The "Poipu Beach" Story

Poipu Beach photographed in early 1970s.

It was an ordinary day.  Re- flecting on  the beach that has been one of my favorites on the island of Kauai, HI.  Little spit of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean on the south-facing side of Kauai where you can watch the tropical sunrises and sunsets. Poipu Beach is a short walk from the Aston at Poipu Kai where we have stayed for close to a week on this year's vacation.  

Poipu Beach

First morning there I made the walk with my camera and documented my journey for you in another story to be posted later.  In the early 1970's Poipu Beach Park, a narrow strip along the mainland that connects the land to the sea, was primarily beachfront properties which were private homes, cottages and storefronts.  Camping was permitted so dogs and hippies ran free, more than likely camping in their VW Vans along the ocean.

Brenneckee's Store across from the beach.

Surfing, snorkeling, spear fishing and body surfing were the norm, but then the simple life began to disappear as the tourism began to grow.  I was part of that tourism in the late 1900's and am sorry if I ruined the much simpler life that existed back them.  

Marker telling about the beach.

The beachside neighbor- hood store known as Brennec- kee's opened where you could rent beach supplies and have a meal along the ocean.  They also provided masks and fins to snorkel the beautiful waters at the nearby Poipu park. Snorkelers can see a wide array of marine life such as the colorful state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapau fish, also known as the reef triggerfish as it weaves through underwater lava rock formations and coral.  As far back as those 60's Poipu Beach Park is still about having fun and sun on one of the most beautiful beaches in Kauai. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Shark in the sand. 

Spear fishermen roam the beach.

This part of the park leads to an old cemetery.

A chicken (the alleged state bird) pecks at one of the graves in the cemetery.

Bathers gathers on the beach for the beaching of a ……….

A large sea turtle who has suddenly arrived for sunning.

A day at Poipu Beach.