hawaii

Hindu Monastery is Sacred Ground

On the island of Kauai, there is a Himalayan Monastery in Kapaa, that teaches true human origins, and Lemuria. It is home of two dozen monks who live, and learn, and teach, and worship. They believe the Lumeria Scrolls truly exist. In it, Kauai is described as a magical vortex as close as possible to the garden of Eden. As Gerald parked the car, a sign with an arrow indicated “Temple Path”. An old Hindu woman placed fresh fruit and a flower offering at the entrance to the monastery. She then sat on the stone wall chanting aloud as though I did not exist. Her body rocked back and forth wrapped in a colorful sarong. I turned to the gathering area where a basket of tie-dyed sarongs were rolled and available for visitors. Reaching in, I chose a blue-fringed sarong imprinted with the Hawaiian sea turtle. In thirty seconds, I had it securely wrapped around my waist to cover the skort I was wearing. Now I was ready to walk down the path toward sacred grounds for this extraordinary experience. Founded in 1970, by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, he created the sacred place for meditation, worship, training of monks, and religious resource for the Hindu world. The first stop, at the grove of giant banyan trees, six flat rocks for meditation led to an 8-armed statue; Lord Shanmuga, a granite sculpture of the six-faced Deity who guides the transformation of the instinctive into divine wisdom through the practice of yoga. Silence is appreciated. As I left the world behind, I encountered a massive 16-ton statue of Nandi the bull, carved from black granite. It stands watch over the Siva temple. A bell announces the arrival of visitors. A swami, dressed in orange under lifetime vows, waves incense and rice offerings while chanting around the bull as sustenance for protection of the temple. Birds fly in and scoop up the morsels of rice. Turning away, visitors are invited to dip their toes into the temple tank before stepping into the sanctuary. This sacred pool has a statue of the child Saint Sambandar dancing joyously on a lotus. The sacred “Om” in the Tamil language is painted on the bottom of the pool. I removed my sandals and entered the sanctuary. The aroma of incense was overpowering. People stood and knelt in silence, hands folded in prayer. One wall depicted 108 golden statues of Lord Siva, each depicting one pose of His cosmic dance of creation, preservation, absorption, and paired graces which conceal and reveal. Within minutes, the swami entered the Kadavul Temple and continued his methodical spiritual exercises. After awhile he turned to the crowd offering incense smoke plumes to those who wished to inhale them. At this point, I discreetly turned and exited the sanctuary. From there, Gerald and I approached the lookout for Mount Waialeale and Iraivan Temple in the distance. It was picture postcard perfect. We were not allowed past this point. As we made our way back to the car, we took a moment to enter the Mini Mela Gift Shop where I chose an aqua and turquoise beaded bracelet with the “Om” symbol. 
“The weak can never forgive. 

Forgiveness is the attribute 

of the strong.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Dining Outside the Home: Sushi Bushido in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Sushi Bushido in Kapaa, Kauai!  Is it a Japanese art gallery in a restaurant or a Japanese restaurant in an art gallery? Take a peek inside and see. You will be amazed! Located in the center of Old Kapaa Town in a place known as the “Dragon Building”, Sushi Bushido is a blend of everything traditional in local-style sushi through contemporary creations in dinner entrées. And the art, you wonder? The artist has a tiny studio next door, which is why an entire red wall inside Sushi Bushido is dedicated to her paintings. That’s what I call a “Win! Win!” for both parties. Check out the Sushi Bar, specialty rolls, and Tempura dishes along with a nice selection of beer and Sake. Trust me, you’ll be in good company. 

Surf Shop is Hidden Treasure 

Ambrose’s Kapuna Surf Gallery is a bright yellow-painted building with chipped edges and white-wash streaks that sits at an intersection on the edge of Kuhio Highway. It’s typical weather-worn entrance has doors propped open to catch a glimpse of area art pieces hanging throughout. We ducked inside to get a break from the noonday sun and catch a cross-breeze. A lean, mellow man with seasoned eyes sat behind the counter with fingers wrapped busily in untangling a wad of knotted fishing string. “I’m using this to sew stitches in a hat I’m making from dried coconut palm bark,” he volunteered. With that he stood up, walked over to a makeshift coat rack and pulled down a primitive looking wide-brimmed fisherman’s hat with an open top. “Here, try it on”, he said without leaving me a choice. “This is a first attempt at saving my old hat that has seen better days.” Without a will of my own, I complied a few seconds longer than I felt comfortable and then removed it. “I didn’t have the confidence to attempt sewing a top on it then”, he continued. “This time will be different,” he said as he took it from me and placed it on his own head. I shoved all thoughts of his disheveled thinning scalp from my mind. He handed me a piece of palm bark as his fingers brushed up and down the surface. “Here. Feel it. This stuff is durable and waterproof. It’ll be perfect when it’s done.” I nodded my head in agreement and wished him good luck. He smiled a coffee-stained grin and turned his attention back to the discarded fishing net. I had to admire him for recycling the knotted nylon mess and perhaps saving the ocean floor from one more piece of debris. Later, we heard through the grapevine this man is practically the “surfboard whisperer”. Like magic, he can repair dings, cracks, and shatters in any damaged surfboard. The guy is a master at restoration. Stepping across the threshold on that hot sunny day was like stepping into a treasure trove. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai!  Twice the taste, second to none. Mariachi’s Mexican Restaurant is a very popular place on Kauai. Perhaps that is why there are two convenient locations on the East Shore. On the main drag of Old Town Kapaa, Mariachi’s is at the center of activity. You can’t miss the brightly colored building. Grab a window seat for people-watching and open air. Pay no attention to the birds that flap their wings. They know how to behave. Before the tortilla chips and tomato salsa disappear, a sizzling platter of crazy fajitas arrives to take its place. No worries. There’s plenty of food to share at a table for two. Bienvenidos!

