Kauai - Day 6

After our morning beach session we headed into Hanalei to meet up with our friends for breakfast. They had not experienced the Wake Up Cafe and those macadamia nut cinnamon rolls...we couldn't let that happen!

From here the girls headed south and the boys headed out on what would be an epic hike... the tunnel hike.

To give an outsiders report of their day... they did not make it to our meet up spot for the art walk. Their comments.... "The most difficult hike I've ever done".... "we should have started two hours earlier ".... "mud"... and so on. No photographers in this group... if you google "kauai tunnel hike"... yep wild.

The girls had an art day planned - watercolor class at 1 and then taking in the Friday Art Night in Hanapepe. After grabbing a coffee and a great mug at Hanalei Coffee Roasters we made our way towards Waimea.

On our way we passed Scotty's Music House and both Donna and I commented on how we would love to get a ukulele on the trip... so no time like the present... we rounded the block and headed in for what was a delightful experience. Kauilani met us with what can only be described as the Aloha Spirit. Graciously walked us throught the different levels of instrument and played beautiful notes so we could hear the difference. And then we heard it... the soprano... sweet notes that spoke to both of us. The Hawaiian sound we love. She shared with us her story of her good friend "Brother Iz" and played with a smile that went far beyond a smile... if that makes sense. She said we should play it while on the island and name our ukulele's before we left for home. I'm pretty sure both Donna and I have ukulele's with names that incorporate the sweet soul the introduced them to us. Thank you Kauilani, your service went far beyond the sale... you shared your beautiful soul.

This little beauty is in Montana now. Youtube is a great resource for learning how to play a ukulele. I came across Justin's Guitar. Great lessons and the first song I've been learning is "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. On the site it has a video for the lesson and then a link to the actual songs music video.... well hello!!! The music video was filmed on Kauai! Love it!

We made our way over to Waimea and grabbed a quick lunch and headed into our class at Painting in Paradise. I'm pretty sure my research on tripadvisor is how I had found out about Julie Marionette Tavoniar and her studio. She offers several different classes that cover various techniques.

We signed up for the three hour watercolor class, she guided us through a great process that was not overwhelming and we all came away with a nice outcome. Fun easy and relazing day.... not like the boys.

Mine is a little "paint by number" ish... need a lot more practice!

Donna and Annie - used to be our next door neighbors. Donna and her husband come to Kauai every couple years.... lucky!

Hanapepe Art Walk - every Friday night. The shops stay open late and the streets fill with vendors selling art and food! We arrived a little early and folks were still setting up on the street so we walked around the shops and then decided on food choices. The Right Slice... chicken pot pie... get there early and get yourself one... so good!

I was taught as a daughter of a Southern Woman, that if you can't say something nice... don't say anything at all. But I want to be honest about my experience - and my experience was not ... nice. I had a list of galleries I really wanted to see while I was on island and this one was at the top of the list. As we made our first swing around the shops we found it... and were greeted by a sign on the door that said "only serious collectors - knock on door". Bad idea. FIrst... who knows if they are a "serious collector", I would think you would know by now how travelers can on a whim let loose. Buy on impulse. And art will do that like no other. But no, not here. Maybe it's my years as a small business owner... maybe my feeling as an artist that it should be accessiable to all. Perhaps is was a slip up. Suggestion... if you do not want to deal with the "art walk crowd" - close up for the night. I had only one experience that fell below my expectation on this trip... and the winner is Amy Lauren's Gallery. And no one was more dissapointed than me.

Back to the art walk... fun atmosphere. I think we arrived a little early... the hours are 5 to 9. I'm thinking 6.30ish might be a better time to arrive... although if you wait til then The Right Slice might be sold out... so come early and stay late.

We finally meet up with the boys back in Hanalei, and they are finishing up a late dinner at Chicken in a Barrel... and we sat aound the table and listened to their stories of their day... wild.

One bump in the road but that in no way derailed a really great day!

Trip Tip

While in Kauai take in the beaches and the trails... but also leave space for the music and the art of Kauai.