Hana Hou Pt.2
Chapter 2
The big Zodiac inflatable boat slammed into the crest of the wave, going airborne for a moment before dropping hard into the trough. Kyle rode the floor like a surfboard, throttling the twin two hundred horsepower Mercury outboards carefully to pace the face of the wave now rising just behind them.
Daria turned from the sparkling, translucent wall of water, eyes widening as she took in the black rock wall that rose from the ocean in front of them. They were heading straight for it, and it was only yards away and closing fast. The waves ahead of them broke hard against the jagged volcanic rock, turquoise flashing into white foam with a crashing roar audible even over the rumble of the outboard motors.
Suddenly, the bow tilted as Kyle cut the boat hard to starboard, the stern lifting as the swell began to pick them up.
Holy crap, we're gonna flip-
Suddenly the water level dropped below them as a low sea cave opening swallowed them, the motors snarling to redline as the Zodiac shot into the gloom. She could hear screaming around her, and it occurred to her that the loudest voice was her own. She twisted her gloved fists hard around the grip rope that ran around the sides, tucking her legs up to hold herself down to the bench seat. It seemed like forever as they rode through the darkness; she could feel her breathing start to slow slightly as the rock walls around them began to sparkle as they approached what looked like the end of the tunnel.
Kyle began to ease up on the throttle as the force of the water pushed them along. suddenly, without warning, the water around them flashed into a lighter blue as they broke out into a vast, cathedral-like chamber that opened to the sky. White foam and crystal waters reflected the deep blue sky, rimmed by black stone walls all around-it was so shockingly beautiful that Daria had forgotten how terrified she had been just moments ago.
The northern Na Pali coastline of Kauai was sheer, ragged volcanic stone and pounding seas, without beaches except for tiny hidden areas where some sand had managed to accumulate. The only other way to experience this part of the island was by hiking in, and even then you couldn't easily scale the sheer cliffs to reach the water. Helicopters let you see the scenery from a safe distance, but it was only by approaching on the water could you truly experience and appreciate the natural power that had shaped the islands.
The Na Pali Zodiac tour was admittedly a bit of a white-knuckle adventure, but definitely a rush. Daria was pleased to note that the grotto featured a much larger opening through another portion of the wall that had been cut though by the sea, which would make for a much more relaxing ride later.
"I'm beginning to understand why you never moved back to Boston," Daria sighed as she sat on the hood of Jane's jeep. "That was just unbelievable." She turned off the waterproof camera that Trent had insisted she take along. He had arranged the little excursion for her since he was stuck finishing up a project. He had a final mix to do at a studio back in Kapaa, and would be meeting them back in Hanalei at a party that had been agreed upon spontaneously that morning.
Jane smiled as she watched Kyle checking the gas tanks that fed the huge Mercury outboard motors at the stern of the big inflatable boat. The last of the tourists had made their way back to their van, chattering excitedly and laughing, the adrenaline levels still high in their systems.
"Honestly, I thought we were gonna die. It feels so good to still be alive," Daria grinned. I think I'm gonna ball your brother's brains out tonight.
The two women watched as the Zodiac was being loaded onto its trailer. Jane slid off the jeep and walked over to a spooled water hose, dragging it off down the launch ramp. "Hey, Amiga, can you turn on the water?" Jeez, Daria, did you really pick that bikini out on your own? You're finally getting a little tan on that pasty white but cute ass of yours.
Daria stepped over to the faucet and twisted it fully open so Jane could start hosing off the salt water from the craft. After a few minutes of that, she turned the hose over to Kyle so that he could flush out the motors, but not before hosing off his backside when he stupidly turned his back on her.
"Quit checking her out, you pig," Jane laughed as Kyle grinned sheepishly.
Daria smiled as she watched the playful water fight.
Yeah, no wonder you didn't want to come back to a miserable Boston winter when you could be warm and cozy over here. And I'm sure Kyle might have had something to do with it.
Trent walked over, flashing her a smile as she pulled up to the beachfront house. "Not bad," he laughed as Daria managed a reasonable job of parking Jane's old Jeep. Cars were everywhere, and she had managed to shoehorn it into a pie shaped gap under a hala tree. "Been waiting for you. Everybody's out back."
Jane would be by eventually, likely with Kyle in tow. He had needed her help with 'something,' and Daria had gone on ahead with the Jeep.