Visit the Land of Sacred Forests

“Head down the road from the Kadavul Temple, turn left seven tenths of a mile. You will see a gravel parking area where you can leave your car. Step through the gate into the Rudraksha Forest. You will enter a grove of sacred trees called Blue Marble by the Hawaiians. If you ever thought yourself to be a tree hugger, this is where you actually will be moved to do so.” The aged woman at the Kauai Hindu Monastery shared this story with us. “The Hindu faith is built on thousands of stories”, she said through a smile. “Shiva is the name for God,” she began. “In the beginning of time, Lord Shiva gave full control of all things on Earth to man. He then went into deep meditation. When Lord Shiva awoke, He saw what a mess man had made of everything. Big surprise,” she paused for effect before continuing. “Tear drops fell on the Earth. These tear drops were blue berries which took the form of seeds that later grew into the Rudraksha tree. When you hug the tree, the pain and discord you feel in your heart and mind will be released. Spiritual healing and good health will replace it.” Her face brightened with a ray of hope. “From that time forward, the seeds became known as The Tears of Shiva. The tree grows very fast and produces tiny blue-beaded fruit whose shells cover the ground before drying into Rudrakshas.” She took a deep breath, “A natural hole appears drilled through the seed. It’s as though nature intended man to thread it on a chain and wear it.” No other bead is considered to be as auspicious and powerful as a Rudraksha. It is a symbol of God’s compassion for all living things. 

Dining Outside the Home: Oasis on the Beach in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Oasis on the Beach in Kapaa, Kauai!  A restaurant with an ocean view may hold you spellbound and lure you back for a return visit. Oasis on the Beach is like that, especially when coupled with live entertainment. It wouldn’t be Hawaii without the jangly sounds of ukulele music, breathtaking sunsets, and food so fresh you expect to see it growing next door. With a master chef at the helm, expect creative dishes beyond imagination. This is Paradise. 

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant in Kapaa, Kauai!  Fling open the doors for an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see. Look closely. You may see the water spouts of a humpback whale or two on the horizon. Feel the cool breezes as you bask in the glorious sunshine. Glance around the room. Pay attention to the hanging art inside, which captures a peaceful easy feeling. Now order a meal with a beverage to match. Sam’s Ocean View fits the bill for coastal-living. Today’s special: Seared Ahi Eggs Benedict with a hollandaise sauce; a perfect blend of rich, creamy butter and lemon citrus. Mahalo. 

Take a Walk on Hanalei Pier

The scenic view on the North Shore of Kauai is right out of a Hollywood movie. And that film is the 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, “South Pacific”. The Hanalei Pier was originally built in 1892, when it was used to transport taro and rice to Honolulu. Made of wood at that time, it became too difficult to maintain the pier in a tropical climate. Thus, it was replaced with a concrete finger deck and a framed shed roof in the 1940s until Hurricane Iniki damaged the 340-foot pier beyond use in 1992. Today, the local history and its iconic charm continue to lure curiosity seekers as well as vacationers and beach lovers. Hanalei Bay is the largest on the island of Kauai with its 2-mile long crescent moon and white sandy beach. Known to natives as Black Pot Beach, it can be seen littered with avid fisherman, energetic surfers, carefree picnickers, and leisurely landlubbers. We mustn’t forget the romantic lovebirds who stroll to the end of the pier, gaze into each other’s eyes, share a wet kiss, and then snap a Selfie against the opulent aqua-blue waters. Hanalei Pier does Hollywood proud. 

Dining Outside the Home: Bubba Burgers in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Bubba Burgers in Kapaa, Kauai!  The sign at the cash register says, “We Cheat Tourists, Drunks, and Attorneys.” Now you know there’s a story to be told. But that’s not why hoards of people stop by this burger shack in Old Kapaa Town to sit on the front porch and gape at the flurry of activity with an unbelievable ocean view. The fresh-ground “grass fed” beef, from cattle ranches on Kauai, produces the best and juiciest, chin-wiping burgers around. Perhaps that is why they’re known as the Slopper or Double Slopper, on a menu that features everything from a Big Bubba to Chili Fries. Go crazy. Add a thick Chocolate Milkshake made with real cream. Yeah, yeah, yeah. If you walk away hungry, it’s your own fault.