Kauai Marathon 2012 | Things To Do In Hawaii

Finishing the Kauai Marathon

A significant sporting milestone was reached quietly yet inexorably this morning while the gentle denizens of Kauai Hawaii were sleeping. The Kauai Marathon 2012 is less than 200 days away and while most aspiring contestants will remind themselves that they have plenty of time to train. They should move forward on reserving their Kauai vacation rental for this storied event. Accommodations close to the start and finish lines are already receiving calls for the race which will be held on September 2, 2012. With the rich alternative to traditional hotels available in the area there will be choices ranging from B and … [Read more...]

A Mahaulepu Moonrise Hike | Best Things To Do In Kauai

Best Kauai beaches

I admit, there is a deep sense of satisfaction when I can keep my husband off balance. The look on his face when he hears an unexpected answer to his question is priceless. Mouth agape, eyebrows arched, followed by a bewildered stare into space. Oh, he does come back but I have never seen a re-entry in under 30 minutes. That's exactly how it transpired when I answered yes to a moonrise hike along the south coast of Kauai Hawaii with the Sierra Club. It was billed as a late afternoon hike along the majestic coastline of the Mahaulepu Trail to watch the moonrise, and to observe the whales. As it turned out it was … [Read more...]

Poipu Rotary Club | Making a Difference in Kauai

Romantic getaway

Want to make a difference while you are on a romantic getaway to Kauai Hawaii? Taste a bit of the local flavor, sip great wines and help an even greater cause? If so, you need to mark your vacation calendar next year for the Rotary Club of Poipu wine extravaganza held annually. It's one of the best things to do on Kauai for oenophiles. This is the Club’s primary fundraiser of the year and it is always a memorable event. The crowd was entertained with the sweet melodies of Hawaiian music interspersed with unexpected rock and roll, and hip jazz interludes. A highlight of this year's event was an art display … [Read more...]

Counting Whales In Kauai | Best Things To Do In Hawaii

Spotting whales is a great thing to do on kauai

It is turning into a historic whale watching season here in Kauai Hawaii. My casual observations from the lanai of our vacation rental has been fruitful. Gazing down the rocky coast during the winter season has never disappointed. Admittedly, I cannot distinguish a male juvenile from an expectant mother when it comes to the rorquals, a family that includes the blue, sei, fin, minke, and Bryde's whale. But it's obvious that these are the biggest kids on the block at this time of the year, and it seems like there are quite a few in the neighborhood. My hunch proved correct when the NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback … [Read more...]

Menehune Fish Pond | Hawaiian History

Best things to do in Kauai

The ancient Hawaiians were really ahead of their time. They had the utmost respect for the natural order of their environment. Practicing sustainability long before modern man realized that the resources of this planet could not be exploited indefinitely without negative repercussions. For me, this an important historical reminder when I visit the Alekoko Fish Pond, more commonly known as the Menehune Fish Pond. The ancient peoples of this island practiced the values of pono, living righteously, with honor, morality, justice, virtue, and goodness. This translated to every aspect of their life and their relationship … [Read more...]

Reclaiming Wetlands For The Birds of Kauai Hawaii

Endangered Hawaiian coastal birds

This past week the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced the acquisition of 105 acres of former sugarcane land for a wetland sanctuary to protect endangered birds in the Mana coastal plain of Kauai Hawaii. This multi phase project will re-establish habitat sites that were long ago lost during sugarcane operations at Kekaha Sugar Co. The nearly 15,000 acres of land that comprise the Mana coastal plain stretches from the sleepy former sugar town of Kekaha to Polihale beach. It has a rich farming history. The land has been in production since the 1860's, first growing cotton to supply the north during … [Read more...]

Hawaiian Christmas | Things To Do On Kauai

Best things to do in hawaii

Christmas in the islands is a very special time of the year for a Hawaiian vacation. It may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of the festive holiday season, after all, where is that pile of snow outside your front door? There are so many great things to do on Kauai if you are fortunate to spend a Hawaiian Christmas vacation with us. Hawaiians love to celebrate, and Christmas is no exception. Perhaps its because they have a lot of catching up to do. It wasn't until 1820 when Hawaiians first began celebrating this festive season. Kauai puts its best foot forward during the holidays brushing … [Read more...]

The Endangered Gallinule at Our Kauai Rentals

The Waikomo Stream

Have you ever found yourself starting a project only to realize a few hours later that little has been accomplished. This has happened more times than I care to recall. My problem is that the diversion is right in the backyard of our Kauai vacation rentals. That's it! The Waikomo Stream is to blame for my lack of motivation. The lyrical flowing of water grabs me before I see it, pushing me into a trance deeper than any yoga position. These same healing waters with their many therapeutic properties, plays another important role, as a habitat for the Hawaiian Gallinule, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis. The Alae … [Read more...]

Waipa Kalo Festival | Celebrating Hawaiian Culture

Celebrating Hawaiian Culture

The annual Waipa Kalo Festival ended today following a well attended weekend of activities, recipe sharing, and informative educational displays. Admittedly, it is one of the best things to do in Kauai Hawaii, if you wish to learn about this noble culture and the taro (Colocasia esculenta) plant that has for generations fortified the Hawaiian soul spiritually and nutritionally. This festival set in the ahupua'a (land division) of Waipa, just minutes from scenic Hanalei Town on the north shore of Kauai, welcomes everyone to learn about kalo, taro. This potato like vegetable was not only an important food staple, … [Read more...]

Big Wave Surfing | Monster Winter Waves In Hawaii

Classic surf photo

The first of the great winter swells this season arrived today on Kauai Hawaii. Friends headed off to the north shore before dawn to test their mettle against thick, juicy waves that ranged in heights of 16 to 21 feet. The excitement was palpable, hauling long boards, dogs, coolers and cameras to the surf breaks here on Kauai. Classic surf spots with names like Cannons, and Tunnels in Haena, Hanalei Bay, and Kalihiwai will be overflowing with locals and visitors alike. There are great spots to view this classic surf, and the guys who ride them. In Haena, park at the Haena Beach Park and on the left is the break … [Read more...]

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