A tribute to a few great times in 2008

Hi Guys,
Today is December 31st 2008 and soon it will be 2009.

As I look back and reminisce on our year past, I can only think of all the great times, I have had, being part of H.O.G and more specifically our Maui H.O.G Chapter.

As a lot of you know, I have always felt our membership is made up of the best people in the world !! - Guys and gals that love to get out and ride; But more importantly, love to enjoy life and have a great, fun time doing it ! I think that is what makes our chapter so special and such a positive, friendly riding experience, for everyone !

To summarize a few great times in 2008 !

Our 1st event of the year in February was our meet & greet at Maui H/D, an event that "breaks the ice" between, new Harley riders and more seasoned one's, a place where we were able to show our fellow riders, our H.O.G chapter hospitality and give them a taste of what H.O.G is all about.

Then in March, came the gang from the Santa Cruz chapter - Wow ! - What a fantastic weekend that was !! - 34 members from Santa Cruz get together and make it to Maui !! - To "Ride And Have Fun" with Aloha State Chapter # 44 - They came to the right place !! - Not only did we ride that weekend, (everywhere) but our Ladies Of Harley, had organized a whale watch and dinner cruise for the Saturday evening - and - Santa Cruz came with us ! - It was a beautifully calm evening sailing, where a great time was had by all and new friend ships were cemented !!

Shortly after that, we had another fantastic weekend in April !! - With a visit from Waipahu and Honolulu chapters !!  Another group of around 30 people came from Oahu to Maui on the SuperFerry with their Harley's, to ride with us; Many of them had never been to Maui before, so riding with us, they were able to see parts of the Island, that maybe, they would not have been able to see, had they traveled alone. On Sunday we rode to the top of Haleakala, where we were able to take an awesome picture over looking the crater, with all 3 chapter flags flying !!

In August we had our annual Chili Cook Off !!

The day started out meeting at Maui H/D where everyone gathered and signed up for the poker run and ride - After a fantastic day out riding and ending at the Kihei VFW grounds for our finish party, we were able to sample 25 different awesome chili entries and listen to the awesome music, of two fantastic bands which went on well into the evening with dancing and great times !!

In September our chapter traveled to the Big Island, where we spent more glorious days riding and having fun, at the annual Big Island Labor Day Weekend Run ! - Visiting old friends made in past years and making a whole bunch, of new one's !!

October found us on Oahu for the Hawaii State H.O.G Rally !! - WOW !! - What an absolutely fantastic, weekend we spent with, Waipahu and Honolulu Chapters !! - Here we go again !!

We arrived on the SuperFerry Friday night to the opening ceremonies of the State H.O.G rally -The warm welcome we received was absolutely unbelievable !! - Period !! - We couldn't say, "Hello" and shake hands fast enough !! Everyone wanted to be the first to say "hi" and welcome to Oahu !! - And it didn't end there !! - They treated us like GOLD !! The entire weekend !! At the bar-ba-cue Saturday afternoon they presented us with a beautiful plaque of gratitude for the hospitality we showed them when they visited us in April; It was a wooden plaque encompasing the group picture we took, on the top of Haleakala !! -- Hats off to everyone on Oahu, you guys, certainly know how to "Ride And Have Fun !!"

Next came our 1st Annual Golf Outing in November !! - Something not connected to riding a Harley ! - But definitely connected to having a great day out and enjoying the company and comradery of our fellow H.O.G members !!

And oh ! - December !!

If you didn't make it to our Christmas Party ! - You definitely missed out !! - With prime rib, ham, Alaskan king crab and all the fixings in place, we sat down to a meal fit for KINGS !! (and Queens !!) - After a short Harley-Davidson trivia quiz and a visit from 'Ol Saint Nick', our DJ played some awesome biker music and we danced away the evening into the early hours of the morning, reminiscing about all of the great times of the year past and enjoying each others comradery and company !!

2009 WILL BE NO DIFFERENT !! --  We'll do it all over again !!

One of the highlights of 2009, will be our trip to Sturgis, South Dakota and beyond;  In the summer time !! - Once again, we will pack up our motorcycles and head for the West Coast of the United States for another fantastic ride, to the great biker pilgrimage - Sturgis !! - The largest and by far the best, motorcycle rally in the world !! We will have, a fantastic 3 weeks of riding and comradery, which will cover some of the most beautiful and picturesque parts of the United States that can only be fully appreciated, from the seat of your, Harley-Davidson !! 

I hope you have enjoyed 2008 as much as I have and you are looking forward to 2009 - As much as I am !!

It's going to be another fantastic year of riding my Harley-Davidson !! -- I suggest - YOU MAKE IT YOURS !! - I can guarantee, you won't regret it !!

Until we ride together again, I hope you have a safe and healthy 2009 - And - !!

As Always !! -- "Ride Safe, Ride Often and most of all - HAVE FUN !!"

Stewart - Director - Maui H.O.G Chapter