KILAUEA — A honeymooning couple from California reports they were robbed of all their belongings on the last day of their stay on Kaua‘i. Sandy Graves, of Fullerton, Calif., said she and her husband got married Sept. 15, and honeymooned
KILAUEA — A honeymooning couple from California reports they were robbed of all their belongings on the last day of their stay on Kaua‘i.
Sandy Graves, of Fullerton, Calif., said she and her husband got married Sept. 15, and honeymooned at a rental property in Princeville, Kaua‘i’s North Shore. They said it was their third visit together to Kaua‘i and this was a dream honeymoon.
“It is our favorite place in the world, and we couldn’t imagine anywhere else we’d rather spend our honeymoon,” Graves said.
Their 10-days was filled with adventure from exploring the island. They zipped along the Na Pali coast on a zodiac raft tour. They kayaked the Wailua River, hiked to Secret Falls, and explored hidden trails and beaches all over the island before attending a lu‘au at Smith’s Landing.
The couple wanted to fit in some more activity on their last day on the island. They checked out of their Princeville rental near Queen’s Bath the morning of Sept. 28, and met up with some friends for breakfast at Ono Family Restaurant in Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i’s Eastside.
It was still morning and the couple didn‘t need to be at the airport until 6 p.m. They decided to spend the few previous hours left on-island at Kauapea Beach, also known as Secret Beach, on the North Shore. It was one of the few places they hadn‘t visited yet but had heard so much about.
They made the drive to Kilauea and followed the dirt road to the trail entrance and parked in the area near 20 cars.
The couple spent a couple of hours sunbathing and swimming. They made the hike back up the trail and saw shattered glass behind their Jeep rental.
“Panicked, we looked in through the broken back window, and everything was gone,” Graves said.
The couples backpacks and suitcases were missing and a crowbar was lying on the ground nearby. They called the Kaua‘i Police Department at 2:34 p.m., according to county officials.
“The officers informed us that they were able to pull fingerprints off of the crowbar that was found at the scene, and are optimistic that this can lead them to the suspect(s),” Graves said. “I sure hope it does.”
The total value of the stolen items was in excess of $3,000. The real damage was to the couple‘s honeymoon experience.
It should have been the time of their lives. Instead, it tested their affection for Kaua‘i.
“We love this island, and every time we come here we feel the aloha spirit,” Graves said.
“Everyone is always so welcoming, and we always enjoy it. We know that this incident does not reflect the residents of Kaua‘i, and we will not let it affect the way we feel about this special island.”
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
