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KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / KERRYODA.COM
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judah@kauaimagazine.com information systems
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kauai stories
kauai’s first dj
Mike Ashman entertained kauai listners
island nature
hawaiian green sea turtle
one of hawaii’s beloved creatures
island food favorites
kauai’s mouth-watering food favorites
to titillate every taste bud
best island event
taste of hawaii
kauai’s “ultimate sunday brunch”
Island food
KAUAI MAGAZINE E S TA B L I S H E D
1980
Kauai Magazine is published by H&S Publishing LLC. Copyright © 2014 All
island restaurant survival guide
Glossary of Hawaii’s Local-style Delicacies
rights reserved. No part of this publica-
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a blessing for smooth sailing
Capttain Andy’s new Northern Star
kauai ... the south shore
30 splashing in paradise 34 touring in paradise
ocean and river experiences
by wheel, hoof, or foot
40 flying in paradise hidden
42 kauai map
tion may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Publisher is
portrait of paradise
19 showcase of homes Premiere kauai homes 25 the romance of Kauai kauai’s romantic treasures 29 fun in paradise from the air, land and sea
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KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
april I may I june 2014
Shipwreck Beach
Kauai ... the South Shore Between the Hoary Head Mountain Range south of Lihue and the Spouting Horn Park you’ll find: Poipu, a dynamic resort area; Koloa, a mill town founded around the first sugar plantation in Hawaii; and a mellow lifestyle that’s centered around warmth, sunshine and a sparkling blue ocean.
Spouting Horn 10
Nature provides a beautiful gateway to Poipu — a magnificent stand of eucalyptus trees that forms a tunnel along Maluhia Road. Dappled sunlight invites the visitor to the sunny south side. Koloa’s sugar plantation and mill were founded in 1835, the first in Hawaii. At the town entrance are remnants of the mill and a monument commemorating the hawaiigateway.com
kauai magazine
april I may I june 2014
immigrants who came to plant and harvest sugar. Each year, this heritage is celebrated with a festival called Koloa Plantation Days. It climaxes with a parade, featuring people walking or riding a flowerdecorated floats, in classic cars or on horseback, and a town fair. Old koloa town’s main street is lined by twinkle-lit trees, restaurants, and charming shops,. Historic churches, Buddhist temples, stores, and rustic homes survive in the vintage community. Past Koloa is the Poipu resort area, full of excellent accommodations from luxury hotel, spacious homes on the beach or golf course, to quaint B&Bs or garden condominiums. Golden sandy beaches invite swimming, snorkeling or surfing, and there are dining, shopping and activities for all ages, interests and budgets. Explore the shore and hills on foot, mountain bike, or horseback. On the water, boogie boards, kayaks, scuba gear and sailing craft bring lots of fun. Poipu almost always fulfills its promise of bright sunshine, but it’s never overcrowded or frantic. Surfers ride the summer swells at several breaks. Whales breach and spout just offshore in the winter. That’s also when the sea is calm and snorkeling and scuba diving (or snuba, a combination of the two) reveal multitudes of fish, coral and turtles. Poipu Shopping Village has specialty shops, art galleries, excellent restaurants, a free hula show on Thursdays, and music on weekends. The Kiahuna Gold Course and Tennis Club are next to the shopping village. The shops at Kukuiula offer a variety of shops and dining opportunities, there’s the fresh fun of the weekly Kauai Culinary Market, and a monthly art walk, sponsored by the many eclectic galleries in the village. Numerous vacation condominiums set among gardens are fronted by beautiful beaches. Poipu Beach Park is a favorite of residents and visitors. It’s a delightful place to lie under a palm tree, splash in the gentle lagoon as shallow as a kiddie pool. It’s usually calm enough for children to swim, snorkeling is excellent, and boogie boarding fun when small waves roll in. Right across the street is a restaurant, smack bar and beach activity shop. If you’re ready for some exercise, head for the Kiahuna Golf Course, the new Kukuiula Golf Course or the Poipu Bay Golf Club, once the home of the PGA Grand Slam. Poipu Kai Resort, Poipu Bay and Kiahuna have excellent tennis courts. Luxuriate from head to toe at various south shore spas. Hungry? Ready to party? Poipu offers a wide range of choices from sophisticated, gourmet cuisine with Italian, Mediterranean, Asian and island origins to Mexican take-out to casual meeting spots that serve great drinks and pupus (appetizers). Within two blocks in Old Koloa Town, there’s pizza, grilled steak and fish, hamburgers, coffee and ice cream. West of Poipu Beach is Prince Kuhio Park, the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. He represented Hawaii in the U.S. Congress for more than 20 years and established many projects to improve the lives of native Hawaiians. In March, Hawaiian civic organizations hold commemorative ceremonies at the park. His initials designate a popular surf break and diving spot just offshore From Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor, dive boats head for Sheraton Caves, a spectacular site full of fish, crustacea, turtles and corals. Sailing catamaran tours and charter fishing trips also start here. A short, guided kayak trip from Kukuiula to Lawai Kai Beach gives beginners practice in handling and landing kayaks. A little further south is the Allerton Garden lies between the Pacific Ocean and the McBryde Garden in the Lawai Valley. It is a garden paradise, transformed through time by the hands of a Hawaiian Queen, by a sugar plantation magnate, and most significantly by an artist and an architect. The property was developed into display gardens, including the Plantation Cottage Garden, featuring plants that would have been grown in a traditional plantation supervisor’s home garden; the Tropical Display Garden, containing many of the colorful ornamental flowers and trees that are associated with Hawaii. The endless possibilities found in this dramatic topography led to the creation of this masterpiece of garden art. hawaiigateway.com
Down the road is Spouting Horn Park. Spouting Horn is a lava tube through which waves surge, creating a geyser of water and a moaning or hissing sound. According to one legend, a mo‘o, or giant lizard, is trapped in the tube and mourns his lost love. At the eastern end of Poipu is Shipwreck Beach, a summer favorite of boogie boarders and surfers. Look for the beach access signs just past the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Beyond the resort’s beautiful rolling golf courses lies the breathtaking Mahaulepu area. This rugged coastline of sandstone cliffs and brilliant blue water, laced with trails along the bluffs, will awe even the most jaded traveler. Huge waves smash against the rocky cliffs, and the ocean has created fascinating deep rents in the sandstone. The stables there lead trail rides on the bluffs, or you can ride a mountain bike on coastal trails and cane haul roads. One can hike for miles along Mahaulepu and not see another soul. Whales seem to find the far bay an ideal nursery for their babies.
Historic Koloa Town, sunny Poipu beaches and ever-changing ocean, and all the amenities and fun of a great vacation resort are all here on the south shore. SOUTH SHORE HIGHLIGHTS Poipu Beach Park Spouting Horn Old Koloa Town Tunnel of Trees Shipwrecks Beach Mahaulepu Beach Poipu Shopping Village Allerton Gardens - National Tropical Botanical Gardens
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kauai magazine
kauai stories
april / may / june 2014
First Radio Disc Jockey On Kauai When Mike Ashman was hired to help launch KTOH, Kauai’s first commercial radio station that went on the air May 10, 1940, he was an 18-year-old with two years experience as the only all-night DJ on San Francisco’s KSAN. Now 92 years old, with his radio voice still intact, he has plenty stories of the fun he had bringing news and entertainment to the people of Kauai.
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“Originally, many folks on Kauai said, ‘Who’s going to listen? Nobody has a radio,’” he says. But six days a week of news and entertainment, plus Sundays filled with local musical groups performing live in the radio station’s studio, got Kauai people hooked. “People at home just sat back and marveled at what was coming out of the box called a radio,” Mike says. “Within a year, radios were selling so fast that Jack Wada’s electronics store couldn’t keep up with the demand.”
To bolster early afternoon listenership, Mike hosted a talk show – a brand new concept at the time – named “The KTOH Party Line.” “With Kauai’s thin telephone book in one hand and an opened paperclip in the other, I would turn to any old page and randomly choose a name, telephone that person and start a conversation,” he says. “Then I’d ask the question of the week, something like, ‘What should we do about the millions of pesky bufos (giant toads) hopping around in everybody’s yard?’ “It would have been wonderful if we’d had some way to save those candid dialogues,” he says. “They’d be perfect examples today of the various patterns of Pidgin English, Chinese, Portuguese, Filipino and Japanese languages that were spoken by the thousands of men and women who immigrated to Kauai to work for our sugar and pineapple plantations. But, tape recorders hadn’t been invented yet.”
