Globally

Globally, the divide between the haves and have-nots was never clearer as new cases went down overall, while 14 countries (mostly poorer ones, like the Congo) actually doubled the number of new cases since last month.

Also globally, we hit the unhappy milestone of losing 5,000,000 people to COVID since the beginning of the pandemic.

United States

The United States continues last month's trend towards fewer new cases, with the continuing slaughter of unvaxxed imbeciles in the Red States.

Hawai'i

Statewide, there were 80 people hospitalized with COVID-19 at the end of the month (down 82% from a peak of 448 on September 4), according to Lt. Gov. Josh Green. This is now down 52% from the 165 hospitalizations reported on August 5, 2021. The state's positivity rate is now at 2.0%.

There are a total of three individuals hospitalized in Maui County with COVID-19 (one is vaccinated and two are unvaccinated), according to counts last updated on October 29, 2021, from Maui Health. Of that number, no COVID-positive individuals are in the ICU and no COVID patients are on ventilators.

Masks are still required though I see that seems to be enforced only in stores.

West Maui Sunsets

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/2/2021		Page Views: 803
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
When one side of the island gets too wet, we simply go to the other side.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (64 words)

Rainy season seems to have hit us a few months earlier than last year. And when it starts getting muddy, we start thinking about car camping at West Maui (we live on East Maui). This time we stayed several days to get in some Doordashing while we were over there. In any case, enjoy these cool photos (including some breathtaking sunsets) from this trip.

Point Gregory Lighthouse

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/3/2021		Page Views: 801
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
It's smaller than one would suppose.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (170 words)

Each time Keith and I drive home from Lahaina, we pass a lighthouse. Now, I don't really have any particular interest in lighthouses on my own behalf; but my mom did; so whenever I see a lighthouse, I feel I should visit it on her behalf.

Return of The Littles

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/5/2021		Page Views: 797
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
My grandchildren come for another visit.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (178 words)

Last night my daughter, Jenny, and her two toddlers flew into Maui. Tomorrow, her eldest will be joining them, followed by their father. Today I managed to get in a quick visit before they collapsed from jet lag.

Kids and Cows

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/7/2021		Page Views: 812
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #MauiDominic #Gianna
We have kids. We have cows.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (191 words)

Today was a lovely, non-focused day. Nothing special planned. The visiting grandkids and parents visited. But first, I made my daily inspection of the progress made on the cottage. I don't know what they've done, actually, but it seems carefully managed.

Kids at Hamoa

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/8/2021		Page Views: 806
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
The littles take their daddy to the beach.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (62 words)

So with my daughter and her youngest ones here, the kids' daddy arrived last night to join them. And I came by around 10 AM to join them for a day at a beach. After enjoying the view right from their resort condo's back porch, we were on our way to nearby Hamoa Beach, the toddler's favorite, so they could "show Daddy!"

Sultry Skies

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/10/2021		Page Views: 824
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Sunrise, sunset.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (30 words)

There are many days when there's nothing special to write about, yet there's still an exquisite sunrise or sunset to photograph. I've been saving them up, and here they are.

Kittens

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/12/2021		Page Views: 813
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
We have kittens. Again. Hopefully these won't try to escape.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (217 words)

Although my daughter, Jenny, is here as if it were a vacation, the fact is she's remote working. However, she lives in Arizona, three hours' difference in time zones, and that means she has to start working, while here, at 6 AM. (I'm like, "There's a six o'clock in the morning, too?") She asked me to watch the kids while she works. And then, she had a surprise.

A Day At A Resort

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/14/2021		Page Views: 782
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #MauiHanaMauiResort
A 24-hour respite from camping.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (137 words)

As previously mentioned, my daughter Jenny is working remotely during her visit. In Maui time, she starts work at 6 AM. Yesterday she asked if I would spend the night so I could watch the kids while she worked. (They are still on Arizona time, as well.)

Apple Bananas

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/16/2021		Page Views: 799
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #Bananas #AppleBananas
Maui grows some especially delicious bananas that you've probably never tried.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (173 words)

Apple bananas are one of the most popular varieties of banana that you will find on Maui. These bananas are shorter and sweeter than the Cavendish bananas you're used to at the store. They also have hints of apple and strawberry flavors, which makes them more interesting.

Trimmed

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/18/2021		Page Views: 816
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Clearing Out The Turkey Berries
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (41 words)

Jenny's hired a local guy to clear out the invasive turkey berry bushes and generally pretty up the property. It turns out she hired his whole family, and I am very impressed with the care with which they do the job.

Chiropractor

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/19/2021		Page Views: 826
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #Chiropractic
In which I meet Dr. Hugs.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (421 words)

I used to go to a chiropractor in Arizona, several times a week. I started due to back aches I'd had since jumping off too high a cliff into a lake a decade earlier. And it was amazingly helpful. And now that I've been suffering from bad ankles for a year now, I really wanted to go again. Unfortunately, my stupid United Healthcare won't cover one.

Ke'ane On The Rocks

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/22/2021		Page Views: 808
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Gotta love the inconstant sea.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (55 words)

Ke'anae is an unincorporated community approximately halfway between Ha'iku and our home near Hana. It's on a peninsula and is known for its taro farms, but also for its spectacularly jagged coast which usually features huge, crashing waves. We drive down there sometimes, either to use the park bathroom, or just to watch the waves.

Ella's Haircut

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/26/2021		Page Views: 775
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Ellla Gets A Makeover
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (416 words)

Ella, our Golden Retriever, has been camping with us since March, 2020. That's a year-and-a-half without professional grooming, and not much from me because that is not one of my skills. Which is a shame, because as a long-haired dog, her coat grows quickly. She spends enough time outdoors (nearly all of it!) to shed much of that excess naturally.

Hana Highway

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/28/2021		Page Views: 779
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #HanaHighway #Photography
Postcard shots taken along one of America's most scenic byways.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (85 words)

Much as I'd love to spend most of my time home near Hana, we make at least one and sometimes two trips to the "other side" each week. Here are some of the nicest photos I've taken on that road this month.

Shelters

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/29/2021		Page Views: 789
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
The builders have assembled nearly a dozen little outbuildings.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (85 words)

So it rains a lot in East Maui. This is not news to anyone who lives here, or indeed anywhere on Maui. Nevertheless, it seemed to take the builders by surprise. In response, they've spent the last few weeks assembling these metal-and-tarp shelters so they can work on cleaning and re-sealing the bamboo that only got rain-damaged because they let the parts sit in the weather for months past the scheduled build date. (It was supposed to take two weeks, tops.)