The Final Days

This little guy came out to visit
from behind the couch.

Our days on the island were passing quickly. Friday was upon us and with it came the rain. We spent most of the morning watching the rain pour down. The rain started to disappear in the afternoon allowing the bright sun to break through.

We all walked the four blocks toward town to a park where they have a weekly Saturday art fair. We all checked out the booths, hid from the rain, and bought some various items. Linda bought a very cool handbag/carry-on that I really liked. It has sea turtles on it and looks very Hawaiian. Later that afternoon we drove into Hanalei for dinner at Kalypso Island Bar and Grill and did some final shopping.

Smile!

It was time for our adventure to be over. Everyone packed and we played our final game of cards. We would have to depart from Tiki Tower by 10 AM the next morning.

At exactly 10 the next morning we were heading south to catch our flight in Lihue. The problem was that we were not scheduled to board our flight until 8 PM that evening. Mike drove and the rest of us made suggestions as to how to burn time waiting for our flight. We ended up stopping at every little town and shopping. It was fun and gave us a good look at the many little towns along the route back to drop off the rental car and catch our flight.

It's all about the refreshments, you know!

Things went well after we returned the car. Our flight was on time and we all got seated for the 5 hour and 55-minute red-eye flight back to Seattle. Trying to get comfortable and sleep was a challenge, what can you do? At the airport in Seattle, we had breakfast and then caught the final flight home. It all went smoothly and we were at our house by about 9:45 AM. We were tired, but it was such a nice vacation that it was worth the exhaustion.

We were so honored to have been invited on this adventure. We hope the Andersons, especially Julia whose trip this was, enjoyed the experience as much as we did. We truly had a great time. Thanks, Mike Rayelle, and Julia, for the adventure and your friendship. We love you all.

[If you want to compare this adventure to our first visit to this beautiful island explore here!]

Watching surfers and swimmers.

Time for the last leg of our journey.

Lighthouse

The next afternoon, the Andersons and Linda walked to one of the many golf courses near us to attend an Art and Music Festival. They were disappointed in what they found - maybe 6 vendors and one guy playing his guitar and singing. They enjoyed the walk. That evening, we split the team up and the Andersons went to a Hula and Fire Dance demo while Linda and I rested and used the area around the pool. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed the time together just resting and enjoying the sun we had.

View from the parking lot outside the refuge.

On Thursday, we went to the Kilauea Point Lighthouse National Wildlife Refuge and explored that area. This refuse hosts one of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the state. It is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Lighthouse sits on a spit of lava rock protected to the north by a small island. The light serves to warn ships of the rock island and the mainland. The views are spectacular.

That afternoon was spent at Anini Beach where Mike snorkeled and the ladies lay in the sun and went beachcombing. I sat in the shade enjoying the breeze, watching the windsurfers.

Kilauea Point Lighthouse.

The breakwater island north of the lighthouse.

Looking west to the Anini Beach area from the lighthouse.

Snorkeling and sunning at Anini Beach.

Guarding the shade.

Horns and Turtles

After we explored the road up Waimea Canyon and back, we then drove to Poipu and found the Spouting Horn. We watched the seas push through the rocks sending a spray of water up into the air. It also made a sound that sounded like a whale blowing out through its blowhole. We were able to see several sea turtles feeding along the rocks. It was a great stop. As the sun lowered on the horizon, we drove to Poipu Beach where turtles were known to make their way out of the water each night to sleep on the beach. Everyone found a spot and waited for the creatures to arrive. The area was packed as everyone waited to see if any would show up that evening. There were several volunteers as well as rangers/biologists in the area. They made sure that no one was allowed to approach or harass any turtles that might appear. These volunteers stay til most everyone is off the beach. They do this every single night. They take their conservation very seriously. Just as the sun disappeared, two huge turtles made their way up onto the sandy beach. The first and largest had to be at least 4 feet in length and close to that in diameter. The second was only slightly smaller. It was a very interesting process. The turtles are so large that it takes them an enormous amount of effort to make their way to their resting place. With the sun down, Mike drove us home and we played cards til bedtime.

The Spouting Horn sends us a little rainbow.

