Visitors Love Kauai, Even with the Rain

By Paul C. Curtis - The Garden Island
Posted: Wednesday, Mar 29, 2006 - 03:42:27 am HST

Even before the recent weeks of rain and flooding, weather was listed by visitors as both their favorite and least favorite things about Kauai in comment cards collected by officials at the Kauai Visitors Bureau.

Generally, they love the weather when it is warm and sunny, and dislike it when it is not.

Still, most of the comments received by The Garden Island are from visitors who thoroughly enjoyed their stays on Kauai, despite the rain, because the aloha spirit of residents continues to shine through.

"I just wanted to let you know that my family completed a wonderful week in Kauai," said Vicky Nann of Evergreen, Colo.

"We returned to our home west of Denver today. I saw your article, 'Weather casts cloud over visitor arrivals,' and had to respond," she wrote in an e-mail.

"I would urge anyone who has plans to visit Kauai to forge ahead. I heard about the rupture of the dam just days before we were scheduled to leave home," Nann said.

"What a tragedy. We share the pain of the people of Kauai," she continued.

"The news of the dam spurred me to research the weather situation. I discovered that the weather hadn't been terribly nice for quite a while, and the forecast didn't sound very enticing.

"I worried about spending a gloomy week cooped up in a hotel with four kids, ages 12 through 15, and perhaps being in an uncertain situation if we ventured beyond the hotel," she wrote.

"We contemplated canceling our plans. However, after observing the radar picture and noticing that it showed clear skies at times over Poipu, we decided to take a chance," she commented.

"We arrived in Kauai the evening of Saturday, March 18, to a downpour. It seldom rains in Denver, so we enjoyed the rain," she said.

"But, I have to admit, we hoped to see at least some sun during our week-long visit. As it happened, we had two full days of sunshine, and the other days, while overcast, were warm and pleasant," said Nann.

"We were able to spend lots of time swimming, hiking, and touring the island, including the North Shore. There was only one major cloudburst one afternoon, but this gave two of the boys the opportunity to create a mudslide in which they played for about a half hour (much to their delight and my chagrin)," she added.

"We stayed at the Hyatt, where we were treated like special guests. The people of Kauai were friendly and welcoming," she continued.

"We felt safe everywhere we went, and were able to relax as we had hoped. Moreover, we met many other visitors who were also thoroughly enjoying all Kauai has to offer," she added.

"I do hope that we can visit again soon."

Karen Dawkins, who with her husband arrived on Kauai from the Mainland in the middle of the heavy rains, expected "sun, fun and romance of Hawaii. Instead, we got something more, and we just want to say 'mahalo' to all of you," she said.

"Even though you faced tough weather throughout the month, you never let us down. Even when our plans had to change, everyone was so kind to make sure that our alternate plans were just as wonderful," said Dawkins, who did not say where she was visiting from.

"Your friendliness and caring made us fall in love with your island more than sunshine ever would have. Mahalo for the memories, even if they weren't the traditional ones," Dawkins continued.

"There may not have been a sun in the sky, but your love for your island, and those of us visiting, made up for it. I have never vacationed anywhere and felt so welcome," she added.

"We pray that the cleanup goes smoothly, and regular operations return quickly, so that those who visit the remainder of this year can enjoy the adventure of Kauai," she continued.

"No matter what, though, if people visit, and miss out on knowing the people, they really miss out on the best part of your island. We look forward to coming back, and eating in the local joints again, off the beaten path," she said.

Also on the matter of visitor arrivals, a spokesperson for ResortQuest (formerly Aston Hotels and Resorts) said there haven't been a rash of cancellations or early departures from ResortQuest properties here, including Islander on the Beach in Waipouli, Poipu Kai, and Waimea Plantation Cottages.

Workers there have been offering different things to keep guests occupied on rainy days, including rainy-day packages, the spokesperson said.