Only Ashes Remain
KTOH’s disc jockeys tried to be amusing on the air, and Mike admits that as a young man he could be a smart aleck. One time he read a news story about a house fire in Koloa. “I don’t know the details but a friend of mine recalls that the fire department arrived to put out the blaze, only to discover that their fire hoses weren’t long enough to reach the home. My friend says the firemen stood watching the cottage burn to the ground,” Mike says. “After I read the news report on the air, I dedicated the pop song, ‘Only Ashes
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PHOTO COURTESY KAUAI HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
KTOH Party Line
Mike Ashman, one of Kauai’s first radio disc jockeys, circa 1940. Remain’ to the Koloa Fire Department. I really got in trouble for that one!”
Filipino Mystery Singer
A trained pianist, Mike spent some of his off-air time performing with his Mike Ashman Quintet, often at Club Jetty, a restaurant-nightclub located on the jetty at Nawiliwili Harbor. (The restaurant closed after the building was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992.) One time the manager of a local store had a sign painted for the display stand near the front door that read: “Enjoy dancing Friday and Saturday evenings to the music
of the Mike Ashman Quintet. They don’t play slow. They don’t play fast. They play sort of half-fasst.” (Say it out loud.) Mike earned the nicknames of “The Albino Hawaiian” and “The Japanese Troubadour” for his talent performing popular Hawaiian songs and Japanese ballads. But it was “Filipino Mystery Singer” that was his longest-lasting nickname, originating from the time he recorded about a dozen Visayan, Tagalog and Ilocano love songs for KTOH’s Filipino Radio Hour as part of a contest in which listeners were challenged to identify the “Filipino Mystery Singer.” The grand prize was a used car, a very big deal in those days when plantation workers, who typically made only about $28 per month, could not easily afford their own vehicles. The station received thousands of votes over six months, but nobody knew that Mike was the “Filipino Mystery Singer,” until his identity was revealed after the contest had ended. “I enjoyed Kauai 100 percent. If I could, I would do it all over again.”
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Excerpted with permission from “Kauai: As it was in the 1940s and 1950s,” a book by Mike Ashman. *** Mike lived on Kauai three times: for two years beginning in 1940 when he helped launch KTOH; for four years after World War II; and for eight years starting in 1995. In between, he and his wife spent four years starting a Dole pineapple plantation in the Philippines, nine years working for the Government of Micronesia as Director of Public Information and Director of Tourism, “and enough other positions that have taken me to 87 countries and my wife to 41 countries,” he says. Pamela Varma Brown is the publisher of “Kauai Stories,” a collection of 50 humorous, touching and inspiring personal stories told by Kauai people. www.kauaistories.net hawaiigateway.com
Island nature
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eighing up to 400 pounds, the green sea turtle possesses unique habits that set it apart from the other two species of sea turtles seen in the warm Kauai waters. However, all sea turtles’ lives begin in the same way: by dangerously scurrying from their sandy nest into the open ocean. Always fighting to survive, these reptiles are one of the most mesmerizing to spot floating around the island of Kauai. It is most common to see green sea turtles in the Hawaiian Islands, but leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles also roam these waters. Green sea turtles have a more interesting relationship with land than the other two, and this is the biggest difference in the species. Generally, nesting female turtles are the only turtles that go on land. Green sea turtles, however, can be seen lounging on rocks and beaches for hours at a time. They do this to warm their shell or to avoid sharks. The different species of sea turtles in Kauai waters also differentiate by their eating habits. Leatherbacks and hawksbill turtles are carnivorous, eating jellyfish, sponge, and other soft invertebrates. The green sea turtle has a unique feeding pattern. It begins its life as a carnivore and later switches to an all-plant diet, eating algae and sea grass. Life for sea turtles doesn’t only consist of lounging and floating around. Sea turtles are constantly in danger. After baby turtles hatch, they work together to raise their nest out of the hole they have been incubating in for two months. There are about 110 baby turtles, and as soon as they start to make their way to the ocean, it’s every turtle for itself. Baby sea turtles have many predators in the beginning of life including crabs, birds, the sun, sharks, predatory fish, and of course, humans. Humans continue to threaten the existence of sea turtles. Whether it’s taking sea turtle eggs from their nest, or using other parts of the sea turtle for leather, humans are to blame for the decrease in sea turtles. In Hawaii, the law protects sea turtles and it is important to report any turtle that looks to be under duress. While spotting a honu sunning on the beach, or swimming around the shallow water might be the highlight
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april / may / june 2014
Sea Turtles in Kauai Waters
Gracefully gliding through the ocean current, the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle or honu, is one of the oldest, and most beloved creatures in the Hawaiian Islands.
Whether its taking sea turtle eggs from their nest, or using other parts of the sea turtle for leather, humans are to blame for the decrease in Sea Turtles. In Hawaii, the law protects sea turtles and it is important to report any turtle that looks to be under duress.
KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / KERRYODA.COM
kauai magazine
of a person’s day in Hawaii, these ancient creatures are sadly fading away. When I first moved to Hawaii, I went on a snorkeling adventure along the southern side of Kauai. At Kipu Kai, the fish were abundant. I would hold my breath and dive down, getting as close to the ocean floor as I could. The world moved fast down there, the seaweed swayed with each strong current. The fish moved with purpose, while the sea slugs didn’t seem to move at all. Out of the corner of my eye I saw it, a huge honu looking right at me. He moved
around me, probably trying to get to the good sea grass and I wondered, how old could this creature be? How many times has it been to this cove, and fed from this ocean floor? All I know is that this honu had been around way longer than me. This was its home, and I was merely a visitor, mesmerized by the life of a graceful, and truly perfect animal. Story by Katie Twaddle. Excerpted with permission from Chris Turner, Na Pali Riders Raft Tours and publisher of www.napalicoastmagazine.com hawaiigateway.com
april I may I june 2014
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Island food
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f you’re after a quick sampling, there are scores of small mom-andpop and larger restaurants where you can taste island-style dishes like poke (raw fish with seaweed and sesame oil), lomi lomi salmon (cold diced salmon, tomatoes and onion), haupia (coconut pudding), and the ever-famous poi (fermented taro root paste), to name but a few. At many places, you’ll find the menu broadened to include non-Hawaiian delicacies, but ones that have been the mainstay of local diets for years -- sushi, saimin noodles, lilikoi pie (a Kauai specialty, like lemon meringue pie, made with passion fruit instead), and sashimi (raw fish) with wasabi (Japanese horseradish) and soy sauce. Many shops sell “bento boxes” and “plate lunches,” which are localstyle meals you can take on the road or to the beach. Local fish can be found almost everywhere. Mahi-mahi (dolphin fish, not “Flipper”) is probably the best known, but ahi (yellow fin tuna) and ono (wahoo) are also big favorites. You’ll find fish served several different ways: kiawe broiled (using algaroba tree wood, a relative of the Southwest mesquite), blackened, poached, and even sometimes served with tropical sauces. Much of the fish is caught fresh daily off the nearby shores and is incredibly moist and delicate. Kauai’s proximity to Asia makes it a mecca for Asian restaurants. You can choose Japanese cuisine and watch food prepared in front of you. Chinese food in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Szechwan styles is available, too. Korean dishes and spicy Thai food are also popular. Italian food, Mexican fare, steaks and chicken, and even mainland fast food restaurants (worth skipping here) are all available. Fine dining, both American and Continental, can be found across the island. Perhaps a traditional English afternoon tea is your cup? A sumptuous Sunday Brunch? Kauai’s hotels and resorts offer a colorful spectrum of such choices. Vegetarians have no worries either. Many places have vegetarian offerings and a few serve primarily vegetarian food that showcases the organic produce and herbs grown on Kauai.
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kauai’s mouth-watering food favorites To titillate every taste bud, Kauai offers a variety of food choices, many of which you can sample at a Hawaiian luau. Besides enjoying tables laden with dishes that have been enjoyed by Hawaii’s families at festive gettogethers for years, at a luau you’ll be entertained with music and dances telling the ancient stories of Hawaii and Polynesia. An eclectic combo-cuisine called “Pacific Rim” has evolved in the islands. Pacific Rim is an innovative blend of Western, Polynesian, SEARED AHI TOSTADA - VERDE RESTAURANT
kauai magazine
and Asian tastes that is as attractive to the eye as it is tasty to the palette.
