Tropical Lifestyle: Chickens, Waterfalls, and Sunrises in Kauai

Hello my friends, and welcome back to The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday. I’m so glad you’re here because today, we’re continuing our lifestyle series — a journey through some of the incredible places I was blessed to visit ALL IN ONE MONTH.

Now, last week we took you through the lights and sights of Las Vegas. This week? We’re taking it down about ten notches on the noise scale, up about ten notches on the beauty scale, with a tropical lifestyle example, complete with “unexpected wildlife encounters” on an epic scale. 

Week two of our lifestyle month was a week my wife and I enjoyed Kauai, Hawaii.

Yes, Kauai. Or as I like to call it, “the island where the chickens rule the land, and the people are just grateful guests.”

And let me tell you, if Las Vegas is about flashing neon lights and shows that dazzle your eyes, Kauai is about slowing down, breathing deeply, and seeing Creator’s handiwork in every tree, wave, and sunset.

Day 1 – Water Falls, Wild Chickens and a Tropical Lifestyle

We landed in Kauai and right away, it felt like stepping into a postcard. Our first stop: Opaekaa Falls. Now, this waterfall looks like it came straight out of a movie set. The way it flows reminded me of something critical in business: consistency. The water never stops. It doesn’t push harder some days and weaker on others — it simply keeps flowing, and over time it shapes the rocks beneath it. That’s how momentum works in your business. Steady, consistent flow changes everything.

Then came our first laugh-out-loud moment: we pulled into the resort, and right in front of the car — wild chickens crossing the road. And I know you’re already thinking the joke: “Why did the chicken cross the road in Kauai?” Apparently, to remind us to expect the unexpected! In business, just like in life, sometimes things pop up in the middle of your plans. If you slam on the brakes every time, you’ll never move forward. Learn to pause, laugh, and keep going.

And I’ll tell you something: there’s a life lesson right there. Sometimes, you’re rushing to get somewhere. You’ve got waterfalls to see, bags to unpack, business to attend to — and then… the Almighty sends you chickens. A reminder to slow down. To laugh. To say: “Maybe this delay is exactly what I need.

Day 2 – Outdoor Market in Kapa’a and Fantasy Island

One of my favorite parts of lifestyle traveling, versus traveling for business, is exploring the local markets. In Kapa’a, we stumbled into this vibrant outdoor market filled with colors, sounds, and the smell of fresh produce. And then — there it was. The legendary egg fruit.

Friends, let me tell you, egg fruit tastes exactly like a hard-boiled egg mashed into a fruit body. It’s one of those foods where you’re not sure if it belongs in a salad or a science experiment. But hey — we tried it. Because life is about tasting new things.

And here’s the business tip: you’ve got to try new “egg fruits” in your work, too. Maybe it’s a marketing strategy, maybe it’s a new product, maybe it’s delegating differently. Some experiments will feel strange. Some won’t “fit” right away. But innovation comes when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Later that day, we stopped at Wailua Falls. Now, here’s the cool part: that’s the waterfall where they filmed the opening scene of the old TV show Fantasy Island. Remember the little guy yelling “De plane! De plane!”? Well, I stood there, looking at that exact spot, and I thought: “This is no fantasy. This is real life. And if you build the right kind of lifestyle, this kind of beauty can actually be part of your reality. And standing there, I thought: your “fantasy island” in business isn’t built by chance. It’s built step by step, with vision, with structure, and with the courage to see beyond what others think is possible.

Day 3 – The Tropical Lifestyle continues with Waimea Canyon & Poipu Beach

The next day, we went to Waimea Canyon, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Standing at the lookout, I was struck by the layers. Each layer of rock told a story thousands of years old. And I thought: success in business is layered too. The top layer people see is the highlight — the wins, the recognition, the money. But underneath are years of effort, trial and error, and perseverance. Don’t be fooled into thinking success and living the successful lifestyle happen overnight or even fast. Success and the fabulous lifestyle that goes with it are built in layers.

That evening, we went to Poipu Beach. Just as the sun melted into the horizon, monk seals swam up onto the sand and flopped down for the night. And here’s the lesson: those seals know when it’s time to stop. In business, you’ve got to learn when to push and when to pull back. If you never rest, you’ll burn out. But if you rest at the right times, you’ll have the strength to swim strong when it matters most.

Day 4 – Whales, Spouting Horn, and Kilauea Point

One of the highlights of the trip was whale watching. Imagine standing on that boat, waiting. You don’t see anything at first. Then suddenly — a massive whale bursts through the surface and sprays water high into the air. The business lesson? Breakthroughs often happen after long periods of patience. Stay steady when you don’t “see” the results right away. Because when they surface, they’re spectacular.

Also, imagine being out on the open water, and suddenly — pssshhhh — a spout of water shoots into the air. And then this enormous, magnificent whale rises from the sea, like a living skyscraper of creation.

