4csinHI2025

Last time we fueled up in Kaua'i versus first time filling up once home (Spring Hill).

Pearl Harbor - this sub sunk 44 vessels during WWII

Had a wonderful family vacation. The many hours of travel was worth it. This is my favorite pic.

Google AI Overview In 2025, Kauai County, Hawaii, is estimated to have a population of 73,987 with a growth rate of 0.09% in the past year. The racial composition includes 30.09% White, 29.62% Asian, and 10.24% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.  Detailed Demographics:  Population:  73,987 (estimated for 2025)  Growth Rate:  0.09% (past year)  Racial Composition: White: 30.09%  Asian: 29.62%  Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 10.24%

Lydgate Park is teeming with locals and tourists on this Sunday afternoon. Kicked back at the pool feeling the ocean breeze. Tough for me to relax on travel day. I'm ready to go and not linger. Our flight departs at 9:29pm local time (2:39am CST). Likely head towards Lihue for gas, food then the airport about 6:30pm.

As the plan arrived, Tattoo would make his way to the tower, ring the bell, then belt out "The Plane! The Plane!" Which show was it? Wailua Falls is featured in the opening of the show. The falls is over 170'.

From grocery store to restaurants you frequently see SPM as a food option. One our resort in the Island of Hawaii that served pre-prepared meals in the deli had a rectangle of rice with a slice of spam on top wrapped up tight with plastic wrap. Inexpensive snack I suppose. Why is SPAM popular in Hawaii? During WWII a trade embargo was in place between the U.S. and Japan. SPAM was used to supplement for the lack of protein in the locals diet and also feed soldiers.

This Facebook ad/video is what we did. Our raft went everywhere the one in the as did. Take a moment to watch as our hundreds of photos and video clips cannot come close to what they put together.  Escape the crowds and explore Kauai's Na Pali Coast with Na Pali Experience. Small groups, personalized tours, and unforgettable memories. Book your... | By Na Pali Experience | Facebook facebook.com

As fun and exciting as it was to dive in the deep blue water and snorkel while seeing wildlife, the sea caves! Exhilarating! Paul piloted the boat into two different ones. The first was indeed a cave all the way. The second was an opening like a cave but then on the other side above was wide open to the sky. The boat circled a huge rock in the center as we reversed direction to exit

After docking and a heartfelt thank you to the crew, we headed for some grave across the street from Kauai Sea Tours office. The six hour plus day required lots of energy and that means calories. Crab cake appetizers all around. Back across the street was the the Kauai Chocolate Company serving up happiness!

The strap you see, that was the seatbelt. Ropes also ran along the top outside and inside of the boat that was used for holding onto. The ride out was really fun. We had to pay for it on the way back. Waves were rough forcing us to hold on a bit tighter. Not many pics taken on the way in.

Fun, had a blast… Only two of dozens of words needed to describe this adventure.

Find the the coconut palms - bottom middle just slightly right. These trees are usually 60-80 feet and can be 100' tall. They look so insignificant in this pic. The native people would create a pond by dredging a small channel to the shore. This saltwater pond would keep their excess fish swimming around until time to harvest. These came in handy in times of bad weather when canoes were unable to be used to fish. Another note, the large X carved in the rock is one of only three in the world like it. This X was created by lava tubes then later filled with magma from the earth below. 

This cave or actually it's an archway. It's the Honopu archway. Doesn't appear to be of any size however it is 120' wide and 100' feet tall.  During the filming of "Acapulco Heat" in the late 70's, a helicopter pilot was paid $50,000 to fly thru the archery. The skilled pilot did so with only one problem. The cameraman in the cockpit was so scared he forgot to press record. Now in a dilemma, the production company was to forced to pay the pilot to perform the risky maneuver a second time.  Per Google AI search… King Kong (1976) : The 1976 remake of King Kong used Honopu Beach and the Honopu Arch as the setting for Skull Island.   Six Days Seven Nights  (1998) : This film featured the Honopu Arch and other parts of the Na Pali Coast.   Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides  (2011) : Scenes involving Jack Sparrow and the discovery of the Fountain of Youth were filmed at the Honopu Arch.   Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) : Some sc...

One of my fav pics along the Nepali coast History of the Native Hawaiians run deep. The valleys amongst the great cliffs is where the native people lived hundreds of years ago. They farmed, fished along these beaches then retreated to the upper valleys during the winter months to avoid the crashing waves.

Again, pics cannot tell the whole story of a majestic waterfall such as is.

Note the green growth on the cliffs. During winter months touring this area is impossible as waves of 25-50 ft high crash against the rock. The green line is how high the waves can reach. It varies by area.

"Crush", the sea turtle swimming along.