Casual dress is almost always acceptable. Decor and ambiance range from seaside elegance to funky and old-fashioned. Prices vary widely, but most eateries accept major credit cards. In Hawaii, the word for food that is delicious is “ono.” And we know you’ll be saying “ono” over and over again, as you eat your way around the Garden Island. Enjoy! hawaiigateway.com
best island event kauai magazine
april / may / june 2014
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eaturing 50 food stations staffed by some of the best chefs in Hawaii cooking for you “live” on the beautiful grounds of Smith’s Tropical Paradise. Sample culinary delights all afternoon, and then vote, letting the chefs know what you think.
Dishes include island-style specialties like shrimp, scallops, beef, veggies, pasta, salads, desserts, and more. Beverage stations include: beer, wine, coffee drinks, juice, soft drinks, and water. Shoppers can visit the silent auction between bites to find bargains and Kauai souvenirs. Music performed at several bandstands throughout the park completes the festive, upscale garden-party atmosphere. The Taste of Hawaii is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kapaa, a non-profit network of business professionals who raise funds to do charitable works on Kauai and overseas. This year’s Taste of Hawaii will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the flat-fee, all-you-can-eat event are available through the Rotary Club of Kapaa. For more information, visit their website at: www.tasteofhawaii.com
Taste of Hawaii’s “Ultimate Sunday Brunch” The Votes are in for Hawaii’s Best Chefs and their Dishes The Taste of Hawaii is one of Kauai’s signature annual fund-raising events, billed as the Ultimate Sunday Brunch. The results of the 2013 Taste of Hawaii event appear below. Ballots were submitted during the event on Sunday, June 2, 2013.
OVERALL AWARDS
RESTAURANT
CHEF
People’s Choice (Overall):
Kawaii Cupcake
Christine Ichikawa
The Feral Pig
Scott Kessinger
Favorite New Discovery: Best Presentation: Best “Aloha Spirit” Booth:
Aloha Beach Resort
Gregorio Stoll
Kawaii Cupcake
Christine Ichikawa
“FAVORITES”
RESTAURANT
SPECIALTY
CHEF
Dessert:
Kawaii Cupcake
Variety of delicious cupcakes
Christine Ichikawa
Seafood:
Fairmont Kea Lani
Tempura Oyster Slider
Tylun Pang
The Feral Pig
Kaneshiro Farm Porchetta
Scott Kessinge
The Eastside
Island Salad, papaya ginger dressing
Shawn Gallagher
Meat/Poultry: Vegetarian: “FAVORITE” BEVERAGES
BREWER/PROVIDER
Beer:
Kauai Island Brewery
Wine:
Nani Moon Mead
Non-Alcoholic: Water: hawaiigateway.com
Rainbeau Jo’s Alchemy of Aloha
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kauai magazine
island food
Ahi (Ah-HEE): yellowfin or bigeye tuna fish Bento (BEN-toe): boxed take-out meal Chicken Luau (loo-OW): chicken cooked with taro leaf and coconut milk Char siu (char SEE-you): barbecued pork usually served with noodles Edamame (eh-dah-MA-may): whole soybeans in the pod, boiled in salted water and eaten as a snack Haupia (how-PEE-ah): coconut cream pudding Kalua (kah-LOO-ah): cooking technique in which foods are wrapped in leaves and steamed over hot rocks in an earthen pit oven called an imu Katsu (KAHT-sue): Pork, chicken, or other meats dipped in a Japanese sauce and deep-fried Kiawe (key-AH-vay): algaroba tree wood, a relative of the Southwest mesquite, used in grilling and open-pit cooking Kim chee (kim chee): spicy relish made of fermented cabbage Lau lau (lauw-lauw): pork, fish, beef, or chicken with taro leaves wrapped in ti leaves and steamed or baked in an imu (an underground oven) Lilikoi (LEE-LEE-ko-ee): passion fruit Loco Moco classically, a fried egg on top of a hamburger on top of a pile of rice, smothered in brown gravy (many variations) Lomi Lomi Salmon cold boned, diced salmon, tomatoes, onion, and salt Lu‘au (loo-OW) Hawaiian feast Mahi‘mahi (MAH-hee MAH-hee): dolphin fish (not the mammal dolphin) Malassada (mah-lah-SAH-dah): deep-fried doughy hole-less donut made of egg, oil, and sugar Mochi (MOW-chee) steamed or baked cake made with rice flour in various flavors Musubi (moo-SUE-bee): rice ball, usually made today with a slice of Spam atop sushi rice wrapped with a strip of nori seaweed Na‘au (NAH-ow): stewed beef intestines Ohelo Berry (oh-HAY-low): bright red, similar to a huckleberry, used in jams and preserves
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island restaurant survival guide Glossary of Hawaii’s Local-style Delicacies
Hungry and curious? Hawaii boasts a wealth of unique “localstyle” foods for every visitor’s palette. To clarify the meaning of dishes that may be unfamiliar to you, here is a glossary of some island tidbits to try.
‘Opae Shrimp Opaka‘paka (oh-PAH-kah-PAH-kah): pink snapper Ono (OH-no): wahoo fish; also means “delicious!” Poi (poy): fermented taro root paste Poke (POE-kay): raw fish with seaweed and sesame oil Pua‘a (POO-ah-ah): pork Pupu (poo-poo): appetizers Sashimi (sah-SHE-me): raw fish, usually served with wasabi (Japanese horseradish) and soy sauce for dipping Saimin (SIGH-min): a noodle soup (similar to Japanese ramen or Chinese mein) made with dashi (Japanese bonito fish stock) and thin, round wheat noodles, garnished with any combination of eggs, meats, green onions, char siu Shave Ice freshly shaved ice drenched in a sweet syrup - lighter and flakier than a snow cone Shoyu (SHOW-you): soy sauce Sushi (SUE-she): rice topped or rolled with pieces of raw or grilled seafood and/or dried nori seaweed Tako (TAH-ko): octopus Udon (oo-DOAN): thick Japanese noodles, typically served in soup Unagi (oo-NAH-gee): eel hawaiigateway.com
Premier Homes
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FABULOUS PACIFIC OCEAN VIEWS:
This Poipu Property is situated up next to Poipu Crater and the views are spectacular … all the way to Nihau! 3BD/3BA with 2 separate living areas, 2 lanais, a pool and walking distance to the beach and the Grand Hyatt. This is Hawaiiana at its BEST on the sunny side of Kauai!!!! This home is in an active vacation rental program so it may be difficult to see. MLS 269459 Asking $2,300,000
JOANIE STEINER, R, BIC KOLOA ESTATES HALF ACRE LOT
GREAT LOCATION IN THE HEART OF LIHUE
Great level lot with ocean and mountain views!!! This property also comes with transferable rights to the new private development “Kukui’ula”. Koloa Estates is an upscale 32 lot community in the heart of Sunny Poipu. Many options come with property…. MLS 270021 Asking $749,955 (FS)
GREAT OCEAN & MOUTAIN VIEWS WITHIN MINUTES TO POIPU!
Beautifully remodeled 2BD/2BA condo in the heart of Lihue. Close to 1,100 sq.ft. of living space. Kalapaki Villas is anchored by beautiful majestic Banyans. This property is close to Shopping, Beaches and Entertainment ... it is all about location & island lifestyle! MLS 266812 Asking $297,500 (FS)
DEVELOPER’S OPPORTUNITY
This home is a wonderful opportunity with 3BD/2BA in the main living area. Amazing views and within ten minutes to Poipu Beach and Old Historic Koloa Town. There is an added plus, a separate 1BD/1BA cottage in the back. This is a must see property. MLS 270016 Asking $695,000 (FS).
This is a real contractor’s opportunity and one not to be missed! Over two acres of land with R-10 zoning. There are three existing townhomes included in this purchase. They are each 1,286 sq. ft., beautifully appointed and the high ceilings are another plus ... don’t forget the attached two-car garages. Great Rentals! MLS 271397 Asking $3,500,000 (FS).
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ISLAND PACIFIC PROPERTIES
OVER HALF AN ACRE IN KOLOA ESTATES!!!