I turned to my wife and said, “You know, in business, we talk about making a splash. But this? This is the original.”

We also visited Spouting Horn, where the waves rush into a rock and shoot water up like a geyser. I thought about pressure. In business, we all face pressure — deadlines, finances, expectations. The trick is to let pressure push creativity upward, like that water, instead of keeping it bottled up inside.

At Kilauea Point, we watched birds soaring freely above the cliffs and took a tour of the famous light tower. And it hit me: leadership is about perspective. From the ground, you only see obstacles. From the air, you see direction. That’s why, in your business, you’ve got to regularly rise above the daily grind to see the bigger picture, which helps you end up living the lifestyle you dream of having.

Everywhere you looked in Kauai, you were reminded: life is about balance. Stillness and motion. Land and sea. Work and rest.

Day 5 – Nothing is more tropical Lifestyle than Gilligan’s Island Beach

This day of our tropical lifestyle was fun. We visited the lagoon and beach where Gilligan’s Island was filmed. You remember the theme song? “A three-hour tour…” Yeah, well, let me tell you: if I were stranded on this island, I wouldn’t complain. I’d just need my wife, a good book of Psalms, and maybe… some WiFi. 

Standing there, I thought about how people laughed at the misadventures of Gilligan and his crew every week. Yet in business, so many of us play “Gilligan” — drifting without a clear plan. The difference? You’re not stuck on an island. You can chart your own course. Build a plan, follow it, and don’t let your business drift endlessly in circles.

Days 6 & 7 – Shabbat in Kauai

Then came one of the most meaningful parts of the trip: Shabbat. We paused our sightseeing and joined the local Jewish community. I was honored to be a guest speaker, and I’ll tell you, even in a place as remote as Kauai, Jewish life is alive and vibrant.

We lit the candles, sang and prayed, shared Torah, walked the boardwalk, and simply rested. And here’s the secret: 

Let me tell you: you haven’t experienced an important perspective on the beauty of a spiritual life until you’ve celebrated the Sabbath in a far-off place, yet felt completely at home.  And I realized: no matter where you go in the world, your identity, your faith, your community — it goes with you. It anchors you.

Shabbat teaches us the ultimate business tip — you are not your work. The world runs on the Almighty’s rhythm, not just yours. When you rest, you show that your business doesn’t own you — you own it. And ironically, when you honor that pause, your productivity during the week multiplies.

Day 8 – Sunrise & Farewell to our Tropical Lifestyle Adventure

On our last morning, I woke up early on our tropical lifestyle adventure and watched the sunrise. It looked exactly like the picture from the children’s book Goodnight Moon. Bright orange, glowing, lifting over the horizon. It was the Creator’s way of saying: “Every day is a fresh start.”  I almost expected the little bunny to wave good morning to me.

We said goodbye to the local Rabbi of Kauai, and this tropical lifestyle with one last stroll on Kapa‘a Beach, and then boarded our flight — this time to New Jersey, to visit kids and grandkids. Because at the end of the day, lifestyle isn’t just about seeing beautiful places. It’s about sharing those experiences with the people you love most.

Final Takeaway

So what’s the message from Kauai and our tropical lifestyle adventure? That business and lifestyle are deeply connected. The waterfalls teach us about consistency. The chickens remind us to laugh at disruptions. The egg fruit tells us to experiment. The canyon teaches patience with layers. The seals remind us to rest. The whales show us to wait for breakthroughs. And Shabbat proves that when you pause with purpose, everything else aligns.

Lifestyle isn’t separate from success. Lifestyle is the fuel of success.

Life is beautiful. But you have to choose to see it. To step away from the noise. To let the chickens cross the road in front of you. To taste the egg fruit. To sit at sunset and just be.

And here’s the secret: when you invest in a lifestyle that refreshes you spiritually, emotionally, and physically, your business benefits too. You come back sharper, more creative, more focused. You don’t just make more money — you make better use of your money.

That’s why I believe: building financial freedom isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about creating the space to live. To travel. To connect with the Almighty, your family, your community.

And Kauai? Well, Kauai reminded me of all of that.

Closing and Weekly Challenge

My friends, thank you for joining me on this journey to Kauai. Next time, we’ll head to New York and New Jersey, where the scenery shifts but the lessons keep flowing. Until then, remember: live fully, work with purpose, and never be afraid to taste the egg fruit.

This has been The Rabbi Who Got Rich on Sunday and I hope you enjoyed this Lifestyle episode “Tropical Lifestyle: Chickens, Waterfalls, and Sunrises in Kauai.” This week’s challenge is to take a break from your busy routine and find something beautiful to look at without chickens cutting you off and forcing you to stop!  Share your experience with me so I can enjoy it too!

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