Making friends, Hawaiian Style
by Susan Siu Grobler | 14 December 2011 | North America
Hawaii, United States
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Story One ~ Not all pirates wear eye patches
Our first night in Honolulu was with Captain Ron our couch surfer friend... student marine mechanic who trains part time as a Soldier. We also hung out with his pirate friend, Pirate Tim. Both live a crazy different lifestyle; we had to option of sleeping on Captain Ron's MMC (Mobile Mega Couch) in the back of his HUGE truck, or his wooden sailboat. We chose his wee boat docked in Pearl Harbour on the military base in Honolulu.
Waking up to the smell of the sea and climbing out in the morning to view all the boats around us at sunrise was a fun experience. One of the boats near us even had a pirate cross-bone flag flying high and proud! Pirates are real; and they don't say "aargh me matey", much to my dismay. Captain Ron explained to me that pirates are "clever opportunists, so be careful with your belongings".
Pirate Tim is a salvage diver, he lives in a inflatable life raft with his girlfriend who he says "looks like his grandma, but only because of the Hawaiian sun".
Initially when we drove into Pirateville to pick up his mate Pirate Tim, Captain Ron told Brett, "Hold onto your lady, there's quite a few pirates round here". Beer and pizza at the harbor pub were on the cards with Captain & Pirate, and they wanted to take us furniture shopping, which meant picking up free furniture left outside people's homes for the recyclers to pick up. Pirate Tim capitalised on a water cooler, commenting that it would be perfect for their new boat.
After beer & pizza, Captain Ron showed us his new 50ft yacht. It was seized by the state because homeless people were living in it selling meth, so he bought it. He hopes to sail to NZ one day, go Captain Ron! We wish him all the best.
Story Two ~ Falling in love with beautiful Kauai
One thing we had never expected when arriving in Hawaii, was making life lifelong friends on a hike (American version of a tramp - they laughed at us when they heard we called it a "tramp"... you may guess their thoughts). Brett & I decided to hike the Nu'alolo Trail in Waimea Canyon on Kauai, it was meant to be the best hike as described by Lonely Planet. And the best it was, not just because it was one of the most UNREAL views we have seen on a hike, but because we met Stan and Gabriel. Two awesome guys we know will be lifelong friends.
Stan, we found out was also "Butler Stan" at St Regis Hotel in Princeville, Kauai (he wears white gloves). We found out quickly about the many celebrities and stars that stay at this beautiful and luxurious hotel in Kauai - some for US$4,200 per night. http://www.stregisprinceville.com/
Within the four hour hike, we felt like we had known these two guys forever. We met up again two nights later and met their friends Ashlee, Darcy and Garrison. Darcy, manager of St Regis Resort Spa, was honest, considerate, and politely laughed at our funny Kiwi jokes. Chef Garrison laughed at our accents and shouted "NO WAY" to everything we said. Ashlee, superwoman General Manager of St Regis Kauai Grill restaurant, was excitable, kind and fun to share life stories with. Again, it was like we had known them all our lives. They took us to a no trespassing area to view the sunset, and when we got home, Chef Garrison (in his boardies and sunnies), cooked us a most incredible three course gourmet meal at home. He even topped it with Eggnog in ice glasses for dessert.
They insisted that we see them again and we were honoured to dine at Kauai Grill in St Regis two nights later. We enjoyed a seven course meal in the most amazing dining experience we have ever had. Tastes that are out of this world by an amazing chef, beautiful setting, perfect service, nothing without fault. Mahalo Garrison & Ashlee; your professionalism, attention to detail, and service is one we will remember for the rest of our lives. Mahalo with all our hearts.
Thank you for our beautiful Jean-George signed Cookbook, and Stan for the Shaka! We even used the cork keyrings in NYC!
Gabriel, Stan, Ashlee, Darcy and Garrison, your generosity and friendship has been overwhelming and an amazing blessing. We hope you come to visit New Zealand really soon, we want to show you Aloha in our home country!