Koloa Estates home with 4BD/2.5BA and a wraparound porch. Quite a few upgrades and the Chef’s kitchen is a real plus. Within a mile to Poipu beaches and Historic Old Koloa Town, just the perfect location! MLS 269517 Asking $1,295,000 (FS)
SOLD IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS: LD
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SOLD MLS 261567 Listed for $998,000 Closed for $865,000 Acreage, House with Views
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SOLD MLS 259472 asking $220,000 Sold for $182,000 Koloa Garden Apartment
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SOLD MLS 258885 Listed for $459,000 Sold for $455,000 Regency Poipu Kaii
SOLD MLS 261555 Listed for $649,599 Closed for $609,875 Nihi Kai Villas, Sunny Poipu
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Queen Emma Bluff Lot above 6th Signature Hole on Prince GC 9,648 sq.ft. $825,000
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3Bd/3Ba Resort Style living in Kalaheo Single Level Ocean View w/pool & spa. $1,188,000
2Bd/2Ba Unit 806 Ocean View walk to Poipu Beach Park. $630,000
3Bd/4Ba home near 18th green. $1,099,000
3Bd/2.5Ba 2,260 sq.ft. Kakela Makai Oceanview S/D $1,050,000
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MLS 268015 • KOLOA PRIVACY • LAND: 10,563 SQ.FT.
The fantasy of living in Hawaii comes to life in this 4BD/4BA retreat in paradise. Expansive ocean views, pool, 2 outdoor spas, 1 ensuite spa. Private, yet a short walk to beaches, Kukuiula shopping, fine dining and golf. Air conditioned, stone and wood floors, new roof, granite and stone surfaces, private lanais for all bedrooms, soothing water views and sounds. An additional dwelling unit may be built on this property. Check with County of Kauai. Has a Transient Vacation Rental Permit .
MLS 266513 • LAND: 2.25 ACRES
Stunning ocean views in this spacious 3BD/2BA exotic home. Home features an open living and entertaining area with hardwood floors, granite countertops, imported doors and design accents, lava rock shower and whirlpool spa tub. Over 1,000 sq ft ft ooff deck decckk sspace de p aand an nd llo lots oots ttss ooff ro rroom ooom oom m to grow. ggr roow w. Be BBeautifully Beau eaauutitif landscaped lla and ndssccaappeedd llevel e pool lot for lot lo for ppo fo oool ooll oorr ffruit trees. ttrree ees. s. Architectural Arrch A chit hititec ect drawings draw dr awin inggss available avvaaiilla la for expansion for expa fo eex xpa pannssio ion of living liliving vviinngg sspace. pace pa ce.
$$1,800,000 $1 1,8 ,80000,,0000 00
$2,485,000 MLS 270051 0511 • H HOME OM O M E & 33. 3.94 .9944 A ACRES C R ES CR CRES ES N NEAR EA R PO EA PPOIPU O IP IPU
Breathtaking ocean, mountain ouunnta tain ainn aand ndd nnature atuurre vi at vviews iews ews ffr ew from rom m tthis his 44B hi 4BD/3BA, BD/ D/3B 3BA 3BA, A,, ppool ool and ool oo and pool an pool po ol hhouse ouse ou ouse se custom built home. Separate eeppar par arat ate medi m me media edi dia ro rroom ooom m aand nd ooffice. nd ffffic ice. e. PPool ool hho ool oo house ous use se of ooffers ffers fers fe rs bbath, aatth, h, ooutside utsi ut side side de shower, wet bar. Pool iss solar sol olar ar heated hea eate ted with wiith w th ocean oce ceaann views. vie iews ws. All Alll this A tthhis is is is situated ssiiitu tuuat ateedd on ated on 3.94 3.9944 acres 3. accrres es of lush green land. The home features soaring ceilings, crown moldings with tile and hardwood floors. Relax into the Hawaiian lifestyle in this one of a kind secluded yet convenient to Poipu property. Colisted with Christina Appleby 635-8181.
MLS M ML L S 269288 2692 2692 26 9288 88 BIG B IG I G VIEWS, V IEWS I E WS IE W S, PUU P U U RO PU RROAD OAD AD
BBroad Br rooaad an aand nd wide wiide w de oocean cceean an vviews ieews ws from froom this thiiss classic th cla lass ssic ssi ic plantation plant lant la ntatio atio at ion on house. hous ho hous use. use. e. 4 bedrooms, bedr be droooom mss, 4 baths ba ba featured feaattuurredd in fe in this tthhiss stunning sttuuunn nning nn inng and and charming an charmi ch char arm ar miing ng home hoom m mee with wiitthh hardwood w hardw har ardwoo ar dw wooood floors flfloor oors oo rs and and nd designer deessig ig tiles tile titil les and aannd stone ssttoonne throughout thro th hro roug roug ughhoouutt all allll baths bat aths aths hs and and nd kitchen. kkitititcchhenn. All Allll living livvin liv ing rooms rrooom room ms and aannd bedroom bbeeddrro floors fflloo ooors rs are rs are re fine hardwood. hhaaard rdw rdwo rd woooodd. Colors Co tastefully taastef steefffuuullllyy chosen st chhoo with wiitthh fine w fiinne wood w moldings mold mo ldinnggss and and nd trim t all aalll through thro th hro rouuggh home. ho ho Salt Saaltlt water wat ater er pool pooool and spa spa overlooking sp oovver over erlo look okiinng the ocean ocea oc ocea ean for ffoor that that th at truly t tropical ttrropic ooppic ical cal al place plaaccee in in the sun. suunn..
$1,995,000 $$1 1,9 ,995 95,0 ,000 00
$2,495,000
MLS 269518 95518 18 • SSUNSET U N SE UN S EETT KAHILI KAH KA HII LLII PPOIPU OII PPU O UU UNIT NII T 110 N 103 03
What a gem and whatt a ppr price. riccee.. W White hhiite te wat w water aatter er aand nndd ssunset unse un unse set vi vviews. iew iew ewss.. W Wa Watch atch tch the tc tthhe he whales whhaalleess aand w nd nd dancing dolphins from your yyoour ur balcony bbaaallco lco conyy ooverlooking verrlloookkiing ve ng tthe he ppool he ooool oou out ut ttoo tthe he oocean. he cean ce an. TThis hhiis iiss a ssweet weet we eeett one bedroom unit on the he fifirs rrst rs st flfloo ooor oo or wi w with ith th oocean cean ce an vviews iieews ws aand nd ggreat nd reat re at aaccess. ccccces ess. es s. A Al Allll ttitile ilee kkit kitchen ititchhen en aand nndd bath with spacious bedroom and for that additional guest a comfortable sleep sofa. Right in the heart of Poipu Beach this well rented unit can be just what you need to make you and your guests comfortable on Kauai. Leasehold expires 2042.
$239,000
G R E AT BUYS!
MLS ML M LS 226 LS 26777 677 777 A Akemama kema ke mam maa RRd., dd.., KKa Kalaheo aala lahe la heo 22.83 2. .83 83 aacres. cres. cr es. Not es Not a CP No CCPR. PRR.. Se SSecluded eccllud lud uded ed with wiith w th distant diissta tanntt ocean, oce cean an, dramatic ddrram maatticc valley vaallleey andd mountain views. Build ld your ld dream home. $365,000.
MLS 268042 • LAWAI VALLEY • LAND: 2.676 ACRES
A long curved palm lineddriveway leads to this private estate. The 3,118 sf home wtih 4BD/3BA is unit 1 of a three unit CPR in process of state approval. A workshop is located behind the home. Since the final public report has not been issued, we are only able to take reservations at this time. ttiime me. No No deposits. dep epo Proof PPrroooof of of cash caassh sh funds, fu fu as as well weelllll as as a prequalifi qual qu alifification caattiioon letter lee must muust m st accompany accccoom mppaannyy any rreservation rese re ese serrvvat vatio atioon request. at reqquu re SSe Seller elllleerr will wilill rent property prop pr operty erttyy to er to potential potteen po buyer bbuuyyeerrun buye until unttiil fifinnal un unti nnaallpu public pu pu report rreepo port rt isis issued. isssu sued ed. This ed. may maay take m takkee three ta three hhrreeee or four fouurr months. fo m mon oonnnth ths. th s.
