Kauai Blog

Hunger Games “Catching Fire” Finds Kauai

With the recent big screen hits “The Descendents” starring George Clooney and “Pirates Of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides” with Johnny Depp, today’s announcement by Hawaii News Now doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. Hollywood movie scouts may have chosen the Garden Island of Kauai as one of the filming locations for the movie based on the trilogy by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

Film scouts have been searching out locations within the Hawaiian Islands and have zeroed in on Kauai. With the natural beauty, rugged terrain, isolated valleys, lush green jungles, turquoise waters and wildlife, it is no wonder Hollywood may have again made a smart choice in picking Kauai.

“Catching Fire,” Finnick Odair and the Third Quarter Quell is set to hit theaters late November 2013.

Here are some photos that show you why Kauai is the perfect Film Location:

A Culinary Romp Through Paradise

Exploring Kauai, Local Eats and Flavors

Cacao Pod Photo by Daniel Lane

On the east side of island is Ein Rogel Farm. A 26-acre sustainable exotic fruit farm nestled in Kauai’s Kahuna Valley. There are 80 varieties of tropical fruit on the estate and the five-million-year-old Makaleha Mountain range provides the trees with pristine
spring water.

A fresh morning dawns as a couple from Colorado eagerly wait for the farm tour to begin. It rained through the night and into early morning, and the group that was to be ten is now three. The birds don’t care. As the clouds break, they sing with the emerging sun.

Kauai is known as the Garden Island because of the abundant rainfall due to Mount
Waialeale. An east facing peak grabs warm, moist trade winds and turns them into
tropical showers. Plants thrive in the graceful dance provided by water and sun, and
somehow being in their midst draws out the life in you.

Under a covered awning in the warm morning air, we chew sticky-sweet sugarcane and
learn it’s called the Hawaiian toothbrush. “I always tell people to have a light breakfast
because when you come on the tour, you’ll be eating a lot!” says our guide, Jesse
Schwartz.

As water spills from Makaleha Falls into one of two streams on the property, we cross a
bridge festooned with bright tropical flowers and shaded by towering camphor trees.

Jesse coaxes a succulent prize from the center of a purple fruit with plump, white
flesh. “Mangosteen is known as the Queen of Fruits,” he says as we slip a piece into our
mouths. “The inside is so sweet that the Queen of England, when Captain Cook was
exploring this area, paid $125 in today’s currency for one of these.”

Pineapple plants and 12 types of citrus thrive with hundreds of colorful flowers. Trees
such as ylang ylang perfume the air. Chickens and turkeys roam freely while bees are
busy in their hives making tropical honey.

Whack! Jesse breaks open a coconut with his machete. We take an ambrosial sip and
learn it is not milk but water that we are drinking. Redheaded Brazilian cardinals spy the
cracked nut and wait for our departure so they can free the husks of whatever sweet
meat we overlook.

Shaded by the canopy of a cacao tree, Jesse compares chocolate to wine. Pumpkin-
orange, crimson-red and chestnut-brown pods dangle from the tree’s branches like sun kissed jewels. “You’ll notice a difference in taste between Kauai chocolate and
chocolate from Ghana or the Dominican Republic,” he explains.

An emerging trend is classifying chocolate. Single estate means it comes from one
farm, and single origin means it comes from one country. Rarely will there be a single
varietal, a common practice with wine. There are ten edible cacao species or varietals,
and Ein Rogel Farm cultivates three.

Nature’s kinetic energy transfers to us as we romp along the orchard. Childhood
memories blossom from the recesses of our minds. We recall our first taste of an
orange, or our mother, cutting a star fruit, and wondering at its shape.

As a freelance farm and food writer based on Kauai, I have met artisans who create
with aloha: Farmers that delight in nourishing bodies with organically grown produce,
and chefs who are deeply gratified when one bite makes a person close their eyes, let
out a deep breath, and sigh in pleasure: Mmmmmm!

A Kauai Culinary Tour

I wanted to spread these seeds of aloha, so decided to create a day-long, farm to fork
culinary adventure. We start the day with a two-hour tour at Ein Rogel Farm, of which I
was inspired to write the story above.

After the farm tour, we’ll meet at the Kauai Marriott Resort. While we sit at the outdoor
courtyard lanai, executive chef Guy Higa will serve a four-course lunch made with Kauai
grown ingredients. He’ll also do a cooking demonstration, so you can ask questions and
learn how the professionals cook.

For Reservations or inquiries call 808-635-0257. Deadline to register is Wednesday July 11

Where On Kauai? How does Google Capture Pathview?

