The Berg Family: Kauai Trip

Our Kauai trip with the Abbajays started with a roadtrip to California since the flights from there were TONS cheaper. We stopped on the way in Las Vegas to meet up with the Andersons. They were there on a work trip from Big Island so we took Erin to breakfast, and then got a tour of the casino they were staying in. So fun to see old friends.

Parking in their parking garage was the hardest part. We forgot about the cargo carrier on top of the car, and it scraped every part of the garage that hung down. It was so scary sounding, but it didn't get too damaged. Once we got into the space, we just parked. When it was time for us to hit the road again, we got help from Erik and Erin to get it off and carry it out. So wild. There's always an adventure.

We stayed the night at the Pobst's house, although they were out of town, then went to the airport bright and early for our flight. Covid testing was still a thing, and we got all ours done days before, and tests back the day of travel! It was tight.

We got into Lihue in the afternoon, and borrowed Cherelle's van for the trip. We headed straight up to Hanalei, although we only had swimming things, food from Costco, and towels. We stayed and played on the beach for the entire day, until after sunset. The Abbajays got in and met us at the hotel in Princeville. Since Richard had rented it, we had to wait for him to check in. Sully passed out in the backseat after a Long Beach day, while we waited for the Abbajays.

The next morning, we really got to better see the hotel room, and enjoyed the lanai for breakfast, looking out over the pool, and all the way to the ocean. Beautiful. Then the Abbajays came up for quick hellos before heading to the sea cliffs where we spotted whales and dolphins right away.

Swimming in the pool while the adults were planning all the activities. Hawken decided to "run rocks" to get stronger in case we would surf any big waves while we were there. Running rocks is a trick where you hold a rock that's really heavy and let it sink you to the bottom of a pool where you can then run it to the other side. It helps with breath holding, leg strength, stamina, etc. He ran rocks every day, sometimes twice a day, while we were visiting.

We headed to Kealia Beach, in Kapaa, where we had spent countless days before. This was our first time back to Kauai since we lived there in 2017 and 2018. It oddly still feels like home. Such a lovely place to be.

We played for hours and hours and then came into the shade to lounge and eat and even bought some Girl Scout cookies from some very smart scouts. They walked up and down the beach, took Venmo, cash, or credit card. So smart. Hawken built a tiny home, including garden with rows of produce, and Matix showed off some fire knife skills with some driftwood.

We went for a walk and Solace remembered where the old carvings were in some of the rocks.

Back to the hotel hot tub, with a snack dinner and more planning for the following days.

After we put the kids to bed most nights, we played games. Shanghai Rummy is their family favorite, so we played that LOTS.

Messy morning hair at the pool before the start of another adventure.

We went on a short hike to Ho'opi'i falls to the cliff jumps and everyone had a blast. Izzy and I didn't jump, but Jill and Richard and all the kids did, and of course Paul.

We hiked past it for the longer hike all the way to the second falls. It's a jungle hike, with many paths leading in wrong directions. I was really glad I remembered exactly which way to go. I remembered which vine to go under, and which bend to look for, and what sounds to listen for to know I was going the right way. So fun!

Lullaby was tired and fell asleep like this several times. Silly thing.

We took them to get honey toast from Uncle's and it was as good as we remembered! Yum!

Pops made us a delicious dinner one night, and Avia got an ear exam. Ha ha ha.

One of the days, we rented surf boards and boogie boards and took them to Hanalei. The kids got ride in the back of Pops' truck, which they loved.

Surfing and boogie boarding came back seemingly easily to everyone. These kids just LOVE the water. And of course, some pier jumping. Yay!

We went out for shave ice lots too. You have to try all the flavors from all the shops to make sure you have the best.

Jill took me and Izzy shopping. I got this new outfit and Izzy got a new customized Stetson hat. She has quite the collection to add it to. Thanks Jill!

More card games and beginners luck for Paul. He won by a LOT!

We went up to Waimea Canyon and the views did not disappoint.

When we got to one of our favorite lookout points, we were disappointed to see this... Cloud cover as far as the eyes could see. We couldn't see anything. Such a bummer. We convinced the Abbajays on this point alone that we should all come back again.

Lower down below the clouds we got a group picture and stopped to see the red dirt waterfalls. So pretty, but Sully forgot how messy it can get!

Out to eat again, this time in Waimea at a cowboy themed restaurant.

This whole trip was so fun. It was great to see all the kids in their elements. Matix on the beach, was his happy place. He loves the water, like Paul, and feels very connected to it.

We met up with some old friends at a playground. The kids remembered the playground right away and took off. I got to chat and catch up with Rebecca for a while. It was so good to see her.

I surprised the kids and went to Auntie Christy's new farm. Just after we moved to Big Island, Hawk's old farm was flooded and lots of the animals died. They spent the last four years saving what animals they could, and getting new land and creating this new farm from nothing. It was full of tall cane grass, nothing else, and Christy has done amazing things with it! Hawken was almost in tears seeing her, and all the animals. Christy gave us a tour and introduced us as "Hawk's awesome family" to everyone on the farm.

While we were in Kauai, Richard's mom died. She had been very sick for a long time, and they knew it was coming, but weren't sure when it would be. It was sad to see him sad, but he asked us to help with a sort of funeral/remembrance for her. We got them all leis, and flowers and the kids sang "Aloha Oe" and they let the flowers go into the ocean. It was a beautiful night. Richard, Izzy, and Jill all talked about "Grandbo" and we were happy to have been able to be a part of it. Solace said this was his favorite part of the trip later when we asked him, and it made Richard tear up.

More shave ice in Kapaa at Hee Fat, our old favorite still stands. You just can't beat it.

We stopped by our old condo and the palms I planted are doing so well! I love Hawaii for that, it's so easy to grow anything you want!

Another hike, so lovely.

More pictures from the Waimea Canyon.

The Abbajoys went on a helicopter tour over the canyon and mountains and saw SO much of the island.

Out to eat again. We did this a lot, and we always ordered too much.

Pictures with Pops. They played this game the whole trip. When someone got the other person to look at that hand signal and it was below their waist they could punch you. (A nice, not hurting, more playful, punch)