About an hour later, Matt and I were on
stand-up paddle boards gliding down the serene river. We found the sandy bank and left the boards
next to other kayaks and canoes that marked the beginning of the trek to the falls. The rain cleared, and we hiked barefoot through the jungle following a dirt foot path. We passed clucking roosters and
hens and through small, trickling streams. Finally, we could hear the soothing sound of water rushing down. The waterfall cascaded down 85 feet into an emerald pool. Matt and I eased in to the cool water and swam under the shower. The fresh water poured all over us and washed away any trace of disappointment that we had felt earlier.
Back on the paddle boards we decided to venture further down the river. We stopped to explore a fern grotto. The grotto was a cave abounding with different species of verdant ferns spilling out of every crevice. Next, we paddled by a couple in a kayak who advised us to continue around the bend. Sunlight glistened down through a canopy of green and made parts of the river transparent. Fish darted beneath the glassy surface. Soon after I paddled around a turn, I saw a wild bull drinking and relieving itself in the canal. There were more bulls and cows on a grassy patch that bordered the waterway. Cautiously, Matt and I paddled by. As Matt slowed to take a photo, the bull stopped drinking the water and stared back at him. After the face-off, the bull darted up to the meadow and bucked its hind legs high in the air. It was like we were living an episode of the Discovery Channel, but this felt sacred; this was real life and it was only the two of us to witness it. Further up to the left I spotted something white move in a pasture. I paddled around the bend and saw three wild horses galloping through the field. Matt and I were awestruck by the pure beauty of the untamed nature on the island. Our first day in Hawaii had been surreal even if we didn’t find surf, and the surf would come.
A few
days later, we decided to try another must-see from my friend’s list: spend a
day exploring the Waimea Canyon and hiking a trail through it. The canyon is on the western side of Kauai, and
is a humbling sight at ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep and also home
to countless waterfalls. The drive up
the canyon was littered with tourists stopping at look out points. In true tourist fashion, we got out of the car
to drool at the majestic vistas. I felt
so small next to the depths and breadth of the lush canyon and towering waterfalls. Slowly, we wound our way up to the Awaawapuhi
Trail. The hike was six miles long, and
was a sure way to see some of the uninhibited Na Pali coast. The Na Pali coast is intriguing and
mysterious, because it is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or by hiking
paths. It is also known to be the most
stunning coast on the island and the site of countless Hollywood films. The fact that it is a challenge to explore only fueled my desire to see it.
We
debated whether or not to do the walk for the first fifteen minutes of the
muddy downhill trek. We’d both slipped
and almost fallen already. Then it started to drizzle.
We agreed that the hike didn’t seem like a safe idea. We had no cell phone service, and if one of
us twisted an ankle and couldn’t walk it would be nearly impossible to make our
way out of the trail. Because of the wet
conditions, it was a challenge enough for one person with two functioning arms
and legs and a walking stick. But, this
was another must see according to my friend. If the view at the end of this path was even
half as magical as the waterfall we had seen after paddling up the Wailua River,
I did not want to miss it.
So, we
continued deeper into the woods taking it slow, step by step, constantly
working to break a fall. Frustrated, we started to bicker. This
wasn’t safe. If either of us did twist an ankle, which could easily happen, that
would ruin our surf sessions for the rest of the trip and put a damper on all
the other activities. Why were we still walking? If we fully committed to the hike, it would have been easier to push
forward, but if we were going to quit and turn around the sooner we did so the
better.
Another
couple emerged from the forest covered in muck.
They trudged uphill almost finished with the climb. When they passed, we greeted them, and they
seemed cheerful enough that we were encouraged.
If they could do it, surely we could.
Soon
the drizzle turned into sheets of rain.
We stopped to pull rain jackets out of our backpack and sip some
water. Again we questioned ourselves; was
this really worth it? Would we even be able to see the view or
would it be hidden by thick clouds?
Suddenly our deliberation was interrupted by a loud screech and curse
words. Just behind us on the footpath
was another couple, and the woman had just fell flat on her bottom. Her face red, she was clearly embarrassed and
apologized for cursing. That was how we
met Tom and Mary.
Tom helped Mary back to her feet, and we told Mary not to worry about what she said. The trek was slick and we had almost fallen countless times already. We laughed and decided to continue on together. As we walked, the rain alternated between sprinkling and pouring. At one point it even stopped long enough to let the sun shine through the canopy for a while. Conversation flowed as we got to know this couple who were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. The mountains of Lake Tahoe, Nevada was where they called home. This was actually their first vacation just the two of them, as they had always taken their kids and grandkids with them. We laughed about family dynamics, complained about work, and shared what we had discovered around the island so far.
Tom helped Mary back to her feet, and we told Mary not to worry about what she said. The trek was slick and we had almost fallen countless times already. We laughed and decided to continue on together. As we walked, the rain alternated between sprinkling and pouring. At one point it even stopped long enough to let the sun shine through the canopy for a while. Conversation flowed as we got to know this couple who were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. The mountains of Lake Tahoe, Nevada was where they called home. This was actually their first vacation just the two of them, as they had always taken their kids and grandkids with them. We laughed about family dynamics, complained about work, and shared what we had discovered around the island so far.
We
trudged on taking in the views through the dense jungle and the thriving
landscape of the Na Pali coast. It occurred
to me how empowering working as a team could be. The support of others could take impassible crossroads and make them navigable. Something as simple as a conversation with
Tom and Mary distracted our minds from all the obstacles and reasons we should
not continue on. Instead, we kept watch
for each other and warned each other of a tough patches in the trail. Matt and I shared our water to drink and they shared
fresh coconut meat to eat.
Finally,
we made it to the end of the trek. The
clouds cleared long enough to reveal the open panorama of the characteristic
green mountain spires. The height at
which we stood was astounding. The
ground was so far down below that we could not even see it. We basked in the beauty of God’s creation for
a while before heading back to where we started a few hours ago. Although the return trip was mostly uphill it seemed easier. Since the first half of the trek was mostly downhill and so muddy and slippery, we had to go slow and take every single step carefully. Going uphill, we could go much faster since we didn’t have to focus so much on not falling. This time, gravity was on our side. The entire hike took four hours to complete. 
At the
end of the trail, we hugged Tom and Mary.
The experience we shared had transformed us from strangers
to family. Matt and I admitted that if we
hadn’t met Tom and Mary we probably would have turned around. Tom and Mary said the same thing. God’s words rang out in my mind: two is
better than one, but three or four is even better. The verses in Ecclesiastes
4:9-12 say, “Two are better than one, because
they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down,one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”The longer I am alive, the more I see God’s living word in my life each day. I am thankful for such a clear illustration of how united, people are so much stronger and can accomplish much greater things.