Kauai News

We all know or have seen how the funny little Google car with cameras mounted on the roof captures street view. But have you figured out how they captured Kauai hikes, trails, island golf courses and hotel properties where a car can’t go? Well here is one of the Google trikes caught passing a mirrored window at one of Kauai’s resorts. Have fun cruising Kauai!
View Larger Map

Google Launches Kauai and Hawaii Street View

Kauai News

Kauai Recycles Electronic Waste Event

Kauai News

We all need to do our part to keep Kauai beautiful. One of our biggest problems on Kauai is trash and what we do with it. Recycling on Kauai is not very convenient, but with a bit of planning you will be contributing to the efforts to keeping Kauai beautiful.

Do your your part by bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store and farmers markets, as well as make it a routine to recycle your plastics, glass cardboard and aluminum cans. For convenient island recycle locations check out Kauai Recycle Locations.

Do you have obsolete or unwanted electronics and want to get rid of them responsibly? Well during the next two weeks on Kauai you will have 6 days and three locations island-wide to do just that. Pacific Corporate Solutions, Sims Recycling and the County of Kauai are partnering to provide an easy and smart solution to getting rid of your out dated electronics while keeping it out of our landfills.

Material that is being accepted include: computers, laptops, back up batteries, printers, fax machines, servers, telcom equipment TV’s and Misc Electronic waste. They will not be accepting home appliances alkaline batteries, washer, dryers or air conditioning units.

E Waste Kauai Recycling Event

North Shore
June 18th & 19th
8:00am to 4:00 pm
Anaina Hou Community
Kaua Mini Golf Lower Parking Lot

West Side
June 20 & 21
8:00am to 4:00 pm
Eleele Shopping Center

East Side
June 22 &23
8:00am to 4:00 pm
Vidinha Stadium

For more information you can contact Pacific Corporate Solutions toll free 888-906-5865

Kauai Preschools Visit with Enormous Inflatable Whales

Kauai Events and Festivals

Two enormous inflatable whales visited several Kauai Preschools after “migrating” around the island chain. The visit was part of program offered by the Storybook Theatre of Hawaii as a way to let children get up close and personal with Pacific Humpback Whales. The pair of whales was created in 1997 by renowned artist Evelyn Roth of Festival Arts in Australia, and has been used to educate thousands of children about Pacific Humpback Whales.

This year, Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre toured with the whales visiting nearly thirty schools and reaching over 1600 preschoolers, as well as their parents and teachers. The program allows children to crawl inside the whale, breach with the whale, and get spit out by the whale. They experience the enormity of the whale and learn about whale anatomy.

Jeffers plays “Captain Mark” as he guides the children on a fantasy trip around their island before telling stories and singing songs. He says that he likes to challenge the children by asking, “Can whales see the stars?” He does not allow the children to answer this question with words; instead he inspires their imagination by encouraging them to draw a picture of the answer. He is always amazed with what the children are able to come up with.

Jeffers says the presentation is a good match for preschool aged children because they love big movements and big sounds. Being able to explore the whale and see the size of the fins, the tail and even look out of the blowhole is an unforgettable experience for preschool age children.

In a recent interview, Jeffers stated that the best part of the tour was what he learned from the schools and the children and brought home with him. He observed that the schools that emphasized host cultural and family values like malama aina, malama na keiki, etc., had students that were more respectful, more alert and more focused. He noticed that they had a better connection with their community and their environment. He stated that children are the heart of our community yet in many instances, children have lost this connection, and he applauded the schools that have incorporated these important values into their curriculum.

The tour also requires continual fundraising efforts. This year, the tour was funded by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts with funds provided by the Hawaii State Legislature, the Hau’oli Mau Loa Foundation and the Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children. Jeffers and the crew at Storybook Theatre are hoping that with additional funds, they can continue to make a difference for our ocean resources and perform for thousands more children in the future.

For more information about the Storybook Theatre or the Pacific Humpback Whale Program, you can contact Mark Jeffers via email at director@storybook.org.

Kauai Plein Air Invitational at Grove Farm Museum

Kauai Events and Festivals

The Grove Farm and Waoili Mission House museums are hosting the 2nd Annual Kauai Plein Air Invitational on June 16th from 1-5 pm at the Grove Farm Museum in Lihue, 4050 Nawiliwili Rd. The museum is the former sugar plantation home of G.N Wilcox and the grounds and buildings are being preserved for present and future generations to enjoy and learn something of the life and times of 1864 Kauai. This fund raiser will benefit the Grove Farm museum as well as the Waioli Mission House museum (built in 1836) in Hanalei.

