WAI OLA MAGAZINE
Wai Ola THE LIFESTYLE OF THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
| VOL. IV
Treat ! f l e s r u o Y
St. Regis
Located in the Lobby on the 9th Floor
9:30am - 9:00PM daily
808.826.6555
ValVanBalen.com
Award winning designs, exceptional quality and unsurpassed service. All gemstones, diamonds, pearls are unique and certified. The exclusive Van Balen line is handmade on Kauai, Hawaii.
THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
Princeville, Kauai
FOOD + WINE
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SPA + WELLNESS
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SPORT + ADVENTURE
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FAMILY + CULTURE
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forWAIthe adventure of a lifetime. OLA MAGAZINE
For reservations call St. Regis Hotel concierge or (808)
245-8881
www.sunshinehelicopters.com
M AK E K AU A I YO UR HOME CONNECTING PEOPLE TO KAUAI WITH ALOHA SINCE 1978
L e t ’s E x p l o r e t h e P o s s i b i l i t i e s ww w. b al i h ai . c o m
R e a l E s t a t e S a l e s ~ Va c a t i o n R e n t a l s ~ 8 0 8 . 8 2 6 . 7 2 4 4 L oc a t ed i n Han alei To w n 5 - 5 0 8 8 K u h io Hw y, P.O. Box 930, Ha na l ei Ba y, Ka ua i , HI 96714 • Tel : 808.826.7244 • Fa x: 8 0 8 .8 2 6 .6 1 5 7 Each office is independently owned and operated
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E KOMO MAI Welcome to our Island Home! It is my pleasure to introduce Volume IV of our in-house publication Wai Ola Magazine. In Hawaiian, Wai Ola means “The Water of Life”. In ancient times, the north shore of Kauai was known for its abundant fresh water (wai) sources. Water was so important in daily life, that the Hawaiian word for wealth or money is waiwai. Water was also attributed to promote health, well-being and rejuvenation. Wai Ola Magazine truly captures the essence of Kaua‘i’s majestic natural beauty, from its pristine white sand beaches,
lush Hawaiian forests and ocean tide pools. Through each page, you will discover the people and treasured places unique to this tropical destination. As Hawaii’s address for life’s special moments, such as weddings, anniversaries and honeymoon celebrations, our location is a place where many lifelong journeys begin. Whether our couples choose to dine al fresco beneath a canopy of stars— or choose an intimate gathering for family and friends—every moment is a cherished memory in the making. For those in pursuit of sports and recreation, explore the quaint communities of Hanalei and Kïlauea, ride horseback along the majestic Na Molokama mountain range or kayak the idyllic Hanalei River. Our resort guests enjoy a wide range of ocean sports and eco-adventures from stand up paddling, surfing lessons, snorkeling to hiking the dramatic Napali Coastline. For our golf enthusiasts, enjoy Princeville’s premiere Makai Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones, II. Consistently ranked among America’s finest golfing experiences, the Princeville Makai is a notable feat. At the St. Regis Princeville Resort our experienced staff ensures that each of our guests receives the highest level of care and attention. From our bespoke service to unparalleled signature amenities, we hope you will allow us to provide all the elements necessary to surpass your expectations and create an enchanting experience in paradise! Mahalo for being our guest, Todd Raessler General Manager
THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
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CONTENTS
FEATURES 8 What We Love 18 Timeless Service 20 California Dreamin’ 24 Ceremoniously Yours 28 Colors of Kaua‘i 36 Queen Emma 40 Heartbeat of Hawai‘i 44 Princeville: Kaua‘i’s Crown Jewel
48 Back Stage: Exclusive Kaua‘i Movie Set Tour 54 Culinary Q&A 57 Wordly Wines 60 Signature Pairs 66 Inspired by the View 74 Farmers Markets 76 Gardening with a Purpose
80 The Art of Signature Service
84 Halele‘a Spa 89 ‘Ohana Adventures 94 Epic Holes 96 Ancient Nāpali 104 Rooted in History 106 Native Nature 78 My Kauai: Head Butler’s 108 Kaua‘i Beach Guide Guide to the Island
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CONTENTS The St. Regis Princeville Resort Island of Kaua‘i stregisprinceville.com (808) 826-9644
PUBLISHER Kevin Geiger EDITOR IN CHIEF Mun Sok Geiger
DEPARTMENTS 35 FAMILY & CULTURE
Kaua‘i is rich in culture and tradition, which is why we have developed personalized programs that give both children and adults the opportunity to experience meaningful activities that incorporate science, culture and fun.
52 EPICUREAN EXPERIENCES
Kaua‘i is an island nearly as famous for its tastes as its sights. Embark on a culinary journey scripted by awarding-winning chefs, where the kitchen of our 5 star restaurant is a den of masterful culinary creativity that utilize ingredients farmed or produced on Kaua‘i to create meals of striking originality.
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82 SPA & WELLNESS
A day at Halele‘a Spa revitalizes your every sense. Here, a menu of exotic treatments promise blissful diversions, enhanced by essences of local Hawaiian fruit and flora.
88 SPORT & ADVENTURE
At The St. Regis Princeville Resort, leisure takes many forms. Explore the majestic landscape of the Island and create an adrenaline-pumping itinerary that fits your mood, or simply relax by the pool. Whatever your interests, you are limited only by the date of your departure.
PHOTOGRAPHY Ian McGuire COVER IMAGE Ian McGuire CONTRIBUTORS Brooke Rehmann Krystal Kakimoto Andy Beth Miller Dominque DeFelice Mary Troy Johnston Coco Zickos Judy Tsuei Joseph Kwak www.traveler.media www.theory.co
EXPERIENCE DESIGN
©Copyright 2018 Traveler Media. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the publisher is prohibited. Traveler Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied in its publications. However, due to unavoidable circumstance of change, whether it is the forces of nature or manmade, the information is not guaranteed. Traveler Media is not responsible or liable in any way for any loss or damage incurred as a result from the information supplied in any and all forms of media or communications. Printed in Hong Kong.
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WHAT WE LOVE
WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO
Sushi! Authentic Japanese sushi can be found at The St. Regis Bar where guests are invited to enjoy an up close and personal dining experience with Sushi Chefs Sonny Chang and Ronnie Manzano. Both long-time members of The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s culinary team, Chang and Manzano guide guests through their dining experiences while expertly crafting dishes to delight palates. Their Sake Brine Goose Bay Oysters are a favorite option to begin meals with because of the umami flavors found within the dish—a combination of sweet, salty, sour, and savory—which opens the palate and ignites hunger. Served with Kauai Co. Hot Sauce, house-made lilikoÿi (passion fruit) mignonette wasabi cocktail sauce, and Hawaiian chili water, this dish begs to be enjoyed with a serving of smooth Crown Royal whose light fruit note will mingle well with the lilikoÿi flavors of the mignonette and the floral notes found in the sake brine.
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For guests wanting to enjoy a selection of crowd-favorites from the sushi bar, the Sunset Platter offers some of the most popular sushi dishes including an assortment of nigiri, ÿahi (yellowfin tuna), Hamachi salmon, sweet ebi (shrimp), savory unagi (freshwater eel), California roll with layers of sweet crab, crunchy cucumber, and creamy avocado, and the local favorite—spicy tuna roll featuring tender chunks of ÿahi blended with a housemade spicy sauce rolled in steamed white rice. With this sampler, the Habiki Whiskey is a popular choice—the unparalleled spice and complexity in this whiskey has the layers and range to match the many flavors found on the Sunset Platter. The St. Regis Bar: (808) 826-9644; beverages served daily from 3:30pm to 11pm and sushi/appetizers served daily from 5:30pm to 10pm.
WHAT WE LOVE
Sunset Sabering As day transitions to evening, guests at The St. Regis Princeville Resort are invited to gather at The St. Regis Bar to witness the Sabering Sunset Ritual—one of the longest held traditions of The St. Regis Hotels. The chosen bottle of Champagne is expertly opened with one swift stroke from a ceremonial saber aimed towards the sky, followed by a free-flow of Champagne to the Earth. This theatrical way of enjoying Champagne dates back to the days of Napoléon Bonaparte who believed Champagne should be enjoyed both in victory and defeat. John Jacob Astor IV, American businessman and founder of the original St. Regis Hotel, later adopted this dramatic practice in the 1900s. At the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City, Astor delighted guests who gathered to watch the sabering of a bottle of Champagne and share a toast to another day enjoyed. Today, St. Regis Hotels around the globe continue the traditional Sabering Sunset Ritual where guests can partake in a bit of St. Regis history and pay honor to another day well spent. For more information on the Sabering Sunset Ritual, contact The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s concierge at (808) 826-9644.
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Voted Best Experience in Hawaii
H.COm PRINCEVILLERANC 9 or ca ll 8 0 8 -8 2 6 -7 6 6
WHAT WE LOVE
Kauai Coffee There’s something brewing at The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s Napali Café! Guests are invited to savor the latest collaboration between The St. Regis Princeville Resort and Kauai Coffee Company. This exclusive dark roast will awaken your senses with the deep aromas of exotic spices mingling with warm hints of chocolate and a mysterious intrigue of smoke. With a round body and full flavor, this select blend will satisfy your coffee fix with the warmth of the islands. When choosing a company to work with, The St. Regis Princeville Resort selected the Kauai Coffee Company because of their desire to support local farmers and growers and also because of the long legacy the Kauai Coffee Company offers. Known as the largest coffee estate in Hawaiÿi, the Kauai Coffee Company produces true estate coffee with coffee beans grown, roasted, and packaged on-site. Grown in rich volcanic soils, nourished by abundant mountain rains, and warmed by the Pacific sun, the coffee beans produced by the Kauai Coffee Company are unparalleled in quality and taste. With this first collaboration available for guests to try now, The St. Regis Princeville Resort and Kauai Coffee Company are preparing future releases of different roasts and blends to correspond to the flavors and mood of the changing seasons. Napali Café: (808) 826-9644; open daily from 6am to noon. 12
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Deluxe Snorkel & Sunset Dinner Cruises | Snorkel Raft Adventures
Voted #1, Best Kauai Boat Tour, Six Times! Whale Watching Dec. - April. Tour programs subject to seasonal changes and ocean conditions.
Call Us Toll Free: 1-800-733-7997
Amazing
DOLPHIN Encounters on morning tours
See Dolphins, Whales & Spectacular Na Pali!
WHAT WE LOVE
Paddle the Bay Centuries ago, the people of Polynesia embarked on a journey that would carry them across the Pacific Ocean to a chain of islands that they settled and is known today as the Hawaiian Islands. Aboard their sturdy outrigger canoes, they packed food, clothing, livestock, and carried their lives a vast distance to discover uncharted territories. For this reason, outrigger canoes are held as important objects for the people of the Pacific. The St. Regis Princeville Resort is excited to share its own newly built Hawaiian outrigger surfing canoe with their guests and honor the rich heritage of the outrigger canoe in the islands. Guests are invited to partake in a one-hour canoe surfing adventure. Depending on wave and ocean conditions, guests will have the opportunity to surf the waves of Hanalei Bay. As a hands-on sport all participants will paddle under the guidance of an experienced waterman of the sea. During this journey, the history and cultural significance of outrigger canoes will be shared. Reservations are required and can be coordinated by visiting the Pool Activity Desk or calling the concierge at (808) 826-9644.
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WHAT WE LOVE
Majestic Views at Makai At the award-winning Princeville Makai Golf Club, guests are offered a rare opportunity to catch some of the most exquisite sunset views during their Sunset Golf Tours. Beginning at 4pm daily, guests are invited to board golf carts to embark on a self-guided tour of this majestic course while enjoying unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Originally designed in 1971, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed golf course underwent a redesign in 2009 and winds its way around serene lakes, native woodlands, and stunning coastline views of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay. While some enjoy this tour as a leisurely end to the day, others partake in this tour as a unique pre-dinner experience. Enjoying the gentle trade winds with a loved one as you leisurely glide across the award-winning course stopping from time-to-time to enjoy the striking colors in the sky as the sun dips into the Pacific Ocean. For more information or to reserve your cart, contact the concierge at (808) 826-9644.
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Tours of Tours of
KAUAI
Na Pali Coast
Sunset Dinner Cruise
and the FORBIDDEN ISLAND of Niihau
Snorkel Adventure Tours Spacious Catamarans
Rafting Tours
Whale Watching
Guaranteed Dolphins
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Ask us about scuba diving!
808-335-5553
www.bluedolphinkauai.com
KAUAI Can you find all 15 dolphins? Call us for hints!
TALK STORY
Timeless
THE ENDURING SERVICE OF THE AGUINALDO SISTERS
What are the total years your family have been working at The St. Regis Princeville Resort? 132 years. How did you all start working at the resort? We were given the opportunity to move to Kaua‘i from the Philippines for a new beginning with our parents and siblings. What’s your favorite part about working at The St. Regis Princeville Resort in general? Our favorite parts about working at The St. Regis Princeville Resort are our co-workers and the many people we have been fortunate to meet. Our guests show their appreciation to us on a daily basis for the work that we do to clean and prepare their rooms. What’s your favorite part about working at The St. Regis Princeville Resort as a family? Over the many years, we have been proud to have multiple generations of family members as part of the Princeville ‘ohana (family). As sisters, we always have a lunch partner! What are some of your most memorable guest moments? We like to see our guests happy and that they are enjoying the beauty of our island home. It is our hope that they will return again on a future visit, and that it’s important to us to do the very best job possible.
Lucky you live Hawai'i because...…
We’ve had the opportunity to work and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We truly enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, going to the beach, backyard barbeques with family and friends, and of course, the Aloha Spirit of the Islands. Life is great on Kaua‘i!
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The Aguinaldo Sisters, pictured from left to right: Marlene Jarquio, Lucrecia Sagucio, Rowena Aguinaldo, Glorina Aguinaldo and Nora Montero
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CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
with Aloha
Riding the wave of their well-earned success, Britt and Heidi Merrick are a dynamic brother and sister entrepreneurial duo who have surfing in their blood. A forthcoming collaboration with The St. Regis Princeville Resort on an exclusive surfboard, we sit down with Heidi to share with us a bit about this new endeavor, Britt Merrick for H. Merrick Surf Boards.