Francis “Rusty” Hutchinson, RA 808-652-0914
ML M MLS LS 23 2234342 343 4342 42 PPapalina aappaallinna RRo Road ooad aadd Ideal Ideeaal co Id ccommercial omm mmer erci ciaall ssite itite 25,495 25,449955 sq. 25 sqq.. ft. ftt.. 808 652-0914 $1,199,000
$1,050,000 $$1 1,,005500,00 ,00000 ,0
MLS MLLS 271514 M 27151 27 151144 Duplex 15 Dupl Du pleexx on on 1/2 1/2 acre 1/ aaccre re Kalaheo. Kalaahheeoo.. Convenient Ka Connvveennie Co ient nt to to Poipu. Poip Po ipuu.. Fenced FFeenncced ced ed yard yar ard 6BD/2.75BA. 66BBD D//22..75 75BBA A. 808 651-6720 $695,000
kauai magazine
april I may I june 2014
Coming in the July / August / September 2014 issue!
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hawaiigateway.com
PHOTO: HAUNANI ROSSI / KAUAIALOHAWED.COM
ROMANCE IN PARADISE
A Guide to Kauai’s Most Romantic Treasures
kauai magazine
april I may I june 2014
The Romance of Kauai
PHOTO: KERRY ODA / ODAZONE.COM
From diamond-studded waterfalls to waves kissing a secluded, white sand beach, the Garden Isle is the ideal setting for an unforgettable, simple-to-extravagant wedding, vow renewal, honeymoon, or romantic getaway.
The dreamy Kalalau Valley.
For couples seeking the ultimate romantic getaway, secluded possibilities abound. With more beaches than any other Hawaiian island, Kauai is a honeymooner’s unrivaled dream. For weddings, many experienced wedding coordinators are on Kauai to assist with the planning and execution of your special day’s every detail.
Places to Stay (or hide away)
Your romantic hideaway could be a luxury suite in one of Kauai’s superb resort hotels, a cozy cottage nestled in a coconut grove, or even a homey B&B surrounded by orchids, palms, and a waterfall. Imagine oceanfront settings, champagne and flowers, breakfast in bed, spa massages, Jacuzzi soaks, or a quiet B&B in the country. Affordable mid-range hotels offer spacious rooms, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, beaches, and restaurants. Vacation condos with kitchenettes abound on Kauai with tennis courts and golf courses nearby. Another option is a vacation rental
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home, ideal for a wedding reunion or vow renewal ceremony with room for family in the celebration. Many luxurious homes are oceanfront, have complete kitchens, beautiful furnishings, and include lots of extras, such as barbecue grills and beach gear.
Where to Go (or go away)
On Kauai’s Garden Island, you can easily slip away to an uncrowded beach to revel in the beauty of the warm Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters. Or escape by kayak or boat up one of Kauai’s rivers or streams to secluded picnic spots in the shadows of rugged mountains. Pack the camping gear and retreat to Polihale State Park’s sand dunes and haunting legends, where the full moon and twinkling stars heighten any romantic experience. The Na Pali Coast at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau Valleys offer camping retreats for the adventurous (provided proper advance permits are obtained from the Department of Land and Natural Resources in Lihue). Uncrowded North Shore beach spots include Kalihiwai Beach, the very secret “Secret Beach,” and Lumahai Beach, home to scenes from the film South Pacific. “Public Access to Beach” signs mark other small, remote beaches from Hanalei to Haena. On Kauai’s sunny South Shore, a multitude of clandestine play spots abound for exploring or splashing in the surf. Mahaulepu (past the Grand Hyatt Regency) offers a pristine beach, accessible only via a guarded cane road (as much fun to find as enjoy). At
Shipwrecks Beach (in front of Poipu’s Grand Hyatt) couples can watch expert surfers carve sleek curling wave faces, or observe the tailslapping grandeur of a breaching humpback whale (whale season runs roughly November through March, when these gentle giants frolic in Kauai’s waters). West Side sunsets are among the most spectacular in the world. Watch the sun slip behind Niihau Island’s cliffs from remote Glass Beach near Port Allen, or from Kekaha Beach’s wide, white sands. The West Side’s Polihale Beach, too, is one of Kauai’s most dazzling sunset arenas, as are Haena and Kee Beach on the dramatic North Shore. Beyond the beaches, miles of hiking trails and dirt roads are accessible by foot, 4-wheel drive, or mountain bike. Here, couples can get to know each other, as well as Kauai’s beautiful scenery. At Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Parks, escape to the secluded canyon floor via the Kukui Trail, or languish in a fragrant pine forest near the fairyland stream called Kawaikoi, where a refreshing dip cools any hike’s heat. Slip away down one of the many hiking trails where a romantic couple may encounter the legendary rainbow maiden hiding in a mysterious pool beneath a waterfall. Weddings, vow renewals, honeymoons, and romantic getaways on Kauai are the dreams of a lifetime, and the opportunity to live them can become real, right here on Kauai.
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hawaiigateway.com
kauai magazine
april I may I june 2014
Benefits of using a Professional Wedding Planner or Coordinator
Though there is no place on earth more beautiful for a wedding than Kauai, the State of Hawaii requires that you have a marriage license, but makes it easy. Note that a marriage “license” permits a marriage to take place and a marriage “certificate” (prepared and filed by a licensed marriage officiant) indicates that a legal marriage has been performed. Marriage License Information, Eligibility & Applications By phone: (808) 586-4545 or (808) 241-3498 (both available 24/7). By email: vr-info@doh.hawaii.gov Online: Download an application here: www.hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/marriage/index.html In person: Hawaii State Department of Health 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, HI 96766 By appointment only, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Phone: (808) 274-3100.
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PHOTO: DANA NADEAU
One of the oldest traditions in Hawaii is the giving or exchanging of leis. Whether a fragrant flower lei, or a nonperishable lei (seed, shell, feather, paper, or ribbon), the lei is an expression of one’s “Aloha” (love, caring, kindness) for that special person. Professionals use many different methods to make leis. Leis can be made by the stringing method, where “kui” materials are pierced one-by-one through the center sides and held together by a single string. Other methods include “wili,” the winding method, “hili,” the braiding, plaiting method,“haku” arranged in a braid,“kipuu,” the knotting method, and “humu-papa,” the method of sewing to a foundation. In the wedding lei exchange ceremony, the man and woman take turns placing a lei around the neck of the other (always with a kiss), while the officiant speaks of the significance. This ritual lends an elegant and deeply intimate note to your ceremony, one you will remember for a very long time. There are many types of leis from which to choose, but you can’t go wrong with a maile. A lei of the “royal” open-leafed maile is used only at special occasions and celebrations. The leaves dry wonderfully and retain their aroma. Although not all fragrant leis will remain fresh, remember that the thought accompanying each lei is an expression of love, a truly Hawaiian custom, and a sentiment that lasts forever.
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Unless you are commuting weekly to Kauai to plan your wedding, using a local wedding planner/coordinator eliminates the stress of remotely orchestrating the myriad details of a wedding in a destination miles and multiple time zones away. A professional Kauai wedding planner can help you plan, scout for vendors, handle meetings, and coordinate the minutiae. This professional is your on-location advocate and organizer. He/she knows the venues and the providers – and the local pitfalls to avoid. Some hotels and resorts have on-site wedding coordinators and customizable wedding packages, or they contract with independent planners and/or can give you recommendations for local professional coordinators. The Kauai Wedding Professionals Association is a good resource for finding coordinator candidates. For their directory, visit: www.kauaiwedpro.com. See also the Kauai Weddings Travel Directory here: www.bestplaceshawaii.com/kauai/weddings. Using an on-site wedding planner/coordinator allows you to oversee the process and delegate the day-to-day management of the details to your on-the-ground professional -- who reports back to you on progress. You can divide and conquer the tasks, doing those you wish to do and assigning the rest to your coordinator. The wedding planner, for example, can pre-screen vendors (like photographers, etc.) and present the finalists to you for your decision. A wedding on Kauai is your event of a lifetime. A true professional has orchestrated these events dozens of times and knows how to get yours done right the first time – and plan it all while you are literally a world away.
Romantic Rings
Wearing finger bands is a beautiful demonstration of the neverending circle representing eternal love. The perfect ring is a delicate balance between dream and budget. Get the best quality you can afford by working with a professional. The American Gem Society (AGS), founded in 1934, maintains high standards and provides the ability to search for jewelers and appraisers at www.americangemsociety.org . Diamonds, the most durable stones, are the traditional choice for engagement and wedding rings, their flash and sparkle dictated by carat, clarity, color, cut (the 4 C’s). Ask for a Certificate of Origin or other assurances that your diamonds are from a legitimate source, not “conflict diamonds” (funding brutal wars in Africa). Recently, couples have opted for colored stones for a less conventional, more distinctive look. Rubies and sapphires, available in many colors, make great alternatives. Heed the experts’ common sense advice: Buy from a reputable source and take your time finding the right jeweler.
