Even though it was raining in Hanalei, cars and people flooded the streets and parking lots Friday.
“A lot of people are parking in our parking lot or in the Ching Young Village and walking down to the beach because there’s no parking there,” said Randy Kotsol, owner of Crystals &Gemstones Gallery.
He pointed out any impact a full parking lot would have on his business is balanced out by the sheer amount of people circulating through town.
“I don’t think it makes that big of a difference,” he said. “It’s busy out here.”
With Hurricane Hector passing the islands, heavy clouds lingered throughout the day on the North Shore, with sheets of rain coming down. It’s a pattern that’s been more common than usual over the summer, Kathy Mullen, from Hanalei Surf Co., pointed out.
“It’s still the summer months, so we’re all pretty busy but the weather hasn’t been good,” she said. “Still, we’re neck and neck with last year.”
Eight or nine customers swirled around Hanalei Surf Co. while Mullen talked, and she pointed out that was a lull in the day and the store has been and remains busy.
“After Labor Day, we’ll see what happens,” she said.
Both Mullen and Kotsol said business took a dip after April floods destroyed property, drenched buildings, and shut down Kuhio Highway north of the town.
The roadblock effectively makes Hanalei the end of the road, instead of Ke’e Beach, and takes snorkeling anywhere north of Hanalei off the activities list, as well as activities like hiking the Kalalau Trail.
For Pedal &Paddle in Hanalei, that has left a mark because much of their business comes from renting snorkel gear and camping equipment. The gear for sale and merchandise like hats are keeping them afloat.
“I’d say our hats are our biggest draw right now,” said Danielle Jure, sales associate at Pedal and Paddle. “We’re down since last year. It was super slow right after the floods.”
So slow, in fact, messages went out on social media in April urging people to shop there. Community organizations held events there to promote spending.
Streets were quiet. Parking was for once, not a problem. Hanalei Bay was without crowds.
But no longer.
Businesses are rebounding as the roadblock has funneled more people into town, which has helped even out the year’s revenues. The beach is again often lined with young and old lounging on the sand or playing in the water. Finding a place to park in like finding gold.
Friday, tourists and locals alike ducked out of the rain into stores to do some shopping or decided to wait it out in places like the Chicken in a Barrel dining area.
The breezy, covered space was packed with people seeking a late barbecue lunch, like California visitor Jay Warner and his two daughters Josie and Sofia.
“We’re staying in Poipu, but we decided to come up here for the day,” Warner said. “It’s sunny over there (in Poipu), but the rain’s fine.”
Rain or shine, Hanalei is popular with island residents and with visitors, who seem to be flocking undeterred to Kauai in general, North Shore business owners say.
“I had a friend come in a while ago and he got up here and said, ‘wow, this isn’t what it was like five years ago,’” Kotsol said. “There’s a lot of people, but it’s good and business is good.”
•••
Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com.
