My sister Pam and I visited the island of Kauai and did quite a lot of exploring. We drove northward from Wailua along the eastern shoreline towards Ke'e Beach. In a few places you will lose sight of the ocean and will find perpendicular roads heading to the shore. We took many of these roads to see as much of the island as possible. One such road showed only a small hill. We made the right turn and found a small housing development whose name escapes me at the moment.
As you drive along the "beach access" road you see the mountains on one side of you and the ocean on the other. At the beach side of the property there are two ways down. One is the path surfers take to get to a cove and involves a walk down a steep hill. The other is 4 wheel drive access. Since we had a rental car we left it at the top of the dirt road and walked down. The road leads to Papa'a Beach. The surfing spot is in that cove. You may notice quite a number of shells on this beach. Behind the viewer is a long expanse of beach and many rock outcroppings. Within the outcroppings are natural fishponds. Pam was happily off collecting shells while I scouted the beach.
Along the beach one sometimes finds coconuts lying on the sand. I thought to myself [as any self-respecting haole would], "Free Lunch"! I tore off the coconut hair [it took me forever]. I then looked around for something to smash the coconut on to open it [not having a coconut opener on me at the time]. Unfortunately, I did not notice that the coconut had opened itself many days before.
I finally smashed the coconut on a rock and learned 4 important things [at the same time]. First, coconuts are protected by leaves from the sun for a reason. Secondly, a coconut should always be inspected before opening it. Thirdly, be careful where spilt, rotted coconut milk lands. Finally, when rotted coconut milk is splashed all over ones body, it is not easily gotten off!
When you see a haole doing something stupid, please offer any assistance
you can. [It just might be me!]
Drop me a line at lavarock@myhawaiiansite.com
if you have any comments.
