The discovery of an old dinghy wedged between the rafters of the Polynesia Cafe gave birth to a whole new chapter for the Kapa‘a restaurant.

“When clean up and remodeling started on the new business, locals and long-time residents would drop in to ‘talk story’ about the building’s history,” said Thames Goodwin, owner of the Polynesia Cafe Kapa‘a.

Goodwin said there are many stories about the history of the building before it became “The Shack.” It started out as a market and became a Hindu health-food business before a green house was added.

That gave birth to “The Kapa‘a Chowder House.”

Goodwin said amidst this collection of history, one morning, shortly after the restaurant opened, an elderly local man approached him and said, “I know you’ve heard all the stories about the building. But do you know anything about the boat?”

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(Source: Kauai Garden Island News)