Coffee in Kaua'i

Good morning, all, Happy December 23rd!! The waves are high today again, with 15 to 20 foot faces, and some actually being twice that. The waves come in 13 seconds apart. But with the warnings out, people are not supposed to be out there playing in the waves. Riptides and such. A few years ago, my sister-in-law's sister got taken quite a way out with one - we are very fortunate she survived - many have not. We are moving resorts today, and so the next post will be when I have internet again. Until then, Merry Christmas, and Mele Kalikimaka.
Yesterday a trip out to the local coffee plantation was very very interesting. Kaua'i coffee is not as famous as Kona coffee, but wow - we are sure impressed with this operation here! I thought that coffee was grown in the mountains - you know - Juan Valdez with his mule and all. It turns out the reason for that is the amount of rainfall in the mountains. This coffee plantation is on the driest coast of Kaua'i. So - what gives? Well, coffee trees are not elevation sensitive, but very thirsty. This plantation has irrigation drip watering hoses to each and every tree on their 3400 acres. OH MY. Over 2000 miles of hose. Marv - that is a LOT of hose to maintain. The trees are pruned down to less than four feet in height just now in December, begin to grow again and bloom in February, and are ready to harvest by machine at their 10 foot height by September to November next year. By harvesting by machine, this plantation uses 57 people instead of a comparable labour force of over 3000. The processing of the cherries and beans and everything is so automated and so precise that they are able to get a very consistent result on their coffees. We were both very impressed. We even subscribed to their "coffee of the month" club, where they will send us Kaua'i coffee each month for the whole year. When you visit us, ask me for a cup of it and I will be THRILLED to oblige.
What do we grow at home - hemerocallis (daylilies), hostas and heucheras. What do we see here? NO Hostas or heucheras - they need the cold hibernation period. Daylilies are grown on the Big Island in a few places - we visited them other years. And of course, they were not blooming when we were there, which may be another reason they are not in favour here. After all, if the other plants bloom constantly, why grow something that doesn't?
I check the weather channel every morning to see what is happening at home and note there is lots of chance of a green Christmas. Then, while the screen is up, I also check the various places where I have family and friends. It's my way of connecting with each of them. While their weather is loading, I say a little prayer for them. Some people need me to have real slow dial-up and some are ok with high speed.
Tonight we are planning on the Waimea Lighted parade, which is always a lot of fun, and one of the best, happiest and most community-minded Christmas parades we have ever seen. So after sunset tonight, that is where we will be. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we plan to go to a service here, and then well - hopefully - we will all have a WONDERFUL AMAZING CHRISTMAS DAY!
Mele Kalikimaka from us to you -
May your day be filled with joy.
Betty