Lydgate Beach Park, Boys and Sticks

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Monika

If you are the parent of a toddler or preschool boy you are familiar with the joy that a simple stick can bring. You can replace the stick or alter the stick but it seems ironic with all the fancy toys they have they are pretty content when they find their perfect stick. This is because the stick is his defense, his weapon, gun, cannon, sword, poker, digger and best friend.

Now, imagine a place with a long stretch of white sandy beach, crystal clear water and an endless supply of sticks. This place exists and it is located on the East Side of Kauai just south of the Wailua River. The river is the source of a driftwood stick haven, carried down during heavy rain and then deposited onto the sand. The sticks come in all shapes and sizes guaranteeing a satisfied stick aficionado and hours of free entertainment.
With the sheer number of sticks and logs available the shoreline, a weapon might not be the only use your boy will find for his stick. In fact, you might be delighted to see him being quite creative building a fort, a seat, or a pirate ship out of those sticks. If you think this kind of behavior is silly, think again. Early childhood educators and child psychologist agree about the importance of imaginary play. Imaginative play has been shown to foster social and emotional skills, creative problem solving, language skills, cognitive thinking skills, and even helps builds self-esteem. That’s right, you can actually help your child’s overall development by having a fun time playing with sticks on the beaches in Hawaii.

If however you tire from building forts and sword fighting, the nearby Lydgate Ponds offer safe snorkeling for beginners. The playground at Lydgate Park is the largest playground on the island and can offer your family hours of imaginative play. The beach park also offers facilities, a lifeguard, and shade pavilions for the perfect picnic. If you are vacationing with children of any age, make sure that Lydgate Beach Park is on your list of places to visit. Be warned however, you might find that trusty stick tucked away in your boy’s suitcase when you get home.

Best Kauai Beaches

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Tanya

What are the Best Beaches on Kauai? Well that depends what you’re looking for. Are you looking for seclusion, long walks, snorkeling, kid friendly or just the perfect mixture of sand and water to soak up some rays? The Garden Island of Kauai has more than just gardens. Kauai has more beach per coastline mile than any of the other Hawaiian Islands. Kauai is truly a beach-lover’s jackpot of pristine, soft, white sand – perfect for sunbathing, castle-building, shell hunting – beaches.

Best Beaches on Kauai

Haena Beach is simply put- a piece of heaven. Tropical jungle meets turquoise waters and white sand beaches. During the summer months Haena Beach Park offers good snorkeling, beach strolling and sunbathing. This beach has a backdrop that is very recognizable. Mount Makana (Bali Hai) looms mysteriously and offers a spectacular backdrop for sunsets and photo opportunities. Across the street from Haena Beach Park is the Maniniholo dry cave one of Kauai’s many natural attractions.

Mahaulepu Beach is a special place all of its own. This is a treasured part of our Island heritage and the last stretch of beach on the south side that is not developed. This magical stretch of coastline is so deserving of preservation. To access this gem of a beach you must drive down a unpaved dirt road or hike the coast along the Mahaulepu Beach Heritage Trail. The trail begins at the east end of Shipwrecks beach and winds along a coastline of sand dunes, lava tubes, tide pools and stretches of white sand beaches perfect for beach combing.

Salt Pond Beach Park on the West side of Kauai is often overlooked. Salt Pond has a number of protected shallow pools that offer great snorkeling. The water is generally quite clear here and the fringing reefs help keep the water fairly calm. Explore the tide-pools and discover additional Hawaiian marine life and always a beautiful spot for viewing a Kauai sunset. A lifeguard is posted here and you will find restrooms, showers and shade pavilions in the park. Adjacent to the beach park are the salt beds where only certain families are allowed to harvest the salt.

Hanalei Bay by far the most popular beach, especially with the 2011 filming of the movie “The Descendants” starring George Clooney used this as the backdrop and filming location.The two mile long crescent shaped bay offers activities for the whole family. The center of the bay is known as Pavilions and is a popular beach for swimming, surfing and boogie boarding. Lifeguards man this section of the beach. A large pavilion, restrooms, showers and BBQ areas make this an easy spot for the whole family to enjoy a day at the beach. Visit Hanalei Bay in the summer, where sailboats from around the world anchor in the bay, on there last stop before heading back to the west coast from Mexico or the South Pacific.