Jo Jo's Shave Ice.

Crowds gather at Poipu Beach to watch the turtles.

Waimea Canyon

Red dirt waterfalls.

Tuesday was filled with another drive south. We drove the Waimea Canyon to the end of the road. There were so many places to take pictures it took a bit of work to keep moving forward. We stopped a lot! Linda, Julia, Mike, and Rayelle took a hike to try to get to Waimea Falls. It was the same hike Linda and I did the first time we visited the island. I waited in the shade at the car. My back would not let me do a hard four-mile hike. The four hikers walked into the dense forest and reappeared two hours later. They never made it to the trail end. It was a hard hike over roots and very slick ground. They decided to turn back after chatting with several hikers who told them that the hike ended at the falls but you could not see the falls due to it dropping over the top edge into the valley. I remembered that fact after they had returned.

Looking across Waimea Canyon.

We ate lunch in the shade before loading back into the car. We continued up the canyon and stopped at some viewpoints. On the way back down the mountain canyon road, we pulled over and took some pictures. At Waimea, we stopped at the famous Jo Jo's Shave Ice shop and got a small shave ice for each of us. They consisted of a big scoop of macadamia nut ice cream with a huge mound of shave ice on top. They were just the right ticket after our canyon adventure. I had a coffee-flavored ice. It was so good. We all savored every bite.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Linda, Rayelle, Mike, Julia and I walked to one of the many golf courses. There was to be an Art and Music Festival that happened each Wednesday. It wasn't much of a festival with just a half dozen vendors and one guy playing his guitar and singing. They were disappointed but enjoyed the walk. Later that afternoon, we split the team up and the Andersons went to a Hula and Fire Dance demo while Linda and I rested and used the area around the pool. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed the time just resting and enjoying the sun.

Waimea Falls from the canyon road.

Days Go By

Sunset looking west towards Hanalei.

Trying to get our sense of direction and the lay of the land took us on a drive through Hanalei to Ha'ena State Park and the end of the road for non-hikers. We turned around and drove slowly back checking out each public beach to see where we wanted to explore. Of course, we ended up in Hanalei shopping and buying snacks.

(Saturday) With our cooler stuffed and the beach chairs loaded, we headed through Princeville and along the coast to Lumaha'i River Beach. This beachfront park was perfect for sunbathing and fulfilling one of the main group requests - spending time on a beach! The Lumaha'i River is a small deep, slow-moving piece of water that provides fresh water swimming right next to the beach and black lava rock. People were swinging off ropes attached to trees next to the rock walls across the stream. They were also jumping off the bridge over the river. There was constant action to watch. It was incredibly windy (for most of our time here), but that didn't ruin it for us. The river flows into the ocean in a rush of pounding waves, swirling sand, and black lava rock. That part of the beach is not for sissies. The locals call it Luma Die Beach because someone drowns here every year.

Wailua Falls from the parking lot.

Later in the evening, we went to Happy Hour at a restaurant called Calypsos where we had pupus and drinks. The bar there was called Happy Talk. Back at the Tiki Tower, we played cards and went to bed relatively early.

Looking down at Wailua Falls.

After a laid-back breakfast on Sunday, we loaded into the car and Mike drove us south in search of several sightseeing opportunities.  Waterfalls abound on this island and so we drove to two different falls, Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls. At Wailua Falls the hiking trail had been washed out and construction tape across the entrance kept us from hiking to the base of the falls. This trail gets substantial use and they were doing some repairs on it. It was disappointing to be unable to hike it.

After getting a bit lost, we were unable to find Opaeka'a Falls. At the end of the road to where we thought the falls were, we ran into two ladies who were looking for the falls also. They were very frustrated to have traveled that far and not to have seen anything. Of course, on our travels, we checked out local stores and food vendors keeping everyone happy.

Back at the Tiki Hut, we made an interesting discovery. The Opaeka'a Falls we were searching for were in a different area of the island. We were actually on the trail of the Ho'opi'i Falls. We got our waterfall names and their locations mixed up. After groaning and then laughing about our Falls confusion, we took some time to swim and relax in the sun. Linda and I took a walk from our Tiki Tower down to the beach below all the complexes and golf courses. It was a steep descent to the beach, but we were rewarded with a great view of the ocean and some nice beachcombing.

