Post #270576 by greg_surfs on Tue, Dec 5, 2006 9:40 AM

Ah, Kaua'i...just back, again. My five-year plan is in action and I'll plant myself in Hanalei soon, to rust and rot in the jungle and warm ocean swells. Spent at least four nights in Tahiti Nui. Gotta tell you guys, if you're gonna go to this island, skip the hotels and get yourself a house/studio rental in Hanalei. There are always places available and you can get in for $100-120/night, or more if you want to pay higher. Very competitive with the hotels, plus you live like a local and have access to bikes, snorkel gear, etc.

If you're gonna hit up the Nui, do it on a Thursday night and get in there before 6p. That's the night for the local music and Auntie Louise's nephew Bill will do his hula at some point.

As for Walmart, I take a little gentler approach to their presence in the islands. Sure, I know your small town in Iowa might be challenged by the presence of the big discounter and it may up the pace of change affecting small stores, etc. But there's a different mindset in the most remote island group in the world. It's cargo culture, baby! Stuff is hard to come by and prices are high. If somebody can come in and drop the prices, people are happy in the islands. So, yeah, I buy my souvenirs from the locals, usually find a contact who can get me a sunrise shell necklace, or Niihau leis, at a good price, but certain to have been made locally, and NOT imported from P.I. However, I'm happy to get my Hawaiian Host chocolates and all the other cheesy stuff to bring back to the Mainland, at a good price in Sam's store.

I voted Democrat in every election since 1981 (when i turned 18) and I'm very liberal.