As I flipped through my photos of sunrises and sunsets on Kauai, I realized there really is no doubt which is which.
In the morning the clouds seemed like mischievous spirits (ghosts, if you will) dancing on the horizon.
In the evening, the clouds flowed together … like the curtain closing on another day.
On our last day we drove to the west side of Kaua’i which is drier and less touristy.
Port Allen is where most tours of the famous NaPali coast originate and Waimea is the gateway for Waimea Valley, the Grand Canyon of Kaua’i. It’s also the spot where Captain Cook first landed and “founded” Hawaii. But don’t expect to see any monuments to Cook here. At that time the Hawaiians had a feudal society and Cook challenged one of the great warlords so he had to go. Beaten, stabbed, the whole shebang.
Our objective, however, was to pay respects to my father who died while snorkeling off the beach below almost twenty years ago.
As you can see, they’ve had to post a warning about strong currents. I suspect this sign was posted for tourists who, like my father, discovered a “local beach” (one frequented primarily by local residents) and wandered out beyond the reefs. It’s not a place I would advise tourists to visit – there are no cafes, food trucks, trinket shops, etc. Just the locals picnicking, listening to loud music on boom boxes and watching their children splash about. Just the way my dad would have liked it.
Aloha and Mahalo Kaua’i!
Saying nothing in particular 
Beautiful post, Jan, and Iām sorry to learn this about your dad. š
Such beautiful photos–I love sunrises and sunsets! Now that I’m retired, I mostly see sunsets. š I didn’t realize that about your dad. That must have been an emotional visit, yet also a way to get closure. Maybe?
Where we live we can’t really see sunsets – the coastal hills are in the way. And so it was lovely to sit in the evening and take in the whole show from beginning to end! I probably won’t be back to that beach (I didn’t realize it was now a local beach – there was a definitely feeling of not belonging! I don’t think it was that way 20 years ago – or perhaps I just don’t notice. My father was a bit of an adventurer so he wouldn’t have cared and he was pretty dark-skinned unlike me!)
Beautiful sunsets in a beautiful place but Iām sorry about your dad.
I hope the natural beauty of Hawaii wrapped you in warmth and helped soothe your grief.
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Thank you Rivergirl. Certain parts of revisiting that area were painful but I’m glad his last moments were at such a lovely spot.
The few times that Iāve been back to my hometown? Certain places make we weep openly thinking of my fatherā¦. and he died 46 years ago. Some pain never leaves us.
I have a feeling your dad was amazing. I know what you mean about hometowns – I grew up in Reno Nevada but there’s nothing homey there! At least for me.
Itās funny because my father died in Maine, but we had only lived on the island a year when he passed. I donāt āfeelā him here. But when I go back to New Jersey, Iām a blubbering mess because all the memories come flooding back.
My son-in-law is a Jersey boy – hasn’t lived there in twenty years but when he and his pals get together it’s all they can talk about! From what I’ve read, memories are triggered by smell and sound. Could be those Jersey accents bring back your dad. Blubbering is good for the soul. I’m an easy to trigger blubberer!
No, he kept his British accentā¦ itās more of walking in my childhood footsteps that sets me off. I was always a daddyās girl.
I’m sorry to hear … he was irreplaceable in your heart! I hope you’re always able to feel him near you.
Thanks. Our home is full of his paintings, so I do.
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Compared to Oceania, Hawaii’s whole coastline suite seems rather inhospitable, don’t you think? Volcanic vs coral atoll, I suppose. Although Tahiti is volcanoes…
Photographic, though, I’ll give Hawaii that.
I’ve never been to Oceania so I’ll have to take your word for that. There are beautiful and hospitable beaches all over Hawaii but they’re generally too much of a mob scene for me.
How sad, Jan! I didn’t realise that this was a pilgrimage xx
I’m happy he died in that beautiful place and not in a hospital – he hated hospitals.
Yes, I see the difference in the 2 sunsets. Beautiful. Thank you, Jan!
My many condolences about your dad. Love never dies, and so you walked in its footsteps to pay tribute to your father. What a special experience.
The history of Capt. Cook is deserving on him. Unfortunately white man won everywhere, eventually, back then. Well, they say they won, but that may be spoken too, soon.
Again, my condolences!
Thanks Resa. Nothing beats the color palette of sunrises in the tropics!
Gorgeous!!!
Hi Jan, I am so sorry to hear about your father. We have some strong backwashes off our local coast and there are drownings every holiday season as a result.
I can imagine.
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Over the years I’ve been visiting your blog, you have gone to Hawaii many times. I am impressed that having your father die while snorkeling in Hawaii has not cancelled out your visits here. The pilgrimage sounds wonderful and the beach is gorgeous. I so very much enjoyed all the Kauai posts, Jan. I soaked every one of them up. Mahalo.
Beautiful sunset and sunrise.
Thanks!
Youāre so welcome.
Sorry about your father. And a wonderful reason to go to HawaĆÆ.
As much as I love the sea, been raised by the sea, I have the utmost ‘respect’ for it. ‘Her’? The sea can be very dangerous. As it is beautiful…
I’m writing a bit of ‘platitudes’, I guess, but I couldn’t help thinking about one of our sons-in-law. He died in Los Cabos, nearly ten years ago… The place is beautiful, but I don’t think I’ll ever go back…
Anyway… Enough. Compliments for going back and keeping your father’s memory alive… Hugs.