Our trip to Hawaii early this month coincided with the advanced celebration of our 8th wedding anniversary. As always, in honor of our beach wedding, we make sure that our anniversary celebration is held close to the water. Since we stayed on Waikiki during our visit in Hawaii, one of the restaurants we dined at was the Hau Tree Lanai, which is just in front of the Kaimana Beach.
It is said that the entire area was once known to the Hawaiians as Kapua, which translates to “the flower.” While the place may look no different from any other restaurants on the beach, Hau Tree Lanai is quite rich in history. How did I learn that? Well, by mere chance while I was looking at the menu, I noticed that printed on the back was its brief history, which, of course, didn’t escape my attention.
It detailed that the beach in front of the restaurant which is now called Kaimana Beach was formerly known as Sans Souci Beach (French for carefree). It is said that the area used to be extremely popular during the 1890s because of the San Souci Hotel, which consisted of small bungalows with thatched roofs. The hotel became one of Waikiki’s leading Inns, and arguably Waikiki’s first famous hotel. The plot to reinstate Queen Liliuokalani to the Hawaiian throne is also said to have been planned under the trees in this Kapua area.
In 1902, after a 12 day voyage from San Francisco, the Steamship Silverton laid the first Trans-Pacific Telegraph Cable. It was cited that the cable was brought ashore through Kapua Channel, and the first telegraphic message was sent to the island by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903.
Scottich novelist and author Robert Stevenson was also said to be a frequent guest of the hotel, and he wrote some of his sea novels while sitting under the Hau Tree. How fascinating is that? And, after many years later, look who are sitting under the tree? Yes, us!
I must admit the place was lovely. The food was great, and the scenery was splendid, especially during our visit when two Hawaiian monk seals Rocky and Kaimana were nearby providing a star-studded attraction. The breeze coming from the beach was also refreshing, and if you happen to come for a dinner delight, surely you can’t miss the magnificent sunset that eventually disappears in the Pacific ocean before your eyes.
It was a wonderful place just like my wonderful husband said it would be. Indeed, if was a Happy 8th for us. Happy Wedding Anniversary, my Love!
“I love being my husband’s wife.” – Julianna Marguilles
pinay e-motion 