Kaua’i, January 23, 2022

Hawai’i does not have any seagulls.  What they have instead is the Laysan Albatross.  Living most of the time out at sea they return to land every two years to nest, having just one chick.  Another charming characteristic of the Laysan is that they are monogamous.  They also nest almost exclusively on Kaua’i.  This morning, from our balcony, I was lucky enough to get a picture of one in flight.

The albatross with its 6 foot wing span.

We decided to head to the south shore of the island today, and while there, to try another bite at Waimea Canyon and Kōke State Park.  We were partially successful and did see some magnificent views of the canyon.  The top of the mountain though was rainier and cloudier than yesterday.  We are happy that we did the helicopter ride on a clear day, and did get to see all these views that are now clouded in.

A little to the West of Po'ipū Beach is the Spouting Horn blowhole.  As waves crash in from the ocean, they are channelled underground and then forced up in fountains that can burst 50 feet into the air.  

Many places have their tunnel of trees. We personally have driven through ones that are promoted in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Hawai’i's tree tunnel is interesting in that though it is a public highway now, the trees were originally planted on either side of the driveway leading to one of the sugar plantations.  We saw this from the air also, but the impact is lost until you drive through it and imagine you are on your way to an 1870s tropical mansion.  Everything on Kaua’i seems to defined by its lush vegetation as a result of being the wettest place on earth.