Wednesday, January 20, 2010

History, Veggies and Trinkets

The Queen Ka'ahumanu Center is located in Kahului and is a major shopping center on Maui. We enjoyed a good walk there this morning...yes, it's lovely weather outside, why are we walking inside? The answer to that question is that we really haven't found any good walking trail for two decrepit old fogeys like ourselves. Not that they aren't there...we just haven't found then!


We were pleasantly surprised to find local farmers in the center court of the mall today. Buying local vegetables is a treat!

One of the tables featured gorgeous orchid plants and she seemed to have a steady stream of customers.

If you look to the right in the first photo you will see the corner of the next table over. What is she selling? Banana bread! It's big over here. Probably because bananas grow like crazy. And they have different banana varieties, with each variety having its own faint original flavor. We brought home some "apple" bananas.

There were numerous tables. The veggies and other goodies looked so pretty. And fresh. We brought home some bananas, papaya, egg plant, baby garlic, and oyster mushrooms.

Queen Ka'ahumanu is highly regarded in the history of Hawaii and especially of the Island of Maui. You can read about her by clicking here. A statue of the Queen stands in the center of the mall. A fresh lei is placed in her hand daily and visitors toss coins into the fountain at her feet.

After we walked the mall we walked up to the food court on the second level where we ate fish tacos. Pretty yummy! The mall is "open-air" being covered only by a large tent-like roof so it is not surprising that a couple sparrows and what appeared to be tiny turtle doves hopped around at the feet of diners, picking up crumbs here and there.

I walked around the upper level and saw this gold cross in the window of a jewelry store. It seemed a bit ostentatious, a bit dazzling, so I didn't bother to buy it. I think it measures a bit more than "trinket", don't you think? I suppose if you were trying to get someone's attention, this would do it but I've never been one to try to draw attention to myself. No, this is definitely not my style. It stayed in the window, waiting for a buyer.

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6 comments:

Mrs. Spit said...

I was running (badly) in the snow tonight. I'm so glad you are there in the warmth. It makes me smile to think of it. . .

Dandy said...

The cross is definitely a statement piece.

I love your coverage of the market! And I'm really curious about these apple bananas.... so glad you are enjoying yourselves!

Karen said...

The food tables look wonderful! My mouth is watering just looking at them - thanks for posting them.

S. Etole said...

it's hard to imagine in the midst of all our snow ...

Kelly said...

Wow! The food looks and sounds wonderful!! Yum, yum!

The cross is lovely. Perhaps with the right dress under the right circumstances.... (formal, of course)

Debbie said...

I have been there!! What you really need to get are toe rings!! I have them on both feet and I love them and I got them at a small shop in Lahaina. You need them, they will make you happy.