Day 1:
Flew nonstop on Continental to HNL. Experienced difficulty with curbside checkin of our bags from Mainland to LIH via HNL. The skycaptain stated that we needed to have at least 2 hours between HNL and LIH connecting flight in order to check our luggage to LIH and avoid having to claim the baggage at HNL and recheck it for the interisland flight to LIH. We declined the skycaptain services, hauled our luggage into the terminal and were eventually referred to an overworked supervisor who stated that the policy with checking the luggage to LIH via HNL is exactly opposite what the skycaptain said in that the airline will not transfer the luggage to the connecting interisland flight unless there is less than 2 hours between the connecting flights. Nonetheless the ticket agent supervisor after many keystrokes and exasperated expressions managed to accommodate our luggage transfer to final destination (LIH) request, which we much appreciated after the long flight from the mainland.

Picked up car reservation (Chevy Equinox, odometer=1,000 miles) at Avis and Mrs JohnD was relieved that no creepy crawlies were present, unlike one of our previous convertible rentals a few years ago from another rental company.

Headed on from LIH to Kmart and later Walmart for supplies and was visited by a Walmart security officer to make sure to follow the arrowed traffic after backing into a spot against the designated direction of parking lot traffic. Consistent with previously stated controversy, we noticed that we could not find a copy of Kaua`i Revealed guidebook in KMart after having purchased Maui Revealed there when previously on Maui. However, we eventually found the 2007 6th edition in the new Borders along with a Snorkel Kaua`i guidebook with many .

After picking up supplies, we headed north to Hanalei and had some difficulty finding our studio condo “Palm Hale”in the late night darkness just beyond and mauka of Hanalei Colony Resort. The studio condo for less than 100$-)/night had most appliances and conveniences but lacked air conditioning and the screens were very old and in need of replacement. Apparently a previous guest had put their key right through the outer screen to unlock the condo door behind the screen and dozens of tiny flies made their way into the studio while we brought our luggage and supplies in. After sealing the screens with some tape, pests were no longer a problem and a floor fan provided welcome ventilation.

Day 2
Arose to the sound of roosters a’crowin and headed off to the beautifully sunny and calm Ke`e Beach. We immediately noticed that the previous restroom and shower facilities building was torn down and under reconstruction with chainsaws buzzing in the distance, and port a potties were now present across the parking lot near the Kalalau trailhead entrance. Many more parking spaces were present but occupied in fields to the lower right of the road before the beach parking lot than we recall on our last visit a couple years ago. Once again we enjoyed the decent snorkeling, beautiful scenery and lovely weather on Mrs JohnD’s favorite beach amidst the ongoing construction activity.
(more to follow…)

You went again!?! Jeez Louise, but you are a glutton for punishment! Keep the vicarious pleasure coming sir.

I forgot if you are Beaver, Wally or Eddie....in any case, get it on!!!!! You're talkin about my favorite place in the whole wide world..........

Regards,
June

JohnD - always enjoy your emoticons! lucky you rechecked to recheck your luggage all the way through. what a pain!

standing by

I'2,
Kal = Eddie
JohnD = Wally
iamq = Beaver

Ahhh, those were the days, no?

Come on Wally, quit grading those papers and get on with the really important stuff!

yes, they were my dear sweet little iamqBeaver! Come on Wally!!!!! We're waiting!!

Indeed, we and Suzie had so much fun, in those Crazy4HI days!

yikes

I just walk in the door, the redsox are up in game 1 and my computer is going off like a siren....."alert, alert, alert, John D trip report...." Those merry pranksters, I mean dawgs!

.... and so screaching home at 85 mph to the top of the 9th.....on with it good man!

I didn't think I needed to sign off, but just in case

Pleeeeeze continue~

Malama Pono,
Sistahgyppieloulani

24 hours later, and the sox one another one - wooohoooo!

But where oh where has our johnnie gone???

Mahalo kealalani, for your support, would like nothing more than to wikiwiki talk story, yeah?

Actually, Bill is not far of the mark in message #2 above, as a purebred K9 (working class ((&))), can no afford$-) to Pau Hana on the day job, hang loose sistah.

JohnD,

You mention a new Borders, where is it. I am only aware of the one at Kukui Grove which has been there awhile.

Looking forward to more of your report. Thanks.

