Why I chose Maui (three criteria that had to be met)
Why I chose to buy a one-bedroom unit in Paki Maui (current residence)
Why and how I became a Pool Attendant with Aqualani (current employer)