Living in Paradise and Raising Children on the Garden Island of Kauai

Every morning that I wake up on Kaua’i I give thanks to the powers that have enabled me to call this garden island my home for the last 40 years. I have traveled the world, exploring many deserted islands, amazing cities, and countrysides; there is simply nowhere that compares to this island I call home.

I have raised 5 children on a secluded stretch of beach on the north shore, completely off-the-grid. The kids had each other and the beautiful outdoors to entertain them. They would build sandcastles, make ti leaf skirts for the hula shows they would perform for us, and spend hours swimming and snorkeling in the blue lagoon that fronts our house and is protected by a barrier reef. It is like a huge aquarium with reef fish, beautiful coral, and the occasional green sea turtle, eagle ray, or Hawaiian monk seal.

One morning, we were late driving the kids to school because a huge pregnant monk seal was cuddled up to my car. My parking spot borders the sandy beach, so she did not have far to travel to get cozy with my SUV. At the west end of our property there is a stream with a small waterfall that supplies us with irrigation water and also a nice spot to rinse off the salt at the end of another day in paradise.

We are now expecting our fifth grandchild and four generations continue to enjoy our beautiful home. The perk is that my husband and I now have a very peaceful “empty nest” on our blue lagoon in between the frequent visits of children and grandchildren. It truly is heaven on earth!