Branching out from Hanalei

[Kyle]We rented a car from the airport in the island’s main town of Lihue, several miles to the south. This meant we had to get the bus for the hour and a half ride from Hanalei. The schedules were timed in such a way that it turned out to be no faster to wait for the connection to the airport and then get the rental car shuttle than it was for us to just walk the mile and a half through what seemed to be the auto repair and thrift store district.

As strange as it may sound, walking a mile and a half in the noonday tropical sun was a nice break from what was to come, and anyway, it also provided a nice stop at a very pleasant coffee shop! Renting a car always turns out to be a marathon to maximize our opportunity.

Wailua Falls in the Wailua River Valley of Kaua'i

We headed first up into the mountains to Wailua Falls, made famous in the opening scene to Fantasy Island (American TV series of the 70's and 80's). From there, it was back to town to stock up for the passage at Costco. We had purchased most of our provisions in Honolulu, so we didn’t need too much. I was a bit nervous at the end as we left the store. My Mom says the people checking receipts at the door are really there to make sure you don’t leave without spending at least three hundred dollars. We’re usually nowhere near that, but this is the first time I can remember being BELOW it. They let us go with a warning, telling us to pick up a 94 pack of Cheez-its on the way out next time.

We got back to Hanalei well after dark right at the lowest tide of the day. Using our headlamps, we managed to pick our way over the bar only bumping a couple of places.