Hawaii 1999 Album - The Garden Island
Trip #3, island #2
For Sonia and I, this was our second trip to the island of Kauai, for Catherine, this was her first visit. Our base of operation on Kauai was a condo in Poipu.
note: Each of the photographs is a thumbnail image of the original. Just click on the thumbnail to view the full size picture.
"...one of Sonia's favorite places"
Part of this trip was a postponed 25th wedding anniversary. So we celebrated Sunday morning with the special champagne brunch at the Hyatt, just up the street from where we were staying. Catherine opted to sleep in.
The hotel survived hurricane Iniki in 1992 with only minor damage. The grounds were gorgeous.
The Hyatt is located just to the west of Shipwreck beach. Although we came by several times, we never actually stayed long enough for a swim.
"...and we caught dinner on the way home!"
A view of Kalalau Valley
above (from Kokee Park)
The rugged NaPali coast is a favorite with film makers. The beach on the left is the one used in 6 Days, 7 Nights as well as Star Wars and King Kong. Because all of the NaPali coast is now a state park, special arrangements had to be made to bring the 'stars' in each day by boat. Overnight camping is strictly limited to established sites.
The most common ways in are via ocean kayak or a 12 miles hike over the Kalalua Trail -- on the Sierra Club trail rating system of 1-10, this trail is rated an '11'!
The vertical designs on the rock face on the right are lava dikes. These formations occur when hot magma fills fissures in previously deposited lave.
Waimea Canyon
"...it may not be 'grand', but it is green, red, and breathtaking"
Our drive up the Waimea Canyon provided a number of great views. In less than five miles of road, you climb from sea level to 3500 feet. We took a few 'tourist' pictures just to prove we were there.
Kokee State Park is located along the western rim of Waimea Canyon. There was plenty of lush vegetation along the way. We saw several pairs of nené geese, the state bird of Hawaii, along the road and in the parking areas. Although once wild throughout the islands, they are now usually found only in state parks and other protected areas.
Lumahai Beach
"...beach=1, crowd=(a no show)"
Most Hawaiian beaches are small by New Jersey shore standards. It is a rare Hawaiian beach that has a continuous stretch of more than half a mile of sand. 
One other thing 'missing' from the Hawaiian beaches were the crowds. It is amazing how quickly your perspective changes and you begin calling the five other families on the beach a 'crowd'. 
Yet one more difference with the Jersey shore, you can actually see the bottom. Most of our beach time was sent snorkeling. So here are some random beach shots on the island of Kauai. These shots are of Lumahai Beach, the beach used in the movie South Pacific.
Tunnels Beach is one of our favorite snorkeling places. Large finger-like coral formations in the shallow water make it a good place for both diving and just paddling around. The mountains in the background of these pictures are the start of the NaPali coast. The background mountains were from the Bali Hai scene in the movie South Pacific. Okay! I promise you, no more movie trivia!
Brennecke beach is in the heart of Poipu, a major resort area. If you look closely at the picture to the immediate left, you can see a green sea turtle bobbing in the wave. The turtles come to eat the seaweed that grows on the rocks near shore. Although the beach is very narrow, it is a popular surfing hangout.
Polihale beach is one notable except to the 'short' Hawaiian beach rule I mentioned above. The beach runs for miles on the western, less developed side of Kauai. The mountains in the background are the western rim of Waimea Canyon.
Other sites....
"...is it time for bed yet?"At the left is the 'spouting horn' blow hole. The most challenging part of this natural formation is clicking the camera at just the right time.
And just because the sun begins to go down, there's really no compelling reason to leave the beach. This restaurant (Beach House in Lawai) is located right next on the beach. A wonderful way to end the day.
