This is my favorite island of the Hawaiian chain. I have great friends here, the island is quieter and less trafficked, and seems to have a real relaxed island vibe most of the time. My favorite sushi bar in the entire world is here, Kintaro, located in Kapaa. And my favorite noodle joint, Hamura Saimin, is a timeless relic of the pre-Iniki Kauai of days past. Add some great Kauai cookies (mac or chocolate chip), an over marinated kalbi from Kim Chee #9 in the Kukui Mall, and the ubiquitous spam musubi, and shave ice.
Dear friends Rey and Corinne make this island so much fun. They know everyone on the island, it seems. They also raised a sizeable number of pigs on pasture land leased from the county. They are also avid golfers, fishermen, hunters, and all around social animals.
I often get together with their families when we are here. It might be a beach day with lots of home cooked food, or the weekly Friday night takeover of the Kukui Mall Starbucks. Everyone brings some home made goodies, including furikake crispix mix, chi chi dango topped with nuts and coconut, and lemon flavored tofu pie in years past. Good thing I have a small kitchenette in my Marriott condo .
Speaking of condo, I own a Marriott timeshare, originally purchased in Maui. The Maui property has great trade value, and has sold out more than once. My last visit there revealed an enormous expansion with more condos and more amenities. In Kauai, the Marriott is located right at the Kauai Lagoons golf courses, Kalapaki Beach, and about 2 miles from the town of Lihue. The Lihue airport is about ten minutes away.
Food is always a big part of our visit here. Our favorites are: Kintaro for sushi, Brick Oven Pizza, Bull Shed (for steak), Kim Chee #9 for kalbi, Hamura Saimin for noodles and lilikoi (passion fruit) pie, Ono Cafe for loco moco, and Tip Top Cafe for local plate lunches.
As far as our shopping endeavors, I like Two Frogs Hugging for furniture, and Savage Pearls in Hanalei for, guess what? Black Tahitian pearls. And the Kauai Cookie Company has a discount outlet at their factory in cute, little Hanapepe on the southwestern coast. If boredom sets in, a drive to beautiful Waimea Canyon is a great half day excursion. Better yet, how about a calm Wailua River kayak trip to the old Fern Grotto?
I will try to fit in all of these activities
in between the Giants in the World Series (game 4 and 5) on TV here. It is THREE hours earlier, so it takes some good planning and meal time adjustments. There were mostly Giants’ fans on the Hawaiian Airlines flight yesterday, including all of the flight crew. When I told them I not only went to the game, but sat in the third row from the field at third base, they nearly passed out. When I told them I had just flown back from Vegas that morning, they refused to believe me!
Aloha for now and later.
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