It’s a rare and wonderful thing to see siblings in business together. Can you share a bit about what it’s like working so closely with your brother? This is our first official collaboration, but we’ve spent a lifetime simultaneously torturing and encouraging each other. We were raised under the same roof in a business and manufacturing family, so that is really second nature to us both. I’m not sure what he’s good at. Just kidding! He obviously has the actual surfboard shaping skills; I have an ability and tendency to think of product and function more existentially—probably too much art school stuff. We see eye-to-eye in terms of business and marketing— that’s just inherent in our upbringing.
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Speaking of your upbringing, we’re told you and Britt are the children of Channel Islands Surfboards’ legendary founder and shaper, Al Merrick. How did growing up surrounded by all things surf shape your own interests and inspire you for your present business endeavors? I can’t speak for my brother, but I can say my parents did an extraordinary job at showing us how to think and create for ourselves. We didn’t see boundaries that I think some people do. When you have people that are the best in the world at what they do eating dinner at your table [the best surfers from all over the world], everything seems a little more accessible. Any lessons, from your father, which have proven pivotal to your own success along the way? Watching him work, watching him succeed, and watching him deal with his relationship to who he actually is, as opposed to who the world thinks and expects him to be—seeing that whole process makes it easy to know I’m not my work. It doesn’t define me. I have an ability to stay sort of grounded—stay myself. I think you can glean a lot of wisdom from watching a real person and success. We’re told that your parents built the Channel Islands Surfboards empire from the ground up, starting small and focusing on product to person business. How has this influenced your own approach? I think it’s been foundational in the way I approach business because I let myself be small. I’ve followed my instincts, and I never let anyone tell me what type of designer I am. People love to give you one-liners and brand you—tell you this or that is your signature piece. I have the confidence to say, “Whatever,” which is a true blessing. Now for specifics, can you tell us a bit about this exclusive surfboard line designed by you and your brother, Britt? We call it California Winter, and the boards are guns made for California swells. I’d been envisioning this installation for my store, and when I drew it for my brother, he told me the shape of the boards looked like something he’d been working on for Dane Reynolds. We started there and developed these beautiful boards that have become signatures in my collections. We are working on developing a board for The St Regis Princeville Resort, which is super exciting and inspired by Hawaiÿi. I had an earlier collaboration with them on a limited-edition collection of beachwear. It’s been a crazy year, but Britt and I can’t wait to spend time together and do something beautiful. Well, you two obviously work well together as you both have come out of the process, thus far, alive! Britt and I both have big personalities. He’s obviously alpha when we’re together, mainly because he’s 6’6” and older, much, much older, ha ha. When we get together, you don’t know what you’re going to get. We’re going to think it’s funny though, and there will be punching, and some tricking—that’s how I get a shot in!
Hilarious! But back to your boards, which have been described as “equal parts high-performance and works of art.” What inspires you in regard to infusing both of these characteristics in your design? There is something to the shape and silhouette of a surfboard that speaks to me in a way that makes me want to show people. With our installations, we do a repetition of five boards in different sizes, but with the same shape. The repetition of silhouette represented in different hues helps you see the intricacy of the design that you may not have seen looking at just one board. I wanted to show the beauty and research that goes into developing a high-performance board. When you add color and keep it simple, it reflects the deeper process of a designer. When I’m creating a dress, I’m imagining a certain silhouette as it pertains to different sizes, and then I add seasons and colors and the process becomes endless. These boards are a sort of homage to that process and the thought and work that goes into it. -by Andy Beth Miller THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
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Ceremoniously YOURS WORDS MARY TROY JOHNSTON
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T
he St. Regis Princeville Resort prides itself on being the choice venue for celebrating events and life itself, providing romantic, exquisite, and rare experiences that guests can only cherish and enshrine in nostalgic memories. In particular, The St. Regis Princeville Resort is ideally situated to transport guests away from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sipping Champagne on the terrace, engaging in a romantic dinner, or privately luxuriating in an oceanfront cabana, guests realize they have entered the realm of celebration and that The St. Regis has mastered the art. From the time guests set foot into the grand lobby they are immediately awestruck by the most spectacular natural images imaginable seen through the floor to ceiling glass windows that open out onto the Pacific. The almost indescribable scenery overlooks Hanalei Bay and Mount Makana (gift), a peak also known as Bali Hai from the movie South Pacific. The allure of Makana is a part of the lore of Kauaÿi, retold by a member of the distinguished food and beverage team, who dons the hat of master storyteller for the nightly ceremony of sabrage (slicing the top off of Champagne with a sword). Just as the sun begins to dip, guests make their way through the bar onto The St. Regis Bar terrace in excited anticipation of two spectacles: the remarkable Hawaiian sunset presented by Mother Nature and the dramatic Champagne sabering in a legendary setting. It is only fitting that guests bask in these
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gifts as the promise of makana is fulfilled. The triangular shape of the mountain gives flight to the imagination as the site of an ancient ritual. Saber and Champagne bottle in hand, delight in the story of a secret path that led to the top of the mountain, known only to father and son. They were ka ÿöahi (keepers of the fire ceremony), honoring special guests to Kauaÿi and the celebratory occasions of the island’s aliÿi (royal family), last practiced in 1856 to commemorate the visit of Queen Emma. “Talking story” (chatting or casual conversation) enraptures this century’s guests as they hear the historical details of firebrands, fashioned from lightweight päpala, a native plant of the genus Charpentiera. Only six of the flowering trees remain in the wild on the island. It is described how the wood was selected because the branches were hollow and, like a roman candle, could contain combustible material. Päpala pieces were filled with a mixture of kukui (candlenut) oil and bark to make them extra flammable. The hand-fashioned fireworks were lanced off the top of Mt. Makana reaching incredible heights with the mountain’s unique shape creating a powerful updraft and wafting the fire display a mile into the ocean. Participants can enjoy mysterious legends about this ancient art of ÿöahi (fireworks). The narrative shifts to the Napoleonic tradition of uncorking Champagne by a firm thrust upwards of a steely saber, aiming with precision for the upper neck of the bottle.
Napoleon celebrated many of his victories with Champagne claiming, “Champagne! In victory, one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.” And since the saber was his army’s weapon of choice, the guests learn the tale of how Napoleon’s soldiers rode on their horses past Madame Clicquot, heiress to the famous Champagne house, demonstrating sabrage in their attempts to try to impress the young wealthy widow. Guests are typically asked if anyone has something special to celebrate. Catching the spirit, participants are happy to announce an anniversary, a retirement, an engagement, or another memorable event. In a grand swoop of the blade the bottle is sabered and the Champagne bubbles spill over the top. Guests officially now join the ranks of those who have been welcomed by The St. Regis with such bravado for 110 years harking back to when St. Regis founder Colonel John Jacob Astor IV first introduced the saber welcome. The quintessential celebration is the Romantic Dinner for Two where personal wait staff wine and dine you in a perfectly private oceanfront location that is lit up with tiki torches. From the moment you are greeted by your private wait staff in the lobby of The St. Regis Princeville Resort, you will know this evening will be unlike any other evening you have experienced before. The bespoke Signature Romantic Dinner begins as you are greeted and escorted to a secluded dining area in an oceanfront cabana. As day turns to night, your custom four-course menu is served first by the soft lights of a dusky sky and then by the gentle candlelight and
Hawaiian torches set to illuminate the scene. Each course of your meal is tailored to your palate by the award-winning team of chefs at The St. Regis Princeville Resort and wine pairings are offered by The St. Regis Sommelier for an unforgettable night of exceptional wining and dining. If you want to take this experience to another level, the Elite Dinner offers all the embellishments of the Signature Romantic Dinner, but upgrades the level of sophistication by adding a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne to the meal. And for the utmost in refinement and splendor, their Royal Dinner—the most exclusive dinner for two designed specifically for your dining pleasure—offers Dom Pérignon pairings throughout the meal with additional touches for a truly magical night. Perhaps the best way to end the day is to retire to the St. Regis Bar, still enjoying the view through the enormous picture windows. Sample delicious püpü (appetizers), savor a light meal or enjoy authentic Japanese sushi prepared to order by our resident sushi chefs. The superbly congenial beverage manager boasts an entertaining story about the invention of the Bloody Mary in 1934 at The St. Regis’ King Cole Bar and Salon in New York. The famous drink is given a local twist, appropriately named the Aloha Mary, served in a glass rimmed with guava wood smoked sea salt and served with sea asparagus for garnish. There’s no denying that The St. Regis Princeville Resort is unmatched in being ceremoniously yours.
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Colors -of-
KAUA‘I PHOTOGRAPHY IAN MCGUIRE
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View more of Ian’s stunning photography at imcguirephoto.com
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An Eye for Style Van Balen Fine Jewelry has many reasons for becoming the exclusive jeweler for The St. Regis Princeville Resort and its many guests. Valerie Van Balen sources the finest South Sea pearls directly from the pearl farms in French Polynesia, and has been diving on the pearl farms herself since 1999. This allows her world-class collection of pearls to be priced at the best possible rates. Valerie’s designs with naturally-colored pearls have also not gone unnoticed by several celebrities and private clients, as her award-winning designs have been seen on the red carpet and published globally. What really sets Van Balen Fine Jewelry apart is the unparalleled customer service. Not only does the collection offered daily consist of amazing works of art, Valerie has the ability and desire to make sure each client gets exactly what they are looking for. With an eye for style and detail, Valerie and her apprentice together can customize each and every item in the store. Most jewelry stores can resize a ring to fit, though not many stores can
change the length of a necklace, change the color of the gemstones, or change the type of pearl or gold that is used in each piece right in the store. With her studio inside of The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Valerie loves to extend her talents and abilites to make any item she offers a jewelry piece that is perfect for you. If the client wants larger or smaller pearls, or no pearls at all, Valerie has a large collection of beautiful materials on hand to customize all of her fine jewelry. The best part is that Valerie usually includes the cost of this custom work in the price and only charges for any added materials if they are needed, not for the labor or time. This service is what Valerie feels has brought her the success that she enjoys today. Happy clients are clients that return, and that loyalty is something Valerie and her team are very proud of. Visit Van Balen Fine Jewelry in the lobby to experience this for yourself and find something special remember your trip to the paradise that is Kaua‘i.
- Promotional -
FAMILY & CULTURE at St. Regis
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QUEEN
Emma HONORING ROYALTY AT THE EO E EMALANI I ALAKA‘I FESTIVAL
WORDS ANDY BETH MILLER
P
icture it. January 1871: A cold, crisp wind blows across the island as a beautiful and brave Hawaiian queen embarks upon an intrepid journey across the wild and rugged Köke‘e uplands of Kauaÿi. Accompanying her royal highness is an impressive entourage, composed of her closest and most intimate acquaintances, courtiers, and colleagues. On horseback and on foot, and long before the days of cozy fleece-lined wardrobes and fancy camping equipment, this hearty group of more than 100 Hawaiians made its pilgrimage over muddy bogs and treacherous swampland to Kilohana Vista, a breathtaking vantage point from which they could take in the majesty and grandeur of Hanalei and Wainiha Valleys. Such an inspiring image to conjure in your mind, isn’t it? But, what if we told you that you could experience this emotional and spiritual sojourn yourself, each year, amid a wondrous world of Hawaiian culture, scenic beauty, and island history?
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Sponsored by Hui o Laka—the same non-profit organization that runs the Kökeÿe Natural History Museum—the Hawaiÿi Tourism Authority, the County of Kauaÿi and many community partners and businesses, the Eo e Emalani i Alakaÿi festival occurs each October and is held at Köke‘e State Park in order to commemorate this aforementioned royal wahine, Queen Emma, and her monumental trek. This year will mark the 30th annual installment of the wildly popular festival, which is open to the public, and absolutely free. This exciting event offers everyone, from children to seniors, a chance to experience an entire day filled with history, pageantry, and a whole lot of hula! Both Kauaÿi residents and visitors alike come out each year to step back in time, as local talents portray live action renditions of just what it would have been like as Queen Emma and her entourage arrived at the sacred vista. It is said that, while on her journey, the beloved Hawaiian monarch orchestrated for her court chanter to offer oli, or great poems of appreciation, in honor of the resplendence of the region’s natural beauty, as well as the precious birds, trees, plants and sacred spirits of departed ancestors that surely surrounded their traveling group. Ancient Hawaiian folklore also attributes the chanting of many mele (songs) offered up to have wafted across those brisk, bone-chilling nights in the Alakaÿi Swamp. As such, the festival pays due homage by including these same traditions within its yearly festivities as well. Also to be enjoyed are a wide range of fun activities, from educational exhibits and creative crafts to wonderful music, delicious local and island-inspired food, and even a silent auction. And although the live action rendition of the journey is indeed the highlight of the affair, local
residents are quick to point out the important fact that the pageantry and fanfare involved in this celebration is far more than mere re-enactment, but rather it is a sort of sacred nod to the entire Hawaiian spirit of coming together—ancestors included—to gaze upon the beauty, and say thanks for the abundant blessings, of the Islands. In the words of a local Hawaiian elder who was interviewed about the festivities, “It’s not a reenactment; it’s not a pageant—it’s something else; and it’s something we all make together that makes it so real.” While this is the widespread, agreed-upon consensus regarding the present purpose of the festival, many speculate that, for Queen Emma herself, the journey itself provided the chance for her to break out of the confines of the royal palace and regal duties for a brief reprieve, embracing her daring spirit and adopting a relished few days of less formal—and more joy-filled—adventure amid Kauaÿi’s wild mountain valleys and ridges. Many also feel that, perhaps, the monarch simply needed a place away from the fray, where she could go to refresh and restore her spirit, and attempt to reconnect with the departed spirits of her late husband Kamehameha IV and young son, Prince Albert Edward Kamehameha. Ready to experience this day of celebration for yourself? Join us in honoring Queen Emma and her intrepid spirit this year on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Köke‘e State Park’s lush Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow, where from 9am- 4pm we’ll join in chants, mele, and merrymaking amid the aloha spirit of the Islands, and Queen Emma’s own ever-present essence and energy. Just be sure to bring a lawn chair or mat, and be aware that no tents or coolers are allowed.
