I would have preferred a heavier pack to the heavy heart I carried home with me on a recent ride out to the Westside. With my empty growler stuffed in the bag strapped to the back of my bike and
I would have preferred a heavier pack to the heavy heart I carried home with me on a recent ride out to the Westside.
With my empty growler stuffed in the bag strapped to the back of my bike and my girl holding on tight behind me, we set off for Waimea Brewing Company in high spirits.
Contrail-free clouds offered a nice contrast against the true blue sky and soon the cycle’s engine was pumping as hot as the sun beating down overhead. Steady as she goes.
The plan was to fill up the growler with some Wai‘ale‘ale Ale at the world’s westernmost brewpub. Really, it was just an excuse to go on a nice cruise to the other side of the island.
But upon arrival we were informed that no growlers would be filled that day, as the brewery is in the process of relocating to Port Allen. Apparently, a new two-story bar/restaurant is in the works.
While that transition is taking place over the next few months that means our options are limited to enjoying a pint of whatever’s left at the current location. We savored a glass or two before donning our helmets again and hopping back on the Shadow.
I’m anxious for the new place to open (hopefully, we’ll have a complete report soon in an upcoming edition of The Garden Island), but I must confess I’ll miss having the brewery just outside of Waimea Town. It made such a nice pit stop before climbing up to Koke‘e.
It seems many businesses are in flux these days.
Aside from Waimea Brewing Company’s pending move, we recently saw another favorite close down in Kapa‘a. Word on the street is the old Pizzetta location, which for a brief spell became the tasty Chutney’s restaurant, is going to become a sports bar.
I remember a couple years ago wishing we had some Indian options on island. Then all of a sudden we got Chutney’s and Shivalik, both in Kapa‘a. Fortunately, Shivalik’s, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary (see pages 8 and 9 for photos and story), is still going strong.
With the closure of Lizard Lounge there wasn’t really a sports bar in town, but now we’ve got Big Wave Dave’s and perhaps another new one coming soon. Cyclical, I guess.
There’s been some scuttle of more impending closures around the island besides the one Blockbuster store in Kapa‘a, but I don’t want to throw out names here for fear of jinxing it. I’d really like them all to stay in business.
