I like love hearing people's stories. If you and I were to grab a cup of coffee I'd sit awkwardly close to you, lean in even more awkwardly close, and listen intently as you told me everything. I'd want to hear about your kindergarten crush, your best friend forever, and what you want to be when you grow up. I liken myself to a four year old who cannot help but ask why. And why. And why and why and why. The initial response will never be enough because I always want to know more.
On our last day on the island we decided to take a drive up the road to Hana. We had heard of the infamous fifty mile drive complete with endless hairpin turns, mile high waterfalls, bamboo forests, and black sand beaches. Three hours into our adventure we stopped at the Hasawaga General Store and my world {and my heart} were rocked. Hasawaga has been in business for over one hundred years proudly serving the community of Hana on the island of Maui. The moment I walked through the rusted corrugated metal entry way, I knew this grocer had more than few good stories to tell. From the aged produce bins to the aisle of dried mango and fishing supply, something, somewhere, was begging me to stay. To walk awhile and explore the beauty that only a hundred year old general store could hold.
So naturally, I did. I'll admit that I'm probably the only person to ever get excited about taking pictures in a grocery store. And to the crowd of locals I most likely stood out like an Eskimo in Mexico. But with every aisle walked, another discovery was made and a new story told. While the waterfalls were stunning and the black sand beaches impressive, what really stole my heart on our Thursday afternoon drive was the Hasawaga general store. It is my hope that you are able to enjoy these pictures just as much as I enjoyed taking them. Our day was most certainly one to be remembered and our short but painfully sweet stop in Hana will be dear to my heart for quite some time. I can't help but think there is something truly wonderful about a company that keeps people coming back for over a century.
Enjoy!
I'm in awe of how much this image captures. Within a six foot radius we have dog food {both canned and dry}, milk, frozen chicken, Theraflu, and Windex. Amazing.
Happy Thursday!
Michelle
