Blog
Kauai’s Tops the Charts… AGAIN!
Kauai has done it again! 'Travel and Leisure Magazine' votes' have just been tallied for their annual 'World's Best Awards'... Kauai has topped the charts as the #1 island to visit in Hawaii, and has come in a close 2nd place for most sought after island to visit in the world! Now is your turn...
Kauai’s Bali Hai is Calling…
Bali Hai may call you, Any night, any day, In your heart, you'll hear it call you: "Come away...Come away." Did you know that there’s an actual Bali Hai? Mt. Makana (“the Gift”), a mystical mountain peak on the island of Kauai, is the landmark that inspired the siren call from “South Pacific.” And...
Rock ‘n Rollin’ at the Hanalei Trike-a-Thon
Every June, the Hanalei Canoe Club sponsors an 8 Mile Run/Walk culminating with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Of course that’s way too far for my two boys—Stone (5) and Tiger (2)—so we attended the annual “Trike-a-Thon” instead, a fundraiser for Aloha School. We staged it on the basketball...
A Saturday in Hanalei….
My family has a pretty 'typical Saturday'... the morning starts at Java Kai, the local Hanalei coffee shop where mom gets her morning espresso and the boys get the usual, Kauai Waffle (home-made waffles with fresh fruit, whip cream, toasted coconut and macadamia nuts). Next stop on the list, the...
Eat, Play, Love in Kilauea, Kauai
People always ask me where I go to eat and shop. So today I’d like to tell you about one of my favorite places, Kilauea, “the biggest little town on the North Shore.” If you take the turn off by the Chevron Station heading for the Kilauea Lighthouse, you’ll see historic stone buildings on three...
Dreaming of a Kauai Vacation? Get off the Fence (and into a Hammock)!
If you’ve been on the fence about vacationing on Kauai this summer, may I politely suggest that you hop off… now! Because after a lackluster 2009 in which the number of airline seats to the Hawaiian Islands declined—and hotel occupancy was in the lua (that's Hawaiian for "toilet")—the airlines...
Ultimate Kauai Dad!
My dad is the most amazing, inspiring & wonderful human being. He is my hero... I think he really shined in my eyes when I had kids! My father's love for my boys (2 and 4) is so natural, pure and with no hesitation. I guess, through my 'mommy eyes', I see things a little differently then I...
Kauai History: The Separate Kingdom
Kauai, Hawaii is also named the Garden Isle. Mount Wai'ale'ale averages 485 inches of rain per year, which explains why Kauai, Hawai'i is known as "The Garden Isle." However, it is interesting to note that the island also has another, older name: "The Separate Kingdom." Kauai, Hawaii is said to...
Snorkel Bob Foundation: Protecting our Ocean
Jean & Abbott encourages our guests and visitors to check out the Snorkel Bob site... rent their gear, book their activities... why? because of their efforts to protect our oceans through the 'Snorkel Bob Foundation'. The Snorkel Bob Foundation focuses on reef recovery. To that end, the...
Featured Recipe: Ginger Glazed Mahi-Mahi
Bring the taste of Hawaii to the dinner plate with this Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi. Bursting with flavor, a combination of both sweet and sour tastes are abundant. The 30 minute prep time includes 20 minutes to marinate the fish, this recipe is a snap to make and so delicious. You and your...
Kauai Vacation Rental: King Hale
King Hale is a stunning, newly renovated Kauai vacation rental. Located in the serene beachfront community of Haena which is about 4 miles from Hanalei. Here you will experience the lush tropical jungle, beautiful white sand beaches with great surfing, shelling, and snorkeling depending on the...
Featured Recipes: Papaya Seed Salad Dressing
Aloha Guests! I LOVE my salads and feel like I am always experimenting with different store bought dressings without ever finding that perfect one (not to mention also paying an arm and leg for a little bottle!). I have made it my mission to come up with a home made dressing that tastes great...
Kauai Vacation Rental: Keawaihi at Anini Beach
Look Familiar? This magnificent estate was the home used for the movie "Honeymoon in Vegas", Beachfront at Anini, the largest continuous coral reef in the Islands, it doesn't get much better than Keawaihi Hale! Not only are the views and the beach spectacular, there's some of the best snorkeling...
Kauai Vacation: Things not to be missed!
Aloha Guests! Kauai has SO many wonderful things to do, see and eat! Where to start... it gets overwhelming with all of the activity books, magazines, online sites... where does one begin in figuring out what to do with each precious vacation day on the island? I have a few top recommendations...
Kauai Vacation Rental: Ikena Makana at Tunnels Beach
This week I wanted to feature one of the best priced Kauai Vacation Rentals around (in my opinion)! The Ikena Makana at Tunnels Beach is a spectacular find. Located on Kauai's North Shore in the town of Haena... This vacation home is 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. All King beds, so makes for a...
Hawaiian Words
Aloha Guests and Blog Followers! I thought it may be fun to make a list of some useful Hawaiian words... test them out, use them while on the island, it will get you into the Hawaiian Spirit! – (a LOW ha) hello, good-bye, love, kindness, friendship -hale –-(HAH lee) house -heiau – (HEY ow)...
Kauai Beaches: Secret Beach
Nestled at the base of a sheer cliff just north of Kilauea, Secret Beach is well off the beaten track for good reason. You must hike down (and back up!) a rocky trail which zigzags through trees, gullies, and brush. You can drive only to the trail’s beginning at the top of the cliff. From here,...
Featured Recipe: Coconut Almond Crunch Granola
The sights, smells, and tastes of t he island makes visitors and locals alike savor in it's tropical mystique. While visiting Kauai or back home, take some time out of your day to test out this amazing Granola recipe that will bring the islands into your kitchen! Coconut Crunch Granola: Makes 11...
Kauai Beaches: Polihale Beach Park
Polihale Beach Park: From the time you leave the paved road behind to jolt north through a maze of sugar cane fields, you know you're in for something special. Gradually, beyond the tall sugar cane rustling in the breeze, a dark ridge of jagged peaks appears on the right. As you get closer, these...
Kauai Beaches: Shipwreck’s Beach Poipu
Kauai's Shipwreck Beach along Keoniloa Bay and in front of the Grand Hyatt Kauai was never much of a beach -until the hurricane blasted the south shore of Kauai and created a new coastline. What was once a thin curve of sand is now a long, golden crescent divided by lava rocks. It's called...