 1 Rob and Janie joined us on Kauai, their first time to the Hawaiian Islands. Sunday morning was Mother's Day brunch at Nanea at the Westin. Rob and Janie are doing their best to adjust to the time change, the bloody mary's certainly helped. |
 2 The skies were iffy Sunday afternoon and the surf was really up. We were expecting the North Shore beaches to be jamming with families for Mother's Day, but the conditions kept people away. We stopped briefly at Lumahai Beach (famous as the setting for "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair") and pretty much had it to ourselves. |
 3 We continued giving Rob and Janie the $0.50 tour of North Shore beaches. The main parking alley for Tunnels Beach has all of 6 spots and it is always next to impossible to find one free. So, we pulled into the alley and I thought we were at the wrong place because it was completely empty. Marveling at our good fortune, we pulled the beach chairs from the trunk and planted ourselves on the beach. Even on a cloudy day, the view of Bali Hai amazes. |
 4 It was just too cloudy and the surf too rough to consider going in the water. Instead, we just relaxed and caught up on all the family gossip. |
 5 All the rain for the last week resulted in some amazing waterfalls. This one was right behind us, overlooking Tunnels Beach. |
 6 About a half hour in, Janie points and mentions a big rock that seems to be moving near us. No worries, just a Hawaiian Monk Seal hauling itself onto the beach to take a nap. |
 7 Monk Seal schluffy time |
 8 Red crested cardinal |
 9 We returned to the resort to shower and get ready for dinner. The iffy weather and high North Shore surf is supposed to continue through the first half of the week, meaning that my initial diving plans have been canceled. This is the best sorta-sunset we've had so far. |
 10 With my Monday morning diving canceled at Tunnels, I was out on the lanai facebooking when these nene's snuck up on me to see what was up. Could have been the smell of kona coffee too. |
 11 Tuesday evening was the celebration around the main pool after the annual home and vacation owners association meeting. Doug McMaster on slack key guitar and his wife Sandy on ukulele provided entertainment. |
 12 Roosters and chickens everywhere in Kauai, to the point that they just become background noise (literally). But this one's choice of poses caught my eye. |
 13 Robbie and Janie enjoying lunch at Kilauea Fish Market |
 14 Kilauea lighthouse and bird sanctuary |
 15 Rob and Janie at the lighthouse |
 16 Wailua Falls - da plane boss, da plane! |
 17 Opaeka'a Falls |
 18 Dave and Max, overlooking the Wailua River |
 19 We stopped off at the Wednesday Kapaa farmer's market which takes place in the parking lot for the high school ball field |
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 21 Torch ginger and heliconia |
 22 The weather was gradually clearing day by day and we were still hoping for a sunset before Rob and Janie had to leave for Maui on Friday afternoon. Each evening we went down to Hanalei Bay 20 minutes before sunset. |
 23 But the skies were not looking too promising for a sunset this night |
 24 Rob and Janie at Hanalei Pier |
 25 Janie and Max give directions to a dog that was searching for its owner on the pier |
 26 Hanalei Pier - yep, looks like it's going to be another near-miss sunset again |
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 28 Kids playing in the surf as the sun goes down over Hanalei Bay |
 29 Well, if there isn't going to be a decent susnet, might as well take a picture of the next best thing... |
 30 Rob and Janie |
 31 And in Kauai culinary updates, Puka Dog opened a branch in Hanalei! Formerly only available on the South Shore after a 1-1/2 hour drive, the news of its recent opening traveled fast. No shoes, no shirt, no problem. |
 32 Polish sausage with spicy mango relish and lilikoi mustard, yessir! |
 33 In other news, Red Hot Mama's burrito stand closed in Wainiha and was replaced by Sushi Girl. This is the only place for food and drink before the road ends at the Na Pali coast. |
 34 Stopped by after diving Tunnels and brought back a Legend Roll and Poke Bowl for lunch. Fish and poke was excellent, just off the boat fresh. But sushi rice was essentially unseasoned. No mirin, no rice vinegar, meh. |
 35 The single lane double-span Wainiha bridge which befuddles most first time tourists. Cars need to stop at the far left before entering the bridge and check for cars on the far right before proceeding, and visa versa. The bridge was originally rickety wood until the filming of Tropic Thunder. The film company needed to get large equipment trucks out to the filming locations and paid for the structural upgrades. |
