2011-Feb. 21: Anini , Hanalei

Today we decided to head to Anini and spend a good part of the day there. We parked our stuff under what has become our favorite shade tree and took off to snorkel for about 3 hours.

I'm still amazed that we had such a hard time finding fish the first few years we came there. With the incredibly long sandy beach, it's easy to enter the water. With it's protected reef, it's usually not too rough. With it's shallowness, it's usually warmer then the other waters.
a couple of the Hawaiian state fish---reef triggerfish

 some odd tube animal thing

 a sap sucking slug.  I've only seen them here in the warmer waters of Anini.

 white saddle goatfish

 a juvenile yellow tang

 white spotted toby

 There are even a bunch of birds here.  Like this guy this guy

 and the Cardinals I'm use to seeing in Hawaii.

 even sparrows

 Neat place for a tree swing!

 and some ground flowers.

As the day progressed, the clouds and wind began to build. Off in the distance it was neat watching the high waves coming in below the lighthouse and the wind blowing mist from the top of the waves back.

It was a little chilly sitting in the wind, so we jumped in the car and headed up to Hanalei for a quick look-around. Stopped by the taro fields and took a picture of one of the many Nene ducks that lives there.

The taro fields are neat to see, too.

 from the overlook---apparently some people like poi!

 fields and fields of taro

 With the clouds continuing to build, we didn't wait for sunset. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked into our condo back on the east side just in time to see the most brilliant sunset of our trip so far. There was even a sunset colored rainbow off to the right of this picture.

We also arrived back in time for me to head over to the hotel next door and catch the special weekly music concert that are done there every Monday night until the middle of March. This time they were having a competition for a new Kauai themed hula song. I really enjoyed the concert. Ken elected to stay back at the room and rest.