Reply to Jamie99, It's been a couple years since visiting the GardenIsle for me, though Mrs JohnD made it there last year before I eventually caught up with her in HNL just before the earthquake, so you are indeed correct about the Borders in Kukui Grove.

Day 2 continued.
Headed back to Hanalei after the beach for Shave Ice and shopping. Wishing Well was not open, so checked out Shave Ice Paradise instead where the shave ice was somewhat on the granular side. Picked up Ahi, Opah, Ono from the Dolphin Fish Market for dinner.

Day 3
Visited Ke`e Beach for another beautiful, sunny day with calm conditions.
Returned in the afternoon to Hanalei for the awesome Wishing Well Shave Ice and had the delicious Haena Sunset over Macnut Ice Cream. Visited the fruit cart across the lot and picked up some avocados and sweet, apple bananas.

Day 4
It rained heavily overnight and was cloudy as we arose on our last day in the condo. We loaded up our luggage and headed south past Princeville. Turned off to visit the Kilauea lighthouse, where a monk seal was visible frolicking in a tide pool below the overlook. Picked up some home-made pineapple pies from some children who had towed a wagon roadside. Stopped by Opaeka`a Falls for lunch and continued on up past the falls and stopped to review the roadside memorials above the falls. Drove on to the lush landscape near U. of HI research station. Made the stream crossing past Keahua arboretum and briefly glimpsed up the rock-studded Powerline trail. Headed back after venturing down the road a little further which gradually became narrower, muddier, & bumpier. Stopped by WalMart in Lihue to drop off film for processing and visited Hilo Hatie to redeem Continental coupon for free box of macnut chocolates and were greeted with shell leis. Filled up tank at Chevron and received complimentary hand car wash.
Encountered a bit of traffic as we headed on past the Kukui Grove shopping center where new stores Home Depot and Costco have appeared since last visit. Checked into the Hyatt where our less than $300 Garden room was wonderfully upgraded to pool-view with ground level lanai, and we were sure to respond positively to the receptionist’s inquiry if this was a special occasion-and this being our 5th anniversary visit to Kaua’i, we were awarded a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Dined at Toi’s Thai Restaurant in nearby Hanapepe for dinner where we enjoyed a green papaya salad and Toi’s Temptation with ahi in a coconut curry sauce and lemongrass, while Mrs JohnD opted for the peanut sauce version, with an interesting combination of tapioca pudding and azuki beans in coconut milk for dessert.

Day5
Visited Poipu Beach on a beautifully calm though hot sunny day where shade was most welcome. Enjoyed snorkeling at Poipu and happened upon a cleaning station where a cleaner wrasse was nipping at butterfly, parrot and surgeon fish providing a thorough cleaning Whilst I was snorkeling Mrs JohnD witnessed a monk seal scoot by on the beach before disappearing into the surf. Once back on shore, noticed a spear fisher hurriedly exiting the beach with a few octopi on a skewer. Another local visitor brought a couple((&)) Labradors who enjoyed swimming and burrowing in the hot golden sand, but was later instructed to remove them from the beach. On the way back to the Hyatt stopped by Puka dogs for lunch and enjoyed the mango relish and unusual style buns. Relaxed in the lazy river pool and waterslide back at the hotel. Dined at the new Yum Cha restaurant via shuttle to the Golf course Clubhouse. Enjoyed the $20 bento box special with swordfish and shrimp from 5-6PM, while the sunset provided a beautiful accent to the distant mountains.
still more to come…

Wally, is this your 5th time to torture yourself in 5 years???

Happy Anniversary.

i'2

Reply to June,
Now that we're back on the mainland, we actually chose to celebrate our 5th anniversary in Feb at the Maui Prince, instead of Kaua`i at this time since weather can be tricky on that rugged north shore where we were wed on the Garden Isle.

Fortunately we encountered great weather on our 2nd October trip to HI this year, and a local mentioned that we were fortunate that summerlike calm conditions were still present, and that earlier this summer the weather was not as nice.

P.S. We are most [-o< thankful for the opportunity for >5+ visits to HI in 5 years.

Wally, what happened to you?

Regards,
June

He and Eddie got grounded.

Sorry for the delay June, been away on business & livin' it up @ a hotel in California on the avenue of the .