NAWILIWILI LIGHTHOUSE DEC 2014

Nawiliwili Lighthouse at Ninini Point

                After being so involved with the lighthouse at Kilauea Point, we jumped at the chance to visit the taller one at Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue with a guide from the Coast Guard.  We were unexpectedly treated to a tour of the coast guard facility too.  I left there wanting to join!

 Brad Poen giving us a tour of the US Coast Guard Station in Lihue

Training map  

Newbies to the service have 2-3 weeks to learn the new language of 

Kauai rescue locations

                To get a better idea of where we were, I pulled some aerial pics I have.  Several steps were undertaken by George Wilcox, founder of Grove Farm, to build his dream harbor in the 1920s, on the east side of the island. The Navy uses Port Allen on the Southwest side of the island.  

 Harbor – 40 feet deep

The marina is separated from the Huleia River that feeds the harbor

The Coast Guard station is at this end of the small boat harbor closest to the exit point

 Marina from Coast Guard station

Leaving the harbor  

See lighthouse behind, far right

it looks deceptively close

                First the breakwater was built, 2100 feet long in 1921.  In 1928 the seawall was completed, protecting the shore line.  Then Nawiliwili Harbor was dredged in 1930.  In July of that year, the ninety year old Wilcox stepped off the gangway of the Hualalai ship to officially open the new harbor.   Four thousand people were waiting and he was drenched in leis.  Cruise ships tie up here today.

                

 Kalapaki bay has the sand beach on left, where Duke's Restaurant is

The breakwater at right is divided here by the strut of the plane I took this from 

Furthest point jutting out, back and left, Ninini Pt. with light house looking very small

                We drove into the Marriott grounds, through Kauai Lagoons golf course to a dirt road and then out to the point.  I had never been there but Gil had gone out there during a race when an outrigger (or several) were in trouble in heavy waves.  They pulled one boat off the rocks and a zodiac got ruined attempting to help. 

                There had been light towers but these were inadequate so the new lighthouse for the harbor was built at Ninini Point in 1932.  The lens was removed in the 80s and the top left open.  Pretty hairy out there in 30 mph winds!

 Gil and other folks in our group - all fairly windblown

 From the point you get a feel of what remains unchanged on Kauai

Just squint and imagine no city behind the harbor on the right

 From the doorway, which was difficult to open.

It took about 10 minutes to pry the rust away from the lock

Not only thirty feet higher than the Kilauea Point lighthouse, 

this one is considerably more narrow and the stairs feel peculiarly unattached

The effect was dizzying

 Floating stairs

 Moody from the top looking away from the harbor

Of course it was raining as well as blowing at this point

Of course, the squall blew away by the time we were back down

Another fun day on Kauai