 36 After Rob and Janie left for Maui, Deb and Mary came over from Honolulu to join us. Deb stayed for the entire second week, while Mary had to get back for work on Monday. We visited a semi-annual artisan fair where I took this shot of the palm trees at Kapa'a Beach Park. |
 37 After the artisan fair, time for mini golf! |
 38 Deb wows the crowd with her ace skills |
 39 Mary lines up her color-coordinated ball and crocs |
 40 Max proves that all those golf lessons were worthwhile |
 41 Dave plays whack-a-mole |
 42 ... and is happy with the results |
 43 The Kilauea mini-golf is beautifully landscaped with well labeled plants and flowers. Agapanthus - "lily of the Nile" |
 44 Spider lily |
 45 Really cool flowers of the jade vine |
 46 Flower of the apple banana plant |
 47 The mountain apple, ohi’a’ai in Hawaiian, originated in Malaysia. It's blossoms are gorgeous. |
 48 The blossom of the lilikoi (passionfruit) |
 49 Lilikoi blossom |
 50 Torch ginger |
 51 In our eternal quest for a decent Kauai sunset, Mary, Deb, Maxine, and I headed over to the St. Regis for drinks and pupus. It certainly helped that Max had a huge coupon to spend from all her golfing at the Makai Course! Bass and piano provided mood music as the sun descended towards the horizon over Hanalei Bay. |
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 53 Despite the clearer skies vs. earlier in the week, we were still robbed of a true sunset. But the view over the bay from the St. Regis terrace was still pretty spectacular. |
 54 Tuesday night means Kanak Attack is playing at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei |
 55 Tahiti Nui is just about the only nightlife on the North Shore, and it rolls up its sidewalk by 9:30 on weekdays |
 56 Kanak Attack is Darryl Gonzales and Koko Kaneali'i, who were featured in the Tahiti Nui bar scenes with Beau Bridges and George Clooney in The Descendants |
 57 Darryl and Koko laying down the groove |
 58 The hostess does an impromptu hula to one of the songs. She really was quite good and her halau (hula school) competed at the Merrie Monarch Festival. |
 59 Time was slowly running out as we continued our futile Kauai sunset hunt at The Tavern at The Prince Golf Course. Of all of Roy Yamaguchi's restaurants, I think this informal place is the best and most authentic. The burger with katsu bacon is to die for. The ginger margarita is pretty damned good too! |
 60 Another sorta sunset from The Tavern, overlooking The Prince Course |
 61 My last day of diving was Wednesday, so Thursday morning I joined Max as her caddy, photographer, and cart driver on the Makai Course. Things were a little backed up, so we waited for tee off on the first hole. |
 62 The 2nd fairway heads straight out towards Hanalei Bay with Bali Hai as the backdrop. That's the top of the St. Regis in the background which actually descends along the cliff down to the beach below. |
 63 The 6th fairway heads North towards bluffs over the ocean |
 64 Inbetween the 6th and 7th fairways is a small grove that serves as a protected nesting ground for albatross |
 65 This was the time of year when teenage albatross are still being cared for by their parents. This is a mother and fledgling albatross nesting on the Makai Golf Course. |
 66 Yet another teenager waiting for its parents to return with some food |
 67 |
 68 The incredible 7th hole, where you have to tee off over a ravine to get onto the green on the other side. Max has the smile of confidence! |
 69 Putting in on the 7th |
 70 During the past year, chef Justin Smith started Kauai Ono as a food truck by the side of the road in Hanalei |
 71 Two nights a week, just Wed and Thurs, he sets up a huge tent and does an incredible prix fixe farm-to-table dinner. In just a short time he has begun earning top culinary awards on the island. |
 72 Max, Dave, and Deb are smiling thinking about the culinary delights to follow |
 73 Put all your thoughts about poi aside, this was incredible roasted taro root topped with local mushrooms |
 74 Seared butterfish over beans and kale, really intense flavors, and well executed |
 75 Local radishes and salad greens, very lightly dressed |
 76 The chef's take on kalua pig, topped with a roasted purple potato, with pea shoots and other garnishes |
 77 A coconut mochi cake, topped with mango and roasted shaved coconut |
 78 Chef Justin Smith came out at the end to answer questions and take applause. I have to say that Kauai Ono now has to be one of the top dining experiences on Kauai. |
