Maui is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to spend time there and to make friends with some amazing people. Each time I am on Maui I learn something new, whether it is cultural, historical, botanical, artistic, or otherwise. Maui is a deep well of history, knowledge and experiences. The indigenous culture on Maui is alive in so many ways. You see it in the relationships in families, the revival of their native language, the fight to protect their homeland and the sharing of art and craft. Maui is also a place of contrasts and blending of cultures. The development of Hawaiian Pidgin, a language born from the blending of languages by Native Hawaiians and English speaking and non english speaking immigrants, exemplifies this blending. I love the sound of it. There is nothing so indicative of one’s culture as their language or mix of languages. This view of Molokai from Maui reminds me of the feeling of Maui, an island of dramatic beauty and wonderful people.