| Hawaiian Islands log (2005-07-16 -> 2005-08-05)
Leaders: Beau Daniel and Molly Profeta
Students: Hannah Allen, Tucker Cason, Jane Cowan, Wyatt Frost, Grayson Gosnell, Kelsey Mrkonic, Taryn O'Meara, Lea Sedehi, Haven Shea, Catherine Wearn, James Wilber and Austin Willard
Rain in Hawaii??? One would have thought it would not have rained this much, but it looks like HI2 will see it all. After having safely arrived in Lihue, we headed over to the north shore at Hanalei Black Pot Beach to run through a late night class of setting up tents taking special notes to create bomber tents. It is a good thing, too, as it rained through the night, into the morning, and through the beginning of our first adventure on Kauai of hiking to Hanakapai Falls along the Kalalau trail. Even through the rain, these rockstar kids shared great conversations as well as laughs as we slipped and slid along the red, muddy trail. After a few river crossings, we landed at a beach that allowed everyone their first taste of salt water. While bodysurfing took most for long rides, everyone enjoyed the sun that decided to come out as we relaxed. We then played ridiculous amounts of games both in and out of water as well as befriend a scary, black cat and the mouse he was trying to catch. On our return trip on the trail, we were able to enjoy a cloudless view of the Pacific from the Na Pali coast. It was truly a fantastic first day!
July 21, 2005
Paddle. Paddle. Paddle. And that we did! After a fantastic first day, the HI posse hit the fresh water river of Wailua. Guided by Outfitters Kauai, we loaded up our double sea-kayaks and paddled, as well as tipped and splashed (Cat and Beau were the first to test the water,) to an inlet 2 1/2 miles in to where we would begin our hike. Leaders of the Day Jane and Austin, prepared the group in the morning with what everyone would need for the day's journey. We then traveled through secluded parts of the Garden Island, learning of where certain movies were filmed as well as finding out about local history and the surrounding vegetation. Hannah and Haven had traveled the entire river without being attacked by fellow Moondancers who enjoy getting people wet, but just as we turned the corner they were ambushed and fell into the cool water. Tucker and Austin were out for all to get wet, and succeeded on all but the Grayson and Molly team. That, of course, is no surprise as Grayson's Harry Potter skills saved us...that is until Beau and Cat came along...For many, this was also their first introduction to mangos as mango trees surrounded us and juicy, ripe mangos were ready to eat on the floor. Wyatt was incredibly obsessed with this orange fruit and was the first to find many. Jane was the first to receive the royal treatment of the Awi Awi Pui Ginger treatment...it is a plant that acts as a natural conditioner and is shaped like a drum stick. It is then beat on one's head and gives them smooth hair. Once at the waterfall and lunch was eaten, Cat, Austin, Tucker, Wyatt and Molly headed in to the water to sit under the pounding water. Later, Tayrn, Jane, Lea, and Cat returned to take great pictures under the falls. AMAZING!
Day 4 (the longest day of the trip) began at 3:30 in the morning as we set out to paddle the infamous Na Pali Coast. This 17 mile paddle that on average lasts 8 hours takes the lucky to view the incredibly gorgeous north and west shores of Kauai. We were incredibly lucky to see huge man-o-wars, roughly 30 sea-turtles, spinner dolphins spinning it up, mountain goats, fish, and the best sighting of the day, a monk seal resting on the beach of where we ate lunch. Haven and James were our leaders of the day, and although both had a touch of seasickness, they were amazing as the continued to push us on, especially through the first mile of huge swells and wind. Taryn was "Taryn it up" in the water with one of the guides the first half. She was so awesome that she got switched to paddle with Molly as her partner was under the weather. Kelsey, Austin and Cat were the first to attempt to dive to the bottom of a sea-cave we stopped in for a snack in order to grab so sand to share with the rest of us.
Day 5 we took a trip to our beloved friend, Sleeping Giant Mountain, to gain a view of the east shore of Kauai. After a lunch of sausage, cheese, crackers, and other goodies at the top, we headed back down the trail filled with switchbacks. After a breakfast of endless pancakes created by James and Haven, the group enjoyed fresh lilikoi fruit (also known as passion fruit) as well as coconuts cut down by Team CocoNUT, Tucker, Grayson, Austin, and Wyatt. We then headed out to Ke'e Beach on the north shore to enjoy the crystal clear water and relax. ALOHA!
July 22, 2005
This most stellar group traveled into the spectacular Waimea Canyon on day 7 to hike the gorgeous Awa-Awapuhi trail that descends 1,200 feet to view the ever amazing Na Pali Coast. This 6 mile hike was perfect to share great conversations as well as some practical jokes. Once at the end of the first leg, the view opens up to the great cliffs, or pali in Hawaiian. Although a great view, we did witness a mishap with some mountain goats mistaking their footing, but we believe them to be ok. After the journey back, we headed to the town of Waimea, where the best shaved ice on the island, and we like to think in the world, too, can be found at Jo-Jo's. Once finished with the lovely treats, we headed back to our beautiful base camp of Salt Pond where we befriended little Hawaiian boys who taught us how to catch crabs (we of course put them back...LNT) as well as some native Hawaiian songs.
