NAWILIWILI — “I just wanted a look at what this thing was about,” commented Kelvin Moniz, operations director at the Kauai Food Bank, early yesterday morning. Moniz was one of more than a handful of people who veered off Nawiliwili
NAWILIWILI — “I just wanted a look at what this thing was about,” commented Kelvin Moniz, operations director at the Kauai Food Bank, early yesterday morning.
Moniz was one of more than a handful of people who veered off Nawiliwili Road to catch a glimpse of the Pride of America making her approach to Nawiliwili Harbor.
The bluff on Niumalu Road overlooking the harbor overflowed with cars, as commuters took advantage of the opportunity to watch the docking process, as well as catch up on the latest community news.
Overhead, the U.S. Coast Guard jet helicopter broke the morning peace as it swept over the area, circling the docking cruise ship in a security measure.
Workers at the adjacent Garden Isle Disposal facility on Niumalu Road also lined the cliff overlooking the harbor as the newest Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship made its maiden voyage to Kaua‘i.
More security measures could be seen, as the USCG cutter Kittiwake and a flotilla of rigid-hull inflatables, some with automatic weapons mounted, circled the new cruise ship that slowly made its way to its berth, the hulk quickly shadowing the familiar outlines of the Nawiliwili Harbor.
Over at the jetty wall, throngs of people watched as the patriotic themed cruise ship eased its way across the bay.
“Look at how much mud it kicks up,” one spectator pointed out. “Plus, it’s low tide, so you can see how shallow this harbor is.”
Another spectator, newspaper in hand, was curious to find out what was going on. “I arranged for a day off to spend with my daughter who went to middle school today, but, then she said she didn’t want me there, so I thought I’d spend a quiet morning reading the paper here.”
She was greeted by a constant flow of people who made their way to the wall and dockside of the jetty area to get a better view of the docking Pride of America.
Members of one family, visiting from the Mainland, were upset by the sight of the automatic weaponry that were obviously visible on the USCG vessels, but resigned themselves to the necessary security measures that were in force for the docking.
A couple spending their day off from Smith’s Motor Boat Service and Smith’s Tropical Paradise lu‘au said they came down to see the new ship because the cruise ships mean more business for the island, and it wasn’t every day that they could do it on their days off.
The Richard Jasper family had an entourage representing JJ’s Broiler on hand, complete with banners and strings of red, white and blue, helium-filled balloons.
“The boss is back,” Jaselyn Aki said. Richard, Therese, Jett, Jori, and Nick Jasper flew to San Francisco to be part of this inaugural voyage of the Pride of America, and the JJ’s ‘ohana did their part to welcome home their boss and his family.
“No more partying, now. It’s back to work,” they said. But JJ’s is normally open just for lunch and dinner, so crew members took advantage of the early-morning arrival of the ship to welcome home their boss. Jennifer Jasper made sure all of the balloons were secured as they made preparations to leave as longshoremen at Pier 2 began to tie down the huge cruise ship that blocked all vestiges of Nawiliwili Harbor familiarity.
And as more lines snaked ashore and the spectators began to disband, a fisherman who walked the shoreline sighed, “Oh well, they chased away the fish. For now, that is, might as well try somewhere else.”