The event begins in the morning of June 9th when 16 invited plein air artists will begin with a group painting session at Hanalei Bay. The public is invited to watch the artists create their works, capturing the fleeting light and their individual vision. During the week the artists will paint various scenes throughout the island, during different times of the day. Plein air is the style of painting when the artists bring paint and easel to the outdoors, painting in the natural light. it is a French expression meaning “in the open air”.

The culminating event will be at Grove Farm museum on June 16th from 1-5 pm. That morning the artists will have a final group painting and then bring their finished, framed art work to the museum for a display and sale of their work. The public has the opportunity to acquire original paintings of our beautiful island, at times capturing scenes that may be lost in the future.

There will be tours of the buildings and grounds and refreshments, including beer and wine, will be served. Live music will entertain, both outside on the grounds and inside, with piano music played in the living room.

Admission $20.00

Contact: Barb Kennedy 826-1528.

Love Hanalei? Help Save the Pier

Kauai Beaches

Hanalei 1967

Anyone who has been to Kauai is familiar with the Hanalei Pier. The Hanalei Pier is not only a historical landmark, but a large part of our island history, culture and lifestyle. The Hanalei Pier or for historical reference The Hanalei Landing has graced the cover of many magazines, Hollywood movies, music videos, backdrop to thousands of wedding photos and the perfect place to just relax and watch the the sunset slide slowly behind Mount Makana (Bali Hai) and into the blue Pacific.

The Hanalei Pier to many is just that, a landmark, an object that frames up the perfect postcard, but to many it is the memories of the first time you gathered the courage to finally jump from the pier and climb the ladder back up unassisted, the long summer days spent with our families surfing, fishing and picnic lunches. It is watching our children years later follow in our traditions, their smiles, laughter and the feeling of nostalgia rushing back as if it were yesterday.

“Save The Pier” Photo taken in 1967

The pier still stands, but the dry rot, vandalism and mere age of the pier has altered the appearance of this symbolic landmark. Built in 1892 Hanalei Landing was at one time the center of transportation of goods to and from the island. The Hanalei Pier at the turn of the century was an essential part in the shipping trade to and from Kauai the outer islands and the mainland. For the last 70 plus years the Hanalei Pier has been a recreational treasure for locals and visitors alike and now needs the help of many to bring it back to what it should be. A beautiful and safe symbol of Hanalei.

The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay has initiated “SAVE THE PIER” a project that has been the combined efforts of the State of Hawaii, the County of Kauai as well as leading architectural and construction firms to raise funds to repair the pier. If you would like to be part of this exciting project and community effort please donate.

To make a donation to the “Save The Pier” Contact:
Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay
Post Office Box 149
Hanalei, HI 96714

Viewing Green Sea Turtles on Kauai’s South Shore

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Beaches

Photo: Claire Fackler, NOAA, NMS

If you just cannot wait to see a Green Sea Turtle on your trip to Kauai, you are not alone. Encountering a Green Sea Turtle in its natural environment is an exciting and memorable experience.

On Kauai’s South Shore, there are a number of areas where turtles can be viewed safely from shore. Green Sea Turtles tend to congregate around feeding areas that grow marine algae and sea-grass or provide the turtles with shelter, and the necessary species to set up cleaning stations.

If you are lucky enough to see a turtle up close and personal, just remember that sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws, which prohibit you from harassing them. Here are some responsible viewing guidelines recommended by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the State of Hawaii:

• Always keep a safe distance. Do not chase, approach, swim with, try to touch or ride a turtle.
• Never try to feed or entice a sea turtle.
• Remember that loud noises and abrupt movements can startle a sea turtle.

Best South Shore locations for viewing turtles from shore:

Sea turtles can be easily spotted from shore near Brennecke’s Beach. You can either cross the grass at Poipu Beach Park where you can overlook Brennecke’s beach to the left, or walk along the road past Brennecke’s and look back toward the beach. Either way, you are nearly certain to see turtles.

Turtles can also be viewed from the Whaler’s Cove overlook. From the traffic circle in Poipu, take the leg that exits toward the Sheraton. Just past the gravel road that leads to Koloa Landing on your right, find parking and stand by the cement wall where you can overlook the cove.

In fact, most of the rocky shoreline on the South Shore provides feeding habitat for turtles. So no matter where you are, if you are patient, you are likely to see one. One of these places is just past Lawai Beach on the way to Spouting Horn. Pass the beach and the resort and park along the side of the road. You will see a large rock wall on the ocean side of the road that separates the beachfront homes. This is another great turtle viewing location.