Poipu Beach will satisfy a wide range of interest. The beach park is perfect for families with children of all ages. A fun playground structure sits above the shoreline and offers hours of fun. Across the street from the beach you will find food and a cool treat of Hawaiian shave ice and ice-cream. Adjacent to the beach park Brennecke’s Beach has exciting waves for boogie boarding. West of the park several beachfront hotels offer surfboard rentals and lessons as well as a nice place to sit and enjoy a meal while watching the sunset into the Pacific.

While each of the beaches on Kauai have their similarities, they also have their differences. Some are more apt for surfing, some for snorkeling, some for swimming or just a perfect place to relax and watch the the most remarkable sunsets. Seasonal weather fluctuations that Kauai experiences can cause drastic differences in the ocean’s conditions. As beautiful as the beaches are, it is extremely important to know about the particular beach you’re visiting before heading into the water. Always ask a lifeguard for the best place to swim and current water conditions.

During the summer season (May – October), North Shore beaches usually mild conditions where you can expect flat and small waves except for a few specific areas that are exposed to the trade wind waves. East Side beaches have pleasant trade-winds that blow fairly consistent off the water during the year and can create larger waves with accelerated trades. The south and west sides of Kauai side surf conditions during the summer bring larger waves and frequent swells creating a deceptively high and powerful surf.

During the winter months (November-April), the North Shore beaches experience a pretty consistent bombardment of huge, fairly dangerous swells. On Kauai’s East Side waves stay relatively similar to the summer months. The south side surf usually flattens out and the sunny weather and light trades offer great opportunities for snorkeling and beginning surf lessons.

Many of the beaches on Kauai are equipped with facilities – public restrooms, drinking water, showers, outdoor picnicking areas with nice tables, seating, waste and recycle receptacles, ample parking, and some with lunch and dining facilities within walking distance. Lifeguard beaches are located on each side the island. Of course you can explore a much more secluded shoreline, where facilities are non-existent, but a surrounding landscape gives you the feeling of being on an untouched tropical island paradise. Always use caution when exploring Kauai beaches.

Best Things To Do On Kauai

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Tanya

You could spend a great deal of your life and your savings traveling the world to find that perfect vacation getaway. Kauai is synonymous with beauty and this tiny island in the Pacific has been voted by National Geographic as one of the Top 50 Places in the World to Live and Play. After exploring Kauai you may just forget about the rest of the world. I am often asked, “What are the best things to do on Kauai?” so here are my top picks for your Kauai getaway.

Hiking the Napali Coast

The Napali Coast is a fifteen mile coastline that stretches the from the north end of the island at Kee beach to the west side at Polihale beach. The Napali coast is accessible only by boat with the exception of the 12 mile stretch of coastline along the Kalalau Trail. This remarkable coast carved out by years of erosion is made up of sheer sea cliffs rising sharply out of the ocean to heights of 4,000 feet, hanging valleys, sea caves, and cascading waterfalls that make their way to the ocean from thousands of feet above.

The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to the Napali Coast on Kauai. The Kalalau Trail begins at Kee Beach in Haena and ending after a challenging 11 miles at Kalalau Beach. The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crisscrosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush valleys, dropping to sea level on the beaches of Hanakapiai and Kalalau. A similar foot trail linked earlier Hawaiian settlements along the coastline originally built in the late 1800s, portions of the trail were rebuilt in the 1930s.

Don your hiking shoes and trek the first two miles into Hanakapiai Beach, kayak the coast during the calm of the summer months or book a boat trip to experience one of the many wonders of Kauai.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge started in 1985 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is marked by its towering lighthouse. The ocean cliffs and tall grassy slopes of a dormant volcano provide a protective breeding ground for many Hawaiian seabirds. It is also one of the few locations where you can observe the Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby, Albatross, Wedge-tailed Shear-water amongst other Kauai wildlife in their natural habitat. The coastal front also provides a safe haven for the Hawaiian monk seals, green turtles, and the humpback whale.

Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park

Waimea Canyon State Park is the largest canyon in the Pacific and will undoubtedly capture your gaze, with its 10 mile long stretch at a mile wide and measuring more than 3,500 feet deep. The history of Kauai can be seen in the walls and crags of the canyon as you explore the more than 45 miles of trails. This is truly a remarkable sight, offering numerous scenic overlooks and photo opportunities. Surrounding the Waimea Canyon is the Kokee State Park which occupies 4,345 acres of land. Norfolk pines, Koa hardwoods, native plants and wildlife are just a small fraction of what you will see here.My favorite way to explore the canyon and the Kokee State Park is to hit the trails. There are dozens of hiking trails for every level of expertise. My favorite hike is the Pihea Alakai Boardwalk Trail is a must do while visiting Kauai. This hike is a challenging yet rewarding hike that will take you to the edge of one of the most spectacular valleys and on a clear day vistas of Hanalei Bay and as far as the Kilauea Light House.

State operated cabins are available year-round with advance reservations. Waimea Canyon hiking maps can be found at the Kokee Natural History Museum.

Wailua Falls

The Wailua Falls are one of Kauai’s little secrets known not only for its flowing beauty, but also ease of access. This 140 foot waterfall appears on many postcards, print and media collections and was used as the opening scene for the 1970’s Television series Fantasy Island. The Wailua falls are located off Maalo Road or Hwy 583and is easily accessed. These easy to photograph falls will involve no hiking. The size and appearance of the falls is determined by the amount of rainfall further up the mountains.

Hanalei Valley and the North Shore

Hanalei Valley is one of the most beautiful and lush places in all Hawaii and some argue the world. Hanalei is surrounded by majestic mountains and countless cascading waterfalls that drain into the lush valley, taro fields, and rivers below. If that doesn’t bring you to your senses then perhaps Hanalei Bay with its perfect swimming waves and soft white sand may entice you. You will also want to spend some time on the Hanalei Bay and explore the eight mile scenic drive from the town of Hanalei to the end of the road at Kee Beach.

Polihale Beach

Polihale Beach is the longest stretch of white sand beach in Hawaii. Located at the end of an old dirt cane haul road off the last stretch of highway on the West Side. This is a favorite and beautiful beach for long walks, amazing sunsets and camping with the proper permits. Ocean conditions can be dangerous especially during winter months and high swells. Polihale is exposed to open ocean with no protective reefs and no lifeguard.

Mahaulepu Heritage Trail

As part of a special dedicated stretch of coastline The Mahaulepu Coastal Trail is a beautiful hike along the last stretch of accsessible coastline. The hike takes you from the south east corner of Shipwreck Beach and The Grand Hyatt Kauai. along sand-dune cliffs, limestone formations, Kiawe trees, and rocky inlets to Mahaulepu Beach. There are dozens of great spots for tide-pool exploration, learning about marine life and spotting the rare Hawaiian sea turtles and the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. This area has amazing rock formations and numerous amount of blow holes along the coastal trail. Children enjoy throwing sand or leaves into the blow holes and await the rush of and haunting sound that fills the air.

Along with all these the natural wonders there are numerous activities and fun things to do. So experience Kauai for yourself and create your own Best of Kauai List.

Painting with Water in Poipu

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Monika

Painting with watercolors can be a challenge for some, but instructor, Kathy Kovala has the gift of letting the water do the painting for her. She also has the gift of being able to share this technique with her students in her watercolor classes. Kathy has been coming to Kauai to teach watercolor classes each spring for the last 16 years. While she is most loved for her exotic orchid painting classes, she offers a wide variety of lessons to local students and visitors alike.

