Island Activities — March 2015

Kapa‘a Farmers Market

At the Kapa‘a Farmers’ Market, Geo offers passersby flowers from his blue jade vine, and Kristin Weber and her daughter, Clara, graciously accept the gift. This is the ladies’ first time at the market, and the free flowers are a bonus to all the fresh produce for sale. Geo says the vine at his home is more than 50 years old, and they “are so beautiful, yet so numerous, no one may ever seen them. They are a beautiful thing to share.” The market is held Wednesdays at 2 p.m. next to the Kapa‘a New Town Park.

The charming Kalalea Juice Hale in Anahola is an excellent stop on a drive, lunch break, or post surf or swim sesh at the nearby beaches.

Nestled off Kuhio Highway the location feels like a sweet and welcoming oasis of papaya-colored little buildings. The woman in the window smiles and says the açaí bowls are a favorite, and points out the nutritious variety of smoothies and juices. The options include “The OG,” “The Unreals,” and “Berries, Brah!”

Kalalea Juice Hale

The quiet lawn with picnic tables and a spectacular view of the Kalalea Mountain is a dreamy place to enjoy the tasty treats. The slight breeze rustling the trees overhead gives a sense of peace.

Carla Barrett and her husband, Lopaka Barrett, started the business last September. A family affair, their oldest son, Chatson, and youngest, Kawai, along with girlfriend Robyn help to run the Hale.

On a bright afternoon in Port Allen, Bonita and John Davis stroll along Glass Beach with their friends Joann and Bob, who are visiting from Sonoma, Calif. The group stopped by after checking out the Kaua‘i Coffee fields and then went to happy hour at Sunset Bar and Grill for pupus.

Port Allen day trip

Bonita and John live on Kaua‘i four months out of the year, and the rest are spent in Folsom, Calif. They like to come to this spot to look at all the interesting colors of glass and feel the breeze.

Bonita points out the old graveyard which overlooks the beach, and John, a retired history teacher, says that Glass Beach was given such a name because many decades ago, the place served as a disposal area for the island, leaving behind the sparkly shapes to this day.

The pieces of mostly white and brown glass have become soft trinkets after being tumbled and rounded by the ebb and flow of the ocean. John says when they collect glass on the West Coast of California, they sometimes put the pieces that have lost their shine into a fishbowl of water to restore the luster. On this sunny day, the glass at Glass Beach appears very shiny.

Father and son in Kalihiwai

Near the river by Kalihiwai Beach, Kawika walks with his son, Po’okela, with a fishing pole after practicing casts together. Meanwhile, Kawika’s other son, Keanu surfs the waves behind them on a blue soft-top board. Kawika says there aren’t very many fish biting this time of year and the surf is small today, so he and the boys are mostly just hanging out on the beach.

The Lihu‘e Senior Bonsai Club

The Lihu‘e Senior Bonsai Club meets every Wednesday at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center for the last 25 years. Currently with 11 members, and sponsored by the County of Kaua‘i, the club is open to anyone. Call 830-1130 for more information. From left to right, Mary Ann Shintani, Shirley Akita, Sensei Amil Vanpoon, Mel Morris, Joyce Higashi and Bobby Girald. (story/photo by Léo Azambuja)

A lone surfer had a ton of fun on shouder-high waves in this semi-secret spot on Kaua‘i, riding a blue, soft-top surfboard late February. You may recognize this spot by the tree stump. (story/photo by Léo Azambuja)