Kauai, Hawaii 🌺🏝️

On April 22nd we said goodbye to our cozy slip at the Waikiki Yacht Club and as the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves once again, anchored off the iconic shores of Waikiki for one last night, marking the end of our unforgettable stay in Honolulu. 

We had a rolley evening, as expected, and in the morning while I stayed aboard, Alex ventured ashore to run a quick errand before we departed. The ocean’s mood was shifting dramatically as the morning unfolded. The swells grew larger, each one more formidable than the last. As I watched from the boat, the waves began to crash with increasing force, making our anchorage untenable.

I started preparing the boat for departure so we could quickly get underway when Alex returned when I was disrupted by the arrival of the harbor patrol. Their presence was a stark reminder of the growing swells that threatened our safety. The urgency in their voices was clear: we needed to pull anchor and move on before the situation worsened. Each wave that crashed against the hull seemed to echo their warning, pushing us to act swiftly.

As Alex returned to the boat, I could see him bashing through the water in the dinghy, catching air as the waves rolled up and down and the urgency of the situation became palpable. The swells had grown, and the boat rocked violently, making the task of securing the dinghy a formidable challenge. Every second counted as we battled the elements, working together to hoist the dinghy onto the deck. Our hearts raced with the effort, but finally, the dinghy was secured, and we could focus on our next move.

With the dinghy safely on deck, we set our sights on Nawiliwili Harbor. The relief was immediate as we left the tumultuous waters of Waikiki behind. As the sails caught the wind, the open sea stretched out before us, offering a sense of freedom and calm.

After a lively morning in the anchorage, we bid farewell to Honolulu and set sail toward Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai, leaving the surf behind. Our voyage across the Kauai Channel lasted just over 22 hours, and we caught sight of the island emerging on the horizon as the first light of dawn illuminated the sky. 

During our stay in Lihue, we visited Costco to stock up for our Alaskan adventure, our last chance to access major grocery and hardware stores. While exploring, we found the streets challenging for pedestrians, often navigating busy roads. We stumbled upon a charming town near the anchorage, a lively spot for tourists and cruise ships, where we enjoyed happy hour at a local brew pub. Our adventure took a turn when a sudden rain shower flooded the streets, soaking us on our way back to the boat and filling our dinghy with water.

Our time here was short lived but before continuing our journey to the northern end of the island, we spent an afternoon navigating the Huleia stream in our dinghy. Although the water appeared murky and brown, the journey upstream was enjoyable, framed by stunning cliffs and loads of vegetation.