Many decades ago water fell in large volume forming waterfalls as you can see on the cliff face. As farming across the island became more popular, water was diverted across the island thus tge flow at this location. Pictures are not able to put into perspective how high these cliffs reach. Sone are up to 4,000 ft. Along one of these we could see a few people from our location, they appeared as ants.

Encountered several different groups of Spinner dolphins. They would swim alongside the sea raft and sometimes just ahead.

The clear water reminds me of the movie "The Blue Lagoon". Apart from a few controversial scenes, they captured the beauty of the ocean's blue yet clear water. We stopped several times to take a dip in the refreshing Pacific.

To test to see if sharks are in the water, do the following: - raise your hand while pointing your index finger in the air - point your hand and finger down until just your finger is in the water - twirl your finger around several times - remove your finger from the water - place your finger in your mouth - if it tastes salty, sharks are in the water Per Captain Paul. Snorkeling was fun minus drinking some salt water. It definitely takes practice to breath correctly using the provided gear. The area was a reef that connected to shore along the narrow beach looking up at the over 1,000 ft cliffs. We saw several fish up close as well as an estimated 100 yr old sea turtle. The turtle hung around a while.

Dual outboard Yamaha 115hp motors, 24' in length, air inflated are the general specs on this sea raft. This vessel would carry us on a 65 mile round trip adventure along the beautiful Na Pali coast that we will not soon forget. Paul, our captain and pilot, is a longtime guide with many years experience. Originally from Alaska, he has guided fishing charters, tours, etc both in Hawaii and in Alaska during prime seasons until about 10 yrs ago when he permanently moved to Hawaii. Illy, an 18 yr old local, was a fisherman since a kid trying to break into the guide business.

Smith Family & Botanical Garden A production it was. What is a trip to Hawaii without a Luau. The Smith Family's production has been running for 40 years. All family, playing multiple roles. Started with a tour around the 30 acre botanical garden. The traditional ceremony to remove the pig from the ground followed which included blowing the conch shells in all four directions. Everyone migrated to the covered dinner area. While waiting for the food to be blessed, live music entertained everyone. The buffet was stocked with Teriyaki beef, Adobo chicken, pulled pork right out of the ground, sliced Ahi, fried rice, Hawaiian sweet potatoes, rice pudding, potatoes, and much more. An amphitheater provided the location for the show. The sun had set by this point and darkness had fallen. In complete darkness the drums began to beat then a bright light at the top of the volcano backdrop shone bright. The so-called goddess Pele appeared letting everyone know her power. With a flick...

As Dwight Yoakam once said in one of his songs. We are/were really over 1,000 miles from anywhere.

During the 70's and maybe early 80's peacocks like these strolled the grounds around the Cherry Mansion in Savannah, TN. These guys were out in force at the botanical garden and letting their presents be known audibly.

Friday on our way back from seeing Wimea Canyon and Spouting Horn we passed through a couple small towns. This one was, Kekaha, right along the coastal highway for a decent stretch. Normal houses lined down the highway with direct ocean views. As we cut thru alongside an elementary school with kids about on the playground, Carson piped up saying "Did you see that takedown?" Apparently and larger kid put a wrestling move on a smaller kid while the teacher was looking the other way.

All across the islands the familiar sound a a rooster crowing is very common. You hens and rooster pecking about. During our tour at the botanical gardens, our tour guide said a hurricane blew through Hawaii destroying many many chicken coops thus freeing chickens to roam about and multiply and multiply and multiply as they have no natural predators.

As the waves crash into the rock they surge underneath and up thru an opening spraying water up to 100' high at times.

Wimea Canyon State Park is what is called "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Not a park with buildings and sights but with overlooks and pullouts to enjoy the views. The elevation varied at each stop. Looking inland is the canyon while looking opposite is the Pacific Ocean. We could even see a couple of nearby uninhabitable Hawaiian islands.

Bacon, eggs and oatmeal are a staple that o could eat daily thus my choice for breakfast. Added some fruit and some French toast as well.

Friday morning's view of Wailua Bay Friday morning.

Awaiting our luggage in the Lihu'e airport on Kaua'i. Other than the ones on that flight, not much else going on. Made our way over to rental the to the Hilton Garden Inn, a snack, shower then bed.

We were feeling it during our very short flight from O'ahu to Kaua'i. About the time they turned off the interior lights we all started nodding our heads. Five o'clock came early Thursday morning. Lots of empty seats. Must have been the last flight to Kaua'i that evening. I would say the plane might have been 65-70% capacity.

Not much going on at this gate in the Honolulu airport Thursday evening.

When on O'ahu, you must visit Waikiki Beach. The strip is lined with high end shops - Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Tesla, etc. high rises on both sides with restaurants a plenty. Even had a McD's and a Denny's though a bit fancier facades.