Friday August 10th, 2007
One of the driving reasons behind our family excursion to the islands this summer was to honor and memorialize my grandparents Mleynek and their recent passing. One request we planned to fulfill was to have their ashes scattered together across the Maui seascape that they treasured so dearly. The property managers for Maui Sunset also agreed to assist us in our tribute by planting a palm tree on the grounds to honor Frank and Harriet. So Friday morning, my parents accompanied Landon and I down to the front lawn to watch as a large tractor (the same guy that pushes around all of the seaweed) planted the tree. The palm itself was a significant tree, easily measuring over fifteen feet in height, so watching as the tractor hoisted and then dropped the entire tree and root mass into a large hole in the ground was quite a show. On the Maui Sunset property there is a large landscaped sign comprised of flowers that reads Maui Sunset. The sign measures over 100 feet long and grows on a small hill, located directly between the balcony at B-219 and the ocean. The tree was planted on the top of the ridge, directly in the middle of the signs upper perimeter. It was a well deserved and prominent memorial for an incredible couple. In the years ahead we plan to return and establish a plaque at the tree’s base. I could feel my grandparent’s smile from the balcony as we watched the palm fronds catch the late morning breeze.
By the time the tree was firmly secured it our stomachs began to signal that it was time for lunch. We headed down to Ma’alea where we met up with my Aunt Sheryll and Uncle Darryl and the rest of their crew for lunch at Buzz’s Wharf, another family favorite. The restaurant has a great ocean view of the small harbor below and the ocean and island beyond. The reef surrounding the break wall for the harbor is home to “Freight Trains” once labeled as the fastest right breaking wave in the world. Justin and I spent many summer days slipping into barrels here in the past, however on this afternoon the spray from the waves did not even reach above the rock jetties. Lunch again supplied us with good food, and also gave us a chance as a family to discuss and plan that evening’s memorial service for my grandparents.
The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium is located in Ma’alea, so after eating we ventured down the road to look at some of the splendid underwater residents of the islands. Both of the boys laughed and ran through the dark tunnels of the building, peering through illuminated windows displaying local organisms and their striking shapes and colors. The Aquarium has a large open ocean tank that is home to the only Tiger Shark in captivity in the world. The shark was impressive, and definitely appeared more menacing than other sharks that I had viewed in the past. It swam with a subtle power that was both intimidating and inspiring. It was great to sit right up against the glass with boys and with them chase fish around the enclosure with wonder filled eyes.
That evening at sunset we gathered around the recently planted palm tree and shared a quiet memorial to our family’s patriarchs. Small containers filled with a portion of the ashes were buried is the fresh soil at the palm’s base, flowers and stones were placed, and prayers, poems and memories exchanged. Then as the sun sank into the ocean Justin and I walked out to the tip of the rubble reef point and with quiet appreciation scattered the remains of Frank and Harriet Mleynek to the winds and colored skies of Maui. The trade winds gusted as we mouthed our goodbyes. We began our walk back to the bluff where the rest of the family awaited our return. As our feet touched the sandy beach, the usually predictable and powerful winds abruptly stopped. The coast was quiet and still. It was almost as if the island was also taking a pause to remember. The evening continued back at B-219 with dinner and drinks and happily shared memories and appreciation of family. The younger generation gathered around to play a few hands of Uno, a card game that always entertained our grandparents during family vacations. The night, as a whole, and in a greater sense the entire vacation served as a perfect tribute to the people that has influenced all of our lives so importantly. Rhiannon, Justin and Leah slipped out to the beach later that night; I decided to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the arduous day planned ahead….
One of the driving reasons behind our family excursion to the islands this summer was to honor and memorialize my grandparents Mleynek and their recent passing. One request we planned to fulfill was to have their ashes scattered together across the Maui seascape that they treasured so dearly. The property managers for Maui Sunset also agreed to assist us in our tribute by planting a palm tree on the grounds to honor Frank and Harriet. So Friday morning, my parents accompanied Landon and I down to the front lawn to watch as a large tractor (the same guy that pushes around all of the seaweed) planted the tree. The palm itself was a significant tree, easily measuring over fifteen feet in height, so watching as the tractor hoisted and then dropped the entire tree and root mass into a large hole in the ground was quite a show. On the Maui Sunset property there is a large landscaped sign comprised of flowers that reads Maui Sunset. The sign measures over 100 feet long and grows on a small hill, located directly between the balcony at B-219 and the ocean. The tree was planted on the top of the ridge, directly in the middle of the signs upper perimeter. It was a well deserved and prominent memorial for an incredible couple. In the years ahead we plan to return and establish a plaque at the tree’s base. I could feel my grandparent’s smile from the balcony as we watched the palm fronds catch the late morning breeze.
By the time the tree was firmly secured it our stomachs began to signal that it was time for lunch. We headed down to Ma’alea where we met up with my Aunt Sheryll and Uncle Darryl and the rest of their crew for lunch at Buzz’s Wharf, another family favorite. The restaurant has a great ocean view of the small harbor below and the ocean and island beyond. The reef surrounding the break wall for the harbor is home to “Freight Trains” once labeled as the fastest right breaking wave in the world. Justin and I spent many summer days slipping into barrels here in the past, however on this afternoon the spray from the waves did not even reach above the rock jetties. Lunch again supplied us with good food, and also gave us a chance as a family to discuss and plan that evening’s memorial service for my grandparents.
The Maui Ocean Center Aquarium is located in Ma’alea, so after eating we ventured down the road to look at some of the splendid underwater residents of the islands. Both of the boys laughed and ran through the dark tunnels of the building, peering through illuminated windows displaying local organisms and their striking shapes and colors. The Aquarium has a large open ocean tank that is home to the only Tiger Shark in captivity in the world. The shark was impressive, and definitely appeared more menacing than other sharks that I had viewed in the past. It swam with a subtle power that was both intimidating and inspiring. It was great to sit right up against the glass with boys and with them chase fish around the enclosure with wonder filled eyes.
That evening at sunset we gathered around the recently planted palm tree and shared a quiet memorial to our family’s patriarchs. Small containers filled with a portion of the ashes were buried is the fresh soil at the palm’s base, flowers and stones were placed, and prayers, poems and memories exchanged. Then as the sun sank into the ocean Justin and I walked out to the tip of the rubble reef point and with quiet appreciation scattered the remains of Frank and Harriet Mleynek to the winds and colored skies of Maui. The trade winds gusted as we mouthed our goodbyes. We began our walk back to the bluff where the rest of the family awaited our return. As our feet touched the sandy beach, the usually predictable and powerful winds abruptly stopped. The coast was quiet and still. It was almost as if the island was also taking a pause to remember. The evening continued back at B-219 with dinner and drinks and happily shared memories and appreciation of family. The younger generation gathered around to play a few hands of Uno, a card game that always entertained our grandparents during family vacations. The night, as a whole, and in a greater sense the entire vacation served as a perfect tribute to the people that has influenced all of our lives so importantly. Rhiannon, Justin and Leah slipped out to the beach later that night; I decided to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for the arduous day planned ahead….
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