• What I love about Kaua‘i What I love about Kaua‘i By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Coming across almost everyone on the island on Monday at Borders Books and Music in Lihu‘e, I felt compelled to share
• What I love about Kaua‘i
What I love about Kaua‘i
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Coming across almost everyone on the island on Monday at Borders Books and Music in Lihu‘e, I felt compelled to share just a few reasons why Kaua‘i is so unique compared to anywhere else in the world.
First off, if you want to see many familiar faces, then head on down to the Kuku‘i Grove Shopping Center or Wal-Mart (especially during the holiday season).
The holidays are probably the best time to be on the island because you get to see people you haven’t seen in a while.
At Borders, I got to see former FM97 radio personality and current Kalaheo Coffee Company employee Adin Kawate, along with her many friends from the Kalaheo Missionary Church.
Davey “Boy” Cook, Chris Cook’s (The Garden Island Editor) son, was wandering around, as dad stopped by to get a fresh cup of coffee before heading back to burn the midnight oil inside the frozen den of The Garden Island’s offices.
Everson Kaui, who’s a member of the highly respected Kaui clan on Kaua‘i was able to catch up with his prom date in high school, Jean Juliano.
Justin Ihara also made a grand appearance, sporting his new look (he grew his hair out). The Colorado University student is proud to say that he made it to all the games to watch fellow Kauaian Jordon Dizon, but instead of heading to Folsom Field, Ihara says that he gets a better view from his recliner in his apartment in Boulder.
Meanwhile, soccer teammate Ben Hutchinson was on his way out and found some time to let me know that he really enjoys his new life up on O‘ahu.
Out at Kukui Grove in Macy’s, Mrs. Niau (Trisha’s mom) was exchanging unwanted gifts. She was at the airport, early Monday morning to see off Trisha and the rest of the Ku Kila Kila All-Island Marching Band, who headed off to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade on January 1.
She said Trisha spoke to her since reaching Los Angeles and mentioned that it was pretty cold up there. The cashier ringing up both Mrs. Niau and I also had a sister who went up to take part in the band festivities, but as a hula dancer.
I really think that everyone on the island has at least one relative, neighbor, friend, sister, brother, you name it, who is up in Los Angeles to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade.
Jenny Espina was also marching around Kuku‘i Grove with friends. Espina is an active member of the Kapa‘a High School ROTC program and she is also a sharpshooter on the air riflery squad, in addition to her many talents as a KPAC (Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center) member.
And after a hundred days and nights of rain, yesterday was a blessing in disguise with its welcoming sunshine.
So it was a perfect time to head down to Kalapaki Beach, where guess what? More familiar faces flowed down towards the brackish waters.
Tina Moger, Kaua‘i High volleyball superstar took in some rays at Lihu‘e’s most popular beach. Tina, who is also a gifted canoe paddler, opted to skip paddling this season to participate in an off-island volleyball league, where she’ll be traveling to O‘ahu every weekend.
Two-thirds of the Smith Brothers, (Micah stayed on the mainland) Luke and Jonathan were also doing their best Baywatch impressions at Kalapaki. Luke is just a few months away from getting his doctorate degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia. But first, Luke is tying the knot in June with his sweetheart from the mainland.
His brother Jonathan just completed his first semester of college at the University of Virginia. Great stuff from just one family!
A friend at the Kaua‘i Athletic Club once told me that it’s best if you don’t know a lot of people on Kaua‘i, because then you’ll be able to get things done faster, without stopping to mingle, but I beg to differ. It’s these actual chance meetings that make the island truly special and it draws us back when we go away from time to time!
