Kauai: Mon 12.05.11

HaPpy BirThdAy to bRigHam!!! 5 years old and we aren't there to celebrate so we hope you will forget and forgive!


We had a busy Sunday so we relaxed again on the South shore and soaked up some more of that Hawaiian sun.

We went early to Poi'pu before the lifeguards were there and Mike snorkeled out around the reef. He said it was amazing! He saw lots of turtles and big fish. When he got back I took Tyler out (and my cell phone) we were a little braver this time and went further too and ran into the "snake" again. We sat and watched the eel until Tyler was okay. The fish were amazing!

Splashed in the big waves at Brennecke Beach. Amy's favorite beach!



We kept seeing a turtle in the surf and I was so jealous of Mike's morning swim with the turtles so I went out to get me a turtle.



Took Katelyn out and couldn't find the turtle again.

Went back for some lunch and to wash up! Then hiked along the lithified sand dunes and cliff cracks.



Shipwreck Beach and Makawehi Point a popular place for pole fisherman. While we were walking we saw a guy catch a fish and the kids got to touch it.

Drove through abandoned Sugar Cane fields to Gillin's Beach, a popular place for windsurfing. We ran into another seal. Katelyn and Ty enjoyed the swing.







Went back to Spouting Horn to buy souvenirs!
Just taking a look for some decent snorkeling at Prince Kuhio Beach and we heard a lady get out of the water because there was a turtle! Yeah!!
We threw our gear on as fast as we could. A big old turtle was just snacking on rocks and we got so close. Too close for mom! Katelyn got to swim with a turtle!


Dad watching Jessie and soothing SC while we swim with the turtle.



Another breath taking sunset at PK Beach

Kauai: Sunday 12.04.11

Tyler and Dad went and caught the sunrise and found some treasure


Sacrament Meeting at the Kalaheo Ward began at 9am. It was the last Fast and Testimony meeting of the year. We sat in the back with all the other visitors.
It was neat to see the building and listen to the testimonies. Mike was invited to a baptism and yummy lunch, but we headed up the west coast right after the meeting.

Waimea Canyon: " the Grand Canyon of the Pacific"- Mark Twain
Each layer of this canyon represents a different eruption and subsequent lava flow. The canyon is 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep. The road is 40 miles round trip with a 4,000 foot elevation rise.






We had a great little picnic at the Kokee Museum and park. Jessie is getting some hydration before the big hike.
The kids had fun feeding and chasing the chickens and Jessie just squealed in delight.



Kalalau Valley is the largest valley on Na Pali. It's beach is only accessible by an 11 mile hike or by kayak. Just revel in the view!

Looking for whales




Wai ale'ale' One of the wettest spots on earth!


Don't get too close to the edge!
This hike was something else. We hiked through the clouds, mud and trees. the view was awesome and we felt like we had tons of oxygen to breath!









We did it!


Mike and Jessie on top of the world!


Coming down!

Glass BeachStuff from an old dump washes ashore.. mostly from broken glass and auto glass. A colorful tapestry of sand and multi-colored glass.



One of my favorite things in Hawaii are the "Go Dog Go" trees. Their canopies are huge and I just want to lay down under one and gaze upward. Just magnificent!


The rainbow state! This was one of many rainbows that we saw


We headed down to the beach for the sunset and there was a seal up on the beach.

Great view of Poi'pu beach



Sunset on the Sabbath (Poi'pu)

Kauai: Sat 12.03.11

This was a day to relax and stay close to the hotel and in the sun. So we stayed and played on the south shore. We snorkeled and swam at Poi'pu.

We were setting our stuff down when an old Hawaiian guy, Royaden, told the kids to go pick a certain white flower from a nearby bush.

and he told them a legend...

In ancient times, one version goes, there was a beautiful Hawaiian princess known as Naupaka. One day, the villagers noticed that Naupaka looked very sad. They told her parents, who approached Naupaka and asked her what was troubling her.

“I have fallen in love with a man named Kaui,” replied the princess. “But Kaui is not of noble birth—he is a commoner.” According to Hawaiian tradition, it was strictly forbidden for members of royalty to marry people from the common ranks.

Distressed, Naupaka and Kaui traveled long and far, seeking a solution to their dilemma. They climbed up a mountain to see a kahuna who was staying at a heiau (temple). Alas, he had no clear answer for the young lovers. “There is nothing I can do,” he told them, “but you should pray. Pray at this heiau.”

So they did. And as they prayed, rain began to fall. Their hearts torn by sorrow, Naupaka and Kaui embraced for a final time. Then Naupaka took a flower from her ear and tore it in half, giving one half to Kaui. “The gods won’t allow us to be together,” she said. “You go live down by the water, while I will stay up here in the mountains.”

As the two lovers separated, the naupaka plants that grew nearby saw how sad they were. The very next day, they began to bloom in only half flowers.


It was alsogood to talk to him about the island and he gave Mike some great tips for snorkeling at Poi'pu.

I took the underwater camera out and snapped some pictures of the fish we were seeing. Saw a turtle in the surf, but when I got in the water I couldn't ever find her.







Amy playing in the sand.


We still had the boogie boards so we took them over into the waves at Brennecke Beach and had a great time there.


Came back to the hotel to rinse off and play some more while lunch was getting made.








The "adults only" pool had awesome waterfalls and never any adults!



After naps went back to Poi'pu and there was a turtle there to greet us. The kids were in heaven.
Whenever an animal comes up on the beach you are supposed to take the stakes and ropes provided by the state and stake a safe area around the animal so that it is protected.

Love the sunsets in Hawaii...