27 November 2007

27 November 2007
Aloha from Kaua’i
Kaua’I is known as the “Garden Isle” with good reason. It is the wettest and rainiest of all the islands and, as a result, is the perfect definition of “lush”(not the booze kind). The northern end of the island in particular is unbelievably green every where you look. Mix in the cocoanut palms and the hibiscus and you have a veritable paradise by any measure.
I recently mentioned that Marty lived in the islands for five years. Actually it was more like twenty-five years; the years just after his graduation from college. His work in the travel business took him to all of the islands repeatedly allowing him to act the role of the real expert on what to see on each island. He told me that he knew of a view that was the most spectacular in all of Hawaii but one that the tour busses couldn’t visit.That was enough for me so we rented a car and headed for the Koke’e State Park and the Pu’u 0 Kila overlook where the canyon meets the sea. Until a few years ago the road stopped about a mile and half from the overlook and those who wanted to experience the sight had to hike over a fairly well defined trail. Now it is possible to drive to the overlook but the narrow road and small parking lot denies access to the tour busses that stop at Waimea Canyon about five miles down the road. The sight was spectacular as promised, but probably not the most of anything in Hawaii. I “ooed” and “awed” for Marty’s benefit and took a bunch of pictures so you can decide if it really the
“mostest” as GreatGrandma Lois used to say.
The weather on our trip was as perfect as it could be for Kaua’i . The sun was bright and only a few fluffy white clouds were sprinkled across the sky. I thought I recalled that my last visit to Waimea Canyon,at Christmas time about thirty-five years ago, was accompanied by an overcast sky and maybe a little rain. Marty assured me that one should expect such weather at the Canyon sixty to seventy percent of the time. He remarked that the weather at the overlook was the best he had known in a dozen visits.
The tour busses find Waimea Canyon without any difficulty so our visit was not a lonely one. The Canyon is a beautiful sight with all of the colors in the water and wind carved walls that are to be expected at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
We drove back down the windy track we climbed earlier (about 4000 feet) to the west coast of the island and drove back to Lihu’e where we picked up the highway heading north along the island’s eastern coast line. The further north we traveled, the more we became a part of what the island is all about. Beyond Kapa’a we passed dozens of comfortable little resort hotels with people wandering the streets in bathing suits and carrying beach chairs and such. We stopped at a number of beaches along the way to find people doing beachy kinds of things; mostly sunbathing. Surprisingly, I saw few folks as tanned as some on our cruise ship who have spent every possible moment lounging on deck chairs soaking up the rays.
The further north we drove, the prettier the beaches and the fewer the people. Fewer, that is, until we reached the end of the road at the Ha’ena State Park and Ke’e Beach. According to Marty, this is where the locals go to get away from the tourists and there were plenty of locals around for a Monday afternoon. We were lucky to find an “almost parking space” so that we could get out and take a few pictures.
Close by were the Waikapolae and Waikanaloa wet caves. The caves have been carved out of the steep seaside cliffs providing an unusual visual experience for first time visitors. When I saw the first cave I immediately recalled experiencing the sight during our last visit to the area thirty-five years ago. The caves are still awesome.
It took me a while but I think I’ve figured out where all of the young people come from at the primary dancing venue each evening after all of the shows are over. The Pride of Aloha is a ship of United
State Registry. The registry is unusual but the direct product of the Jones Act which requires that cruise ships that stay over night in Hawaiian ports must be of U.S. Registry. Because of the U.S. registry, the crew members must be U.S. citizens. The young unattached kids who work in the dining rooms and as room stewards get together after dark at the only place that caters to their tastes; ie. Contemporary dance music and entertainment ( like dumb Elvis impersonation contests). So much for renewing my dancing skills on this voyage.
The Pride of Aloha will stay in port at Lihue through today, Tuesday and then set sail for our next destination with an all day sail on Wednesday, our only day at sea on this cruise. Rather than go ashore today, I have selected the following events to attend during the day. Recounting my schedule will give you an idea of some of the things that one can do on board. Incidentally, yesterday and today are non-bridge days. 2:00 - lecture on Kukui Nut Leis;( I know, don’t buy the cheap ones because they will rot when you get them home); 4:00 - Napali Coast Narration as we sail along the island’s west coast; 4:30 - Broadway Appreciation - the work of the Gershwin Brothers; 6:30 - Pianist Robin Lucas entertains ( she’s great!); 7:30 - The Magic of John Shryock; 8:45 - “An Intimate (?) Evening With Sonny Rose”( this guy is good); and dinner at 9:45. Does that sound great or what?
Only today and three more days to struggle through this ordeal I’ve gotten myself into. Blame it on “Ollie”!
Aloha and love to all,
Grandpa/Dad/Bill