Anini Beach is in vogue

ANINI — Pulled pork sandwiches and lifeguards are the latest talk around the food truck at Anini Beach, with residents saying the beach is getting more popular and wondering if it’s a result of road closures further up the North Shore.

“Lifeguards would be a good idea for this beach,” said one area resident, who declined to be named. The resident was among a group of beach-goers — locals and visitors — who were visiting the famed food truck for early lunch. “It’s more crowded, more visitors. Ke‘e and Tunnels are closed. It makes sense.”

Another in the group pointed out that while Anini has always been a place for families, there seems to be an uptick in visitors with kids on the beach.

“People bring their kids here,” said the resident, who also declined to be named.

The auntie working the food truck, who also declined to be named, said she’s been answering more questions about ocean conditions, warning more visitors about dangers and aiding in an occasional emergency.

“I’ve had to call 911 multiple times and help people who got hurt,” she said. “Lots of questions about ocean safety, too. I’ve got a brochure here on ocean safety for people to take home.”

She said that sometimes, especially with the arrival of the season’s first big waves, she advises people against getting in the water — not in an official capacity, just as a local looking out for the safety of others.

“On some days I tell them ‘Today’s the day to sit in the grass, grab something to eat,’” she said.

Of the four or five people milling around the food truck, the consensus was mutual: The crowd at Anini is on the rise.

“It’s our favorite beach,” said John Hendrix of Kilauea, who was stopping by to consider a fish taco or something else from the little white truck in the parking lot. “We come here all the time. You can see why people love it.”

Mornings are a bit calmer at Anini, with early birds stretching out of their tents to meet the sunrise. As the day picks up, fishermen drive trailers back and forth from the boat launch and families start arriving.

By early afternoon, the beach is bubbling with sunbathers, snorkelers and swimmers. Young children test the waters with their mothers and athletes swim laps.

“We’re exploring all the beaches on Kauai,” said Tom Newis of Calgary.

“But specifically Anini, we heard it was good snorkeling.”

Newis, who is staying in Princeville, said he and the rest of his group have been spending quite a bit of time during their week-long stay on the South Shore, lately at Poipu Beach.

Good weather on Thursday brought them to Anini and they were eager to get in the water and see the underwater sights.

That was the story throughout the rest of the beach, too.

With long stretches of white sand and a reef that protects a shallow bay, Anini Beach is already known for sunsets and snorkeling with marine wildlife like turtles, eels and a variety of fish.

A hint of sunscreen lingers on the breeze. The sand is littered with towels, folding chairs and beach umbrellas.

And residents and visitors alike agreed on at least one of the reasons behind it — closed beaches further north.

“We would be going to all the other beaches, too, if we could,” Newis said. “It makes sense, though, that more people are coming here.”