After safely arriving at our hotel on Kauai Island, we immediately checked in and asked to exchange Japanese yen for US dollars. However, we were told that currency exchange was not possible at such a small island hotel.
They suggested that the largest bank on the island might be able to help with the exchange. So, without delay,
we headed to the First Hawaii Bank, grateful that it was Monday afternoon in Hawaii time.
At the bank, we asked a young female teller to exchange yen for dollars.
She admitted she had never done it before but was willing to try. Despite some apprehension, we had no choice but to rely on her.
The process turned out to be quite time-consuming. She brought out a book and seemed to be calculating the exchange rate and fees.
My spouse and I had asked to exchange 100,000 yen. Initially, to our shock, she handed us only 4 dollars.
We had to explain that this couldn’t be correct and requested her to recalculate. Finally, we received six 100-dollar bills and left the bank.
However, using 100-dollar bills was not very convenient. We decided to break one at an ABC Store where we bought some small items.
After the car rental procedures and the bank exchange, we were a bit tired and chose to have dinner at the hotel.
At the hotel poolside, the sound of Hawaiian music was playing. We enjoyed a dinner of bone-in chicken (rooster) with blue cheese and chili cheese.
Thus, our first day on Kauai Island came to an end.