Everything Kauai



November is hospice month

Lori Miller, executive director of Kaua‘i Hospice, asked Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. if he knew the meaning of “palliative,” Monday.

The mayor discovered that palliative is the pain management and symptom control suffered by patients nearing the end of life, and Kaua‘i Hospice is taking advantage of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month — November — to bring more awareness of its palliative facet.

Carvalho presented the Kaua‘i Hospice delegation with a proclamation celebrating this year’s theme of “Hospice and Palliative Care: Preserving a legacy...Treasuring Moments.”

“Every year, more than 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice and palliative care providers in this country,” Miller said in a Kaua‘i Hospice release. “These highly-trained professionals provide more than quality medical care. They work to ensure patients and families find dignity, respect and love during life’s most difficult journey.”

Hospice and palliative care provides patients and families the highest quality care during life-limiting illness and at the end of life, through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, allow patients to live fully up until the final moments, surrounded and supported by the faces of loved ones, friends, and committed caregivers, the proclamation states.

Kaua‘i Hospice, joining other hospices across the country in raising awareness about important care issues for people with life-limiting illness, understands that every person they care for is a unique individual with a lifetime of experiences, relationships and gifts to share, the release states.

Hospice brings comfort, dignity and peace to help people live every moment of life to the fullest, leaving loved ones with memories they can treasure.

In America, there are more than 4,700 hospice and palliative care programs in various communities. Kaua‘i Hospice provided care to more than 110 families.

More than 400,000 trained volunteers contribute 18 million hours of service to hospice programs annually.

Some of the answers given by Kaua‘i Hospice volunteers when asked why they donate their time include “Kaua‘i Hospice was there for my family at a difficult time in our lives; the staff delivered exceptional medical care when we needed it most. Why do I volunteer for hospice? It must be love!”

Hospice care goes beyond traditional health care by providing pain management, symptom control, bereavement support and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible.

For more information, call Kaua‘i Hospice at 245-7277, or visit its Web site at www.kauaihospice.org.


Source: www.kauaiworld.com, Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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Enjoying Kauai’s laidback lifestyle
Hawaiian island is tops for a peaceful getaway

Of all Hawaii’s different islands, Kauai is where vacationers who are after a peaceful getaway most often land.

The island features a laidback spirit, a frequently undeveloped landscape and abundant breathtaking views from the Kilauea Lighthouse on the northern coast to a neat “tree tunnel” on the southern side planted more than 150 years ago.

It also boasts great hiking in Koke’e State Park; Poipu Beach was named one of the world’s best by The Travel Channel; and it has more rivers and waterfalls than all the other Hawaian islands. It also features Mount Waiaeale – what is considered the wettest spot in the world.

Even though 82 per cent of the island is inaccessible by car, there are plenty of ways to see its gorgeous coastline, mountains and lush forests.

The best way to enjoy Kauai is to aim for a harmonious balance between relaxation and adventure. The island offers some rich spectacles that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Take a drive up the coastline, take a tour of the island’s interior, or snorkel to discover the sea turtles (but no touching).

But the island is also the perfect place to kick back on the beach and spend hours just staring out on the Pacific. Take advantage of the fact that you’re more than 2,400 miles away from the next closest state (California) and enjoy the rich smell of the ocean and peaceful sounds of crashing waves.

Na Pali Coast
Truly a sight to behold, this 15-mile coastline of amazing cliffs is inaccessible by car, but boats offer several-hour tours. From the water, visitors can see it all — majestic sea cliffs, waterfalls and even spinner dolphins. It’s also known as one of the fastest-eroding cliff lines on the planet.

Waimea Canyon
The magnificent canyon (10 miles long by one mile wide) is visible from tourist lookouts, where you can take panoramic photos, and hiking trails that provide a more intimate view. The best time to go is by noon, before the fog rolls in. It’s known as The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

The wildlife
Kauai’s sea creatures can be found simply by tossing on some snorkeling equipment or by signing up for a scuba adventure. The island’s lush interior and jungle terrain can be discovered in many ways. Visitors can take tours by kayak, zipline, ATV and helicopter. Movie tour buses point out spots where movies such as Jurassic Park, South Pacific and Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed.

Kauai
• Best restaurant — Not only does The Beach House Restaurant offer sensational food, it’s said to be the best eatery on the island to watch the sunset – so make sure you book a table on the outer part of the seating area

• Local dish — It’s almost impossible to go wrong with a seafood dish in Kauai, but ahi (yellow fin tuna) and ono (wahoo) are two that tend to be popular.