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Heartbeat of HAWAI‘I STORTYTELLERS OF THE GARDEN ISLE WORDS BROOKE REHMANN
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ne of the most enduring and captivating facets of Hawaiian culture is the hula—tales told throughout the centuries using only a few musical instruments, and the melodic movements of hands, hips, feet, and facial expressions. Most visitors to Hawaiÿi have some concept of hula—it’s one of the most iconic images of our islands. At The St. Regis Princeville Resort, an award-winning hälau, or hula group, shares its culture with guests in a way that offers visitors an authentic slice of island life, as well as glimpse into the significance of this sacred ritual. Hälau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinäÿala, led by kumu hula, or hula teacher, Leinäÿala Pavao Jardin, brings hula to the beautiful St. Regis Princeville Resort, sharing their manaÿo (knowledge) with all those interested in learning about authentic hula dancing. Leinäÿala has been dancing hula since she was three years old, learning more and more about the dance from her own kumu hula, each leaving their imprint on her style and traditions. Through their guidance and support, Leinäÿala weaves traditional and contemporary mele (music) into her own performances. Because ancient Hawaiians had no written language, the hula was used to pass down history, genealogy, and mythology to future generations. Through the use of chants and songs, alongside the movement of a hand, or a particular step with a foot, stories were passed down generation to generation. When the missionaries arrived in the early 1800s, hula was seen as lascivious, and was consequently outlawed. It wasn’t until King David Kaläkaua ascended to the thrown in 1874 did hula begin to make its comeback.
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Known as the “Merrie Monarch,” King Kaläkaua once said, “Hula is the language of the heart, therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.” Through the melodious and graceful movements, stories of the Hawaiian people have been passed down through generations, inextricably linking hula to the past with the present. Without hula, then, what would it mean to be Hawaiian? Through King Kaläkaua’s patronage and vision, a resurgence of hula blossomed, and in his honor, the annual Merrie Monarch hula competition was named after him. Every April, hälau from across the state converge in Hilo on Hawaiÿi Island to showcase their interpretations and perpetuations of this ancient and sacred craft. And each year for the past seven years, Leinäÿala and her hälau fly to the Big Island to share their love of hula with the rest of the state. To partake in the Merrie Monarch Festival requires great personal sacrifice, and any hälau lucky enough to participate is honored by the privilege. “To me, it’s not work, it’s a journey of learners. Hula transcends time and allows us to see things through the eyes of our küpuna, or elders,” she says. Her song choices and even the name of the hälau represent her island, from the island’s official flower, the mokihana, which is a small green berry, to their performance at the Merrie Monarch celebrating Häÿupu, the mountain ridge seen as you fly into the airport in Lïhuÿe. Each peak, she says, is named after a star that lines up perfectly with it in the night sky and would be used as navigational marker for her ancestors. “It’s a gift to represent our island,” Leinäÿala says. “Kauaÿi is so kicked back and full of the essence of old Hawaiÿi. We just love any opportunity to celebrate our island and our people.”
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Leinäÿala and her hälau’s commitment to the ancient art has not gone unnoticed. Her students have competed and won accolades in the Miss Aloha Hula competition at the Merrie Monarch, as well as her daughters winning the Queen Liliÿuokalani Keiki Hula Competition. None of this could have happened without the support of her own kumu hula, Rae Fonseca, who deepened her appreciation for hula while she attended school at the University of Hawaiÿi at Hilo. After moving back home to Kauaÿi, she realized she couldn’t dance for anyone else, and with his encouragement, Leinäÿala started her own hälau. Now, years later, her teachings are inspiring the next generation of dancers and practitioners of this timeless practice. The St. Regis Princeville Resort regularly hosts Leinäÿala and her hälau, with guests getting the opportunity to witness and participate in this ancient tradition. Any time her hälau is called upon by The St. Regis, they are there. She says The St. Regis Princeville Resort was one of the first to move away from the commercial lüÿau to a more authentic experience. “My goal is that guests understand and take in the beauty of Kauaÿi, take in the sacredness, and take it home with them,” she says. And anyone lucky enough to witness a performance of Leinäÿala hälau will undoubtedly bring this rarest of souvenirs home with them—a better understanding of the place they visited, and the memories of the beauty and authenticity of one of its most sacred traditions.
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Princeville AN INTRODUCTION TO KAUA‘I’S CROWN JEWEL WORDS ANDY BETH MILLER
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amed author Mark Twain once described Hawaiÿi as being “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean.” Few would find fault with such logic, especially when faced with the grandeur and regal beauty of the island of Kauaÿi. Also known as the Garden Isle, Kauaÿi’s lush and verdant valleys, watered by a wealth of abundant rainfall, make for a magical world in which setting foot upon its fertile shores automatically transports one to a tropical wonderland. And while the island has many destinations that promise to delight and inspire, perhaps its most dazzling gem—Kauaÿi’s crown jewel, if you will—is the charming town of Princeville. The regal beauty of Princeville’s entirety, spanning from its sparkling sands and sun-dappled shores to the green valleys that spread throughout its far-reaching borders, should come as no surprise, as the town’s name itself also means “City of the Prince.” Not only does this region boast an abundance of stunning aesthetic sights and richness of soil, this sacred Hawaiian space also embodies a history that is rich, and one filled with exciting characters, abiding honor, and almost fairytale-like royal ancestry. So, let us start from the very beginning. Trace back the sands of time, to those ancient days—centuries before famed 1778 explorer Captain James Cook was even a glimmer in his mother’s eye—when Hawaiians cultivated the emerald valleys of Hanalei, nurturing the land and growing, by the grace of the gods and skills of their hands, field upon field of thriving kalo (taro), and gleaning the freshest delights from the sea. As the era of the 1800s ushered in an influx of newly arrived Westerners in search of spectating in the cattle ranching world, included Robert Crichton Wyllie, a Scotsman and former Kingdom of Hawaiÿi Minister of Foreign Affairs. Acquiring land near Hanalei in 1853.
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Wyllie envisioned a sweeter future for himself—in sugar, rather than cattle. Coupling his fascination with the growing sugar industry with his entrepreneurial spirit and keen business acumen, Wyllie saw his land flourish into a thriving sugar plantation. And along with this burgeoning of profit and vegetation, so too did a deep love, respect, and appreciation for this island, and its people begin to bloom in Wyllie’s heart. So, in 1860, when honored by a visit of then two-year-old Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Lei O Papa a Kamehameha (the first, and last ever, child born to a reigning Hawaiian monarch since 1839, and the godson of Queen Victoria, named in honor of Albert Edward, the future king of the UK) and his parents, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, Wyllie commemorated the happy event by bestowing his plantation with the regal moniker “Princeville,” in honor of young Albert. Now known as Princeville the acres of land still harken back to the days when sugar ruled the rolling hillsides, and whispers of ancient Hawaiian royalty dance among the winds. Also, to this day, numerous street names in Princeville pay homage to these intriguing figures to which Hawaiÿi’s history owes so much. Literally built upon this fascinating history of cattle ranchers and sugar planters, present-day Princeville shows no signs of slowing this march toward progress, nor allowing one glimmer of the town’s royal fascination and beauty to fade. Now Kauaÿi’s premier vacation destination, this idyllic town attracts visitors from the world over, offering a little bit of something special for everyone.
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NATURAL ATTRACTIONS There’s no place like Princeville when it comes to proving that nature needs no accouterment to dazzle and dumbfound. Whether your heart smiles at the sound of crystal blue waters rippling through waves, rivers and falls, leaps at the thought of spending a day surrounded by a kaleidoscope of tropical flora and fauna, or is soothed by the promise of simply sunning yourself on serene sandy shores, Princeville is the place to stay since it’s in close proximity to many North Shore gems from Hanalei to Kïlauea. Start your morning watching a sunrise over Hanalei Bay, sipping coffee as the golden orb slowly illuminates the 2-mile stretch of powdersoft white sand with exquisite Mt. Makana as part of the backdrop. Makana fittingly means gift, which explains why the feeling of gratitude seeps through you as you realize how lucky you are to be present in such wonder. You may even find yourself staying the whole day watching surfers from the pier or learning to surf yourself. Beachgoers will discover many postcard-worthy white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters nearby. Take your pick among myriad shorelines in the vicinity, including Puÿu Poa Beach (your best bet for swimming in the summer, when the surf is low) and nearby ÿAnini Beach (known for its safe and shallow waters and large fringing reef) and picture-perfect Tunnels Beach, which is a great snorkel spot when conditions are right. If flora and fauna are more your flavors, family-owned and operated Princeville Botanical Gardens invites you to enjoy an afternoon filled with exotic flowers, abundant fruit trees, homegrown, organic chocolate and even beehives to really get you buzzing. Also worth a visit is Na ÿÄina Kai Botanical Gardens, known for its 240 acres of varied gardens, the crowning glory of which is one of the largest collections of bronze sculptures in the nation, or the 1,000-acre Limahuli Garden & Preserve, bedecked with gorgeous native blooms and buds. The athletes among us will have no problem
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finding a challenging course nearby at Näpali Coast boasting the island’s popular and daunting Kalalau Trail. For those wanting a bit less sweat, and possibly tears, shorter jaunts are found via the 5-mile Wai Koa Loop Trail and the Princeville Path, a roughly 2-mile scenic thoroughfare beginning at the Princeville Shopping Center traveling down Ka Haku Road. While making your way, keep your eyes peeled for native birds like the Hawaiian goose (nënë) or Laysan Albatross. HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND LANDMARKS If age-old buildings steeped in history really get your heart beating faster, Waiÿoli Huiÿia Church promises to bring the pitter-patter. Established by the American Christian missionaries in 1841, the church was built to teach Hawaiians to read the Bible and learn about the Christian faith. Long a favorite of tourists and locals alike, the welcoming green facade and stunning stained windows make it nearly impossible to drive past such a pretty photo op. Also, not to be missed is the magical Kïlauea Lighthouse, an impressive 52-foot structure perched picturesquely jutting out upon a rocky peninsula 180-feet above the crashing Pacific Ocean waves. AN ICONIC INSTITUTION No gathering of Princeville’s most grand and noteworthy attractions would be complete without a mention of the island’s most iconic establishment, The St. Regis Princeville Resort. Marking the trusted brand’s first foray into the islands, the five-star beachfront resort effortlessly infuses its signature style of unparalleled sophistication, elegance, luxury, and renowned service while simultaneously infusing the unique aloha spirit and native beauty that is synonymous with Hawaiÿi into every hand-curated detail. Nestled on a stunning 9,000-acre spread on the world-famous North Shore, visitors who are lucky enough to stay here can expect to receive nothing less than the royal treatment, as fitting for the most lavish and beloved hotel in the City of the Prince.
KĪLAUEA LIGHTHOUSE
NA ‘ĀINA KAI BOTANICAL GARDEN
‘ANINI BEACH
WAI‘OLI HUI‘IA CHURCH
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Back Stage
EXCLUSIVE KAUA‘I MOVIE SET TOUR FOR THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
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s the scenic setting for numerous hit Hollywood films, the panoramic island of Kauaÿi has been a renowned backdrop amongst A-list celebrities, production crews, and paparazzi featuring the top movies and talent for decades. The Garden Island has hosted red carpet strewn stars such as George Clooney, Best Actor winner for his leading role in The Descendants, and Johnny Depp with his quintessential role in Pirates of the Caribbean. Kauaÿi boasts a long-standing cinematic rapport that’s noteworthy to explore. Now offering an exclusive tour, The St. Regis Princeville Resort is the ultimate chauffeur through these star-studded locales. Combining an ATV adventure at Kïpü Ranch, private helicopter charter with Island Helicopters and interactive walking, guests will be accompanied by one of the island’s eminent film location managers, Angela Tillson, as they visit the movie set sites highlighted below. “The new movie tour experience will show why Kauaÿi is so popular—it’s absolutely gorgeous,” Tillson says. “For a filmmaker shooting scenes in the desert, rainforest, high cliffs, rainy bogs or grassy hills, all can be found on the island. Kauaÿi has a beautiful marriage with Hollywood.”
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JURASSIC FALLS
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
LUMAHAI BEACH
KIPU RANCH WATERFALL
JURASSIC PARK Now celebrating the 25th year anniversary of its initial release in 1993, Jurassic Park, originally directed by Stephen Spielberg and written by Michael Crichton, has since evolved into a successful American science fiction film series, including four films that followed. With moviemaking roots born on Kauaÿi, guests will tour the exclusive Manawaiopuna Falls, better known as “Jurassic Falls,” where original stars Sam Neill and Laura Dern were made famous. This privately-owned landmark is accessible only via helicopter and off-limits to the wider public. THE DESCENDANTS Alongside actors George Clooney and Shailene Woodley, The St. Regis itself starred in this award-winning feature film, directed and written by Alexander Payne that debuted in 2011. The tour takes you on a journey of the exquisite property grounds in addition to an ATV ride through Kïpü Ranch to these select milieus. Guests also have the option to upgrade their tour experience by staying in the Presidential Suite—a prominent setting used in the movie—for an unparalleled back stage experience. SOUTH PACIFIC An alluring lush landscape in this tender war-meets-musical romance, the Garden Isle graced the screen with legendary views of Mount Makana (as Bali Hai) in the reputed 1958 film South Pacific with screenplay by Paul Osborn and directed by Joshua Logan. Also featuring beach backdrops from Lumahaÿi, Häÿena Beach, as well as Hanalei Bay, guests will glance at sites where the glamourous Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi once danced across the screen. INDIANA JONES & THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Akin to the adventures of Indiana Jones, guests will visit the fabled terrain featured in Raiders of the Lost Ark aboard their exploratory
ATV. The Huleÿia Stream, located at the mouth of Näwiliwili Bay, is also a noted set locale used in this 1981 action flick. Director Steven Spielberg and screenplay writer, Lawrence Kasdan, gave Kauaÿi a significant role by running Harrison Ford through the rugged tropical landscape to escape his ferocious foes. PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES With Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and striking Angelica Teach (Penélope Cruz) at the helm, the exclusive ATV excursion ensues. Brilliantly colored with a cast of characters, screenplay writers Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio brought the direction of Rob Marshall to life in the unmistakable Pirates of the Caribbean, released in 2011. Displaying many faces of the island, including the Elvismade famous Coco Palms, desolate Honopü Beach, striking Näpali Coast, and the Waikapalaÿe Caves (commonly known as “The Blue Room”), guests will get up close and personal with a prime stage site at Kïpü Ranch. HOOK Whimsical and fun-loving, this 1991 family fantasy is a memorable film for most. Touching the hearts of young and old, Robin William’s role as Peter Banning, complemented with Julia Robert’s Tinker Bell magic and Dustin Hoffman’s gruff as Captain Hook, was infused with the magic of Kauaÿi. Hook was originally a book and play composed by Scottish-born J.M. Barrie in 1904 that was adapted into a film with a memorable set locale at Kïpü Ranch. Spanning from the verdant valleys, azure waters, mountains, and aerial sights, the enchantment of Kauaÿi has breathed life into film after film—impacting the cinematic character, actors upon the screen, and eager audiences who immerse themselves in scene after scene. In this exclusive St. Regis Movie Set Tour, guests create timeless top-notch memories to take home forever.
