Goodbye, Kauai

I figure if I am going do a blog, I may as well start here. So here I go…First post. I am sitting on my flight leaving Kauai, Hawaii and headed to Los Angeles and I can’t stop crying. I am so grateful and thankful for this magical island that has been my home for the past 4.5 years. I have a new family here, people that love me. People I feel I have known my entire life.

Living on Kauai has given me the chance to travel all over the state.  With each island that I have traveled to, I have brought my father along and sprinkled his ashes. I have sprinkled him on the top of Mt. Haleakala on Maui and on the top of Mauna Kea on the Big Island. While on the Big Island, I visited Volcano National Park and was able to witness the active Kilauea Volcano. On Molokai, I rode a mule down 1,700 feet to visit Kalaupapa National Park. Kalaupapa was established as a place of exile for people suffering from Leporsy. Over 8000 people, mostly Hawaiians have died at Kalaupapa. I have visited Oahu numerous times and have attended graduate school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Each island that I have visited is spectacular in its own right however, I have always been drawn back to Kauai.

Sprinkling my Dad’s ashes on Molokai

On Kauai, I have a job that I love, teaching kindergarten. I teach at a school that I love and work with colleagues that I love. I love my life so much but I need to travel. I know that when I decide to return, my Kauai family will welcome me with hugs, kisses, leis and wine

My School

Kauai Family

Best Camping on earth (Polihale State Park)

Napali Coast