Day 1 started out early, very early. As in 4 am early. I arrived at Fort Wayne Airport well prior to my 
6:50 am flight in anticipation of huge spring break crowds. Clearly a good idea.
The flight was a long 8 and a half hours. Due to budget cuts, there was no on board entertainment (movies) and no food. I splurged on $8 worth of hummus and crackers and passed the time reading the epic novel “Hawaii” by James Michener. Spending much time with this book, I can now see why it was one of my grandma’s favorites. Reading the saga of the Bora Borans crossing the ocean in a small canoe to land in Hawaii by guidance of the stars and the recounting of missionaries puking their brains out to reach the tropics via rickety ships, it made the plane flight seem very luxurious.
The best part of the flight was flying over the earth’s intergluteal cleft, the Grand Canyon. 
As soon as the plane touched down in Maui, I could smell the tropics and see the swaying palm trees. A brief, but expensive taxi ride later I arrived at Andaz resort to a fresh glass of cold lemonade, a fresh Lei placed around my neck, and a warm greeting from Lib and Steven; this made the long journey worth it.
After a quick change in my swim suit it was time to hit the beach and swim in the ocean! We had dinner at the resort. The food was so-so and not worth the review. By the time dinner was over, it was all I could to do to take a warm, hot shower and call it a night. From first appearances, Hawaii is everything I could have hoped for: soft, sandy beaches, lush greenery, swaying palm trees, and strong mai tais. Aloha!