Exclusive Movie Tour Details
TOUR DATES March 1 – September 30, 2018
KEY MOVIE LOCATIONS Jurassic Park, The Descendants, Pirates of the Caribbean, South Pacific, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hook CHECK-IN Guests will be notified
WHAT TO WEAR Long pants, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses TOUR RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS 30-day Advance Booking Guide Availability Reserved for couples or family of four
COST Tour for two adults: $5,674 (plus tax) Tour plus Presidential Suite stay for four nights based on double occupancy: $20,374 (plus tax) CONTACT St. Regis Travel Specialist (808) 826-9644
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PHOTO COURTESY: IAN MCGUIRE
EPICUREAN EXPERIENCES at St. Regis
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Internationally Acclaimed. Locally Inspired. Sweeping views of Hanalei Bay and Makana Mountain surround Kauai Grill, the latest in creative dining experiences inspired by Michelin awarded Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Featuring a selection of signature appetizers, side dishes and accompaniments inspired by his portfolio of restaurants around the world.
©2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.
Open Tuesday – Saturday for Dinner For reservations, please visit kauaigrill.com, opentable.com or call 808 8 26 0600 5520 Ka Haku Road Princeville Hawai‘i
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WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO
PHOTOGRAPHY IAN MCGUIRE
Culinary Q&A THE CHEFS OF THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
This year, the culinary team at The St. Regis Princeville Resort has drawn inspiration from their breathtaking surroundings and the Hawaiian phrase of na ÿäina kai when creating their annual theme to guide all restaurants and food establishments on premise. Emphasizing the island that we all share and the deep blue waters surrounding it, this phrase highlights a symbiotic relationship of the two and showcases the best products from local farmers and fishermen. The talented chefs create delicious cuisine from the exceptional ingredients from land and sea to allow guests to truly taste the locality of this special place.
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Pictured, left-right; Chef Javier Melendez, Chef Heather Campbell, Chef Vincent Alexander, Chef Richard Hendrata
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Heather Campbell Executive Pastry Chef How did the team come up with the theme of “Land by the Sea?” Has this been something you have been working on for a while or were you inspired by something? The inspiration came from the Hawaiian description “na ÿäina kai,” which means, “land by the sea.” It’s all about our island and its deep blue surroundings. The ocean temperature greatly impacts the weather and condition on land, so the two systems are synchronized. What does the theme “Land by the Sea” mean to you? What do you hope your guests will experience when enjoying a dish that incorporates this theme? My aspiration with this theme is to share with our guests the beautiful agriculture here on Kauaÿi. The island has incredible treasures, from its mountain estate coffee to the taro fields of Hanalei. Vincent Alexander Chef de Cuisine Makana Terrace What are some elements from the land that you are trying to incorporate into your menus? At the present time, 75 % of the produce and protein we use in preparation are from the state of Hawaiÿi. For example, the tender organic greens used in our Kailani Greens salad at the Makana Terrace is grown eight miles down the road. Our tomatoes, kale and cucumber are from a farm a quarter mile west. How has the land and sea theme affected your relationships with farmers and fishermen? Since we have adapted this culinary direction, more and more island farmers are stopping by and knocking at the kitchen door, showing us their harvest and wanting to grow crops that are crafted to our needs. 56
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Javier Melendez Chef de Cuisine Kauai Grill Restaurant Are there special parts or characteristics of the sea that you are trying to incorporate into your menus? We are so fortunate here in Hawaiÿi to be able to have such great variety in fish. Daily, we work closely with a purveyor in order to procure the best for our guests at Kauai Grill. The ÿahi (yellowfin tuna) is incredible and so bright, in our ÿAhi Tuna Tartare and the superior texture of the Hawaiian Kanpachi from the Big island has a clean, rich, slightly nutty flavor and firm texture, making it an unsurpassed choice for the Hawaiian daily catch. How do you approach the “land to sea” theme when creating a new menu item? That’s very simple, our menus change with the seasons, just like the trade winds. Richard Hendrata Chef de Cuisine Nalu Kai In what restaurants will the theme be found and for how long? Our guests will find it in every restaurant throughout the year including Nalu Kai poolside restaurant. The philosophy reflects the ingredients we use such as our Makaweli Avocado Cheeseburger made with 100% natural grass-fed Kauaÿi beef. As you have developed the theme of “Land by the Sea,” what are some interesting things you have learned or experiences you have gained? The chefs had the chance to visit some of the fields, citrus groves and farms. One of my favorite experiences was the tour at Kauai Farmacy and their diverse permaculture gardens.
Worldly WINES EXPLORE THE LEGENDARY WINE LIST AT KAUAI GRILL
WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO
PHOTOGRAPHY IAN MCGUIRE
With a history of serving exceptional wines, Kauai Grill continues the tradition of sourcing bottles from across the globe creating a legendary wine menu reflective of the diverse and distinguished palates of the many guests who dine with them each evening. General Manager David Ingles leads his team of sommeliers and specially trained servers to assist guests while they navigate their extensive wine menu creating pairings that elevate dining experiences to memorable events.
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Priding themselves as a premier place to enjoy wine on the island, the staff of Kauai Grill undergo weekly wine education classes to stay current with additions to their collection of wines and to better understand the art of enhancing dishes with wine pairings. At any given time, around 1,800 bottles are stored in their wine cellar including some of the most sought-after wines in the world such as the exclusive 2008 Au Sommet, Atlas Peak featuring Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot grapes grown at 2,100-feet elevation. Ingles notes that while they collect wines in both New World and Old World styles of production, wines on the Kauai Grill wine menu will characteristically always be elegant and sophisticated; created from small productions to ensure nuanced characteristics geared towards the palates of their wine savvy clientele. A special section within the Kauai Grill’s wine menu is their noted Sommelier’s Legendary Wine List, which includes some of the finest Champagnes imported from France including Cristal, the flagship cuvée of the Louis Roederer House, which was originally created in 1876 for Alexander II, Tsar of Russia. This Legendary Wine List continues with a meticulously cultivated collection of powerful red wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County as well as premium Bordeaux wines from the most illustrious châteaux located in Southern France including the 2011 Château Margaux with grapes that deliver the pedigree of a great First Growth wine. When beginning meals, Ingles suggests a glass of Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne which will cleanse your palate and allow you to ease from day to evening while enjoying the aromatics given off by this fine Champagne. The brilliant orange color of this Champagne will match the romantic hues found in a gorgeous Kauaÿi sunset while the fine satin mousse from this Champagne will tickle your palate and awaken your taste buds, priming your senses to accept all the flavors in your approaching meal. Fine, fresh, and fruity, this Champagne is created from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes selected from the best vintages delivering flavors of white raspberries, wild strawberries, blood oranges, and a seductive shadow of smoke making it a stylish choice to sip prior to dinner service. Entrées at Kauai Grill feature simple preparations to enhance the natural flavors of ingredients paired alongside bold accompaniments, which lend beautifully to create playful, yet delicious, wine pairings. A signature dish at Kauai Grill features locally grown Kauaÿi Shrimp topped with caviar served in a horseradish panna cotta topped with spicy tomato syrup and lemon confit. With this bold dish, Ingles suggests a glass of Jean-Max Roger ‘Les Caillottes’ Sauvignon Blanc, which delivers a crisp and fresh palate of grapefruit mingled with stone minerality. From the Sancerre region of France’s Loire Valley, this Sauvignon Blanc is surprisingly silky on the palate, which gives it enough body to stand alongside such powerful flavors in this dish. Another signature dish is the Kauai Grill’s Grilled Lamb Chops served atop mushroom bolognese and asparagus and topped with shavings of pecorino cheese. A soulful pairing to enjoy with this entrée is the Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon. This flagship wine represents the best of their vineyards and is an illustration in the art of blending. Aged for 16 months in 60% new French oak, this stunning wine offers a symphony of flavors including black currants, dark cherries, and cloves mingling with brooding concentration and complex perfumery. For those wanting to splurge and celebrate life while enjoying their meal at Kauai Grill, Ingles guides them towards the 2004 Château Petrus, Pomerol which commands a price tag of over four thousand dollars. This rare find originates from Pomerol, a French wine-growing commune located within the Libournais or “Right Bank” of Bordeaux. The dominant varietal of this wine is Merlot with Cabernet Franc as a supporting grape in the blend grown in gravel, sand, and clay soils which enhances the fleshy and opulent aspects of the grapes, creating a wine that delivers heightened levels of hedonistic delight with each sip as flavors of sweet cherries, dark currants, and earthy truffles dance along the palate. Whether searching for the romance found within a glass of Bordeaux or wishing for the round fruitiness of wine of Napa Valley, the wine menu of Kauai Grill has been built to anticipate every craving and desire. Kauai Grill is open for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday from 5:30pm to 9pm. For reservations, call (808) 826-9644.
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THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
Signature PAIRS
WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO
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PHOTOGRAPHY IAN MCGUIRE
o matter what time of day, the award-winning culinary team at The St. Regis Princeville Resort works around the clock to guarantee the culinary needs of guests are not only met, but also surpassed in both flavor and quality. Their chefs and sommeliers work together to create food and beverage pairings to enhance discerning guests’ dining experiences and ensure the flavors, textures, aromas, and aesthetic of each dish will please all the senses.
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Begin your culinary adventure at the Makana Terrace, the main dining room of The St. Regis, where first-class views of Hanalei Bay and Makana Mountain await to serve as the scenic backdrop for your first meal of the day. The chef’s Asian Cured Salmon served with Crisp Yukon Gold Potato Galette, Herb Crème Fraiche, and a Poached Egg combines recipes gained from years of culinary experience with distinct Asian flavors. The addition of ginger, lemongrass, sesame oil, and soy sauce to the cured salmon creates a velvet smooth texture bursting with flavor and zest. The dish is finished with a citrusinfused Hollandaise sauce, which brightens the palate while tying the robust flavors of this internationally inspired breakfast together. With this, The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s sommeliers suggest to indulge in a fine glass of Moet & Chandon Brut Impérial, which offers a crisp palate filled with apples and hints of honey. The fine mousse will complement the rich sauces topping the gravlax while the bright acidity innate in this Champagne will cleanse the palate preventing fatigue and allowing each bite to taste as if it were your first. After a day of swimming in the refreshing ocean fronting The St. Regis Princeville
Resort or lounging poolside in a private cabana, the team at the Nalu Kai Bar & Grill offers Hawaiian-inspired cuisine to abate your hunger so you can enjoy more of the amenities the resort has to offer. One dish deeply rooted in Hawaiian tradition—with a contemporary edge—is their Hawaiian Poke Bowl. This dish features the local delicacy of poke, which begins with tender pieces of raw ÿahi (yellowfin tuna) caught fresh in local waters and seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions. The ÿahi poke sits atop a bed of seasoned brown rice topped with fragrant scallions and slices of Maui onions as well as bits of crispy onions, coarse sea salt, and furikake (Japanese seaweed seasoning) to add a bit of crunch. Creamy pieces of avocado finish this dish along with a drizzling of housemade wasabi sauce. The perfect drink to enjoy with a Hawaiian Poke Bowl is the Big Wave Golden Ale from Kona Brewing Co. Originally crafted as a beer to go down easy after a long day in the ocean, this American Blonde Ale has a vivacious fruitiness and delicate hop taste creating a beer that has a hint of sweetness. The intense flavors in the poke and garnishes in the dish call for a thirst-quenching drink that will heighten the meal without overpowering it.
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As day turns to evening, the chefs and sommeliers of Kauai Grill invite you to join them on a culinary journey where the flavors of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s greatest signature dishes are offered. Combining the flavors of France and Asia, this seafood/steakhouse reinvents classic dishes with unexpected flavor combinations. One standout dish on Kauai Grill’s menu is their Pan Seared Mero served with Malaysian Chili Sauce and Thai Basil. Regarded in Japan for its intense richness, the tender flesh of the mero fish is snow white and flakey when cooked with a buttery aspect comparable to crab or lobster. Topped with an appetizing Malaysian-inspired chili sauce, slices of raw celery, and tender leaves of Thai basil, the juxtaposition of the simplistic complexity within this dish will awe all senses. Such a flavorful dish calls for a wine with enough substance and strength to not get lost amongst the flavors. With this, the sommeliers at Kauai Grill recommend the Bouchard Puligny-Montrachet from the Côte de Beaune region of France known for their fine white wines. The lively attack on the palate features a honeysuckle florality mixed with the smoothness of butter and almonds. A powerful yet elegant wine, the long finish with flavors of vanilla will contrast the flavors of the chili sauce without clashing and provide enough body to match such a rich and tender fish.
When ending your evening, join the chefs and bartenders at The St. Regis Bar for a dessert and wine pairing to finish the day on a sweet note. Executive Pastry Chef Heather Campbell’s team offers the ÿAnini Beach S’more Tart, which was designed as an edible postcard featuring one of the most coveted beaches on the island where many families enjoy camping. Campbell’s goal to spark emotions using confection as her tool of communication created a dish to rekindle memories spent around a campfire warmed with love from family and friends. The ÿAnini Beach S’more Tart features creamy malt chocolate and layers of toasted coconut marshmallows atop a graham cracker crust and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. With this, nothing could be more perfect than a sparkling glass of Rosa Regale. This sparkling red wine offers a romantic bouquet of rose petals on the nose and sweet flavors of fresh raspberries and sun-ripened strawberries on the palate. Served along the rich and opulent ÿAnini Beach S’more Tart, a glass of Rosa Regale will uplift the palate and serve as a contrasting complement to the dessert. From morning to night, the chefs and sommeliers at The St. Regis Princeville Resort are attune to your every need and culinary desire working tirelessly to create dishes as extravagant as the setting in which they are served.