• When to go — Let’s put it this way: There’s no bad time to visit. But some things to keep in mind are that hurricane season runs from June to November, when the rainy season is said to begin. Some say the best weather can be found in April/May or September/October.


Source: www.metronews.ca, October 27, 2009

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‘A‘o chicks spread wings for second flight

WAILUA — ‘A‘o fledglings got a second chance at life after a blessing Tuesday.

Distracted from their flight from the mountains to the open ocean by a variety of threats, Newell’s shearwater chicks fall out of the sky and, without the aid of people, would otherwise perish.

E Ho‘opomaika‘i ia na Manu ‘A‘o, translated to read “Blessings to the Shearwater Birds,” is an event that connects Hawaiian culture, the endangered ‘a‘o and young students. The blessing for the 2009 cohort of fledgling ‘a‘o was at a special release site in Wailua.

In a collaborative effort by Save Our Shearwaters and the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabirds Recovery Project, Sabra Kauka, kupuna and teacher at Island School, provided the blessings for the release of fledglings that were picked up after fallout caused by attraction to artificial lights or collision with manmade structures.

In preparation, Emily Haber and Jessi Hallman, technicians with the recovery project, visited the Island School class to educate the students about the ‘a‘o and the threats to their survival.

When Tom Telfer was the Kaua‘i district wildlife manager, the state used to release a lot of the birds, said Thomas Ka‘iakapu, district wildlife biologist with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

“There are not that many now,” Ka‘iakapu said.

A Kaua‘i Endangered Seabirds Recovery Project release says ‘a‘o have undergone an estimated 75 percent decline in population over the past 15 years. It is also believed that 75 to 90 percent of the ‘a‘o population breed on Kaua‘i only.

Save Our Shearwaters is a 30-year-old program initiated by DOFAW that is now based at the Kaua‘i Humane Society and financially supported by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative since 2004, the release states.

“This is a good partnership,” Ka‘iakapu said. “But key to the success of the program is Dr. Joanne Woltmon and the Kaua‘i Veterinary Clinic in Puhi.”

Ka‘iakapu said Woltmon does the medical analysis of birds and provides guidance and supervision in the care of injured birds by the SOS staff.

The success of the SOS program could be a basis for other organizations to set up similar partnerships to treat injured nene, or Hawaiian goose, the state bird.

Angela Merritt is the coordinator for the SOS program and Nick Holmes is the director of the recovery project with Trevor Joyce being the senior technician.

The first E Ho‘opomaika‘i ia na Manu ‘A‘o was in October, 2007, with the vision of creating an annual event to raise awareness about the federally endangered species.


Source: www.kauaiworld.com, Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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Kauai Music, Hula, Trip Giveaways at Seattle-Area Events

LIHUE, Kauai, - Beautiful Kauai will be showcased at two fun and exciting events for the enjoyment of Seattle-area residents, with the people of Hawaii's "Garden Island" sharing their music, hula, and aloha spirit, while giving away prizes.

Below are the days/times, locations, and a description of the special Kauai
events taking place:

Sunday, October 18, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bellevue Square (Center Court), 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue

Tuesday, October 20, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Westlake Center (Plaza), 400 Pine Street, Seattle

KAUAI KANIKAPILA IN THE PUGET SOUND
Enjoy a Kauai-style lunchtime kanikapila (play music) featuring the falsetto singing and slack key guitar artistry of Kauai's Nick Castillo and lovely hula of Miss Garden Isle, Noelani Kaui.

Under the theme, Kauai - 50 Years of Movies in Paradise, come test your trivia knowledge about Hollywood's longstanding love affair with Kauai's beautiful scenery. Enter to win prize giveaways - including a free trip for two to Kauai. And if nothing else, come savor delicious Kauai Coffee and Kauai Kookies, and explore the island-made products on display.

Also taking part in these events will be Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and Kauai Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho, who will share why Hawaii's "Garden Island" is such an enticing destination for nature lovers.

For more information about Kauai - Hawaii's Island of Discovery - please visit www.kauaidiscovery.com or call the Kauai Visitors Bureau toll-free at (800) 262-1400.


Source: www.reuters.com, Mon Oct 12, 2009

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October designated Noise Prohibition Awareness Month

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department Patrol Services Bureau has designated October as Noise Prohibition Awareness Month.

