Honest system

On the way to the Menehune fish pond, we saw a little produce stand off the side of the road. It was totally unmanned, and meant to be patronized by the "honest system." Cool!


The shack was as raw as you can get, and the dirt turn-off was a little sketchy, too. It rains so much in Kauai that there were puddles in the damp mud.


Here's a closer look at the structure. I'm guessing the produce is from the field on the left, but I can't be sure.


Apparently, the honest system is somewhat flawed. There are a few signs admonishing thieves. Are they stealing fruit or money?


If there's no one manning the fruit, how do you know what to pay? Easy. Each piece of fruit is taped with a price.


Lacking a machete to open coconuts, we elected to buy a softball-sized avocado.


It was priced at $1.25 and, yes, we paid up.


Later on, we stopped by Foodland to buy chips and a pull-top container of Embasa salsa and grab a plastic knife from the deli. (We knew we had spoons from shave ice and mugs at the hotel.)


After a couple minutes in our room, we were ready for guacamole by the pool! It was totally creamy, fluffy, and good. We felt pretty smug about the entire operation until it started raining. That's when we took our party into the lobby.


Next time you're around Lihue, look for the stand. Make sure you pay, though. Not only will you piss off an honest farmer, you might incur the wrath of the menehune...


(Above, the lake made overnight by the legendary little people of Hawaii.)