Halloween in Maui
Wonder Woman and Medusa walk onto Front Street...
What would Wonder Woman and Medusa do now?
Enter an epic dance off duel with Cannabis Man? Become best friends with Rick and Morty?
Or ride away with Miss Frizzle in her Magic School Bus, to explore some unsuspecting Bear's digestive system or shrink to the size of a bee to discover an insect's perspective, learning everything there is to know about our planet?
The real deal.
We might have done all of the above, mingling with the world's best and brightest, even spending some quality time with the Mario Kart crew after rubbing shoulders with a possessed girl chained to her bed waiting for her priest to perform an exorcism so her soul could be freed. On this magical night of possibilities, every single costume idea imaginable could be sighted. Front street and all the bars attached to it attracted all characters, superheroes, mythological creatures, and creative interpretations of concepts like 50 Shades of Gray and the Kardashian sisters. One of my personal favorites was a very busy waiter, with so many tables. He weaved in and out of the crowd on the street with a serving tray with a restaurant glass glued to the top, apologizing for nearly running into everyone because he "has so many tables tonight. Packed house. Gotta get these drinks over to table 7!" The best kind of theater is the kind where everyone gets to play a part.
Would you ever guess that Maui, Hawaii, would be the spotlight for a Mardis Gras level of Halloween celebration?
I wasn't expecting much out of a tropical island beach town that doesn't have a representation of autumn anywhere in its seasonal repertoire, but was overwhelmed with the turnout of costume appreciation and dedication. Instead of crisp golden leaves crunching on the sidewalks, or kids' breath turning to fog in the twilight of cool air, people were more concerned with the sweat gathering in streams underneath their respective bodysuits of polyester, leather, or other unforgiving materials. Earlier in the day, we frolicked at the beach and went snorkeling, seeing an enormous turtle and proclaiming our lives to be completed. And it was refreshing to leave our jackets at home, unconcerned with how chilly our legs would be without tights, spending the night dancing and running around outside fighting justice at every turn.
I mainly fought justice while Medusa went around cursing people and turning them into stone, but I digress.
And even though I lost my actual sword of justice that I had brought to a NYC Halloween function the previous weekend, I still maintained control over my Lasso of Truth to protect the citizens of Maui.
Definitely attend the biggest Halloween festival in Hawaii next year, and book a hotel or Airbnb near Front Street. This is where literally all the action takes place, and please show respect to their traditions and put effort into your costume transformation. Don't just show up with the word "Book" written on your forehead and say you're "Facebook." The rules of Maui Halloween are simple. Show up with 100% commitment to your costume, and act true to your character the entire night. No slackers allowed. Details are important, costume contests must be won, and there will be Karaoke.
Oh yes, there will be Karaoke.
Great weather, fun people, elaborate and thoughtful costumes, what's not to love about Maui? Towards the end of the night, I recall having a very strange conversation with a pirate, watching Cookie Monster sing "I Will Survive", and feeling like the sun had sapped 97% of all my energy.
You won't need to plan much other than your costume and accommodation; get there a bit early if you'd like to claim a table at any of the restaurants or bars, as they tend to fill to capacity rather quickly. We stayed at Down the Hatch for most of the night, chumming up to the locals and taking advantage of the non-touristy break they enjoy after summer.
I highly recommend staying a few extra days in Maui to explore the island.
Have you driven down the famous Hana Road? We took a small section and drove for a bit in our rental jeep car, windows and top down, hair blowing in the wind, tuning into the lifesaving "Yelp" gods to tell us where to go.
I typed into the search bar, "beaches," and one in particular caught my eye because of the first review that said in huge letters: "TURTLES TURTLES AND MORE TURTLES".
We couldn't possibly turn away that kind of invitation to see turtles. It was just as glorious, if not more glorious, than we could ever imagine.
If you turn off the road at Ho'okipa Beach, otherwise informally known as Turtle Beach, try and get there a little before sunset. At around 5:00pm they will come in from the ocean and just hang out on the sand, being themselves and disguising themselves as innocent rocks. I honestly had no idea there was an entire congregation of sea turtles until my friend pointed it out to me, and then I had a crazy reaction as though I'd just stepped back and realized that I had been looking at the world the wrong way.
It's an optical illusion. How many turtles can you find?
And if the turtle sighting wasn't enough to establish joy as a permanent fixture in the emotional tapestry of our souls, there were these super chill surfers that we watched while devouring fresh dragonfruit, papaya, and coconut water in the comfort of the Hawaiian sand.
I would have stayed for a week more if I could have... snorkeling with sea turtles is enough to put me on cloud 9 for at least the rest of the year! There's something so fantastic about their languidness, their turtley way that puts me so at ease. They totally get me.
Cheers to a most wonderful Halloween, gorgeous beach with healthy food, and fantastic company!
Travel Therapy Conclusion
If you are suffering from a lack of access to ocean water, feel detached from your childhood and need to reclaim your rights to cross dress, wear wigs, or inhabit the spirit of your favorite cosplay without buying a ticket to Comic Con, then you might be diagnosed with a case of classic Creative Expression Repression. Simply book your next flight to Maui near the end of October and take advantage of this charming, infinitely beautiful place, and embrace the art of Halloween. Take some time afterwards to rent a car and drive up Hana Road stopping at all the waterfalls, hikes, and beaches along the way. Breath and let go!
And don't forget your sunscreen!
Kiss Kiss from the Clouds