“We want to call attention to the fact that excessive noise can be a hazard to public health and safety, and there are laws that address this issue,” said Acting Capt. Mark Scribner, noting that the role of the police department is to keep residents and visitors safe from harm.

“It is our duty to enforce all laws including those relating to noise prohibition when noise produced from human activities jeopardizes the well-being and tranquility of our community,” said Scribner.

Throughout October, patrol officers will be monitoring compliance with state and local noise prohibition laws, and will issue citations to anyone who violates these laws, a county news release states.

Hawai‘i Revised Statues contain laws that focus on reducing noise produced by vehicle mufflers, including:

I. Section 291-22 states that is unlawful for a person to operate a motor scooter with an after-market muffler or exhaust pipe on a public roadway that increases the volume of the explosions within its motor.

II. Section 291-24

a. Every motorcycle and moped moving under its own power on a public highway shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in constant operation to prevent any excessive or unusual noise and no such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motorcycle or a moped in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such motorcycle or moped above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the motorcycle or moped except a motorcycle or moped that: (1) Has three wheels; (2) Is powered by an electric motor; (3) Has a full body enclosed cab; (4) Has a seat belt assembly or a child restraint system for the driver and passenger shall not be required to be equipped with a muffler.

b. As used in this section, “muffler” means a device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates, or other mechanical design, for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from the engine of the motorcycle or moped, and being effective in reducing noise.

c. Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more than $100. [L 1949, c 21, §1; RL 1955, §311-27; HRS §291-24; am L 1978, c 222, §7; am L 1986, c 189, §1; am L 1994, c 120, §4]

III. Section 291-24.5

a. No person shall use on a public highway, sell, alter or install a muffler which will noticeably increase the noise emitted by a motor vehicle above that emitted by the vehicle as equipped from the factory.

b. Any violation of this section shall constitute a violation and shall be enforceable by police officers. The fine for this violation shall be not less than $25 or more than $250 for each separate offense. Any person who violates the provisions of this section may be issued a summons or citation for such violation. [L 1977, c 79, §1]

The Kaua‘i County Code also has an ordinance that addresses noise control.

Article 14, Section 22-14.1 makes it unlawful for anyone to operate a sound reproducing machine on public property or space if the sound generated is audible at a distance of 30 feet from the devise producing the sound.

The ordinance also specifies that such a device is legal evidence that the person in possession is operating the device.

Anyone cited for violating this ordinance can be fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned for a maximum of 30 days for each offense.


Source: www.kauaiworld.com, Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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12th Annual Kauai Pow Wow this weekend

The 12th Annual Kauai Pow Wow on the Garden Isle starts Friday, September 25th with a school outreach program at Lydgate Pavilion from 9 am to 12 pm. Then, at 4 pm, the gates open at Kapa`a Beach Park, where vendors will be selling Native American arts and crafts as well as hot and tasty frybread at the committee's Frybread Booth.

From 6 pm to 9 pm, there will be an Intercultural Indigenous Drum Gathering with Hawaiian, Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan, Taiko, African, and Native American Drums.

On Saturday, September 26th, the gates at Kapa`a Beach Park will open at 11 am, with Grand Entry starting promptly at 12 noon and the Retreat at 7 pm. The pow wow staff is made up of many Hawaii favorites including: Head Man Dancer, Joe Hacker (Rosebud Lakota), Head Woman Dancer, Rose Olney-Sampson (Yakama), Master of Ceremonies, John Dawson (San Carlos Apache) and Arena Director, Danny McDaniel (Choctaw). Host Drum is Wildhorse of Southern California and Oyate Ki.

On Sunday, the park will open at 10 am with Grand Entry at 11 am and the Retreat at 5 pm. There will be a silent auction, a lucky ticket draw for a star quilt, a keiki craft tent, storytelling and traditional Native American games for children. Of course, vendors will offer their Native American hand-crafted wares throughout the weekend.

Because the Kauai Pow Wow Council realizes how financially difficult it can be for dancers to travel to powwows, the committee will reserve $100 payable to dancers on Sunday as a way of giving back to everyone who makes the pow wow a success. For more information, please call Dale at 808-828-1294.


Source: www.honoluluadvertiser.com, Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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Hollywood legend Mitzi Gaynor to celebrate South Pacific's 50th anniversary in Kauai

Hollywood legend and star of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, actress Mitzi Gaynor is returning to Kauai in October 2009 to help the Garden Isle celebrate the film's 50th anniversary.