You may also encounter sea turtles while swimming or snorkeling. One note of caution however is that millions of years of evolution have made sea turtles remarkably adapted for life in the ocean. As a resulted, turtles can safely feed in rough surf. However, these areas are extremely dangerous for snorkeling and swimming. Snorkel in areas that are safe and you may still get lucky enough to encounter a turtle.

If you want to see turtles in the water, Lawai Beach is your best bet. Just be careful where you snorkel, following a sea turtle too far out can get you in trouble. For more info about snorkeling at Lawai Beach, check out the Best Place to Snorkel on Kauai’s South Shore.

If you want to learn more about Hawaii’s Sea Turtles, check out the following titles: The Book of Honu by Maui authors Peter Bennett and Ursula Keuper-Bennett, Sea Turtles of Hawaii by Kauai author Patrick Ching or for your Kindle, Hawaii’s Green Sea Turtles by Kauai Author Monika Mira.

Meet Kauai’s Children’s Authors

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Events and Festivals

Kauai children’s authors are hitting the road with an island-wide, year-long book signing tour. Kauai Children’s Authors Guild members, Monika Mira, Mark Huff, Wendy Lewis, Susan Dierker, and Carol Peacock will be signing copies of their children’s books on Saturday April 21st at Kauai Mini Golf in Kilauea. They will also be appearing at Beach Rail in Harbor Mall, Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe, Na Aina Kai Gardens in Kilauea, National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Poipu and the Princess Ka’iulani Festival in Hanepepe. They are also in negotiations with a number of other locations and events (See below for the event schedule.)

The authors recognize the importance of reading to and interacting with children. “We want children to know that creativity is important, and by learning to write, they to have something to aspire to. We also wish to be accessible to the children and their families.” It was with these intentions that the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild was formed.

Kauai’s Children’s Authors will also be reading their books, or in Mira’s case, conducting coral reef building activities in classrooms and Libraries. For more information about the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild you can view their blog, or Facebook page.

Spring and Summer Book Signing Events:

Saturday April 21st, 2012 from 1p-3p

Kauai Mini Golf in Kilauea is hosting a group book signing for members of the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild. Local authors will be available to sign copies of their children’s books from 1p-3p. Come and enjoy a round of mini golf with your family and get a chance to meet several of Kauai’s Children’s Authors in one place.

Friday April 27th, 2012 from 9a-noon

Beach Rail Toy Store in Harbor Mall will be hosting a group book signing for the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild. Kauai’s authors will be offering signed copies of their books to cruise-line visitors as well as local folks. Free reef fish coloring sheets will be available for the keiki.

Saturday April 28th, 9am-12p

Kauai Children’s Authors Guild member, Monika Mira will be signing copies of her book, The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book at Na Aina Kai at their monthly keiki day event on Saturday April 28th, from 9a-12p.

Sunday July 15th

Kauai Children’s Authors Guild members, Mark Huff, Carol Peacock-Williams, Susan Dierker, Wendy Lewis and Monika Mira will be signing their books at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Poipu on their ‘Ohana day from 9am-noon.

Best Snorkeling on Kauai’s South Shore

Kauai Beaches

Some of the best snorkeling on Kauai can be done from shore right next to the Beach House Restaurant in Poipu. The abundance and diversity of fish here is unsurpassed. Here a few guidelines to follow if you want to have the safest and most enjoyable experience at this location.

The winter months (October through April) are the best months for snorkeling at Lawai Beach. This is because southern facing beaches can experience strong surf during summer months. If you see a lot of surfers taking advantage of the waves here then it is probably a good day to find a calmer location. There is also no lifeguard posted here, so you might want to check in with lifeguards posted at nearby Poipu Beach if you are uncertain of the conditions. However, it is possible to take advantage of days when there are calmer conditions. The inside reef is fairly protected, so when surf is small, Lawai Beach is the best choice for snorkeling on the South Shore.

Entering and exiting the water here is easy if you look for the patch of sand in the center of the beach. On either side of the sandy area it is quite rocky, which makes entry not only difficult but unsafe as well. Take a moment to observe where others are entering the water and if they are doing so with ease. When you enter the water, notice where you are, so that when you return to shore, you know where to get out.