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Inspired
BY THE VIEW HAND-CRAFTED COCKTAILS WITH A SENSE OF PLACE
WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO 66
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s you find yourself standing in the paradise of Kauaÿi’s North Shore, one thing that can help make the moment feel more complete is to enjoy a cocktail crafted by one of the expert mixologists at The St. Regis Princeville Resort, which helps to heighten the experience to something most people can only dream of. Adhering to the finest levels of service and attention to detail, their team of skilled mixologists creates dazzling drinks that capture the spirit and senses of the islands, allowing guests to absorb all the beauty surrounding them. At the Nalu Kai Grill & Bar, guests are invited to enjoy beverages poolside, in either the shade of a gazebo or a private cabana. The open-air atmosphere of the Nalu Kai Grill & Bar calls for enjoying one of the sophisticated tropical libations on their menu like the Coco-Jito Freeze, which is sure to refresh your senses after a day in the hot Hawaiian sun. Luxurious Belvedere Vodka serves as the base of this drink, bringing its traditional faint hints of vanilla and long finish with notes of almonds. To this, freshly made lime sour, fragrant mint leaves, and locally grown coconut and pineapple chunks are added and blended until creamy and frothy. Flavors of the islands are embedded within each drop of this drink as the sweet, refreshing tropical fruits quench your thirst while the mouth-puckering lime sour cleanses your palate. If you find yourself wanting to sip on something to bring about a more tranquil mood, the spainspired Cucumber Ginger Margarita might be just what you’re in the mood for. The mixologists at The St. Regis Princeville Resort chose Don Julio Blanco Tequila as the base of this drink to impart its crisp agave flavor, subtle hints of citrus, and the overall true expression of finely made tequila. To this, crunchy cucumber spears and pieces of spicy ginger are muddled together along with their freshly made lime sour creating a cocktail both refreshing and energizing. Nalu Kai Grill & Bar: (808) 826-9644; Open daily for bar service from 10:30am to 6pm, Open daily for lunch service from 11am to 5:30pm; /www.stregisprinceville.com/dining/nalu-kai-grill-and-bar.
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or an opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Hanalei Bay and the Pacific Ocean, guests can enjoy the cocktails created at The St. Regis Bar where you will find one of the most stunning views in all of Hawaiÿi to watch magnificent sunsets. For a smooth cocktail to enjoy after a long day, their Macadamian Old Fashioned offers a local twist on a classic cocktail. Beginning with the richly complex Suntory Whiskey Toki, allspice liqueur is added along with macadamia nut liqueur, which enhances the cocktail with rich vanilla and buttery smoothness. Finished with aromatic Angostura bitters, the Macadamian Old Fashioned offers guests an opportunity to enjoy a traditional drink with island flair. And when the mood strikes to experience the power and strength of the islands, the mixologists at The St. Regis Bar have you covered with their Kilauea cocktail. Bombay Gin begins this concoction, imparting the juniper aromas traditional of this classically styled gin. To this, vibrant, red Campari is added enhancing the complexity and intrigue of this drink that is finished with fresh grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice, creating a cocktail both refreshing and flavorful at the same time. And to partake in a bit of the tradition of The St. Regis Hotel, relishing in a handmade Bloody Mary cocktail will allow you to truly taste your location and be part of the history of The St. Regis brand. In 1934, at The St. Regis New York’s King Cole Bar, bartender Fernand Petiot invented a drink that blended tomato juice and vodka that he named the Red Snapper. Over 80 years later, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts across the globe offer Petiot’s original recipe along with renditions of their own, utilizing local ingredients and flavors. At The St. Regis Princeville Resort, mixologists offer the Aloha Mary, which begins with OCEAN Organic Vodka from the island of Maui mixed with Clamato juice that is blended with their signature Bloody Mary mix. The glass is rimmed with Kauaÿi guava wood-smoked sea salt created in Kauai and a sprig of briny sea asparagus. Along with the Red Snapper and Aloha Mary, The St. Regis Princeville Resort also offers the Mary Terranean from The St. Regis Hotel in Rome and the Harry’s Texas Mary from The St. Regis Houston. The St. Regis Bar: (808) 826-9644; Open daily, Bar and Light Menu Service: 3:30pm-11pm, with Sushi and Appetizer Service from 5:30pm-9:30pm and nightly entertainment; www.stregisprinceville.com/dining/st-regis-bar.
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Dining at The St. Regis Princeville Resort MAKANA TERRACE - Overlooking magical Hanalei Bay and Makana Mountain (Bali Hai), our dining room is the perfect venue for sophisticated casual dining. Breakfast Service: 6:30 am – 11:00 am, Daily Weekend Breakfast: 6:30 am – 12:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday Dinner Service: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Thursday-Monday KAUAI GRILL – Kauai Grill provides the magnificent backdrop to the French and Asian influenced cuisine. Masterfully executed by our award-winning culinary team. Kauai Grill’s menu features the freshest fish and ingredients indigenous to the island. Dinner Service: 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm, Tuesday– Saturday NALU KAI GRILL & BAR – Enjoy light Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and sophisticated tropical libations in the shade of our gazebo or in the privacy of our dining cabanas. Special poolside menus available. Pool/Beach Service: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm, Daily Lunch Service: 11:00 am- 5:30 pm, Daily THE ST. REGIS BAR – Local entertainment, superior sunset views over Hanalei Bay with cocktails and innovative small plates created masterfully at The St. Regis Princeville Resort. Bar and Light Menu Service: 3:30 pm– 11:00 pm, Daily Sushi and Pupu Menu Service: 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Daily Signature Champagne Sabering: Daily at Sunset Afternoon Tea Ritual: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm by Reservation Only Late Night Menu: 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm, Daily NAPALI CAFÉ – Stylish take-away specialty coffee drinks, freshly baked goods, sandwiches, salads and more. Beverage and Food Service: 6:00am - 12:00pm, Daily Dates and times of venues are subject to change. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Sophisticated Casual Dining Overlooking the pristine views of Kauai’s North Shore, Makana Terrace presents an exquisite menu utilizing fresh Hawaiian grown produce. Indulge in our Weekend Buffet with a distinctive menu or enjoy an elegant dining experience honoring the culture and traditions of Hawai‘i through song and dance at the Mailani Dinner Show.
©2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.
The Mailani Dinner show is offered seasonally. Open Thursday-Monday for Breakfast and Dinner For reservations, please visit stregisprinceville.com, opentable.com or call 808 8 26 9644 5520 Ka Haku Road Princeville Hawai‘i
PHOTOGRAPHY IAN MCGUIRE
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North Shore FARMERS MARKETS Waipä Farmers Market Tuesday, 2:00 PM Waipä Ahupua‘a Field (5-5785 Kuhio Hwy., Hanalei) Filled to the brim with tropical fruits such as sweet pineapples and exotic rambutan, the Waipä Farmers Market is perfect for anyone wanting to experience the robust flavors of local produce. Also offered are locally made products such as goat and feta cheese by Kunana Dairy as well as the crowd favorite—Coco Nana’s local apple bananas dipped in gourmet dark chocolate offering custom toppings like candy sprinkles or macadamia nuts! Hanalei Farmers Market Saturday, 9:30 AM Hanalei Neighborhood Center & Ball Park (5299 Kuhio Hwy., Hanalei) Leisurely enjoy one of the island’s favorite farmers market boasting over 40 vendors and connect with the local community at the Hanalei Farmers Market. Creamy local avocados and sun sweetened mangos are just some of the outstanding local produce offered here. Browse their assortment of locally made jewelry and crafts while live music gently plays in the background. Kïlauea Farmers Market Thursday, 4:30 PM Kïlauea Neighborhood Center & Ball Park (4260 Keneke St., Kïlauea) The Kïlauea Farmers Market is one of the seven county sponsored “Sunshine Markets” featuring local fruits and vegetables, of which 50-75% is organically grown. Crowds gather before 4:30 PM and shoppers can browse the selection before the market opens. At 4:30 PM, a car horn is honked and shopping begins. Locals and tourists dash to their favorite vendors to scoop up some of the freshest produce on the island. Namahana Farmers Market Saturday, 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM; Monday, 4:00 PM – dusk Anaina Hou Community Park (5-2723 Kuhio Hwy, Kïlauea) With the mission statement to support local agriculture and products, the Anaina Hou Community Park hosts two farmers markets each week which features all Kaua‘i grown products. Saturdays offer locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as some prepare foods while the Monday market offers handmade crafts alongside the produce and prepared foods. Live music plays in the background creating a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
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GARDENING
Purpose with a WORDS DOMINIQUE DEFELICE
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orning dew is just beginning to evaporate from the green leaves of the garden. Liberated from condensation, flowers timidly open, petal by petal, and bees line up to pollinate the virgin blossoms. The Shama Thrush bird sings her song. The rooster responds promptly. Then, right on cue, an ancestral chant begins to weave through the garden, along the pathways that will soon carry footsteps and between branches baring precious plant medicine. Each morning, Head Gardener Kerr Jackson begins her work day in the same corner of the Kauai Farmacy garden. Just beyond the Passionflower trellised fence, beneath the Cacao tree, there lies a humble stone altar. And, upon that altar you will find a new offering each day, placed there by the hands of the one who chants. “Our garden is a very sacred space; a concentrated area of communion with nature, intention, and love,” says Jackson. “My morning ritual of chanting to the garden is my way of saying ‘Good morning! Thank you! I love you!’ I am also asking for the humility to hear and receive the guidance of the plants and trees. I find that if I sing instead of speak, I engage from my heart, not my head. Taking time for this ceremony is a powerful practice for me. It rekindles my connection with all things every single day.” Jackson’s respect for the plants is shared by all who work at Kauai Farmacy. With a small, family-style operation, the crew is made up of a dozen herbalists, gardeners and specialists. Each and every person, including founders Doug and Genna Wolkon, is a vibrant example of embracing herbal medicine. Naturally, the environment is intimate and the sentiment is intentional. The plants are cared for as family and the garden is tended to like a home.
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Growing over 70 different medicinal herbs, the Farmacy is a revolutionary example of a true seed-to-cup operation in the herbal medicine world. There are no rows and few rules. Instead, herbs are inter-planted and intuition takes the place of regulation. Within the layers of leaves and intermingling of roots, a delicate network of companionship between plants can be witnessed. Comfrey breaks up compacted soil with its deep taproot and makes nitrogen, calcium and potassium more bio-available for surrounding plants. Cuban Oregano (and similar Mediterranean herbs) contributes strong volatile oils that deter bugs, pests and pathogens. Cacao fortifies the soil with iron. Cinnamon and Allspice provide shade for their neighbors that appreciate a bit less sun. By allowing the garden to grow “outside the lines”, the plants are able to fully express themselves in their own time and, as a result, some of the world’s most evolved medicine is created. Harvested only once a year, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is allowed to live out its entire life cycle. As a resulting herbal medicine, it promotes longevity and circulation. Lilikoi (Passiflora quadrangularis), loves to bloom during the full moon and, ironically, is an unrivaled sleep aid known to enhance dreams. What makes herbal remedies remarkable is their action both on the body and our consciousness. Like roots penetrating the soil, herbs interact with our entire being. As circulation increases, blockages dissolve. As sleep is achieved, clarity is bestowed. Awareness is heightened. Intuition is sharpened. Self-control and will are refined. Most importantly, herbs rekindle a connection to our heart. And with these tools transformations begin to unfurl like blossoms beneath the sun.
PHOTO COURTESY: (TOP LEFT/BOTTOM RIGHT) CASEY CHIBIRKA; (TOP RIGHT/MIDDLE) DOMINIQUE DEFELICE
After greeting the garden, Jackson meanders along the pathways that lead to the tea house. One or two other crew members may already be harvesting, carefully trimming a Tulsi bush or plucking ripe Coffee fruit into a woven basket. Inside the tea house, an orchestration of careful creation is underway. Herbs within the solar dehydrators are meticulously examined and, if 100% dry, removed and hand-ground to the appropriate size and texture. Teas, powders, salves, tinctures and honey infusions circulate from idea to creation to customer. Odds are, if you purchase a product from Kauai Farmacy either in person at the farm, or from the online store; the herbs therein were gathered from the garden within the week. “What makes our products unique is that they are cured at low temperature and are incredibly fresh,” says herbalist Sarah Randa. “Our blends are seasonal. The plants are grown with intention in rich organic soil and harvested at their prime. Then, the herbs blended into delicious products to assist us on our path of a healthy lifestyle.” Experience this hidden gem for yourself and get a glimpse into gardening on the Garden Isle. Kauai Farmacy’s Tea Lanai is open to the public every week day from 10am to 3pm where guests can enjoy tea and sample products. Those wishing a more immersive experience can book a garden tour through the hotel concierge. Stroll the gardens and taste the tang of vitamin C-rich Cranberry Hibiscus, smell the alluring aroma of Lilikoi (Passionflower) in full bloom, and so much more. Follow the resonance of a chant through gardens dense with sensation and allow the intention steeped within one cup of tea to saturate your soul.
