You're due! Wailea in 1980 would have been unreal. It's a different place now. White Rock beach aka Palauea Beach is still one of my favorites statewide.
I landed on Maui in 1990. Have been in Hawaii since then. Moved to Oahu when they put a stop light at Hana Hway and Baldwin Ave in Paia around 95. Figured if I was going to live in a big city I might as well live in Honolulu.
My time on Maui has officially been designated dream time for how it felt and is remembered. I was in my first years of sobriety and drove the entire island relentlessly in pursuit of surf and girls. It was a lot of fun.
Hawaii has been very good to me. I'm grateful to live here for all its frustrations.