Mahalo Robin

The big storm that gave us so much rain last week caused a lot of runoff and washed lots of old wood down the rivers. Lydgate park and its popular protected rock pool was full of branches and tree trunks that came from the large Wailua River. The newspaper reported on it, and we had a chance to see it firsthand on Sunday.

We found Robin at the beach who didn’t think the county was going to clean up anytime soon and started removing the wood that had already washed up on the sand. I think he just wanted to build a huge bonfire, but I also really appreciate the initiative of making the pool usable again. Unfortunately, we were guests at a nearby wedding and couldn’t help out in our nice clothes.

You often hear that the people of Kauai are generous volunteers who step up and make things happen. Maybe it’s because on a small island, you really see the difference that volunteering makes. Thanks, Robin, for reminding us and setting the example.

Update: I scooped The Garden Island newspaper!

Moloaa Beach

Moloaa Bay is one of those hidden gems of the North Shore of Kauai. It is off the main highway and down the scenic old road, which also makes it less crowded. Nearly the entire bay is lined with a beautiful golden sand beach, although the waves are a bit rough in the center where you access the beach at this sign:

But if you walk to either side of the bay, there is a small reef that protects the beach for swimming and snorkeling. The next photo was taken on the left side as you face the ocean. I call it the ironwood side of the bay because of the trees. The other side is the coconut side.

Parking can be a problem because the end of the road has no space, and lots of No Parking signs. Park near the last intersection and walk the road to the beach. There were currents inside the reef on the ironwood side, but the coconut side was mostly still. Please observe the ocean, exercise caution and avoid the water if you’re unsure you can handle the conditions.

Kalihiwai

We spent all of today at Kalihiwai beach, the one where we got married almost a year ago. It’s a great beach, very wide, very long, fine sand, no rocks, lots of snorkeling spots, and even shade most of the day. We arrived early around 10 am and saw some spinner dolphins in the bay. They’re always around, but that was the first time either of us had seen them. We snorkeled out to see them, and we saw them jump out of the water and spin around in the air from about 50 yards away. When we tried to swim closer, they just swam off.

Later, we borrowed our friend’s kayak to paddle out to sea, around the rocky point to the next beach east. We were hoping to see more dolphins, but all we got were nice views of the coast. We were never more than 100 yards from shore, and the ocean was as flat as it gets without much wind, so it was really easy as could be. Both of us are new to kayaking, but it’s lots of fun to be out on the water, and you get to see the island from a different perspective. Also, it’s something Sonja has no trouble doing while pregnant.

After a picnic, some frisbee on the beach, and some more snorkeling in the bay, we took the kayaks on the river. It’s very green and peaceful, but I think the view of the valley is better from the road bridge. Still, well worth the effort, and you can go all the way up the river to a waterfall. Also, the river was so flat, I risked taking the camera along, so that’s where I took todays photos:

A shack with a tin roof, 3 cars, a truck, and a boat—must be paradise!

Wailua Beach

As promised, here are photos of the beach that Sonja and I go to most often because it is the closest to our house. It’s about a mile away, just across the main highway. We used to walk there, but sometimes we go at lunch and take the car to go quicker.

Looking left:

Looking right:

The beach is probably almost a half-mile long, at the far end (to the right) is the Wailua river mouth. The river makes the water murky at times, but it’s better right now in the summer. The waves here are moderate because of the wide sandy beach, but there are surf breaks over low rocks at either end. During the summer, the waves are low and you can snorkel over the rocks to the left. The main highway is right next to the beach, but you can barely see it through the vegetation and you can’t hear it all because of the waves.

For now, the beach is mostly deserted except for a few tourists during the day, and some local kids in the afternoon. That will change soon because the Coco Palms hotel on the other side of the highway will be entirely rebuilt with some 300 rooms and condos. The hotel was made famous as the setting for Elvis’s Blue Hawaii movie, but it has been closed since it was battered by hurricane Iniki in 1992. The old buildings will be torn down early 2006, and reconstruction finished by 2008, according to this article.

If you like the view, there are other condos right above the beach for sale: $675,000.