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My Kaua‘i
HEAD BUTLER ROBERT ANCHETA’S ISLAND GUIDE WORDS BROOKE REHMANN 78
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There’s something comforting
about having the assistance of your own personal butler while on a relaxing Hawaiian getaway. When the first St. Regis property opened in New York City over a century ago, butler service was a signature amenity and remains so to this day. Each butler strives to provide mea ho‘okipa, or Hawaiian style hospitality, which is embedded in the butler service here at The St. Regis Princeville Resort. During their stay, whether helping to lend some local knowledge or assisting those trekking around the island, the resort staff are dedicated to each guest request. Head Butler, Robert Ancheta, started his career as an optometrist and migrated into hospitality ten years ago after discovering a passion for hotel management. He and his team strive to treat each guest with aloha and graciousness as they perform their Signature Butler Services. Robert recently sat down to offer his own recommendations for guests visiting Kaua‘i, to share the warmth and beauty of his island, and to ensure each guest has a truly unique Kaua‘i experience. What’s the best place to propose or celebrate a special occasion? Our butler staff highly recommends The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s Signature Romantic Dinner. This memorable and romantic dinner for two is set in a stunning outdoor location, enhanced by soft candlelight and Hawaiian torchlight. It includes a private staff to serve and assist you in a secluded dining area, along with a four-course meal specifically designed for you by one of our own chefs. A sommelier also provides personalized wine pairings. We do require 72-hour advance reservations, and our butlers are happy to arrange this unforgettable evening. What are your favorite restaurants? Where would you recommend for a guest looking for a more local style experience? With our diverse cultures in Hawai‘i, there are many opportunities to visit casual, local style eateries such as Hamura Saimin in Lïhu‘e Town. Saimin is a bowl of noodles, soup, and garnishes such as chopped green onions, fishcake, char siu (sweet roast pork), or spam. You can easily ask that any garnish or meat be left out. Won Ton Saimin is a similar dish but with pork filled dumplings instead. Hamura Saimin has built a legendary reputation for serving some of the state’s best saimin. People stand in line to enjoy this cultural experience, served in a diner style venue. I personally recommend the “Special” which has everything in it, followed up by a slice of ‘onolicious Lilikoi Chiffon Pie. Konohiki Seafood in Hanamä‘ulu serves the best Hawaiian
plate lunch on the island from laulau, kälua pork, delicious ginger fried chicken, fried shrimp, local-style plate lunches, local snacks, bentos, spam musubi, and more! The right side of the shop carries all varieties of poke that will make your eyes open wide. Where’s a great place to find an amazing cocktail? Our flagship hotel, The St. Regis New York debuted the original Bloody Mary cocktail in their King Cole Bar, and each St. Regis around the world features their own signature Bloody Mary drink. Here at The St. Regis Bar we offer the “Aloha Mary,” with Organic Ocean Vodka, Clamato juice, Kaua‘i guava wood smoked sea salt, Sriracha, sea asparagus, and wasabi. This cocktail was inspired by the 1958 epic South Pacific, with many scenes filmed on the north shore of Kaua‘i. This flavorful cocktail combines ingredients found around the Pacific Rim to give it a deep, rich oceanic flavor. The “Ahi Le Le,” or “Dancing Fire,” is also a standout, and uses Belvedere Vodka, homemade spicy vodka using Hawaiian chili peppers, elderflower cordial, fresh lime juice, and fresh mint. What are your favorite local traditions? Pa‘akai (Hawaiian salt) because of the important role it played in the Hawaiian culture and traditions, harvested at the Salt Pond Beds in Hanapëpë. Also, the annual Kaua‘i Mokihana Festival (7-day cultural festival), sponsored by the Mälie Foundation and beginning September 23rd, showcases hula competitions, Hawaiian and contemporary music, Hawaiian language, crafts, lectures, history and more! What are some unusual activities that you think are worth doing? Princeville Ranch Adventures offers a variety of outdoor experiences including ziplining, 4x4 off-roading adventures, horseback rides, hikes and kayaking. I also recommend Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures located in Lïhu‘e for their unique mountain tubing experience. Kauai Backcountry Adventures has exclusive access to the historic irrigation system of the former Lïhu‘e Plantation. These exclusive tubing tours run through some of the most beautiful and remote land on the island. It includes spectacular views of the mountains and Wai‘ale‘ale Crater. Our concierge staff can make all the arrangements. What are your favorite beaches on the island? The beaches on Kaua‘i are truly spectacular. I always recommend Hanalei Bay, Ke‘e or Lydgate Park on the east side. These areas are lifeguarded beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Also, Salt Pond Beach Park because it is a hidden gem on the west side that is perfect for gathering with ‘ohana. It’s a great place to relax and unwind throughout the day.
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The ofArt
SIGNATURE SERVICE WORDS CHRIS FLECK
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PHOTOGRAPHY SIAN MCGUIRE
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he staff at The St. Regis Princeville Resort know that every guest visit is unique. While some are returning for an annual vacation with family or friends or celebrating an anniversary, others are enjoying their very first trip to Kauaÿi. For some, their trip is fleeting, particularly if they are traveling for business. Whatever the reason for your stay, The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s personalized butler service for guests residing in the Crown Suites has one intention—to offer each guest the gift of time. Head Butler, Robert Ancheta, says, “Guest personalization is knowing each and every one of our guests so they feel special and recognized each time they stay with us. We don’t want our guests to move an unnecessary finger. We like to say, ‘Allow me,’ helping to take the burden off so guests can truly enjoy themselves.” Understanding the needs of today’s travelers, St. Regis famed butler services is world-renowned for attention-to-detail and guest comfort. Five Signature Services are provided to guests, beginning with unpacking a guest’s luggage upon their arrival. “We encourage our guests to go enjoy the beach or our restaurants and allow us to unpack their garments by folding and hanging them neatly,” says Ancheta. The second Signature Service The St. Regis Princeville Resort offers is two complimentary pressings of garments per person per day during the duration of their stay. The third, and perhaps the most popular Signature Service, is the beverage offer.
From 6am to noon, French-pressed 100 percent Kauai coffee is on offer, along with an assortment of hot teas and hot chocolate “This is simply a wonderful service. You wake in the morning, your shades are drawn by your butler, and you enjoy the view of the Makana Mountain Range while you sip your coffee. It really isn’t a bad way to start your day at all,” Ancheta adds. Whether guests are on the go exploring, need a simple suggestion, or may just be a bit forgetful, the fourth Signature Service is the eButler program that offers guests the ability to contact the butler team remotely from anywhere on the island. If you’re at the pool and forgot your iPad, or if you just finished swimming at Tunnels Beach in Hanalei, and are looking for a lunch suggestion, all you have to do is email the butler service, and they will provide the help you’re looking for. The final of the Signature Service is complimentary luggage packing. Guests should spend as much time as they can relaxing, and that doesn’t have to end just because their plane departs in a few hours. Butlers are happy to meticulously pack a guest’s luggage, wrapping each garment with care. Providing these Signature Services is one thing, but to do so in the most professional manner is what the butler team takes pride in. Each butler on The St. Regis Princeville Resort team is chosen because of their earnest to assist and commitment to making the guest experience personable and comfortable.
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SPA & WELLNESS at St. Regis
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The Pursuit of Relaxation Refresh the mind and revitalize the body at Halele‘a Spa. Here, a menu of exotic treatments promise blissful diversions, enhanced by essences of local fruit and flora. Let our customized wellness programs guide you on a quest for self-discovery and optimal healing.
©2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.
Over 11,000 square feet of blissful escape – 12 treatment rooms, including a couples room and VIP room – Spa boutique – Hair and nail salon For reservations, please visit stregisprinceville.com or call 808 826 9644 5520 Ka Haku Road Princeville Hawai‘i
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Halele‘a Spa A TRUE HOUSE OF JOY
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Joy. We all value it, desire it, and actively seek it. Merriam-Webster
defines joy as “The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Who wouldn’t want more of that? And to be offered such a priceless feeling amid the most luxurious of resorts and heavenly tropical surrounds? Yes, please. Such an invitation to escape the everyday, harried pace of life with lavish pampering and nurturing, and fostering more joy, is just what The St. Regis Princeville Resort and its onsite Haleleÿa Spa extends to each guest. It’s no wonder the Hawaiian name Haleleÿa literally translates as “House of Joy” for when you cross the threshold of this impeccably designed 11,000 square foot spa, complete with twelve state-of-the-art treatment suites (including a couple’s room and a VIP room), you immediately feel that your entire being—body and soul— have found sanctuary. Here, amid a modern yet authentic island-inspired aesthetic, with trade winds gently tickling your cheek as they dance across the breeze and the gentle trill of birdsong transporting you away from all stress, you are finally free to deeply breathe in the balmy island air, and exhale, allowing every worry to drift away with an aloha goodbye. A day spent at Haleleÿa Spa will revitalize your entire being, while also introducing you to a myriad of exotic treatments highlighting the ancient secrets of the islands. In fact, infused into every Haleleÿa skin and body care treatment are aloha-inspired native Hawaiian ingredients that have for centuries been relied upon to keep wähine and käne (women and men) enjoying a state of optimal health and holistic body bliss. Each Haleleÿa guest is attended by a trained consultant who is there to develop a hand-curated wellness regime to suit your specific desires. From nine types of massages to facials, waxing, pedicures and manicures, and also taro clay and seaweed leaf body wraps, with even an onsite salon offering everything from coloring to cuts and styles and make-up applications, whatever your heart desires and your body requires is available. Once you’ve come under the spell of the nurture that the islands’ natural resources provide, you’ll be thoroughly convinced that Mother Nature really is the world’s best beautician, physician, and even aesthetician. From mauka (mountains) to makai (sea), fresh island botanicals and goodness gleaned from the water—both wai (fresh) and kai (sea)—are infused into treatments that perfectly pair Hawaiian healing practices with the latest Western techniques. One such example of how the spa accomplishes this perfect marriage is via its Huakaÿi (journey). Inspired by the majestic waterfalls of renowned Hanalei, this pre-treatment sensory sojourn—which begins with peaceful meditation time in a steam room infused with tropical essence, followed by cascading waterfall and body spray showers and a final rest in the tranquil relaxation lounge complete with wall-to-wall waterfalls and a statue of Hawaiian sea goddess Hina-Lau-Limu-Kala—pays homage to the Hawaiian landmark with its own water-inspired aspects.
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But back to the secrets of nature blended into every spa pampering session. We asked Spa Director Carolyn Maldonado to elaborate using her expert insight: “Our island is blessed with a rich flora and fauna that brings us an abundance of ingredients with healing and harmonious properties,” she shares. “Taro, clay, coconut, aloe and coffee are a few of the ingredients that we incorporate into our treatments that are not only relaxing, but result oriented. Organic coconut oil, used in our traditional Lomi Lomi massage, is great for softening and hydrating the sun-kissed skin and prolonging its natural glow. In our Waiÿaleÿale body treatment, we feature a detoxifying Kauaÿi clay and ginger mask infused with turmeric to reduce inflammation. This rich mask also contains noni and kava—ingredients used in traditional Hawaiian healing. Noni is known for its ability to promote skin health and boost energy levels, while kava has been used medicinally for hundreds of years in Hawaiÿi for relaxation and tension relief.” Recruiting the best of Kauaÿi’s natural resources to ensure that you always put your best foot (and hands) forward are the spa’s many options for manicures and
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pedicures. Keep your hands and feet happy with the Warm Sugar and Starfruit Pedicure, boasting a bath of pure coconut milk and exotic nut oils, followed by a perfecting masque and natural cane sugar rub. Or opt for the Haleleÿa Spa Jasmine Manicure, featuring a soothing jasmine yogurt mask and rejuvenating cocoa bean application—perfect for revitalizing dry skin naturally. When seeking a massage, the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, a unique healing technique passed down generations from ancient Polynesians, is a sure bet for imminent bliss. The massage also just happens to be among Maldonado’s favorites, and the spa’s most popular. “This treatment technique incorporates the rhythms and nature found in the island; like the swing of the palm trees and the rolling of the waves,” she describes. “It is a ritualistic form of healing that emphasizes the mind-body connection, while the smell of organic coconut oil stimulates the senses into sweet relaxation and meditation.” She continues to wax eloquent about another treatment inspired by the islands, the Rainforest Shower. “In this treatment, we perform a stimulating, full body exfoliation with Kauaÿi
Sugar Scrub, while warm water cascades from the Vichy shower, rinsing your skin into silk. Island-sourced body butter then drenches the skin with pure hydration and a wonderful aroma.” Also an unmatched experience is the combined restorative qualities of the Ali‘i Lavender Butter Pöhaku Massage, which pairs the aches and pain soothing properties of smooth basalt stones with the spa’s all-natural signature lavender butter for optimum deep muscle tissue relaxation. For facials using the most primo natural resources of paradise, try the Rose Hydration Sun Soother Facial, a botanical facial specifically catering to sun-exposed skin, designed to soothe, nurture, and protect. The spa’s signature body treatments and Hawaiianinspired rituals also offer near endless options. Rid your body of unwanted toxins the natural way, with the Hawaiian Detox Salt Body Wrap, featuring a gentle, mineral-rich Hawaiian sea salt and crushed olive stone body polish. Continue the cleansing with the Kauaÿi Taro Clay Wrap, featuring the application of a fullbody masque of naturally crafted Kauaÿi clay infused with taro, organic aloe, noni, kava and blue green algae.
Or share your special time with your significant other in the Couples Nanu Ali‘i Lavender Ritual, highlighting a lavender honey scrub, cascade shower, and lavender butter massage with a warm ginger compress foot experience. The favorite male in your life may particularly prefer the Kai Käne Men’s Indulgence, a 1.5-hour experience including a luxurious deep tissue massage and the Ocean Express. Other all-natural spa packages include Ocean Oasis, which features three heavenly hours with the Ke Kai Ola Facial and Halele‘a Signature Massage, as well as Island Bliss, offering four hours filled with an Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, an oxygen infusion facial, and a starfruit and coconut mani/pedi. Whatever luxurious Haleleÿa Spa experience you decide to treat yourself to while visiting, Maldonado hopes that, “After a day enjoying our luxurious spa treatments inspired by the beauty and purity of nature, you as our guest will leave with a genuine Hawaiian spa experience steeped in rich cultural traditions and warm Aloha Spirit—feeling grounded, centered, renewed and refreshed.”