It will be Ms. Gaynor's first visit back to Kauai since the movie was filmed on the island in 1957-58. In a press release issued by Tourism Kauai, Ms. Gaynor stated, "I have such joyful memories about Kauai. Our cast and crew had a fabulous time filming there on location. It was undoubtedly the most beautiful setting I've ever had the pleasure to work in," she said.

The actress will be the main attraction for two special events on Kauai the first weekend of October. The first is a private Grand Opening reception to celebrate the reopening of the St. Regis Princeville Resort following an extensive renovation. The location is where Emile de Becque (portrayed by Rossano Brazzi) wooed Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Gaynor) with the memorable Some Enchanted Evening. On Oct. 4, the Kauai Visitors Bureau presents An Afternoon with Mitzi Gaynor at the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club. It's open to the public and admission is $20. The event is a benefit for the Kauai Museum.

South Pacific, which was released in 2009 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on Blue-ray Disc, is the story of "forbidden love" in the tropics during World War II. It was a box-office smash at the time of its release, and Mitzi Gaynor was the star. Playing Navy Ensign Nellie Forbush, she sang such memorable songs as I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair and I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy.

The majority of the film was shot on Kauai's north shore. Popular sites such as Hanalei Bay, Lumahai Beach and Mount Makan (which was the mysical island of Bali Hai) are easily recognizable and five decades later, the area remains largely unchanged.

For more information about Kauai, Hawaii's Island of Discovery, visit www.kauaidiscovery.com.


Source: www.examiner.com, September 3, 2009

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Exotic Voluntourism At The National Tropical Botanical Garden in Kauai

Love nature and digging in your garden? Have we got a volunteer vacation for you! The National Botanical Garden on the island of Kauai in Hawaii has been dedicated to preserving tropical plant diversity through research, education and by creating a safe haven for at-risk plant species for more than 30 years. Their headquarters at The McBryde Gardens features native Hawaiian Flora, orchids, palm trees and flowering trees that were wild-collected from tropical regions around the of the world.

Visitors to this eden are able to explore the garden via paths and bamboo bridges that cross over the park's natural streams and waterfalls. The garden is always looking for volunteers for the long-term or on a "vacation and volunteer" basis. There are endless opportunities available year-round using a variety of skill-sets. But that's not to say you need any special skills to help out, the garden's staff provides on-the-job training for newbies.

Though the National Botanical Garden doesn't provide accommodations for volunteers, they do partner with Starwood's Sheraton Kauai Resort for several community projects throughout the year. Every Monday at 1:00pm, a representative from the garden holds a meeting at the hotel for locals and hotel guests about the island's South Shore, the Botanical Garden and volunteer opportunities.

Being a NTBG volunteer does perks like special newsletters, invitations to special events and behind-the scenes-access to the gardens. To become a volunteer, contact NTBG at volunteer@ntbg.org and a staff member will fit you to the best volunteer position based on their needs and your interests.

The Sheraton Kauai doesn't provide discounted room rates for volunteers but they are commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hawaii Statehood through the end of the year with their 5050 Offer that includes 50% off published room rates, 5th night free for stays longer then 5 nights, $50.00 daily food & activity credit and 2 for 1 surf lessons with Hawaiian Surfing Adventures. To reserve the package, call 866-716-8141 and ask for rate plan 5050PKG.


Source: www.jaunted.com, August 31, 2009

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Mayor’s Japan trip begins to bear fruit

Seeds from the mayor’s trip to Japan about a month ago have begun to sprout.

Kumu hula Kaleinani Hayakawa, a longtime visitor from Japan to Kaua‘i, and Tsuneo Suzuki were spending the day finalizing plans for trips they are planning to the Garden Isle later this year.

Art Umezu, acting as go-between for the mayor and visiting Japanese dignitaries, said Suzuki plans to return twice — once with a group of Japanese athletes to participate in the Kaua‘i Marathon scheduled for Sept. 6 on the South Shore.

Umezu said Suzuki will not only coordinate the trip of 15 Japanese athletes, he will actually participate in the marathon along with his athletes.

Following that trip, Suzuki is gathering another group of travelers to visit Kaua‘i later in September to take part in the week-long Mokihana Festival that usually takes place in the final week of September.