Day 8 was another beautiful morning that first took us back to Waimea Canyon to visit the Alakai Swamp Trail, the highest swamp in the world. While much of the trail is on a boardwalk, the HI2 posse also got to travel along amazing moss filled trails that later followed along a fresh water stream with huge swimming holes. Austin, Grayson, James, Wyatt, and Tucker led the group along the trail at warp speed while the ladies in the group enjoyed the trail at a pace appropriate enough to photograph amazing views as well as our "Moondance" project...(This will be revealed at the end of the trip.) At the end of this amazing hike, we once again hit up Jo-Jo's, and then headed to Kipu Falls just south of Lihue. Here we explored a sugar cane field while en route to the 30ft pool of the falls. It was a fantastic day all around which was concluded with a warm dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soups (oh, and soggy stuffing...) made by Austin and Kelsey. We are leading such a vai vai (rich in Hawaiian) life here and loving it!
July 24, 2005
Go with the flow! During our surf school this morning that included the amazing history of surfing as well as learning that ‘go with the flow’ is an old school Hawaiian saying, the HI2 ohana (family in Hawaiian) set out to surf the waves of Poipu Beach on the south shores of Kauai. Wyatt was a fast learner hopping up on his first waves followed by Taryn, who continues to tear it up in the water, and our very own surf champion Miss Hannah Allen. Although almost taller than his board, James took surfing to a new level as he incorporated the usage of Chacos into his performance. They truly are an all around shoe! Jane and Cat had rocky starts, but soon were the pros who rode the waves all the way in. Grayson brought a new level of "grace" to this ancient Hawaiian ritual, while fellow ohana member Austin shaka'd his way into the beach wave after wave. Lea was a superstar as she managed to catch the most consistent amount of waves followed very closely by Haven, who had by far the most perfect balance on the board. Kelsey took control of the waves, as well as making sure that the line she chose was clear of any kids...very good EB. Of course, we must not forget "Tostada" Tucker and his tucking in of the rash guard...a sure sign to the waves that he meant business out there. Tomorrow is another day on the waves as well as our last day on this most pure island. Aloha...Kauai out...Here we come Big Island.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
LAVA, LAVA, LAVA! Well after landing on the Big Island on day 11, we headed down south to Hawaii Volcano National Park at 4000ft, which was quite chilly for us as we have been used to our breezy, ocean-side camps. Here we traveled to Thurston's Lava Tube for a brief cave exploration and later in the evening headed down the Chamber of Craters Road to lead us to the "trailhead," aka an expansive lava field, to see some LAVA!!! After following yellow reflective markers along our pseudo trail of hardened lava for half a mile, we then eyeballed the remaining 2.5 miles by following 4 ft tall red posts marking off every 1/2 mile. Once we hit the closed off area, we headed about 1/2 up and hit a surface lava area. Here we took many pictures as we enjoyed a spectacular moment in our lives that was beyond a "blast." Austin, Wyatt, and James had much fun playing with the lava...from a distance, of course, and referenced every movie that had a volcano or lava in it along the way back. Tucker enjoyed many photo opportunities with the lava and his famous "guns." Lea found, and quickly fell in love with, a unicorn shaped piece of lava, which in the spirit of LNT was left at the field. Jane and Haven were the first to take an up close look at the lava as well as a picture to document the experience. Hannah was a professional photographer by the end of the day as she took awesome photos of the Hawaiian duo. Cat and Kelsey performed their version of Titanic with the lava in the background, while Grayson made many references about the similarities between the lava field and nightmare that got everyone laughing on our journey back. Despite the rain that decided to pour on us on our way back, Cat and Taryn managed to safely travel along "durable surfaces" although Cat decided to take some with her... (a joke) Once safely back at camp, we hit our sleeping bags dreaming of lava...
So, to recap, we have gone to the highest swamp in the world, taken the longest single day kayak trip offered in the states, shared up close and personal moments with lava, and to top it off visited South Point, the southern most spot in the USA. Although a windy afternoon, we saw many a fisherman at this location as well as encountering Green Sands Beach. No, not all the sand was green, but to our amazement there was a significant amount of green that also lingered in the reef. Well, once we saw the green sand, we just had to Head a little further east to Black Sand Beach where we spent the remainder of the afternoon playing in very black sand as well as watching a number of Hawaiian sea turtles as this area was one of their nesting spots. It was a fantastic day, and we are excited to encounter any other color beach on the island.
Today we are heading to the northwest side of the island in order to get ready for sailing and snorkeling tomorrow...Aloha.
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