Lihue, Hawaii

First, a little background about how this adventure came about. Mike and Rayelle Anderson's daughter, Julia, graduated from high school this year and as a reward for her being an honor student, she was given the opportunity of a trip for all her hard work. We were honored when she asked us to join the family on this adventure.

Linda, Julia, and Rayelle began searching for a location to explore. The first choice was Costa Rica, but soon they realized the flights down and back plus other travel requirements would consume too much time, not allowing enough for exploration and relaxation. At that time, Linda suggested Hawaii and they began putting this graduation adventure to Lihue together. Julia found the AirBnb in Princeville, a car was rented, and then we had to wait until June 13th to get the party started.

Lihue

Back to the D Gates!

Our flight from Spokane to Seattle was smooth, and on time, but insanely early. Departing from our front door at 3.30 AM was one of those crazy necessities you put up with when you travel from Spokane to anywhere in the world. You would have to leave that early even if you were just traveling to Seattle or Boise. There is just no getting around the pre-dawn!!!

As we got off the plane in the Emerald City, I checked the Alaska App on my phone and it said we would be departing for Hawaii from gate D7. I spotted the guide signs, lowered my head, entered the swarm of travelers, and we made our way quickly to the designated gate. Once there I rechecked the app and found that there had been a gate change and we then were leaving from gate N15.

Off we went into the crowds down to the train and over to the N gates.

The Tiki Hut, our front room and kitchen.

Arriving at the N Gates, we were told that our gate had been changed again and that we were departing from our original gate D7. Again we headed to the train, up the long escalators, and through the crowds to the D gates.

Here was our problem. Whenever we went down into the tunnel and on the People Mover train, they would change our departure gate and then send an email telling us where to go. Being down in the tunnel out of phone coverage, we would not get the info until we arrived at the new gate. We were like ping-pong balls bouncing back and forth.

In the end, we walked to each departure gate three times. We departed an hour and a half late from Gate N12. Weirdly enough, we weren't that ate getting into Lihue.

So many flowers!

Looking south from Princeville overlook.

Our arrival was uneventful and we quickly collected our luggage. We hoped a shuttle that carried us to the car rental facility and Mike went inside to pick up our vehicle. I waited outside with the others. As I waited I chatted with the rental car greeter. He was an older retired fellow, Byron. When he learned we were from Idaho, he told me about an upcoming trip to fish the Henery's Fork of southern Idaho. We chatted the entire time Mike was in getting the paperwork secured.  When Mike appeared with our ride, I said good luck to Byron, helped load the rig and we were off to find our condo.

Our first order of business was a quick stop for supplies at Costco!  We collected the items we thought we needed from the box store and, of course, had a Costco hot dog. We were famished from our flight and a big dog really hit the spot. 

The view from the Happy Talk Bar & Grill.

First evening drinks and pupus.

We then stopped at a nearby Safeway and completed our shopping list. Back in the car, Mike loaded our destination into the Google app and we were off. Everything went as planned and we arrived at our Tiki-themed condo (the house was called the Tiki Tower) tired but excited. We were finally able to relax.

Our first full day (Friday) of our stay was very relaxed and low-key. We all woke up at different times, took walks around the area, and then ate breakfast on our own. Perfect start to our island vacation. We got familiar with the house. It was three floors. First - 2 bedrooms and baths, second - 1 bedroom with bath and the laundry room with a toilet, and third - the living and dining room, the kitchen, and a small balcony lanai. Six small flights of stairs to the top, I have to get my exercise!

Rayelle, Mike, Linda, and I got into the car and drove around the community to the west which included Hanalei, Princeville, and Wahiniha ending our drive at Limahuli Garden & Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden. This area is basically the end of the road and beyond this point starts the Kalalau Trailhead along with the National Park.

We returned in time to load up and catch happy hour at Happy Talk a local restaurant and bar. The view from the bar was beautiful.

Looking west from an overlook on the drive
to  Hanalei. 

A gigantic snail that you should never touch!

Shoes off in Tiki House.

Again, looking south.