BEAUTY: Illustration--Eizin Suzuki

The lovely, colorful work of Japanese illustrator Eizin Suzuki is perfect for summer. His images of California, Hawaii, and even the coasts of Italy and France are perfectly captured by Suzuki in clean, graphic lines (there's a slight 1980s reference when one thinks of the work of artists like Patrick Nagel) and bright colors--and the way he renders sunlight through trees and foliage is delightful. One can practically feel the humidity and smell the salt air.

http://eizin.co.jp/

Seen On Maui

I'm back from Maui where I spent some time visiting a dear friend who lives in the tiny, picturesque Upcountry village of Makawao, halfway up Haleakala. Makawao was originally a paniolo or cowboy town. But now it is a quaint little gathering of stores and a main street populated by colorful chickens who wander into the shops! You can see my previous post about Komoda Bakery in downtown Makawao here!

Seen On Maui: Komoda Bakery

I'm currently on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands and I just had to make a pilgrimage to the world famous Komoda Bakery for cream puffs and donuts on a stick. Located in the sleepy little Upcountry village of Makawao, Komoda Bakery was opened in 1916 by Takezo Komoda and his wife Shigeri as a restaurant and sandwich shop. It wasn't until 1947 when Takezo's brother Ikuo returned to Makawao with pastry recipes from a stint at a cooking school in Minneapolis that Komoda's found its footing as a bakery. Soon their cream puffs became famous and the long glazed donuts were placed on wooden skewers--a unique touch to be sure. Popular with locals and tourists (haoles) alike, Komoda's celebrates 100 years in business this November 2016. If you find yourself on Maui, drop by for cream puffs and a donut on a stick--but get there early, the line starts forming outside before they open at 7AM!

Congratulations, Hawaii!

Finally, Hawaii has legalized same-sex marriage! The Hawaiian state Senate today passed a bill allowing gay men and women to be married on the islands beginning December 2nd, 2013! The vote: 19 - 4 in favor! The islands become the 16th state (counting the District of Columbia--which, I know, is technically not a state, blah blah blah) to legally allow gay unions.

CONGRATULATIONS, HAWAII!!!

Seen on Maui

Life is Maika'i!

Aloha will set you free!

All photos by JEF

The Clouds of Maui

All photos by JEF

Green Maui

All photos by JEF