I've always liked travelling and discovering new countries: it doesn't mean that I live with the suitcase in hand, but fortunately I had the opportunity to travel somewhere: France, Greece, Tunisia, Canary Islands, Austria. All very beautiful places, but since I was a child I have had only one dream: Hawaii Islands . Those fantastic islands have always aroused in me a very special charm, maybe for their intense colours, valleys, volcanoes, clear waters of the Pacific Ocean and the way of life that I could only perceive from the documentaries and articles in travel magazines. Since over the years I fire at windsurfing, it virtually became for me almost a necessity to be able to go.
Silvana & Ivana.
At long last, the important day arrived and on Thursday 10th January 2008, I and my almost inseparable cousin travelled from Milan to Maui. 24 hours flight, that differently from my expectation, run on quickly while checks in London and Los Angeles and the great flight over Greenland, Canada and throughout United States.
Ho'okipa.
The brazilian champion Kauli Seadi (Ho'okipa).
At Kahului we are greeted with a long desired necklace of flowers from a special friend, Kevin Pritchard, who gave us hospitality in a small and very nice apartment of his property for the two weeks we stayed on the Island.
Finally at Maui! It’s already night, but everything seems already so beautiful to me!
Jason Prior (Ho'okipa).
Lanes Beach.
Next morning I wake up just in time to see the sunrise and discover the fantastic view on the Pacific Ocean that you can enjoy from apartment. As soon as she wakes up even Ivana, we organize the day: first rent a car and then fill the fridge.
Kevin takes us in the city to rent a car, but before we have a stop at Jason Polakow's home. We are happy to see him again after several years and, while the two champions go away with bikes for some training, we begin to take many pictures in a close beach. The colours are amazing, they range from red of earth to green vegetation to the water, so crystal clear as I was ever to see.
Kuua Beach.
The windsurfer Juliana Gomes De Farias go out Ho'okipa.
One of the many rainbows of Maui.
After a couple of hours we are at the rental car and as soon as we have the keys in our hands we are definitely ready to the conquest of Maui. The only small and insignificant problem is to understand how I can drive an automatic car. “It’s easy” they say me … mmm.. maybe! But I drove like a kangaroo all day in a vain attempt to change gears that didn’t exist.
Baby Beach.
The power of Ho'okipa.
Kevin Pritchard in action at Baby Beach.
On the way back home we stop to Paia for a visit and to make some shopping since everything seems to cost less than in Italy. Then we go to Ho’okipa. It’s mid-afternoon, but in the water there are some people between surfers, windsurfers and some, such as Robby Naish, who make paddle. It’s so great to be there and see the action on those waves that I could only seen on TV or in some videos.
I also see my first hawaiian sunset and it’s incredible to see how the sky changes colours leaving the place to the night with the Milky Way and its constellations so near to you that it seems to be able to seize them extending a hand.
The Garden of Eden.
Lanes view from Ho'okipa.
We dedicate the following days discovering the island and surprising with parks, forests, the valley where Jurassic Park was shoot, waterfalls that are thrown into beautiful lakes, beaches, cliffs that you leave without breath, sunsets with the sun that flows into the Ocean and rainbows, so many intense rainbows, that you would like to follow them to find the mythical “Pan of Gold”. It seems to be really in Paradise!
Kahana, the kiter's beach
Ho'okipa.
The fifth day we go to the discover Jaws; we understand almost the exact area but we have to try three dirt roads that go to the sea before finding the right one. At some point we have to leave the car because the road is too bad for a normal car and go ahead by walk. So, Ivana and I, at midday and under a very hot sun, forward on the road of red earth in the middle of fields of grass higher than us. I just leave a tangible sign of my presence falling down and, I think, tattooing to life the memory of Maui on my leg. But nothing can stop me and we go ahead trying to understand if we are on the right way. While walking we meet other people by walk and some off-road vehicles so we proceed sure to arrive to destination sooner or later.
The road to Jaws.
Jaws seen from above.
Kahana Beach.
After about half an hour, a deaf and continuous noise reaches our ears: these are waves!!! Five minutes and still we are on the cliff where it’s possible to see the mythical wave of Jaws. It’s so impressive! Big waves follow one another regularly creating a rumble like a continuous thunder. There is nobody out to surf but we remain there completely fascinating from this show of nature to take a lot of picture. We stop one hour or maybe more, but my leg started to do really bad and then we decide to go back.
Ho'okipa.
Robby Swift is preparing to exit at Ho'okipa.
Robby Swift in action in the waters of Ho'okipa.
During the following days we visit Maui more than we can, but every day the first and the last stop are to Ho’okipa to breathe some action. The first week we only see surfers because we arrive there until late afternoon when the wind is too light for windsurfers or kiters. But the 10th day we decide to organize the day according to Ho’okipa because it’s time to see some sails on water. We arrive on the beach about at 14.30 and we meet Matt Pritchard, who is getting ready his gear and tell us that Kevin is already in the water. Very well, this is the right time! We take position and we enjoy the show. In water there are, among others, Kauli Seadi, Robby Swift, Francisco Goya as well as Kevin and Matt, and all are testing the stuff for the new season. I make some pictures, with some kite in the background spot neary, but suddenly it starts to rain. We, imperturbables, don’t move, but unfortunately the wind died and all come out. Too bad! After days of waiting the show lasted only half an hour!
Matt Pritchard prepares your equipment.
Some action for Matt.
Only three days to be spent in this paradise and there are still so many things to see and do, but certainly not renounce two of the most exciting that the island offers. First of all the sunset from the Haleakala, over 3.000 metres, with the sun diving in the sea of clouds which go from white to pink to red, until the darkness wraps up everything and leaves you in the heart emotion that has no equal. And then the boat trip with the Pacific Whale Foundation, which takes you to see whales in this period wintering in the waters of Hawaii. It’s incredible! These big cetaceans swim with agility and tranquillity around the boat. They are very curious animals, that come near the boat and seem healthy with a fin out of the water while you are you there to watch them enchanted.
Francisco Goya, another of the champion that it is easy to meet Ho'okipa.
Photo for Kevin Pritchard (left), Silvana and Matt Pritchard.
Now we have only a day before to leave and we spent it on the beach, the first to Baby Beach where I watch Kevin who trains with new sails. Then in the afternoon we move to Ho’okipa where, finally for a couple of hours, we enjoy the action offered by the great champions (but also by all those guys that love watersports), who perform on the waves
At the night we conclude the day with a dinner with some very special friends.
It’s time to go and back to Italy. On the morning of 23rd of January we make the last shopping, say goodbye to friends and go for the last time to Ho’okipa under a heavy rain, before to give back the car and go to the airport. Then the plane takes off and the dream end.
Mamas Fish House.
Kevin trains at Ho'okipa.
Even surfing at Ho'okipa Beach.
A beautiful hawaiian sunset.
I spent two unforgettable weeks in Maui, where I discovered beautiful places and meet wonderful people. I think not never forget this trip, even if I hope to be able to return one day and I want to thank with all my heart who has allowed that my dream came true. Mahalo!
To you, Surferworld friends, I would say that if you can go to Maui but you haven’t an accommodation, please contact Kevin Pritchard through his blog
http://kevinpritchardwindsurfing.blogspot.com and ask if the apartment is free, where we were Ivana and I, which he usually rents to tourists, or if he has another accommodation for you.
Trips & Travels 