On the heels of that trip, Hayakawa is gathering a contingent of 50 hula dancers to visit Kaua‘i, coinciding with the 25th annual hosting of the Matsuri event in October, sponsored by the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society and Kaua‘i County.

But her trip doesn’t stop there as Umezu said she will also bring kane hula dancers from Kaua‘i to perform at the Yokohama Grand Hotel in Japan at the New Grand Monarch event celebrating the 150th anniversary of Yokohama and the visit by King Kalakaua to Yokohama 150 years ago.

Hayakawa has a history of bringing her halau of dancers to perform for Kaua‘i audiences and despite retiring several years ago, continues to usher Japanese travelers to the island. Last year, Hayakawa brought a troupe of dancers from Spa Resort Hawaiians to view the hula competition at the Mokihana Festival.

Sue Kanoho, director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, said Hayakawa paid her a visit during this trip as well.

Kanoho said the hard work done by Umezu over the years nurtures the relationship between Iwaki City and Kaua‘i.

“They support us and we support them,” Kanoho said. “It’s a very nice relationship, a Friendship City relationship.”

Hayakawa’s rise to fame in Japan came with the release of “Hula Girl,” a movie that has won four academy awards based on the story of the Joban coal mine in Iwaki City, states an online source.

In 1965, the mine, the largest in Mainland Japan, faces a crisis with massive layoffs threatening because the once-thriving industry is hanging on by a thread.

A plan to develop and create a Hawaiian paradise in this cold, northern region centered around a hula show was devised and a dance instructor from Tokyo was brought in to train the young coal miners’ daughters in hula.

The instructor, Madoka Hirayama, in the film, was once a leading performer and when faced with the coal miners, looked down on them and their amateurish daughters.

But the town girls’ sincere dedication rekindles a passion in the instructor, and each dealing with their own harsh lives, the girls find a new lease on life as they support each other through absorbing the essence of hula.

Today, Iwaki City is the home of Spa Resort Hawaiians where Kapa‘a High School graduate Daphne Sanchez was invited to perform before large audiences during the spring break.

Following that tour, Sanchez has been invited to return for more performances.

Umezu said the day-long planning trip by the Japanese dignitaries can be directly attributed to the mayor’s visit to Japan.


Source: www.kauaiworld.com, Wednesday, July 15, 2009

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Kauai added to Canadian airline's route

Canadian air carrier WestJet announced yesterday that Kaua'i has been added to its list of new routes for the coming season.

Kaua'i is the only new Hawaiian destination that the carrier is adding this winter with twice weekly service to start Dec. 16.

"I had the opportunity to meet with WestJet representatives in June and am thrilled that they've given this vote of confidence to Kaua'i," said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. "I applaud Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau (KVB), and Lihu'e Airport Manager Manu Crabbe for making sure Kaua'i didn't miss this opportunity to expand our Canadian market."

Kanoho noted that collaborative island efforts have paid off with WestJet's decision to bring flights to Kaua'i from Vancouver.

George Costa, director of Economic Development, is also looking forward to the increase in arrivals from Canada, and the positive impact it will have on the island's economy.

He said, "Canadians have an affection for Kaua'i and it shows in the length of their vacation stay. The latest visitor statistics show Canadians' average length of stay at 7.3 days, a 17.6 percent increase over last year!"

In October, the mayor will join KVB representatives on a West Coast road show – including western Canada – and will take the opportunity to promote WestJet's new service to Kaua'i.

The road shows are part of the county's $1 million Visitor Industry Stimulus Plan involving a partnership with the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau, and in coordination with the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which aims to attract visitors to Kaua'i and keep the visitor industry and related businesses viable during tough economic times.

Another component of the stimulus plan is a promotion with wholesalers and online travel companies, such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz, to increase visitor arrivals to Kauai.

Officials estimate that over the next year, the Visitor Stimulus Plan will generate approximately $20.1 million in visitor spending on hotels, condos, car rentals, activities, restaurants, retail outlets and related businesses.


Source: www.honoluluadvertiser.com, Thursday, July 9, 2009

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Interview with a Kauai travel expert

The Great Destinations series of guidebooks published by The Countryman Press is unique in the universe of travel guides. Rather than a list of dry facts with no context, their travel experts are encouraged to incorporate their personality and perspective into each guide in order to communicate the true flavor of a destination. This authentic experience is quite different from other travel guides.

