Kaupo, Maui

St. Joseph Catholic Church established in 1842 by the Sacred Heart Priests from Belgium

lava beaches and Kaupo Gap

After celebrating Eucharist on this day of Pentecost I went with friends to visit Kaupo, the southern side of Mount Haleakala. It was a beautiful drive from Wailuku passing the towns of Kula and Ulupalakua where St. James the Less Catholic Church and Tedeschi Winery are located along the Pi'ilani Highway. The roads were paved until we traveled up to Kuakini Bay. We passed St. Joseph Church which was established in 1842 which faced the Kaupo Gap. The landscape changed from black lava into lush and bucolic country side where it was filled with trees and green mountains. What a contrast of barren lava beaches to green country side.
If you ever travel to the Island of Maui be sure to visit this area of the Island which can be approached from Kula or from Hana passing Kipahulu Valley. Besides the elegant hotels in Ka'anapali and Wailea Maui offers natural beauty of mountians and beaches.

Beauty of the North Shore at Turtle Bay Resort

Surf at the North Shore of Oahu
pool area and lounge at Turtle Bay Resort

Surfer's paradise along the north shore

Golf course on the left side of the ocean

Priest Convocation '09

Lounge area with the famous parrot

Priest participants during the presentation Our Bishop Larry Silva initiated the priest convocation this year at Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku, Oahu this year for all the priests in the Diocese of Honolulu. It was a great gathering on May 4-8, 2009 for the priest to get together to share prayer, reflect and discuss issues of prayer and justice preaching. We also were blessed with Sr. Nancy from Washington DC who presented a critical area in our lives, namely spiritual direction and the importance of having time to share faith with each other besides preparing our homilies. During the afternoon there was time to relax in the hospitality room, go swiming in the pool or snorkling at the beautiful beach outside the resort area, golfing, walking along the sea shore or just enjoy the beauty of the north shore.