This year, Kathy will kick off painting season on Thursday, February 2nd, with a series of classes to be held at the historic Plantation Gardens Restaurant in Poipu. These classes will run through March 29, 2012. You will want to take advantage of this unique opportunity because Plantation Gardens is a special place to paint. The historic plantation manor was once owned by the last manager of Koloa Plantation. The manger’s wife planted an amazing and award-winning cactus and succulent garden on the grounds. Since then, over 2000 orchids have been planted among the lily ponds. These gardens are not only a pleasure to view but also a pleasure to paint.

Kathy will also be conducting a special 3-day seminar focusing on waterfalls and lighthouses at the Jean Camp residence over President’s weekend. If you have never painted with Kathy, this is your opportunity to really learn how to paint. Kathy shows her students how to paint with demonstrations and individual help and her students say she has a knack for making classes relaxed and enjoyable.

For more information, or to register for the classes, you may contact Kathy at
715-360-9929 or E-MAIL kathykovala@msn.com.

Kauai – A Honeymoon Paradise

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Tanya

There is hardly a more romantic time than your honeymoon. And there is hardly a more romantic place to spend your honeymoon than on the Island of Kauai. With more miles of beach per miles of coastline than any other of the Hawaiian islands, you are sure to find the perfect spot to watch the famous Kauai sunsets. And with hundreds of different kinds of honeymoon accommodations available – boutique hotels to luxury resorts to private vacation rentals and secluded campsites, there are plenty of spots to spend your romantic evenings and create a lifetime of memories..

Hawaii was voted a hotspot for honeymoon destinations by Honeymooner’s Review Guide, the Wedding Channel, and among the top ten best honeymoon locations as seen by the Travel Channel, Woman’s Stalk, and the Knot. Honeymooning on Kauai in particular is a favorite destination among the Hawaiian island chain.

Kauai’s uniquely stunning natural beauty and peaceful, less crowded Beaches gives you the total experience of a tropical island paradise. With dozens of amazing beaches on the island, there is plenty of room for long, romantic walks, and private dining by the sea. Though with Kauai’s diverse natural landscape, beach activities aren’t the only thing to enjoy on the island. For the more active honeymooners, there is over 100 miles of trails to hike or take a land tour on horseback or an exhilarating ATV tour through rain forest,canyons, mountain valleys and cattle ranch land. pastures.

There are also the Napali coast boating tours, and trips to the Forbidden Island of Niihau where sea turtle and whale watching are naturally inclusive. Besides, “forbidden” island tours are always more romantic, aren’t they?

For those couples who want less outdoor activity and more indoor indulging, Kauai is also abundant with luxury resorts, day spas, gourmet dining, and nighttime entertainment. Traditional island music, hula dancing, and luau shows are a long running novel favorite among honeymooning couples – all of which are nearly nightly activities on Kauai.

With all accommodations and things to do on Kauai, coupled with the pristine and natural beauty of the oldest member of the Hawaiian islands, it’s easy to see why Kauai is one of the most popular honeymooning destinations in the world. The only thing better than just honeymooning on Kauai, is perhaps getting married on Kauai too. Plan your destination wedding and honeymoon all in one.

Something for Everyone at the Kauai Culinary Market

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Monika

As I approach the Kauai Culinary market, the first thing I notice is the sound of live music. I find myself asking, is this a festival or a farmers market? Well, it is touted as a gourmet farmers market and now I know why.

As we enter, I see a man wielding a machete. He is skillfully husking coconuts wile his partner spears them with a straw and hands them out to passersby. My son and I enjoy the show. I sample a chocolate dipped dried apple banana an then buy some amazing lettuce and fresh herbs from the organic farmers table. I taste some fruit I’ve never heard of; it tastes like cinnamon and brown sugar. I then score the last half dozen of multicolored eggs from a local farmer.

I’m now closer to the music and stop to enjoy it for a while. The musicians finish the set and announce the chef demonstration will be beginning shortly. I notice that the area where the chef demonstration is taking place is cordoned off and then the see that they are serving wine. This is my kind of farmers market! My four-year-old spots a large glass jar with pink liquid that turns out to be homemade strawberry, lemongrass, lemonade with mint. It disappears before I can pay for it.

