I visited my son in Maui last week! It was such fun to see that magical island again and lovely to spend time with Patrick and his dad, who joined us. If you followed along on my Instagram stories, you know I wasn’t on the touristy side of the island.

We stayed “upcountry,” spending time with locals. My family spent many holidays and summers in Maui, as we had a family home there, so it’s a place that holds a lot of memories for me and my kids. I can totally understand why Patrick moved there!

One of my favorite places to eat on Maui is the Paia Fish Market. There is no better place for a piece of fresh fish, priced very reasonably. It’s bustling and noisy, and you’ll inevitably stand in line, but you’ll enjoy your dish, whether it’s their catch of the day or a mahi-mahi burger.

Mama’s Fish House reminds me of my dad, because it was a bit of a tradition for us to go there, with or without the rest of our family. I love it! It’s perfect for a special occasion. And while the food is absolutely spectacular, the view is even better. It’s nearly impossible to get a reservation, but I’ve found that if you simply show up in person, they can be very accommodating. We did that on this trip and were able to get a reservation for the next day. If you’re visiting Maui, it’s a must.

One of the highlights of my trip was reconnecting with Ranjana, my friend of 30 years. It was so much fun to see how many of you also felt a natural synergy with her. We are joined by our love of mala beads.

Followers have asked about mine often over the last six years. Ranjana selects unique malas and has had them made all over the world for the collection of rarities she sells in her shop. She has so many beautiful treasures to share! Click HERE to see her Instagram, and HERE for her online shop. There’s nothing I love more than supporting a small business owned by someone who wants to make a difference in the world!

I love malas and prayer beads of all kinds and have collected them for years. They are used in many religious and spiritual traditions. Here are a few things I love about mala beads, which are used in both Buddhism and Hinduism. They have 108 beads, a sacred number in many traditions, including Judaism.

There’s no need to be afraid of beads from a different tradition; most religious traditions use prayer beads. A Catholic rosary has 54 beads, half of 108. Greeks use worry beads, with 27 beads, also a multiple of 108. (And by the way, baseballs happen to have 108 stitches!)

You can use a mala like a rosary to keep track of your prayers, intentions, or mantra as part of a devotional practice. It’s a way to calm the mind. The vibrations of prayers using mala beads are said to reverberate out into the universe. How magical is that?

I simply like to wear them and always feel better when I do. They are a reminder to be devotional in daily life. I’m excited to say that we are doing a giveaway and will be sharing a mala with a blog subscriber, so be sure to watch for today's post with the details!

While in Maui, we visited my dad’s whale statue. He was a longtime resident of Wailea, and when a nearby hotel closed, my dad purchased the statue because our family had always loved it. To remember and celebrate him after he died, we donated it to the city in his name, and it was installed across from the Wailea Shopping Center.

It is a tradition in our family (and many others) to place a lei around the whale’s neck, because it’s considered good luck. Click here for the link to find it on the map.