Michele Bigley recently authored Kauai: Great Destinations Hawaii: A Complete Guide. Michele is a passionate traveler and an expert on the island of Kauai. She has generously provided the following insights into Kauai and traveling in general.

How did your interest in travel start?
My parents were avid travelers and we used to do a cross country trip every year in the van. My interest really grew when I turned twenty and I took my first trip to Europe. That’s when I got the travel bug. I’m a travel brat, if I don’t travel at least twice a year I get grumpy.

When did you start writing about your travels?
I started writing on that first trip to Europe. I’d been keeping a journal for personal stuff, but during that trip I started keeping a travel journal. I finally had something interesting to write about. Keeping the journal also helped me to clarify my thoughts and put what I was seeing in perspective. Using that journal, I tried writing a really horrible novel that didn’t work out. I realized at that point that I wanted to be a travel writer. I’ve been writing and getting paid for it since 2000.

You have three successful online venues (Michele Bigley’s Kaui Musings, Travel Northern California with Michele Bigley, and Northern California Getaways on Examiner.com), how did you transition to a print publication?
I’ve been writing books for about three years. I submitted a proposal to The Countryman Press to write a travel guide for Oahu and didn’t get it.  That led me to the opportunity to do the Kauai guide.

You took the cover photo for your book, is travel photography an interest of yours?
Now it is! I didn’t really have an interest until I started writing guidebooks. I learned to tell stories with pictures as well as words. I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. It has become a hobby, and now that I have a child I’m taking pictures all the time.

How did your connection to Kauai start?
My best friend is Hawaiian and I’ve been going there since I was a teen. I’ve been plotting how to move to the islands ever since my first visit.

The emphasis on preserving the island’s ecosystem and culture comes through strongly in your book, do you have any tips for people wanting to minimize their impact on the environment and cultures of the places they visit?
My first and biggest tip is to know where you are going. Know the politics and the environment. Ask around and read up on your destination before you travel. People get hurt doing stupid things like going hiking on a trail that hasn’t been maintained. Remember that actions that are culturally okay here in California may not be okay in Hawaii. For example, there aren’t a lot of private beaches in California. But in Hawaii you may have to cross private land to get to a beach which isn’t okay unless you have permission.

Remember that the shoes you use for hiking here on the mainland may have picked up seeds that you could leave behind in Hawaii when you go hiking over there. If you forget to bring your own water bottle and wind up purchasing bottled water at your destination, make sure to take the empties to a recycling center. Just be considerate.

Do you plan on writing travel guides for any of the other Hawaiian Islands?
I hope so. I’m definitely trying to keep myself open. The Hawaii travel industry is experiencing some growing pains. I think everyone in the travel industry is in the process of reevaluating due to the economy. I’d love to write guides for a lot of places. There are so many amazing places in the world! To be a travel writer, you generally write about places you know really well; but to be a traveler, you want to go places you haven’t been.

Would you like to highlight any favorite activities or establishments from your Kauai guide?
In the back of the Kauai guide, I’ve included a short list of priority places to visit if your time on the island is limited. If I had to pick three can’t miss experiences I’d stay at the Hanalei Colony Resort, go snorkeling at Ke’e Beach, and have dinner at Postcards Café in Hanalei. Kilauea Fish Market would be next on the list. It is one of the best values around.

Where can your book be purchased?
Great Destinations Kauai is available through most major booksellers including Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble. I’d suggest supporting your local book seller who can order it if it is not on their shelves. It can also be ordered from The Countryman Press website.

What should we look for from you in the future, any other travel guides in the works?
I’m currently focusing on my three web venues as well as some articles for Away.com. I’ve been very busy lately as I also teach writing. The best place to watch for anything new from me is any of my blogs. My Examiner.com site is the most comprehensive, so start there first.

Any closing thoughts you’d like to share with Examiner.com readers?
I’d say now is the time to go to Hawaii. I’ve seen some deals out there that are a steal. I’ve seen airfare specials of $99 each way from LA to Hawaii, and you can find airfares for less than $250 per person roundtrip. It is possible to stay in a hotel now for less than $100 per night. There are also bonus deals that include extra airline miles. At these prices, you could afford to go to Hawaii for a long weekend. Right now is definitely the time to go. If you’ve been saving up for a new computer or iPhone, don’t buy it. Go to Hawaii instead.


Source: www.examiner.com, June 23, 2009

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Be wary of honu nests on Kauai
Beachgoers are asked not to disturb baby turtles and eggs

The state's aquatic biologist on Kauai is calling on people to watch out for honu, or green sea turtles, nesting and hatching on the beach.

