We nabbed our rental car and changed at Nicki and Nicki's place. I think we were on the beach within the hour, giving Mitch and Torrey their first Hawaiian beach experience.
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| Working on our wedding tans |
Later we found our VRBO condo-and what a spectacular surprise! Nestled in a neighborhood near Nick's place, we were the last house on the lane to the beach. A seawall protected us from the surf which delighted us every morning and every evening with its crashing waves. Our side of the island is a little cloudier and this week was unusually "rainy". I would say "misty" but we were not home very often and enjoyed it thoroughly.
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| All windows on the left have dramatic ocean view |
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| Sunrise day one |
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| Seaside setting |
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| I appreciated the "old Hawaii" vibe of the 1940's |
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| Frequent sight |
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| Popular surfing and fishing spot for locals-we enjoyed watching them from the deck |
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| Yoga on the deck :D |
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| OK-the turn was quite tight and we did scrape the rental car on the seawall….. |
On day two, Saturday, we hit another beach (our interior clocks were set 5 hours ahead!) and waited to hear of Christin and Joe's arrival.
On the way to the airport I texted Mitch to "look behind him"--one of many rainbows to be seen.
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| Joe and Christin ready to start the wedding week :D |
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| Mitch and Torrey |
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| Nick and Nicki loving the visitors and are the best island guides ever! |
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| Steven Tyler showed up in this yellow truck and went directly to the kitchen at Coconuts Restaurant. Perhaps he had private dining in the kitchen? |
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| Nick and Kevin met them at the airport with fresh leis |
We enjoyed take-out Thai from Saengs and had a wonderful gift exchange back at N2's place for a very special Nohner Christmas.
Sunday morning found us at the beach with Joe, Nick, Nicki and Emily enjoying Stand-up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and Torrey and Mitch snorkeling.
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| Joe and Nick |
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| Em and Nicki |
On Sunday we met the O'Briens (Coley, Barb, Cara and Conor ). Joe and Christin treated all of us to a whale watching tour. It was wonderful to finally meet them and a perfect way to enjoy each other on the boat! We lucked out and saw many many whales and flying fish.
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| Conor, Cara, Nick and Barb |
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| I notice 2 things-my shirt looks like its full of air, but hey there is a rainbow starting behind us! |
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| Homeward through double rainbow!
That evening we were hosted by N2 to a barbecue in their backyard. We enjoyed appetizers of a local dish "poke", brats,
Ingredients[edit]
Modern poke typically consists of cubed ʻahi (yellowfin tuna) sashimi marinated with sea salt, a small amount ofsoy sauce, inamona (roasted crushed candlenut), sesame oil, limu seaweed, and chopped chili pepper. Other variations of ingredients may include cured heʻe(octopus), other types of raw tuna, raw salmon and other kinds of sashimi, sliced or diced Maui onion, furikake, hot sauce (such as sambal olek), chopped ʻohiʻa (tomato),tobiko (flying fish roe), ogo or other types of seaweed, and garlic.
The selection of condiments has been heavily influenced by Japanese and other Asian cuisines.
salads and plenty of beer, wine and mai tais. Mitchell had compiled a wedding video for Joe and Christin with our photos and those from the O'Briens. Set to music, it was fun to watch! We will add wedding photos and show at both receptions in March. I gave a toast because I knew I did not have a private room the next night for the rehearsal dinner. My theme was "Joe is an action figure" --and Christin is the object of his intense loyalty, care and devotion. Emily toasted as well citing that they are only 20 months apart in age and shared everything!
The following morning found us at a beach with the O'Briens and the fathers enjoyed some snorkeling.
 
That evening we met at St. Theresa's in Kehei for the rehearsal. The priest was a charmer and did his best to include all of us in the ceremony--Nicki and Conor as gift bearers, the fathers reading and Em offering the prayers of the faithful. Joe and Christin were to be EME's for the wedding, which they did not expect but really enjoyed. The entrance to the church was a decorated pathway of garland which was beautiful and as you will see in wedding photos, the church was quite decorated for the holidays. Cara, Mitch and Nick served as the bridal party.
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On to the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa at the Grand Wailea! What a beautiful entry this hotel has and we followed the walkways and elaborate pools to the beachfront tiki inspired restaurant on stilts. It was incredibly fun and the food superb--everyone enjoyed some exotic drinks in coconuts as well.
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| The Grand Wailea |
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| So very sweet! Torrey and Mitch |
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| Christin, Joe Nick and Nicki arrive |
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| Elaborate system of pools, slides and tunnels |
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| Conor and Cara |
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| Coley and Barb O'Brien |
On to the wedding day!!!
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