Maui is one of our favorite places. If you've been, you know just how beautiful it is. And if you haven't, chances are good that you want to go. Among the many things to experience is the famous Road to Hana. Past Hana, at mile marker 42, you can hike the Pīpīwai Trail, a beautiful trail in Haleakala National Park, where you will find Makahiku Falls, a very zen bamboo forest, 400-foot tall Waimoku Falls, and this stunning banyan tree.

Although the trail receives half a million visitors per year, it is surprisingly easy to find one's self alone for more than a few minutes, especially if you get an early start. So it was with this banyan tree and me.

This piece is named for the Latin origin of our modern word "embrace."