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SPORT & ADVENTURE at St. Regis
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‘Ohana ADVENTURES WORDS JUDY TSUEI
As one of the main crops that provided many staple foods on the islands, kalo (taro) played a pivotal role in Hawaiian culture, so much so that ‘ohana, which means family, comes from the name of the kalo plant: ‘ohä (the new shoot off the older taro) and na (belonging). The Hawaiians believe that they are descendants of the kalo plant, and even the words used to describe the members of the family come from the name of the parts of the kalo plant such as makua for parent and ÿohä for child. Given that family is such a deeply rooted value in Hawaiian culture, it’s no wonder that the entire island offers adventures for everyone to enjoy together as a family. From toddlers to teenagers, there are ample activities to choose from within this sublime natural playground, from making sandcastles on the beautiful beaches and bodyboarding in the warm waters to flying through the air via zipline and discovering breathtaking scenery by ATV or boat. Whatever you decide, smiles are sure to be included. THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE RESORT
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Kïlauea Point The Kïlauea Point Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge provide incredible vantage points of the North Shore’s ocean cliffs, with numerous telescopes scattered throughout the property for close-up views of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, honu (green sea turtles), dolphins, and during the winter season—koholä (humpback whales)! Because it serves as a natural preserve, the island’s nënë (Hawaiian geese) roam wild here. The tall grassy slopes of a dormant volcano provide a protective breeding ground for many Hawaiian seabirds, and it is one of the few locations where you can observe the ÿä (red-footed booby), mölï (Laysan albatross), ‘ua‘u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater) amongst other Kaua‘i wildlife in their natural habitats. Kïlauea Lighthouse provides a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with family, especially those with little kids, who can frolic on the expansive grassy area in front of the lighthouse. Located directly off Highway 56 in the town of Kïlauea, follow signs toward “Kïlauea Lighthouse.” Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm; admission is $5/person, children 15 & under are free. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/kilauea_point. Poi Making Day “Poi Day” at Waipä Farm happens every Thursday
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morning from as early as you can rise—5am! It’s not required to get there at 5am, but the earlier you arrive, the more respect you earn from the kupuna (elders) there. Diverse members of the community come together to process cooked kalo into the sticky, lavender-colored dish known as poi. Poi Day first began over 30 years ago by families along Kauaÿi’s North Shore seeking a way to keep poi available and affordable. Everyone is welcome and the bagging of the poi at the end is especially fascinating, as only certain people are allowed to touch the finished product, because the pH in our hands affects the taste of the poi. At the end of every volunteering session, bags of poi are packaged for later distribution to the kupuna and ‘ohana throughout the island, and an incredible home-cooked lunch is available to all the volunteers, including bags of poi as a thank-you for helping out. First time volunteers are asked to call (808) 826-9969 to schedule an orientation between 7-8am. Be prepared to work, as the kupuna will be watching, and for an incredibly rewarding experience that connects you to the culture of the island! For more information, visit www.waipafoundation.org/community_poi. EAST SIDE Smith’s Kauai Travel along Wailuä River on Smith’s boats from the Wailuä Marina to the Fern Grotto. During the slow, two-mile river ride, you’ll listen to live Hawaiian music and even receive a free hula lesson. These open-air boats provide lovely views of both sides of the only navigable river in all of Hawaiÿi, including the sacred capital of ancient Kauaÿi and the birthplace of the island’s aliÿi (royalty). Once you land, you’ll take a short nature walk through the rainforest to the lush Fern Grotto now restored after Hurricane Iniki in the ‘90s. The grotto is a geological wonder filled with upside down ferns growing from its roof that were formed millions of years ago. . For more information, visit smithskauai.com/fern-grotto, or call (808) 821-6895. Kipu Ranch Adventures Kipu Ranch is a 3,000-acre property extending from the Huleÿia River to the top of Mt. Häÿupu and home to numerous movie sites. What was once a sugar plantation has now become a working private cattle
PHOTO COURTESY: (OPP. BOTTOM LEFT) KIPU RANCH ADVENTURES
NORTH SHORE Na ÿÄina Kai Botanical Gardens Translated to mean “Lands by the Sea,” the Na ÿÄina Kai Botanical Gardens, Sculpture Park and Hardwood Plantation was founded by Joyce and Ed Doty, who developed their artistic and horticultural vision based upon their strong love for the land and the people of the tropics. As a not-forprofit organization, it features an array of natural and manmade wonders, as well as an endeavor to promote future sustainability of natural resources. Not only is the property a beauty to behold, but it also features an entire day devoted to keiki every month. One Saturday a month from 9am-1pm (last entry at noon), children are heartily welcomed to the “Under the Rainbow” Children’s Garden, where kids can play in Jack’s fountain, explore a jungle tree house, and enjoy many more exciting and interactive features. Families are encouraged to bring a towel, snacks, and a fun attitude. Admission is $10/person (children under 1 year are free). For more information, visit http://naainakai.org/keiki-day.
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Lydgate State Park & Kamalani Playground What better way to entertain the kids than land and sea adventures in one outing? Especially ideal for families with younger little ones, there are two keiki pools at Lydgate State Park with stone perimeters within the surrounding sea to protect from the occasionally larger surf. Picnic benches, bathrooms, and outdoor showers are readily available, so bring a floaty, beach towels, and picnic to enjoy the day as an ‘ohana. Directly across the way mauka (inland), there is an incredibly expansive tropical-themed jungle gym with an array of nooks and crannies to inspire the imagination and delight any child with monkeylike tendencies. SOUTH SIDE Koloa Zipline There are two ways to explore Kauaÿi by air—one is by plane or helicopter, the other is by zipline! Koloa Zipline features Kauaÿi’s longest zipline course and the “Flyin’ Kaua’ian” harness that allows you to ride on your stomach, Superman (or Superwoman) style—you can even zipline upside down if you want! Enjoy 3.5 hours with fun tour guides who’ll also help with tandem ziplining for little ones. Take in the beauty of Kauaÿi’s South Shore as you glide across water and land on 22,000 acres of Hawaiÿi’s first sugar plantation, owned by AOL co-founder Steve Case, who partly grew up on island and endeavors to preserve its natural beauty. Enjoy flying—rain or shine—through eight ziplines, the last of which will leave you simply gleeful. Minimum age required is 7 years old. For more information, visit koloazipline.com, or call (808) 742-2734.
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PHOTO COURTESY: (BOTTOM) KOLOA ZIPLINE; (MIDDLE/OPPOSITE) HOLO HOLO CHARTERS
ranch, inaccessible to the general public unless one joins the Kipu Ranch Adventures ATV tour, which is absolutely worth doing. Noted to be one of the top eco-tours in Hawaiÿi, guests experience an incredible tropical adventure, where families can ride in their own 4- or 6-seater ATV while following a guide to breathtaking spots filled with history. Not only are the tour guides incredibly fun, but also the sights you’ll see, such as the top of Kïpü Kai beach, where a scene from The Descendants was filmed, are memorable. Tours range between 2-4 hours and have a minimum age requirement of 7 years old. Get ready to be bounced around with smiles from ear to ear. For more information, visit kiputours.com or call (808) 246-9288.
WEST SIDE Whale Watching The winter season on Kauaÿi is ideal for whale watching. Koholä, the Hawaiian word for humpback whales, migrate over 3,000 miles from Alaska to Kauaÿi’s warm waters to breed, calve, and nurse their young. Visitors can witness whales demonstrate an array of spectacular behavior, including breaching, blows, spyhopping, and tail slaps. There are numerous boating companies that offer distinctive tours, including Holo Holo Charters, Blue Dolphin Charters, and Kauai Sea Tours, most of which depart from the West Side of the island, though inquire with each company, as some tours do leave from the North Shore. Catamarans are spacious and comfortable, and some carry 49 passengers, usually with snorkel or sunset tours of varying lengths, while the raft tours carry much fewer passengers and provide more wet and wild adventures, including exploring sea caves. Depending on the age of children and adults in your ‘ohana, as well as physical capability and comfort level, this will make a difference in which tour and vessel is best suited for your family. Holo Holo Charters features tours of the Näpali Coast and the “Forbidden” Niÿihau Island, with stops at Lehua Crater, the most remote snorkeling location on all of Hawaiÿi. Passengers will embark on boats that are all Kauaÿi-made and built by owner Kevin Millet, including a 65’ power catamaran, a 50’ sailing catamaran, two inflatable rigid hull rafts that have bathrooms on board (a positive distinction from traditional zodiacs). Holo Holo Charters voluntarily participates in the NOAA-sponsored Dolphin SMART program, which ensures safe and responsible viewing of marine life. Children must be at least 6 years old for snorkel tours and 5 years old for non-snorkel tours. All tours are family-friendly with a highlight being the waterslide entry for snorkeling and frontfacing nets on the bow of boats to get splashed by water. For more information, visit holoholocharters.com or call (808) 335-0815. Kauai Sea Tours features 24’ hard bottom inflatable rafts that carry 14 passengers, and a 60’ catamaran with two decks (main and upper viewing), cabin, complete service, and continental breakfast or lunch. Tours include snorkel and sunset cruises, narrated histories, beach landing, cruising along the Pacific Missile Range where the first satellite was recently launched from Hawaiÿi, and Nuÿalolo Kai,
which is archaeologically significant for having one of the best ancient temples in the state, as this is where voyages were launched to Tahiti over 1,300 years ago. Most notably, the Höküleÿa Polynesian voyaging canoe launched from this point to pay homage to their ancestors, traveling over 60,000 nautical miles around the earth using the ancient wayfinding method in an effort to bring people around the world together to set a course for a sustainable future. The minimum age for the catamaran is 3 years old, and 7 years old for the raft. For more information, visit kauaiseatours.com or call (808) 335-5309. Blue Dolphin Charters have spacious catamarans as well and also offers tours of the Näpali Coast and the Forbidden Island of Niÿihau. Enjoy snorkeling, whale watching and sunset dinner cruises with a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Blue Dolphin also offers scuba diving! For more information, visit bluedolphinkauai.com or call (808) 335-5553. Family-Friendly Tips When traveling with keiki on vacation or simply day-to-day, there are always special needs to consider. Be sure to call each facility in advance to ask about any special accommodations that your family requires, or any expectations the facility has about bringing children to play. Be sure to pack sunscreen, bug spray, snacks and water. Several of these companies provide meals, snacks and water, but depending on any allergies or preferences, it’s always helpful to have back up. Also, the sun on the islands tends to be intense, so your preferred method of cover-up is smart! Aim to arrive 10 minutes earlier than you need to be there. This is a great way to avoid hiccups in plans when it comes to keiki, and because there is only one lane of traffic in either direction on island, if you’re stuck in traffic, you won’t have to worry as much and can continue enjoying your vacation. Your attitude as a parent or guardian makes a big difference in how your keiki will feel, especially when trying something new, such as ziplining or the ATV tour. Remember that the goal is to have as much fun as possible and to make lasting vacation memories!
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Napali THE RUGGED, ANCIENT COASTLINE
WORDS COCO ZICKOS
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IMAGE BY IAN MCGUIRE
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ature loves showing off along Kauaÿi’s world famous Näpali Coast. Visitors flock to this pristine location every year and marvel at its towering peaks and endless valleys. Few might be aware, however, that the secluded coastline’s anthropological history is as rich as its eye-catching beauty. Archaeologists have been studying this inaccessible locale for years and have made many discoveries regarding the people who once inhabited this area. Evidence of human life is present in every gulch and every “nook and cranny,” says Alan Carpenter, an employee of the Department of Land and Natural Resources who has explored and mapped most of the Näpali Coast State Wilderness Park. Each valley once had its own infrastructure including agricultural, housing, and religious sites. Inhabitants who resided within this traditional ahupuaÿa (division of land from mountains to sea) made use of its natural resources to sustain life. They also likely had their own governing systems with a chief who preceded over each sector. While all valleys along this northwestern coast supported humans, Kalalau was ideal due to its size and depth. It’s not difficult to imagine how this Garden of Eden — which can only be seen by booking an air or ocean tour, or making an arduous 22-mile roundtrip hike — was the center of a thriving Näpali Coast population. How we see it today, however, is vastly different from what it would have looked like hundreds of years ago. The lush, forested wilderness we view now wouldn’t have existed when Hawaiian families lived here.
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Instead, you would have seen a manicured and maintained agricultural system that allowed plenty of sunlight to grow staple crops like kalo (taro), complete with natural irrigation systems. “The evidence for the former cultivated state of the main valley is omnipresent,” says Carpenter. “Anyone who has ever hiked up the valley has traversed dozens to hundreds of traditional taro terraces as they trekked. It’s pretty spectacular.” Other valleys along the Näpali Coast have their own unique characteristics. Nuÿalolo Kai and Miloliÿi, which can only be seen by air or sea, are located on the drier end of the coast and would have produced fewer crops. However, these areas contain more traces of religious complexes called heiau (places of worship). Nuÿalolo Kai was also known not only as a ceremonial center for events including ÿöahi (fireworks) where flaming sticks were launched from the cliffs into the ocean, but is thought to have been a gathering place for activities such as the annual makahiki (ancient festival with sports and religious activities). It’s believed that disease and the appeal of the Western world eventually lured Hawaiians out of the valleys, though it is thought some lived in Kalalau as late as the 20th century. But while these communities have long since vanished, centuries of their presence remain. In fact, the Kalalau Trail is part of a path created around 1860 by the Kingdom of Hawaiÿi to foster trade between the “city” of Hä‘ena and the main Näpali Coast valleys. Western loot like oil was strapped to equines whose keepers would trade the goods for items grown within the valleys like taro, oranges, and coffee.
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One of the most intriguing traces of past life along this path is about mid-way through the trail between Hanakoa and Kalalau Valleys. Named Pöhakuÿau, which means “swimming rock,” it’s the smallest ahupuaÿa along the Näpali Coast with a distinct structure unique to Kauaÿi and only one other location on Hawaiÿi Island. That’s because loÿi (irrigated terraces for taro) were constructed along the top of the steep and narrow gulch rather than at the bottom or sides like the other valleys—akin to the terraced land of Machu Picchu though much different as far as complexity and magnitude is concerned. “It must have been an incredible system,” says Carpenter. And while petroglyphs are extremely rare on the Näpali Coast, this area is the only place they’ve been discovered in abundance. What sets sites like this apart from others in Hawaiÿi is that they remain completely protected and within one of the only districts statewide that is entirely undeveloped—you won’t see any roads or cars here. This is exactly what makes the Näpali Coast so alluring, and why everyone is always blown away by the natural beauty that prevails in this mystical Shangri-La. One of the best ways to gain a comprehensive perspective of this enchanted coastline is by booking a helicopter tour. Though the sound of helicopters aren’t favored too much by hikers attempting to traverse the Kalalau Trail in serenity, these machines have the ability to dart in and out of valleys and practically nestle up to the emerald mountains. Cruising along in a boat is another option. You’ll get an exclusive view of valleys like Nuÿalolo Kai that aren’t available to hikers on the Kalalau Trail. These tours also often involve activities like snorkeling where you get to swim with honu (green sea turtles) and rub elbows with colorful fish. One of the most touted and legendary ways of venturing along this coast, however, is traipsing the Kalalau Trail. It’s also the most dangerous. Before heading out, make absolute sure to check weather conditions as flash flooding poses a serious risk to hikers en route. Rain also makes this trail slippery and you’ll yearn for drier ground once you reach dicey points hugging the coastline that offer no protection from the raging water several hundred feet below.
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That said, if you’re well-suited for the journey and athletically inclined, this is one of the most spectacular adventures Kauaÿi has to offer. To get here, you’ll need to drive to the end of Kühiö Highway on the North Shore. Please remember to be respectful of kamaÿäina (Hawaiÿi residents) who live here. Plenty of visitors will be making the same venture to Këÿë Beach where the start of the trail is located, and this fact has become wearisome for many of the folks that call this North Shore community their home. It’s best to start early to avoid the crowds, and doing so will also help you find a place to park. Before embarking on your mission, make sure to acquire a permit for camping well ahead of time. Due to the overwhelming popularity of this region, enforcement is more prevalent than ever before. You won’t need a permit, however, if you only plan to hike the two miles to Hanakäpiÿai Beach—a great daylong outing that brings you to a glorious, white sandy shoreline. And while not suitable for swimming, this remote destination is perfect for relaxing while enjoying a delicious and well-deserved meal. Those brave enough to endure the entire 11-mile trek will be rewarded with the kind of peace and calm that was once granted to the communities that lived in these valleys. As you gaze at the ocean and take in the incredible cathedral-like cliffs of Kalalau, you can easily envision what it might have been like to farm taro for your community and sleep under the stars every evening, just as the ancient Hawaiians did many moons ago.