Chef Helen of the Hanapepe Café is demonstrating how to make Carrot, Coconut, Lemongrass Bisque Recipe. She passes around a Kefir lime leaf to familiarize the audience with its unique aroma, before describing how to make the base for the soup. Of course she also passes around samples of this amazingly fresh concoction and wows the audience with its unusual bouquet of flavors.

The audience is asking where they can get all of the ingredients so they can attempt to recreate it at home. Turns out all of the ingredients can be purchased from the vendors and at market and Living Foods Market located at the other end of the mall.

Meanwhile, my son is tugging at my leg, he wants to see what else is available. We return to the market and sample vanilla lilikoi jam on a cracker and pass by the most amazing assortment of pies I’ve ever seen.

Then my son spies the homemade pasta, a perfect match for the pesto I was planning to make with my fresh herbs. He wants the squid ink pasta because it is black but we settle on a mix of kale and tomato curls.

We are delighted to see all the locally made foods, spices, coffees, jams and even fresh baked goods. The music, the chef demonstration, and the samples made the event relaxing and enjoyable, quite a contrast from the sunshine markets where you must arrive promptly before the bell rings and are strictly there to purchase your fruits and veggies.

I would highly recommend attending the Kauai Culinary Market. It happens every Wednesday from 4pm-6pm in Poipu at The Shops at Kukui’ula. Check out other Kauai Farmers Markets island-wide

Carrot Coconut Lemongrass Bisque

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Monika

Chef Helen of Hanapepe Café and Bakery has been gracious enough to share her Carrot Coconut Lemongrass Bisque Recipe for this unique and lively soup.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups dark miso paste
1/3 cup fresh ginger crushed or ground
2 Tbsp minced garlic
3-5 stalks crushed lemongrass
12 cups cold water

8 Kafir Lime leaves
5 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into pieces
2 cans coconut milk
Red curry paste or sriracha

Place the first five items in a soup pot and bring to a slow simmer. Turn off heat and let sit for one hour covered with a lid. Add the Kafir Lime leaves to the pot and stir. Strain the mixture and discard everything but the broth. Add the carrots to the broth and then cook until soft. Blend with a hand-held blender or in a Quisanart. Add the coconut milk and curry paste or sriracha to taste and warm the soup again. Do not boil. Serve and Enjoy!

Keeping Kauai Green and Sustainable

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Eco-Tourism is a relatively new concept in the world of tourism, though it’s gaining popularity and for good reason. Eco tourism, or sustainable tourism, is a concept that is began in the 1950’s, but has started to become more popular in the early 1990’s with the upsurging of the planetary green movement. Concentrations on lowering the negative impact of tourism is becoming more and more important as we are starting to see the ramifications on non-renewable, or slowly renewable, resources especially in remote and delicately balanced environments.

Kauai, being one of Hawaii’s smallest islands– only 25 miles wide by 33 miles long – is particularly susceptible to long term and irreversible environmental damage should the over 1 million tourists that visit Kauai’s shores and inland rain forests treat the island carelessly. With a local consistent population base of only about 60,000, it’s easy to see how much responsibility lies on a a relative small number of people to care for such a large influx of human needs and travel desires.

Fortunately, the Hawaiian islands and Kauai in particular have a strong community dedicated to Eco-tourism, and the Kauai County Government has formally adopted a Sustainable Tourism Program to better assist the tourism industry in this endeavor. Through this program, businesses are offered encouragement, education, and incentives to find ways to lessen their environmental impact, and offer services and accommodations in an environmentally conscious manner.

Practicing and supporting sustainable tourism is the surest way to ensure that Kauai will be around indefinitely as the unique, geographically stunning and environmentally diverse island that it is today. As a visitor, there are many things you can do that can make a measurable and positive difference to the island of Kauai. Shopping for locally made products, supporting small businesses, supporting our agriculture by shopping at our local farmers markets and treading lightly of our natural landmarks, that have a rich history and cultural importance.

As of January 11, 2011 Kauai adopted a law that requires all retail establishments to provide recyclable paper bags or reusable bags to their customers. This will reduce the significant impacts of plastic checkout bags on the environment, which include litter and an increasing burden on our islands landfill and threats to marine life. We encourage all locals and visitors to bring their own reusable bags while shopping.