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PHOTO: HAUNANI ROSSI
Getting a Hawaii Marriage License & Certificate
hawaiigateway.com
FUN IN PARADISE
april I may I june 2014
PHOTO: KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / KERRYODA.COM
kauai magazine
Splashing in Paradise Kauai's countless ocean and river experiences A trip to the Garden Island is not complete without some time spent in, on, or under the water. The Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters surrounding the island and Kauai’s sparkling clear inland streams and rivers beckon whale watchers, anglers, boaters, divers, surfers, and other water sport lovers. The dilemma may be what to dive into first. 30
whale-watching cruises A whale-watching ocean tour is an intimate way to experience the awesome Humpback Whale and enjoy the variety of Kauai’s beautiful landscapes from an off-island perspective. Every fall, Humpback Whales leave their Alaskan feeding grounds to journey to the waters of the Hawaiian Islands to sojourn for the winter, mate, birth, and nurse their young. (Whales think that Hawaii is romantic, too!) Whale-watching cruises give you an up-close and personal encounter with these magnificent mammals from about November to March, when Humpbacks are most prevalent. You can choose to whale-watch from aboard catamarans, zippy rubber zodiac rafts, cruise vessels, and sail boats. Some tour companies offer dual-powered (motorized and sailing) catamarans for snorkeling, whale watching, and sunset cruises. Some provide the more extreme rigid-hull zodiac inflatables. Be sure to bring a camera. A waterproof disposable camera is a good idea, as well as a towel and an extra set of dry clothes, because you will get wet. Binoculars will help with closer observation of whale activity. For best viewing with binoculars, use 8x40 or 7x50 magnification. If you don’t have sea legs, consider taking nonprescription or homeopathic motion sickness prevention medication before getting on any ocean craft. Hawaii winter wave swells can be immense and the sea ride can get quite bouncy. Whales abound in the waters all around Kauai, putting on a show with playful behavior such as fin slapping, lobtailing (slapping the tail fluke), and breaching (jumping out of the water). Don’t be surprised to see a school of Spinner dolphins, traveling in parallel pairs along your tour boat, rhythmically leaping out of the sea. Baby dolphins flip themselves into the air with abandon alongside their parents. You may also spot albatross and Boobies (birds which nest and hatch in the caves of the Na Pali cliffs). continued on page 32 hawaiigateway.com
A trip to the Garden Island is not complete without some time spent in, on, or under the water. The Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters surrounding the island and Kauai’s sparkling clear inland streams and rivers beckon whale watchers, anglers, boaters, divers, surfers, and other water sport lovers. The dilemma may be what to dive into first.
kauai magazine
FUN IN PARADISE
april I may I june 2014
continued from page 30 snorkeling, diving, tubing, and swimming Beneath the kayaks’ paddles, the surfboards’ swooshing fins, and the touring catamarans’ bouncing pontoons, lives a cool, quiet blue world that belongs to Kauai’s abundant sea life. Diving and snorkeling tour operators provide instructions on how to use their equipment and even how to get great photographs and videos of your sea adventures. Some of the best snorkeling locations are: Koloa Landing; Lawai Beach; Poipu Beach Park; Lydgate Park; Tunnels Beach; and Kee Beach. Grab a snorkel, mask, and flippers for an afternoon, and enter Kauai’s enchanted underwater world. “Tubing” is a unique experience. Plan to get wet. Tubing takes you on a guided tour through jungles and tunnels using former sugar plantation irrigation waterways while you “float on air,” relaxed on an inner tube. Tubing is an effortless way to tour some of the island’s otherwise inaccessible areas. surfing Surfing, boogie boarding, kite-surfing, and windsurfing are popular water sports on Kauai. If you have a favorite board, you can check it as airline baggage (for an extra fee) or you can rent gear on island. Key spots for surfing include: Polihale; Major’s Bay at Barking Sands; Davidson’s at Kekaha; Pakalas; Poipu Beach; Lawai Beach (also called PKs and Acid Drop); Shipwrecks; Nawiliwili Harbor; Hanalei Bay; Tunnels; and Cannons. Check with local lifeguards and surfers for a report on conditions and be aware of dangerous currents, increasing swells, and rip currents. Windsurfing/kite-surfing spots include: Salt Pond; Mahaulepu; Anini Beach; Hanalei Bay; and Y-Camps (YMCA at Haena). For local wind and surf conditions, call (808) 245-3564 or 245-6001. kayaking Are you ready to dip your paddle in clear fresh water fed by sparkling waterfalls? Or would you rather explore sea caves, cliffs, and waterfalls and then snorkel in a secluded bay or lagoon amid tropical fish? Or both? Then a kayaking tour is the perfect activity for you.
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Millions of years of erosion and weathering have created more plains and rivers on Kauai than on any other Hawaiian island. Kauai’s six rivers are the only navigable rivers in Hawaii: Waimea; Hanapepe; Huleia; Wailua; Kalihiwai; and Hanalei. Via river kayaking, you can discover tropical rainforests, woods, and swampy jungles amidst a profusion of colorful flowers and butterflies. Most kayak tour operators offer waterfalls tours combining a perfect blend of paddling, hiking, swimming, and picnicking at places like Secret Falls up the Wailua River. fresh-water fishing Anglers may be surprised to learn that freshwater fishing for trout and bass on Kauai’s rivers, ponds, streams, and reservoirs is remarkable. You can trout fish at Kokee State Park (on Kauai’s west side) in designated streams, reservoirs, and “ditches.” Trout fishing season begins with a 16-day period in August and continues on weekends and holidays through September. Large-mouth bass, small-mouth bass, and the exotic South American peacock bass have been caught in Kauai’s reservoirs. Fishing licenses are required and available online at http:// www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/licenses.htm. For more information, call the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources at (808) 274-3344. deep-sea fishing If you are hooked on deep-sea fishing, both exclusive and shared charter trips are available. Shared charters reduce your cost, but fish caught on shared trips are divided among passengers. Excursions can vary from several hours long to up to two-day overnight adventures to remote fishing spots around the island. On these exciting excursions, you fish for ono, billfish, ahi, mahi-mahi, and more. For fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, surfing, sailing, whalewatching, Kauai is happy to bathe you in multiple water sports. Whatever ways you choose to get wet – in, on, or under the water – the experience is bound to be therapeutic in the magical waters surrounding Kauai. W hawaiigateway.com
april I may I june 2014
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Business Event kauai magazine
A Blessing for Smooth Sailing
n the grey twilight under overcast skies, guest services representatives from the St. Regis Hotel, Kukui‘ula Club, North Shore Limo and other world-class visitor industry businesses on Kauai eagerly step on board the new Northern Star luxury sailing catamaran being blessed that night as the latest addition to the fleet of Capt. Andy's Sailing Adventures. by Judah Freed The blessing of any new enterprise light rain now begins to fall outside as is a sacred Hawaiian tradition. In the cabin quickly becomes packed with this case, the blessing of this new 65people. foot sailing yacht signals a significant Someone remarks that rain is business expansion for one of the a blessing from the goddess, so the pioneers of the Kauai visitor industry, timing could not be any more perfect Captain Andy Evans, who stands at for beginning the ceremony. the gangplank to welcome his arriving Capt Andy opens with a few guests. remarks about the story behind new Those invited to attend the sailing yacht, He adds that his new exclusive evening event, personally yacht will support his entire team's catered by Hukilau Lanai head chef efforts to protect and preserve the Ron Miller, realize they are among the Napali Coast. In fact, he had spent the privileged few. Everyone seems to share day at a meeting of island residents the atmosphere of expectancy. who are working together for sustaining Andy Evans embarked on this the Napali ecosystem journey back in 1980 when he began He next talks about his crew. He offering coastal excursions on his first praises their devotion to giving every sailboat, based out of Kukui‘ula Harbor passenger a memorable, enjoyable and on the South Shore. The sugarcane powerful experience of Kauai that they plantation system was still the dominant will carry with them back to their home economic force on Kauai, yet the communities. He speaks in terms of Garden Island had begun enjoying the touching people's hearts and souls. influx of the tourists already overflowing For him and his team, he explains, this nearby Oahu. Today more than a is more than a business. Each coastal million visitors a year arrive on Kauai. journey is a spiritual