You will begin to see fish here as soon as you put your face in the water. Rainbow colored Wrasses, Butterfly fish, and Convict Tangs can be spotted immediately. Swim further from shore and you will begin to see some healthy patches of live coral. You may see some cleaning stations set up over the coral heads where fish come to have parasites removed by the vividly colored Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse. If you move slowly by simply floating, you are likely to see more of what is hidden on the reef. Devil Scorpion fish look just like the rocks and octopus are equally well hidden, but if they move, you are sure to be delighted. Remember, never touch or step on the coral in order to preserve it for the creatures that live there.

Devil Scorpion fish

There is a strong current that runs east to west away from the Beach House Restaurant. The safest way to avoid this, is to look at the resort across the street and make note of the “Lawai Beach Resort” sign. This is an important landmark. Do not allow yourself to drift west beyond this sign, because this is where the current becomes extremely strong and dangerous. If you can stay on the eastern side of this landmark it can help keep you out of trouble.

There are plenty of fish to see at Lawai Beach, and many of them are very unique. Did you know that nearly a quarter of the fish found in Hawaii are found nowhere else in the world? Relax and enjoy the bright blue Parrot fish, the long-nosed Bird Wrasse, schools of Orange Band Surgeon fish and Convict Tang feeding on filamentous algae, the Rock Mover Wrasse digging through the rubble, Damsel fish defending their territory, and Butterlyfish as bright as the sun.

If you are lucky enough to spot a turtle, remember that they are protected by law and you must keep your distance. The best way to enjoy a turtle is to float motionless where you are and observe. Of course, you might want to have your camera ready.

Remember, always swim with a partner and don’t forget to check out our articles on snorkeling tips and reef etiquette. Enjoy your time in the water and follow the snorkelers motto, “take only pictures, leave only bubbles.” If you are traveling with your family and want to learn more about the fish that you see, be sure to pick up a copy of The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book by local author Monika Mira.

Kilohana Plantation: Shop Dine & Tour Kauai’s Sugar Era

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Events and Festivals

It is hard not to feel as if you have stepped back in time and a feeling of how life was lived during Hawaii’s Plantation Era. The well manicured grounds of Kilohana’s 1930’s Managers Estate sits in the middle of what used to be a 27,000-acre sugar plantation and at one time the center of Kauai business, culture and social life. From the moment you enter the foyer of the 16,000 square foot estate you will be treated to an elegant sampling of antique furnishings, decor, food, shopping, history and charm. Relax and take in the views of Kilohana mountain while dining at Gaylord’s Restaurant, a favorite spot for Sunday brunch, is settled at the edge of the courtyard of Kilohana’s Plantation Estate. For a sophisticated night out on the town the new Mahiko Lounge located in the elegant living room of the Kilohana mansion offers signature drinks, live music and a fun venue for dining and shopping.

You can easily spend a few hours on the grounds exploring the unique and beautiful shops on the ground level and second story. Check out the newest additions to the mansion, Cane Field Clothing and Gallery and Cher McMacken Art, together they occupy what used to be the master bedroom, sun-room and study.This beautifully designed boutique offers a great selection of women’s clothing, locally designed jewelry, novelty gifts, vintage Hawaiian memorabilia and a local artist corner. Other shops include Grande’s Gems & Gallery, Sea Reflections, The Artisans Room and Men’s Hardware. Kauai Plantation Railway, Clayworks at Kilohana, The Beauty Shop and Koloa Rum can be found in separate plantation cottages located on the grounds.

What better way to explore the grounds of a Historic Sugar Plantation than by vintage train. The excitement in the eyes and voices of my six and nine year old escalated as we boarded the beautiful mahogany coaches being pulled by a 1939 Whitcomb diesel locomotive. The sound of the train whistle and the wheels clanking on steel tracks added the perfect amount of nostalgia as we set off to explore Kilohana’s 105 acre grounds. Exotic fruit orchards, vegetable and herb gardens along the tour supply a large portion of the fresh daily produce for Gaylord’s restaurant. At the half way mark of the tour we disembarked the train to feed the farm animals. It was hard to distinguish between the squeals of smiling children and very excited pigs.

As we pulled back into the station the sounds of the conch shell signaled the start of the Imu Ceremony, the unearthing of the roasting pig and the beginning of the theatrical Luau Kalamaku. The center stage was a non stop melange of color, light and a brilliant production, executed by an extremely talented cast of local dancers, performers and musicians, delivering the story of Kalamaku. The fire knife dancing and flaming poi ball twirlers kept the audience lively and on the edge of their seats throughout the night. The combination of great shopping, friendly staff, great entertainment, ono (delicious) food, desserts and an overall feeling of Aloha, makes this a definite must-do Hawaiian experience on Kauai- even for local Kama’aina!