These days, to work at Napali Art Gallery &Coffee House in Haena, it appears as if one ends up wearing many hats, not only those of a barista and salesperson.
Customer service atmospheres are often places where customers talk story with each other and the person behind the sales counter. Maybe they’ll talk about their day, what’s on their mind, what someone is going through.
As you can expect during this post-flood time, the need to verbalize, share ideas and come up with solutions is greater than ever. Add that to a fresh cup of joe and those are key ingredients to having a good morning and a great start to the day.
Will Stewart is owner of Napali Art Gallery &Coffee House, and though it hasn’t been easy for any business owners after the April flood, he’s been taking those challenges in stride.
It’s all about keeping a “sense of normalcy,” Stewart says. “Right now we’re happy to be open. Right now the goal is to have the doors open and service the community. We’re not trying to be big developers, we’re just trying to survive.”
Stewart has received positive feedback from the community, who now are able to enjoy visiting the coffee shop seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
For a few months, the coffee shop had to go through some adjustments, and Stewart started off with keeping it closed entirely, and later reopened only during limited hours. Before the road closure and convoy system they were open 11 hours a day.
Some of Stewart’s employees who worked there before the April flood don’t work there now, because Stewart was forced to reduce store hours.
This was worrisome for Stewart, because he cares deeply about the well-being of all his employees. He’s also worried in general about people in the community, because so many have lost work.
“We want life to be normal. We want people to be able to work,” he said.
Overall, Stewart feels positive. “We love this community and we love being a part of the community. We’re going to whether the storm. We’re Kauai tough and we’re determined.”
He and his three employees greet everyone who walks through the door like friends, and always do their best to know everyone’s name and order. The coffee shop is an important element of the small shopping center where it’s located. It’s also a beautiful, peaceful place to get lost in your thoughts and look around.
There’s a diverse collection of colorful stone and pearl jewelry, striking photography, and lots of well-painted and unique art reflective of daily life on Kauai.
Together, the coffee shop and Opakapaka Grill and Bar and Hanalei Colony Resort in the center, provide a small though precious hub of activity and a place for people to gather. Whether in need to socialize or get the latest, grab a caffeinated beverage, get supplies or food, or anything else, this is the place to do it.
There’s still a limited convoy schedule, lost jobs and work, uncertainty about road repairs and when the road will reopen. This place, though, has evolved into a place with a new sense of purpose, and normalcy.
It’s also a great reminder that in this community we’re all in this together.
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Monique Rowan is a writer, artist and mother and lives on the North Shore. Hanalei is her hometown. She also has a love for community radio, running and learning about language and culture. She can be reached at melizrowan@gmail.com.