adventure that By adding another luxury yacht to his Capt. Any Evans speaks about his changes lives. fleet, Capt. Andy confirms faith in a At this point, Capt Andy introduces sea change from agriculture to tourism life journey at the blessing ceremony Kelvin Ho, an early crew member, who as the dominant economic force on the for The Northern Star luxury sailing will lead tonight's blessing ceremony, Garden Island. catamaran. just as he has led the blessing of every As more boats and more crews new craft added to Captain Andy's fleet. were added to meet the growing Kelvin brings to the ritual his lengthy Kauai waters, the craft was custom outfitted demand, Capt. Andy's operation grew to include sailing yacht and Zodiac raft for Capt. Andy's tours. The new Northern Star, and deep involvement in traditional Hawaiian expeditions from the South Shore with an for instance, arrived with a full galley like the culture, which he also applies as one of the emphasis on Napali Coast tours along with Southern Star, but this was removed to make island's most popular wedding officiants. Kelvin interweaves a leafy garland snorkeling trips and romantic sunset cruises. room for more seating. Food on the Northern Whale watching trips are a seasonal specialty Star now is prepared on board using a quality among the crew members. After a prayer and gas barbeque grill or else in the headquarters a sacred song in Hawaiian, he brings out a along with charter excursions. coconut, inviting the team members to hold All rafting tours leave out of Kikiaola kitchens at the Port Allen Marina. Another addition to both the Northern the coconut and say what is in their hearts. Harbor in Kekaha. The sunset sailing trips Among those who share stories are Dave leave out of Kukui‘ula Harbor in Poipu. The Star and Southern Star are a pair of trampolines Northern Star and Southern Star sailing in the bows, so passengers can spring into the Wooley, Capt. Andy's first crew member and later his first captain, plus Bernard Matsumoto catamarans depart from the Port Allen Marina, water. On this particular evening, guests arriving and Calvin Chow, who together as a team grew where the business is based. Capt. Andy purchased every new for the blessing first board the Southern Star from early crew members into key leadership sailboat and luxury catamaran from Gold and walk across the bow to step onto the positions in the organization. Just as the ceremony ends, so does the Coast Yachts on Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin new Northern Star. A crew member stands Islands. In each instance, a select crew flew to by, making sure each person safely crosses rain. The crew lays out a Hukuilau Lanai feast the Caribbean and sailed the craft through the the narrow gap between the two catamarans, in the cabins of both the Northern Star and the Southern Star. By the time the party begins to Panama Canal and navigated the open waters which are lashed together for this event. Soon everyone is on board the Northern thin, the night is dark, and bright days await of the Pacific Ocean to bring the new vessel Star and holds drinks or beverages ordered ahead. r safely back to Kauai. Once the luxury yacht was moored in from the full-service bar in the main cabin. A hawaiigateway.com
A playful yet soulful Friday evening gathering at the Port Allen pier marks a sea change for the visitor industry on Kauai.
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FUN IN PARADISE
april I may I june 2014
PHOTO: KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / KERRYODA.COM
kauai magazine
touring in paradise Experiencing paradise by wheel, hoof, or foot Kauai is "Gilligan’s Island"? Yes — and Gaynor’s Bali Hai (South Pacific), Jurassic Park’s parkland, George’s jungle, the boss’ "Fantasy Island", Hook’s Neverland, Elvis’ Blue Hawaii, Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder, James Cameron’s Avatar, among others. The island of Kauai has been the setting for dozens of movies and television shows since the early 1930’s.
The varied climate and geography provide virtually every type of outdoor scenery imaginable. These same exquisite landscapes and gorgeous weather are main attractions for non-actors, too. Organized movie tours in mini-busses or a 4x4 off-road van are a great way not only to see the locations of well-known films, but also to experience dramatic parts of the island that would otherwise not be accessible. The more adventurous explorer might choose to chart a path through
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Kauai’s wilderness in a four-wheel drive or an ATV. If two wheels are your idea of fun, then bicycling down the Waimea Canyon may be your answer. Perhaps a romantic ride on horseback is your fancy. Ecotourism, nature, and culture-based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports local communities is gaining in popularity on the island. Whatever your mode of transportation, a sightseeing tour of Kauai’s exquisite scenery will be a day to record and remember.
ON FOOT
hiking Your own two feet are one of the best ways to see the most inaccessible of Kauai’s scenic gems. Dozens of hikes are possible across the island where you’ll enjoy vistas, beaches, waterfalls, and even a swamp that cannot be seen using any other type of transportation. For maps and details covering 34 major hiking trails on Kauai, visit Na Ala Hele, the State of Hawaii Trail and Access Program (administered by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources) at: http://www.hawaiitrails.org/island.asp?island=Kauai. Not included on the State’s list (referenced above) is the infamous Kalalau Trail, an 11-mile strenuous coastal walkabout beginning at Kee continued on page 36
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Beach (at the end of Highway 560) and traveling deep into the Kalalau Valley. Accessible in summer months only, hikers usually take 3-5 days to hike in and out of Kalalau (permit required) which provides unparalleled and stunning views of the Na Pali Coast hanging on the Pacific Ocean. For a shorter, permit-free day trip, trek 2 miles along the coastal Kalalau Trail to the violent surf of Hanakapiai Beach and then another 2 miles inland to the spectacular Hanakapiai Falls, a long, silvery ribbon of water gushing into a large, cool pool, into which you may be happy to throw yourself after the 4-mile fatiguing hike. For permits, call the DLNR at 808 274-3433. luau After all that trekking, you’ll be famished. The luau, which involves parts of your anatomy other than your feet, is an exotic, South Pacificstyle celebration of food, color, style, history, music, and dance. Women in grass skirts, men in face paint, authentic fire dancers (a Samoan convention), and traditional music showcase the cultures and customs of Polynesia. Many luaus are located on beautiful estates adjacent to beaches with a view of the setting sun over the ocean. A typical luau may begin with a flower lei greeting, followed by a traditional Hawaiian “Imu Ceremony,” the uncovering of the roast Kalua pig from its imu (underground oven). Guests then dine on a delicious feast of Hawaiian-style food. In addition to the pig, luau foods typically include poi (taro), chicken, lomi salmon, haupia or coconut custard, sweet potato, salad, fish, rice and many specialty items, such as laulau (individual packets of fish cooked with the pig) and mahi mahi (a delicate white fish). Of course, no modern luau would be complete without mandatory mai tais. The luau feast is accompanied by an energy-filled, live show of pounding drum rhythms and luau dancers who tell the story of Hawaii through their enchanting hula. Visit www.BestPlacesHawaii.com for the most recent listings of luaus. It’s a good idea to book your reservations well in advance as seating is limited and the most popular luaus sell out early. The luau is an unforgettable experience that tickles the nose with savory scents, entices the palate with delicious flavors, pleases the eyes with colorful entertainment, and bathes the ear in exotic music. Enjoy the enchantment of the luau, Hawaii’s homegrown celebration for a full immersion in Hawaiian culture.
WHEELING ATVs For those who crave a wilder ride and don’t mind getting dirty and wet, many of the location sites can be toured via ATVs, rolling through streams and into forests over rocks, following the Huleia River, where Indiana Jones took off in his seaplane. ATVs are easy to operate and prior experience isn’t necessary — just a willingness to get splattered from head to toe in Kauai’s classical red dirt. Some providers travel through private estate lands, into the island’s interior, to waterfalls and along mountain ridges. Some trips bounce along old cane roads and tunnels and explore tropical forests and lush jungles. movie location tours Five-hour guided and narrated tours trek to many of Kauai’s movie locations. Among them are the remote beach where the pilot for the TV show Gilligan’s Island was shot, the famous, and underrenovation Coco Palms resort, where Elvis’ Blue Hawaii was filmed, and locations for such productions as South Pacific, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Six Days, Seven Nights, and Jurassic Park. Passengers in buses view actual scenes from films and television shows on a TV monitor in surround sound. A nice way to see quite a bit of the island is from the comfort of such a touring van.