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Epic Holes AT PRINCEVILLE MAKAI GOLF CLUB
HOLE #3
HOLE #7
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he well-designed and visually striking course at Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort has earned many accolades for good reasons. Since undergoing an extensive $6 million renovation in 2010, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course was named “Top 5 Great Golf Settings” by National Geographic Traveler, “Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses in America” by Golf Digest, and Golfweek’s No. 4 in the state of Hawaiÿi. Play the course once, and you will definitely want to book another tee time. Even if you are not an avid golfer, you will enjoy being on the course for its stunning natural beauty and appreciate the immaculate condition of the course. It’s easy to be distracted by the magnificent scenery of ocean, sheer cliffs and large seabirds, so while these signature holes may not be long, they certainly aren’t short on dramatic views and demanding shot-making.
MAKAI GOLF CLUB #2
Hole #3
PAR-3 Yardages: 181-153-150-130 The third hole is as challenging as it is spectacular. This perilous par 3 requires a short iron shot from a teeing area elevated 100 feet above a protected green below. A beautiful lake fronting the green mingles with the beauty of Hanalei Bay in the background and the north shore’s breathtaking mountains. With the trade winds blowing from behind and the enormous drop to the green, usually two clubs less are required, making this beauty less beastly.
Hole #7
PAR-3 Yardages: 213-173-155-120 An exceptionally frightening par 3, while at the same time featuring the tranquil beauty of the Pacific Ocean and Hanalei Bay. From the championship tees, one must carry nearly 200 yards over a ravine that is 160 feet deep-with the sea churning against the black rocks at the bottom--to a green fronted only by a cliff garnished with tropical vegetation and trees.
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Rooted
IN HISTORY CULTURE AND CONSERVATION CONVERGE AT LIMAHULI GARDEN & PRESERVE WORDS ANDY BETH MILLER
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IMAGES KENT CHASTAIN
ucked away along Kauaÿi’s stunning North Shore is Limahuli Garden & Preserve, a 1,000-acre wonderland and one of the five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). Open to the public since 1995, this sacred Hawaiian area has been deemed by the American Horticultural Society as the best natural botanical garden in the entire nation. Not to be missed on any trip to the islands, this nature preserve boasts 17 accessible acres of garden and rainforest land (including taro gardens and awe-inspiring terrace systems), giving all a chance to explore and learn more about not only the physical aspects of Hawaiÿi’s rich ÿäina (land), but also granting a glimpse into the philosophical, and even spiritual aspects of its equally rich culture. In an interview with The National Wildlife Federation EcoLeaders Career Center, Kawika Winter Ph.D., Director of Limahuli Garden & Preserve, explained the mission of both the NTBG and Limahuli itself. “The NTBG is a congressionally-chartered, nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich life by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions,” he said. “[Limahuli is] the largest of NTBG’s sites…You could say that we are the hot spot of the hot spot of the hot spot in the State that is both the endangered species capital and extinction capital of the United States.” As well as being a safe haven to numerous critically endangered species of plants and birds (the area is a dedicated pu’uhonua—literally translated in Hawaiian as “place of refuge”), this immensely biodiverse valley is also filled with storied and sacred places of the Hawaiian people. According to Winter, it’s his job—and that of Limahuli as a whole— to “harness the synergy which comes from bringing the world of science and conservation together with the world of ancestral practice and philosophy, and to direct that energy towards being a model of biocultural conservation in Hawaiÿi.”
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One way which Winter and his team at Limahuli are able to achieve this mission is by taking the ancestral resource management practices of the islands, and modifying them to today’s modern world in order to address contemporary conservation challenges and thereby, also ensuring the sustaining health, function, and continued vibrancy of the valley. In layman’s terms, this is the concept of biocultural conservation fleshing itself out. So, what exactly can one expect to see on a journey through the hallowed grounds of Limahuli—the largest of two valleys belonging to what is known in Hawaiÿi as the ahupuaÿa (land division) of Häÿena? Prepare your eyes for impeccably intact archaeological complexes, native forest foliage, and an idyllic stream bubbling through it all. And as for your ears, keep them open for the palpable presence of island ancestors’ spirits whispering their hauntingly lovely chants across the wind among the valley rifts. The sacred spot even has a few of the original inhabitants’ ancestors still reverently tending to its taro-filled and terraced soil known as loÿi. The history of Häÿena itself is fascinating—its stories and truths kept vividly alive by being passed through the generations via songs, chants, proverbs, and poetry. We’d even wager there were more than a few old wives tales that contributed to the folklore along the way. In fact, the unofficial “official” story speaks of how Häÿena was the setting where much of the saga of Hiÿiaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele (the youngest sister of Pele, goddess of lava) unfolded. In more recent news (yet not half as scintillating), Häÿena was recognized as being one of the last functioning ahupuaÿa in all of the islands. Fast forward to today, thanks to the gifting of the preserve
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lands to the NTBG by the Wichman family, and Limahuli continues to not only function, but also thrive. Perhaps one of the most fascinating facets of Limahuli is seeing firsthand its on-site watershed systems. Winter, in a recent documentary filmed by CGEE multimedia, delves further into this intriguing Hawaiian tradition of ahupuaÿa, and expounds how the watershed system at Limahuli not only is able to educate, but also empower. “The whole concept of ahupuaÿa really is how you can best utilize the resources of your place to make things thrive,” said Winter. “The way that we interpret and look at ahupuaÿa system is something that we not only need to get back to in Hawaiÿi, but globally, especially in looking at watershed management.” Winter sees Limahuli, one of the smallest inhabitable watershed systems on the planet (spanning roughly two-miles deep), as having a great opportunity for visitors to come and view how the issues facing this watershed are overcome and adapted upon, in hopes that they can then return to their lives operating within much larger systems, and put into practice this same sustainable conservation, in perpetuity. “If you look back at the ancient Hawaiian civilization, the management of fresh water was at the foundation of success on so many levels,” said Winter—and the foundation of many aspects that still today overflow into the philosophy system, the religious system, even the language. For those wanting to witness this rare place of refuge in person, Limahuli Garden is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30am until 4pm. To book a tour reservation, call (808) 826-1053. For more information, visit https://ntbg.org/gardens/limahuli.
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Native
NATURE WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO
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PHOTOGRAPHY DANIEL LANE
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ffectionately known as the Garden Isle, Kaua‘i’s abundant vegetation and tropical flora bloom year round amazing visitors with their vitality, grandeur, and enchanting fragrance. Today, thousands of native plant species still exist but many are surprised to learn that much of the foliage that has helped earn Kaua‘i its nickname of the Garden Isle have only been introduced to the island within the past two centuries. The decline in abundance of native plants can be attributed to loss of natural habitats, introduction of pests and disease, and the presence of invasive species to the islands. Many native Hawaiian plants exist in unpopulated forests requiring dangerous treks into the mountains for an opportunity to appreciate these native plants in their natural habitats; even the most seasoned hiker might go their entire life without encountering these rare and exceptional native plants. In an effort to help educate guests on the uniqueness and splendor of Hawai‘i’s flora, The St. Regis Princeville Resort has partnered with the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) to craft a native Hawaiian forest garden along the resort’s main entry. Cultivated in beds housed in a 600-square-foot space are 32 species of truly authentic native Hawaiian plants such as the Koki‘o ke‘o ke‘o, a white hibiscus found only in the forests of northwestern Kaua‘i. Declared extinct in 1913, it was re-discovered in the Limahuli Valley in the 1970s. Also featured is the Loulu, a fan-shaped native palm of Kaua‘i that grows in wet and mesic forests from Koke‘e and Alaka‘i Swamp to western Näpali. Guests are welcomed to enjoy this exceptional journey and view a healthy Hawaiian garden. The plots within the garden space were carefully selected by staff of the NTBG to be simulate the plant’s natural habitat and they have created a condensed representation of a native Kaua‘i forest. Depending on the plant’s needs concerning moisture requirements, sun exposure, or specifications on elevation, the NTBG has created a forest to showcase the rare species unfamiliar to visitors and life-long residents alike.
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BEACH GUIDE With warm crystal clear azure waters and breathtaking vistas, the beaches on Kaua‘i are simply unmatched with any other destination in the world. Whether you seek seclusion on a hidden beach fit for romantic movie scenes or desire quality playtime with the family at a safe swimming beach equipped with a lifeguard, there are 50 miles of silky white sand beaches on the coastline of Kaua‘i.
NORTH SHORE ‘ANINI BEACH PARK This beautiful white sand beach has one of the largest coral reefs in Hawai‘i and has some of the best snorkeling in Kaua‘i for all levels. Swimming is among the safest on the North Shore and a good place to learn how to windsurf. You can see magnificent sunsets from here. Grills, camping, restrooms and showers are available. No lifeguards. Located off Kühiö Hwy. Turn west on the second Kalihiwai Rd between the 25 and 26 mile markers. Take ‘Anini Road to beach. HANALEI BAY One of the most majestic places on earth is also a great place to learn to surf, frolic in the water, jump off the pier or just enjoy the incredible scenery. The sunsets are spectacular and the moonlight over Hanalei Bay is magical. There are four beach parks included in the two-mile sandy crescent shaped bay and all have lifeguards on duty except Waikoko Beach. Black Pot Park is located next to the Hanalei River mouth with tropical foliage along the river’s edge and is a local gathering place with a variety of water activities. The Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park is a popular spot for picnics. The water is generally calmer near the pier. Wai‘oli Beach Park is near the center of the bay set in an ironwood grove. Waikoko Beach is located on the westernmost section and is protected by Waikoko Reef so it’s popular with snorkelers and families. Picnic area, tables, pavilions, grills, showers and restrooms are available. Located off Kühiö Hwy in Hanalei. Access beaches off Aku Rd or Weke Rd. KĒ‘Ē BEACH The Thornbirds and Lord of the Flies were filmed at this exquisite and very popular beach. With views of the Näpali Coast, it is great for snorkeling and swimming in the protected lagoon in calm conditions. Snorkelers and scuba divers can expect to see teems of tropical fish and honu (green sea turtles) on calm, clear days. Stay inside the reef for calmer waters. Beware of strong currents and dangerous waves breaking on rocks and ledges. The currents
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are deceptively strong even on days when the water looks calm so it’s best to stay in the reef-protected lagoon. The beach gets crowded with hikers and beachgoers, so get there early for a parking space. You may want to stay for the magnificent Näpali sunsets from the point. The trailhead for Kalalau Trail begins here. Bathrooms and showers are available. Located at the end of the road on Hwy 56. LUMAHA‘I BEACH One of the most stunning and most photographed beaches in Kaua‘i, it was made famous as the location for the movie South Pacific. This large and wide, beautiful golden sand beach is popular with a background of verdant foliage cliffs. Swimming is not recommended here since there is no protective reef barrier to guard you against the tumultuous sea. Dangers include powerful waves sweeping up unsuspecting beachgoers off the rocks into the sea, strong undertow and dangerous shorebreaks. It’s a great beach to sunbathe and take in the incredible scenery. Access to the western part of the beach is located off Hwy 560 at Wainiha near mile marker 5. The eastern part of the beach separated by a lava rock of Lumaha‘i is Kahalahala Beach. In calm conditions (summer), this beach can be a picturesque beach to swim in crystal clear warm water and explore the tidepools. No facilities or lifeguards. Park in the dirt parking lot. To access, hike down a steep jungle trail from the top of the lookout. MĀKUA BEACH (TUNNELS) This is one of the best snorkeling beaches due to the widefringing reef with a huge variety of fish swimming around in the shallow inner and outer reefs. The exceptional beach is surrounded by gently sloping sand and is well protected with incredible mountain scenery popular with swimmers, surfers, windsurfers and beachcombers. The best snorkeling is in the center by the crescent shaped reef. Scuba divers can explore the underwater caverns near the shore. Beware of sharp reefs, rip currents and dangerous water conditions. No facilities at this beach but the facilities at Hä‘ena State Park are nearby. Lifeguard on duty. Take one of two dirt roads off Hwy 56 north of Hanalei near the 8-mile marker.
EAST SIDE KUMUKUMU BEACH (DONKEY) A fantastic long sandy beach in a cove at the base of a pasture, named Donkey Beach because of the herd of mules that rested on the beach in the early plantation days. The waves draw in many surfers but it’s not a good beach for beginners. The winters yield high surf making swimming dangerous. Beware of steep entry, dangerous shorebreaks, strong currents and rocks submerged in the surf. Snorkeling can be good in a secluded cove north of the stream and over a small hill. No facilities or lifeguards. Located north of Kapa‘a ~ 1/2 mile north of the 11 mile marker off Hwy 56. Parking lot is at the top of the path to the beach. Hike 10 minutes to shoreline and take a right for the beach; turn north and walk past the stream for the secluded cove. LYDGATE STATE PARK A scenic family beach that is very popular since it offers something for everyone including a park. There are two large lava pools great for children and offers safe swimming and snorkeling for beginners. Rock wall protects swimmers year-round and the ironwood groves provide shade. Kamalani Playground has a wooden volcano jungle gym and bright ceramic sea creatures adorn the playground. Picnic pavilions, grills, showers and restrooms are available. Lifeguard on duty. Located off Kühiö Hwy on Leho Drive just south of the Wailua River.
SOUTH & WEST SHORE KALAPAKĪ BEACH This is a beautiful sandy crescent-shaped beach with tranquil water and a great place to learn to surf on the offshore break with great views of the pali (cliffs) in the bay. It’s a great place to swim when conditions are calm. Beware of strong rip currents during high surf. Located off Rice St. west of Lïhu‘e in front of the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Park in the public parking lot at the hotel. PO‘IPŪ BEACH Po‘ipü Beach in the county park is nationally ranked and popular because the sunny weather and calm water that surrounds the chain of beautiful wide, white sandy beaches. An offshore reef causes the waves to break before they reach the beach making it a keiki-friendly beach. Swimming and snorkeling are great between the offshore reef and the coast while the breaking waves outside the calm waters create surfing and boogie boarding opportunities. The protected beach area is great for novice snorkelers. Dangerous water conditions can occur during periods of high surf. Beginning surf lessons are available as well as a nearby playground. Lifeguards, picnic tables, pavilions, showers and restrooms are available. Located off Po‘ipü Rd. south of Ho‘owili Rd.
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