What I Did Over Winter Break: My Hawaiian Adventure

When my best friend of 36 years mentioned she was planning to go to Hawaii in January and asked if anyone was interested, I couldn’t raise my hand fast enough.   After more than 10 years of “literally” dreaming of going to Hawaii I was finally getting the opportunity to make a dream come true.  After little discussion we decided to go to Kaua’i and I'm so happy we did. 

Kauaʻi or Kauai[2] (/kə.ˈwaɪ.iː/; Hawaiian: [kɔuˈwɐʔi]) is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago.3] Known also as the "Garden Isle", Kauaʻi lies 105 miles (169 km) across the Kauaʻi Channel, northwest of Oʻahu.

Our flight left Seatac at 10:55am Friday morning, and after a layover in Los Angeles we arrived in Kauai 12  hours later.  It was very late by the time we got to our resort, and I was very tired, so you can imagine how

Ka Eo Ki Resort - Home Sweet Home

The famous Kauai Rooster

I felt when I was awakened at 5:30am, not by my alarm clock, but by the local roosters.  I soon learned that Kauai is the home of 1,000’s of wild chickens.  Originally brought over by the first Polynesian voyagers for food and eggs, hurricanes coming to the island blew down chicken coops, and soon, new intermingled, “free” species were born. So for the next week I had a rooster clock with snooze, because they crow 24 hours a day! It wasn’t as annoying as it might seem, but actually quite humorous to see chickens walking all over the island.  I’d see them  at the beach, in parks, along the highway, outside stores, and even in front of the local KFC,which I jokingly referred to as "Kauai Fried Chicken".


Not being able to sleep after the 4^th series of crowing, I got up and was greeted by the most beautiful sunrise.  ALOHA! 

alo·ha \ə-ˈlō-ˌ(h)ä, ä-, -(h)ə\ ; used in Hawaii as a greeting to say hello or goodbye.  It also can mean affection, peace, love, and    compassion.  


Below is the condensed version of my fabulous trip.

Kauai History Museum

DAY ONE – Get educated!  Today we took two tours.  The first one

Kauai Coffee Company

was to the Kauai Coffee Company which is the largest coffee farm in the United States. It was a fun tour, but if I was a coffee drinker I would have liked it even more, because they let you taste a variety of their different coffees. (Sorry, all coffees taste the same to me - kinda blah.) For the second tour we drove to the Kauai Museum where we learned a lot about the history  and culture of the Island.  I would recommend this tour to anyone who travels to Kauai.

DAY TWO - I am always looking to try something new so decided to go to a Buddhist Sunday service at the Kapaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.  They have been serving Kauai since 1922.  The minister and  Sangha members were very friendly and welcoming. It was a wonderful service.  After church we stayed in Kapaa and had breakfast and then

drove to Smith’s Fern Grotto for the river cruise.  Cruising along the Wailua River with music and hula dancers made it a really fun experience.

 DAY THREE - Today we relaxed around the resort and met a lot of people from all over the world. They had a continental breakfast in the morning and potluck in the afternoon with a Hawaiian band and hula dancer.  This gave us an opportunity to visit with other guests.  Some were visiting from Japan, Germany and India.  We also learned about the many movies that were made on Kauai.   They include Jurassic Park, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, The Descendants, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On stranger tides, to name just a few. 

DAY FOUR - On our way to do some sightseeing I had to stop at the beautiful Princeville Public Library. 

I met the branch librarian who had worked in Washington State many years ago and also bought two used books for the return flight.  Back in the car we stopped at Hanalei Lookout, Wainiha Beach, and Ha’ena Beach Park (photo to the left).  The weather was between 75 and 80 degrees each day. Really tough conditions but I managed to get through

Kalamaku Luau

the week. We got home in time to get ready  for the luau.  They had hula dancers, traditional fire knife dancing, fire poi-ball exhibition, Tahitian music and all the Hawaiian food you can eat with an open bar.  I’m not a drinker, but after a couple of tasty Blue Hawaiians I might have to change my mind. A good time was had by all.

DAY FIVE - Today we headed to Po’ipu,the south part of the Island where we saw the Spouting Horn. 

Spouting Horn

A natural wonder that occurs when water rushes under a lava shelf and burst through a small opening at the surface.  I heard it can spurt water 50 ft up into the air.  I was lucky to see 10 ft. We then drove to Po’ipu Beach, and after an hour headed over to the Beach House Restaurant.     Very pricey, but what a view. (see photo above right)

DAY SIX -Woke early to go on a 4 hour train, hike, lunch, and orchard tour at the Kauai Plantation.  It was

Train at Kauai Plantati

was so much fun.  We had a great tour guide, Ki (cute guy to the right) and very nice people in our group. We were worn out by the time the tour was over, but couldn't ask for a better day. The little girl in the picture above is 4 yr. old Hailey.  She walked the entire hike like a pro, keeping up with our guide and asking lots of questions. What a treat.

DAY SEVEN - On our last day in Kauai we woke up to rain and wind.  Fortunately it didn’t last long and we were able to go to the beautiful Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge.  It is the perfect place to do some whale watching. And the perfect way to end our trip.

  

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

After visiting the lighthouse we drove back to the resort and started packing.   I was able to capture this last picture before leaving for the airport.

Aloha, Kauai.  A hui hou! (Till we meet again)