Recycling is also a great way to help keep Kauai green. Recycling Bin Locations are located in the following locations:

Hanalei at the Hanalei Transfer Station: 5-3751 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa the end of Kahau Road past the Kapa’a Skate Park: 4900 Kahau Rd
Lihue in the back of the K-Mart parking lot 4303 Nawiliwili Rd
Poipu in the Brenneke’s Parking Lot: 2100 Hoone Rd
Lawai Post Office: 2-3675 Kaumualii Hwy
Eleele at the Eleele Shopping Center
Waimea at the Waimea Canyon Park: 4643 Waimea Canyon Drive
Kekaha at the Kekaha Landfill 6900-D Kaumualii Hwy

We all need to do our part to keep Kauai the Kauai we know and love.
Kauai thanks you for your efforts, which are of hugely collective importance.

Malama ‘Aina (care for the land)

“The Descendants” – Starring George Clooney filmed in beautiful Kauai & Hawaii locations

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Tanya

UPDATE!

Congratulations to all involved in “The Descendants” movie, especially the local Kauai production coordinators and cast!

The Descendants, considered one of 2011′s top movies, has been nominated for 5 Oscars for the 2012 Academy Awards(The 84th) which will take place on February 26th at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood:
1. Best Picture
2. Best Director Alexander Payne
3. Best Actor George Clooney
4. Best Adapted Screenplay Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
5. Best Film Editing

“The Descendants” is the latest of Hollywood’s ongoing love affair with Kauai which started back in the 1950′s with the filming of the movie South Pacific. The Descendants, released towards the end of 2011, wowed audiences with its tale of a Hawaiian lawyer and land baron on a journey to find and confront his wife’s secret lover. “The Descendants” cast includes actors George Clooney, Robert Foster, and a cameo role by local Kauai extreme surfer, Laird Hamilton, as well as actresses Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller and Judy Greer. Director Alexander Payne who also co-wrote the screenplay did a fantastic job capturing the essence of Hawaii. The Descendants’ excellent Hawaiian music soundtrack includes songs from such well-known artists as Ray Kane, Sonny Chillingworth, Gabby Pahinui, and Jeff Peterson.

Matt King, played by George Clooney, finds out about his wife’s affair and her plans to divorce him after a tragic boating accident puts her in a coma. King takes his daughters and their friend, Sid (actor Nick Krause), along for the ride as he travels from Oahu to Kauai.

Nominated in 5 categories, Alexander Payne’s The Descendants scored two of the big ones at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards: the award for best drama, and actor George Clooney earned the award for best actor in the drama category. With the Academy Awards nominations and Oscars not far off, The Descendants is expected to make a strong showing there as well. The movie boasts such stunning tropical scenery leaving many wondering where “The Descendants” was filmed. Its clear the movie is set in Hawaii, but which island was “The Descendants” filmed on?

The Descendants was filmed on Kauai and Oahu – the primary filming locations being Nuuanu on Oahu and various locations on Kauai, including the Lihue Airport, the remote Kipu Kai, local favorite Tahiti Nui (Beau Bridges hangout) in Hanalei (local residents filled the bar as Hollywood extras) as well as numerous other beautiful locales dotted with sandy beaches and tall, swaying palm trees. During filming on Kauai, the cast and crew stayed at the luxurious St. Regis Princeville Resort in Princeville which offers spectacular views of Hanalei Bay.

The film is based on the novel by local author Kaui Hart Hemming who makes cameo appearance as Matt King’s secretary, delivering her line, “Matt, your cousins are here.” Hemming’s 6 year old daughter also landed a role as an extra playing on Hanalei Beach scoring her some bragging rights as well as $100 payday!