People driving trucks on the beach are the greatest threat to turtles nesting in the Wailua area, he said.

"The weight of the truck will compact the sand to a degree that the baby turtles will not be able to dig their way up and out of their sandy nest," said Don Heacock of the state's Division of Aquatic Resources.

Heacock was recently at Wailua Beach, trying to establish a perimeter around a honu nest. He could see fresh tire tracks from an off-road vehicle less than a foot away.

Motorists should avoid driving on or over any coastal beach vegetation, particularly beach morning glory, or pohuehue and naupaka, Heacock said. Most green sea turtles nest in these plants.

Heacock was also troubled to find dog tracks, both large and small, crisscrossing the turtle tracks. He saw evidence that one dog had begun digging out a nest created by the honu.

During the nesting season, which lasts from about June to September, female green sea turtles come ashore at night when there's high tide at a full moon.

A turtle will spend the night digging a nest and depositing about 100 eggs before covering the nest with sand and returning to the ocean. Eggs usually hatch in 59-61 days, depending on the weather, Heacock said.

The turtles are a threatened species protected by both state law and the U.S. Endangered Species Act.


Source: www.starbulletin.com, Jun 14, 2009

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Kauai pool making a big splash

LIHUE (KHNL) - A year is approaching for one of the state's newest pools. Kauai YMCA officials say so far it's made a big splash for the community.

This state of the art, olympic-sized pool complex is something most on Kauai couldn't imagine seeing.

"It's really a miracle that we're here, I mean it's taken everybody to come together and then everything had to fall into place for us to raise these kinds of funds," Kauai YMCA executive director Tom Tannery said.

And now that it's here, hundreds both old and young take advantage of it almost every day.

"Kauai's got a really high rate of drownings and it's not just visitors, it's locals too, so it's good all around, water safety's great, we live in the middle of the pacific, so this makes perfect sense," Kalaheo resident Dan Britzmann said.

Perfect sense for swimmers on the island who didn't have adequate facilities until now.

"Here, we have all the resources we need and during a swim meet we can warm down at the same time we're about to race and the locker rooms and everything, it's a great place," Kapaa High School swimmer Anya Littlefield said.

Kauai YMCA leaders say more facilities will be added, including an indoor roller hockey rink and an expanded weight room and cardio center.


Source: www.khnl.com, June 4, 2009

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A&B increases ownership at Kauai development

Alexander & Baldwin is increasing its ownership at Kukuiula.

The company (NYSE: ALEX), through its subsidiary KDC, LLC, and DMB Associates, the company’s co-developer at Kukuiula, will collectively invest $165 million over the next three years to finish the recreational amenities at the resort.

The 18-hole Tom Weiskopf championship golf course, resident club, restaurant, golf clubhouse and spa are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

“The original vision for Kauai’s ‘Living Garden’ continues to be realized,” said Stanley Kuriyama, president of Alexander & Baldwin, in a statement. “This new opportunity to invest strengthens our partnership with DMB, and importantly allows us to complete our resort amenities and continue to move forward with the entire project, while building long-term value at Kukuiula. By increasing our ownership and investment in the project, A&B also reinforces its long-standing commitment to Hawaii and to the residents of Kauai. This investment allows for the completion of what we believe will truly be one of Hawaii’s outstanding resort communities, and will position us to capture rising buyer demand as the economy and real estate markets recover.”

Shares of Alexander & Baldwin were down slightly to $23.29 in afternoon trading.


Source: www.bizjournals.com, Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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Kauai's Hanalei takes No. 1 on Dr. Beach's top 10

A Hawaii beach took the top spot on Dr. Beach’s list of America’s Best Beaches in 2009.

Hanalei Beach on Kauai was No. 1 this year on the list by “Dr. Beach,” Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.

Maui’s Hamoa Beach was No. 5.

Criteria for the beach ranking include water and sand quality, facilities and environmental management.

Leatherman, a coastal scientist, has selected America’s top 10 beaches since 1991. At least one Hawaii beach usually makes the list.

The other top beaches were Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla., Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y., and Coronado Beach in San Diego, Calif.

Beaches that earn top honors are retired from future lists. They include 11 Hawaii beaches, most recently Fleming Beach Park on Maui, the 2006 winner.


Source: www.bizjournals.com, Friday, May 22, 2009

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