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Tour stops may include Opaekaa Falls, one of Kauai’s many beautiful waterfalls on the East Side of the island. Other sites in the tour include Lydgate Beach Park, the famous Wailua Falls (used in the opening scene of the Fantasy Island TV series), and Hanamaulu Bay, a location for Donovan’s Reef, Voodoo Island, Pagan Love Song, and Six Days, Seven Nights. motorcycles There’s nothing like riding a motorcycle in paradise. The roads from Kee Beach to Kekaha are lined with spectacular scenery, beaches, parks and lots of fresh clean air, taking all this in is an experience only a motorcycle trip can offer. You can rent motorcycles that fit your riding ability and budget. 4x4 vehicles Some 4x4 tour companies offer tours in rugged air conditioned off-road vans, while others tour in open-air vehicles. One tour takes you to Kipu Ranch, a spectacular 2,500-acre ranch just south of Lihue, featuring a dramatic grand entrance lined with majestic Norfolk pines. The ranch has been used repeatedly in Hollywood hits such as Diamond Head and The Hawaiians, both starring Charlton Heston, and Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Lost World, sequel to Jurassic Park. Other films shot on the Kipu Ranch include Outbreak and the 1997 remake of Mighty Joe Young. Other companies take you on spectacular off-road tours, including to Kokee State Park with panoramic vistas of Waimea Canyon that can only be seen from taking one of these tours. bicycles If pedaling is your preference, you could book a bicycle tour of the Waimea Canyon starting at the crack of dawn. Begin at the rim (elevation, 3,500 feet) of the famed canyon and traverse down 12 miles of winding road skirting this “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” (so dubbed by Mark Twain) all the way to the blue Pacific Ocean. Bikers will experience the gorgeous reds, oranges, and earth tones of the layered canyon walls. Or get off the beaten track with a cruise along the scenic roads of the private Grove Farm Plantation. Pedal past various crops, the now defunct Koloa Sugar Mill, and enjoy some of Kauai’s pristine coastline. There are also several bicycle rental companies for those that wish to explore in a small group or on their own. Maps are available for the best, and safest, places to ride.
HORSING AROUND
Touring Kauai on horseback is a romantic and unique way to see the island’s abundant natural and inner beauty. On the South Shore, saddle-up for a horseback ride along the beautifully sculpted Mahaulepu cliffs. Mosey along sandy white beaches and stop for a swim. On Kauai’s North Shore, take a leisurely horseback ride to gaze upon the majestic emerald mountains of Hanalei (where you just might see “Puff the Magic Dragon”) and the patchwork squares of taro fields in the valley. Then stop for a swim in the pool of a cascading waterfall. No matter how you make the trek — on two wheels, four wheels, two legs or four legs — Kauai’s trails, canyons, cliffs, mountains, beaches, fairways, and rolling hills are waiting for you to put yourself in the picture and explore and capture the inner secrets of the land of the Garden Island. I
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PHOTO: KERRY ODA FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY / KERRYODA.COM
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Napali Coast
Flying In Paradise Discovering Kauai’s Hidden Wonders from Above Visitors to the Garden Isle naturally want to absorb as much of paradise as possible. Those who arrive on Kauai by jetliner get just a glimpse of the island’s breathtakingly gorgeous landscapes. However, to view the gushing waterfalls and emerald rainforest of the remote interior requires a smaller form of transportation that provides a closer perspective. 40
A trip to the Garden Island is not complete without some form of an airborne adventure -- one of the three experiences of Kauai’s air-land-sea activity trifecta. Kauai is blessed with wild, untouched natural beauty unlike anywhere else on earth, much completely inaccessible except by air. Ninety percent of the island is not accessible by land vehicle, and 70 percent is inaccessible by foot. Flying tours provide panoramic views of the island’s visual treasures, among them, Manawaiopuna Falls, a location for Jurassic Park, the countless cascading falls of Waialeale Crater, and the famous Napali coast, with its verdant, razor-thin cliffs. A trip around the island by air helps visitors understand the geography and decide which sides of the island they want to explore further. From the air, a passenger observes that Kauai is a mini-continent with micro-climates ranging from desert on the West Side, to the primeval Alakai Swamp above the emerald Napali cliffs, to the Waimea “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” one of Kauai’s natural wonders. helicopters You can embark on one of these exciting flight seeing excursions in a number of ways. Helicopter tours are the most common method with most companies departing from Lihue (Central) . Others depart from Hanapepe (West Side), , and Princeville (North Shore). Some helicopter tour companies provide noise-canceling headphones with music piped in and narration from the pilot. continued on page 42 hawaiigateway.com
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Napali Coast continued from page 40 Flights from the Lihue Airport typically start out over Nawiliwili Harbor and the Menehune Fish Pond. According to legend, the pond was built overnight by the Menehune (little people) who inhabited Kauai before the Polynesians arrived. The helicopters then pass along Haupu Mountain Range, heading inland and westward over Hanapepe Valley, Olokele, and the dramatic Waimea Canyon. One company offers a special Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure at Manawaiopuna Falls, seen in the movie Jurassic Park. Depending on the time of day, the intensity of the sun, and the presence of clouds casting shadows, the variegated colors in the canyon’s layers range from fiery orange and rust red, to glowing copper and bronze, to pastel hues of taupe and terra-cotta. The incredible remote valleys of the Napali coast come into view next. Knife-edge ridges separate the lush valleys where the Kalalau, Hanakoa, and Hanakapiai waterfalls plunge hundreds of feet into streams on their way to kissing the ocean. Sea caves and a hanging valley have been carved out of the coastline by the incessant, pounding surf. Leaving Napali, the chopper passes Mt. Makana, the peak portrayed as the island Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific. Below you can see Kee Beach at the end of the road on the North Shore and the beginning of the eleven-mile hiking trail to Kalalau Valley. Kee Beach is also the site of well-known beach scene between Rachel Ward and Richard Chamberlain from the television mini-series the Thorn Birds. The helicopter next soars over Hanalei Valley, the home of rainbows and patchwork quilts of taro fields, passing by more sparkling waterfalls on its way to the center of the island. In the center of Kauai, Mt. Waialeale -- known as “the wettest spot on earth” with over 400 inches of rain annually -- is also the location of Kawaikini Peak, 5,243 feet above sea level and the highest elevation on Kauai. From above, you can spot the “Blue Hole,” actually a pool, at the base of Mt. Waialeale, and the result of the convergence of two streams and a waterfall. Flights departing from Princeville soar over the Hanalei Valley, the Napali Coast, and Waimea Canyon. One helicopter company provides tours of the “forbidden” island of Niihau, a private island off the west shores of Kauai (and ancestral home of Hawaiian musician Israel “Iz”
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Kamakawiwo’ole, known for his medley of “Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World”). Helicopter tours are operated on a weather-permitting basis and reservations should be made in advance. Some companies will arrange custom tours or photo charters to specific sites. Partly cloudy skies with a little rain shouldn’t keep visitors from taking a flight. A veil of mist behind a pali (cliff) accentuates its razor-sharp edge and, as everyone knows, sun and showers are the ingredients for Kauai’s world-famous rainbows (and sometimes double rainbows). fixed-wing airplanes A slower, more relaxed adventure by air is via a small, fixed-wing airplane or an open cockpit biplane. Fixed-wing air tours are 30 minutes to one hour or longer and cover the entire island of Kauai. You’ll enjoy aerial views of the Tree Tunnel, Waimea Canyon, the majestic Napali Coastline including the famous valleys of Kalalau, Hanakapiai, Nualolo, and Milolii. You’ll also see Lumahai Beach, Hanalei River Valley, numerous cascading waterfalls, miles of beautiful coastline, and many other scenic views. Fixed-wing air tours are 45 minutes to one hour or longer and cover the entire island of Kauai. Also available is a private charter biplane, departing from Lihue, which allow customized flights. These planes are built to emulate aircraft from the 1930s and 1940s, but with state-of-the-art modern modifications for safety and comfort. ultralights For those who have dreamed of being able to fly, the Ultralight “Trike” – an open-air two-person engine-powered hang glider -- emulates the experience. The Ultralight is as close to real flying (as in, “I’m a bird!”) as you may ever experience. Combine the thrill of this open-air, wind-in-your-hair ride with Kauai’s spectacular scenery and you have an experience better than any dream. The craft is stable, considered to be safer than hang-gliding, features the latest digital instrumentation and global positioning systems, and is engine-powered. The Ultralight takes off and lands on regular runways and has parachutes onboard for safety. If you’ve seen the movie Fly Away Home, the contraption that Jeff Daniels flies to lead a flock of orphaned Canadian geese home (though not on Kauai) is an Ultralight. For incredible images of Kauai taken from the vantage point of an Ultralight, check out the video, Extreme Kauai, available at http://www.bestbookshawaii.com. One of the main reasons visitors choose Kauai as their vacation destination is the island’s incomparable natural beauty. x
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