The murmur of the impromptu gathering swelled as they rounded the corner, hand in hand. The sound of a guitar and at least a couple of ukuleles mixed with amiable conversation and laughter. No particular reason had been needed for friends to get together and hang out.
The fragrance of the ubiquitous plumeria flowers that grew all around complimented the usual tantalizing mix of aromas that drifted over from a wood picnic table, covered with foods and delicacies that reflected the cultural blend of the islands. Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese and a few that Daria wasn't sure about. She'd promised that she would at least sample everything, to expand her horizons, as long as Trent was willing to at least flag the items she should probably not like. She was pretty sure that every culture had some food that she'd be happy to be deprived of, like the haggis she'd tried in Scotland, or the pickled pig's feet that she had after a couple too many drinks in a Boston bar.
Having some basic training with her dad's extreme cooking, she wasn't as food-xenophobic as some people she had met over the years. There was that one weird guy that had mentioned surviving a month in Taipei, Taiwan on an assignment, eating only at McDonald's. He never once tried any Chinese food.
Finding herself holding a paper plate, she followed Trent over to the food, rolling her eyes as he began loading his plate. She'd never figured out where that guy put his food, as skinny as he was. Still, she smiled as she began to take some modest portions of foods she'd never think she would like. Oh, Mits made poki again! Four kinds, too. She carefully spooned small amounts of each style next to her steamed rice. She wondered if Quinn would try cubes of fresh caught raw ahi tuna, mixed with soy sauce, onions, chili, and a range of variants-miso, fresh local seaweed, chopped kukui nuts, roasted sesame...
"Look at you," Mavis laughed, taking the spoon from her. "No shame! Mits made plenty!" She proceeded to pile it on Daria's plate. Her husband's poki was famous, and Daria's weakness for it was well known. She'd been helping their daughter Kuulei with her poetry, and escaping her parent's hospitality and favor was not possible.
A woman that Daria had seen once or twice before flashed them a smile, getting up off the cooler she had been sitting on.
"Hey, Haunani," Trent greeted, as she reached into the cooler.
"You like that damn Hipster beer, right?" she laughed, pulling out a bottle of Racer 5. Turning to Daria, she pursed her lips for a moment, and pulled out a bottle of Kona Longboard. "Tourist beer," she smirked. "Okay, just kidding. What kind would you like?"
"Haunani's one of the bartenders at the shack," Trent murmured. "She'll hand you the same thing next time she sees you." He touched her elbow. "This is-"
"Daria, right?" Haunani grinned. "Heard about this pretty Haole wahine that has Trent wrapped tight around her little finger." She gave Daria a little hug, which she gamely returned. "Boston girl, right? Bet you're tired of Sam Adams." She handed her another bottle of Racer 5. "Strong and a little bitter."
"Perfect," smiled Daria, accepting the frosty bottle.
"That better not be the last one," Jane laughed, eyeing Daria's beer. She and Kyle were each carrying a box filled with food. Daria peeked in the box, delighted to see that Jane was carrying a whole Haupia cake.
"More in that cooler over there, by the table," Trent pointed. "Brought a case."
"Didn't expect you to show up so soon," smirked Daria, as she claimed her dessert before it even made it to the table.
"Just had to pick up the food," Jane said casually. Leaning in, she dropped her voice. "But don't wait up for me tonight."
"Kimmy's going to an overnight band campout after the party," Daria said evenly. Only Jane and Trent would have noticed and understood the very slight curve to the corners of her mouth.
Glancing around, she noticed Trent gazing back in the direction of the two-lane road that lay just beyond the line of coconut palms. He nodded to someone, raising the bottle in his hand in invitation.
Turning and stepping alongside him, Daria looked up the slight grade.
There's no one there.
Maybe whomever it was stepped away, towards the other side of the road.
"Someone you know?"
Startled, Trent turned to her and smiled. He put his arm around her waist. "I don't know." He turned back to scan the roadside on the other side of the trees. He raised an eyebrow, as if puzzled. "Seemed kinda familiar but I couldn't place him."
He fell silent for a moment, wondering if he had imagined the glimpse of the old man, who he could have sworn had nodded at him, approving of the woman who he was hanging around with.
A/N: okay, fair warning. The Na Pali Zodiac tours are not for the faint of heart. Not quite as extreme as whitewater rafting, but it's not an easy cruise with a paper umbrella kinda drink in your hand. Sometimes the ocean is pretty rough out there and if you get seasick, don't do this. There are inner tube expeditions down irrigation canals that are a lot of fun, and these are much milder.