Spas are notorious haunts for girlfriend getaways, and in this regard, my girlfriend Julie and I are no different. We visited a neighbor for a bit of lomilomi. Angeline’s Mu’olaulani is located in the home of Angeline Locey in Anahola. Its name translates to “a place for young buds to bloom.”

Sleeping Giant. Like any name or word in Hawai’i, this mountain which rests behind the town of Kapa’a has many stories, the most common about a giant named Nunui who helped a community build a temple, hauling rocks from the west side of the island. In return for his efforts, the villagers served up a feast fit for a giant, including this giant’s favorite food—bananas. 

This isn’t Julie’s first visit to Kaua’i. But it is her first sans children. So, what do we do? She’s toured the island by helicopter, snorkeled Ni’ihau and tried surfing. She’s laid on the beach in Hanalei, watched humpback whales frolic and albatrosses fly at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. It’s time to layer new Hawai’i experiences.