In The Descendents movie plot, King is the descendant of a Hawaiian princess and a white banker, called a haole by native islanders. King and his cousins are the stewards of an impressive tract of land on Kauai(depicted in the scene overlooking Kipu Kai filmed from Haupu Ridge) that has been in the family for many generations. This isolated Kipu area is a privately owned ranch and Kipu Kai beach is only accessible by boat.King squabbles with his cousins, including Hugh (actor Beau Bridges), Ralph (actor Matt Corboy), and Hal (actor Matt Esecson) about the fate of the land. King and his cousins debate whether they should continue to protect the land, keeping it in its unspoiled state, or sell it to real estate developers. King’s family consists of his wife, Elizabeth (actress Patricia Hastie), and two daughters, Scottie (actress Amara Miller) and Alexandra (actress Shailene Woodley).

In addition to The Descendants, 3 other movies released in 2011 featured scenes shot on Kauai: “Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides” starring Johnny Depp, “‘Just Go With It” starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston and most inspiring “Soul Surfer” about one of Kauai’s surfing heroes, Bethany Hamilton.

Kauai Farm to Table Dining

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Tanya

Heading north along the vast Pacific, I catch the splash of a breaching whale out of the corner of my eye. I don’t pull over to watch, I am on my way to dinner with Outstanding in the Field. I reflect on how amazing these creatures are and how the ocean is their lifeblood. My eyes are on the road straight ahead. I am excited about this evenings event: dinner on a farm…. not just dinner but an event. The concept is novel, the idea romantic and the opportunity unique.

I arrive early to meet the guest farmer chef and staff. I am greeted by Tim O’Connor Host farmer. He politely asks me to park at the top of the freshly mowed pasture so to not start a bad habit amongst the guests who will be arriving later. I park, grab my camera and head over to introduce myself. Tim welcomes me to Olana Organic Farm and gives me a little background on his vision and history of the farm. He has had the property for twelve years and has lived on it full time for the past seven.

The farm is beautiful. The house sits at the top of a gentle sloping hill, manicured and flourishing with life. Off in the distance the views of the Pacific. Tim tells me that he sells his produce at two of the weekly local farmers markets as well as to local restaurants. I am impressed by the pure organization of garden beds of produce, herbs and fruit.

From the top of the farm between the neatly planted rows of greens and a grove of citrus fruit sits a long table set with white linens and wine glasses. So simple and elegant is the contrast of green and white. An outdoor covered work area has been been transformed into a kitchen. A kiawe wood burning grill, crisp January air, and the natural surroundings make this a comfortable working space. Chef Aaron Leikam and Todd Oldham are busy prepping for the meal. I ask Aaron how he ended up on Kauai. Simply put, “It was serendipitous”.

I meet Leah and the crew, who In the past year alone have created over 87 farm to table dinners across the United States, Europe and now Hawaii. The team is busy making signs, putting the final touches on the table and setting up the service tables for the evening events.

I love the behind the scenes of what undoubtedly will be a spectacular event. You can just feel it, sense it and taste it. It is in the air. The looming thought of “Will the weather hold?”, is crossing everyone’s mind as the clouds move in from the west. This is not the usual weather pattern, but a change in a stretch of two weeks of cloudless skies and light air. This is a brave time of year to hold an outdoor event on the North Shore of Kauai. There is no back up plan.

Casual and relaxed, Jim Denevan, founder and visionary of Outstanding in the Field, arrives on the farm just before the first guests start to arrive. He has been surfing. He had to catch just one wave. What soul surfer can resist the call of a Hawaiian surf session?

The evening starts off with a glass of Kava, not the ceremonial root found throughout the South Pacific, but in the form of bubbly. Glass in hand we are given a tour of the farm, a history of its beginnings and future vision. Our pleasant and educational stroll ends at the beautifully set table in the field.

The night is a gracefully choreographed work of art. The creative vision, a farmers endeavor and a skilled passion for creating a meal that not only nourishes and is visually exquisite, but also tells a story. A simple story.

Outstanding in the Field will be hosting two more events in the Hawaiian Island this month. tickets are available through their website.

January 21, 2012	Wai’anae, Oahu, HI	MA’O Organic Farms
January 25, 2012	Waimea, Hawaii, HI	Kekela Farms

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