Kauai Blog

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

Who will win?

The Descendants, has been nominated for 5 Oscars for the 2012 Academy Awards which will take place tonight 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

Exploring Kauai, Local Eats and Flavors

I head north along Kuhio Hwy toward Kilauea and catch the splash of a breaching whale out of the corner of my eye. Winter is here. I reflect on how amazing these creatures are and how the ocean is their lifeblood. I don’t pull over to watch, I am on my way to dinner with Outstanding in the Field. I am excited about the evenings event. Dinner on a farm, “Restaurant Without Walls”, where local chefs pair up with a local farm to create a meal. The concept seems 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. I park, grab my camera and head over to introduce myself. Tim welcomes me to Olana 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 his garden beds of produce, herbs and fruit.

From the top of the farm nestled between the neatly planted rows of greens and 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. The Kiawe wood burning grill, the 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, he simply replies “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. A band of dark clouds is slowly moving in from the west. This is not the usual weather pattern, and a drastic change to the past 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 and what 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 a sparkling wine. 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.

Kauai Mini Golf

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Events and Festivals

Kauai Farm to Host Outstanding in the Field – Dinner Without Walls

Kauai Events and Festivals, Kauai News

Outstanding in the Field
celebrates the New Year with first-ever visit to Hawaii~ Four islands ~ Four farms ~ Four dinners ~

In January, Outstanding in the Field, the California-based “restaurant without walls” that has inspired pop-up supper clubs across North America and around the world, makes its first-ever visit to Hawaii to celebrate the New Year with four dinner events at four farms on four islands with four fabulous local chefs: Outstanding in the Field January 14 ~Olana Farm, Kilauea, Kauai ~

Guest chef: Aaron Leikam Host Farmer: Tim O”connor and guest chef Aaron Leikam share both a latitude and a deep appreciation for fresh tropical ingredients. Combined with Aaron’s experience working with some of the best in the farm-to-table movement, including Rick Bayless, Jan Birnbaum and Melissa Kelly, that’s a recipe for a fabulous outdoor feast.

January 17 ~ Kupa’a Coffee Farm, Kula, Maui ~ Guest chef: Justin Pardo, Market Fresh Bistro, Makawao
Farmers Gerry Ross & Jane Simpson are our hosts for OitF’s first dinner on a coffee plantation. Kupa’a coffee is outstanding, named best coffee on Maui two years in a row. Guest chef Justin Pardo does popular twice-a-month farm dinners in his restaurant. That’s how OitF started — for us, farm-to-table is now table-to-farm.

January 21 ~ Ma’o Organic Farms, Wai’anae, Oahu ~ Guest chef: Ed Kenney, Town and Downtown, Honolulu
Farmer Gary & Kukui Maunakea-Forth are dedicated to organic farming and to inspiring the next generation of young people to celebrate their connections to the land. Gary and guest chef Ed Kenney are great friends, and Ed’s son Duke does kids cooking demonstrations at Ma’o.

January 25 ~ Kekala Farms, Waimea, Hawaii ~ Guest chef: Edwin Goto, Village Burger, Kamuela
Farmer Paul Johnston is a leader in the Hawaii local farms movement and grows more than 100 different kinds of vegetables at Kekala. Guest chef Edwin Goto recently opened up his burger shack with all local meats and produce. We’ve never paired up with a burger shack, but the locals tell us he’s the man.

Outstanding in the Field Dinner without Walls The Hawaii dinners kick off Outstanding in the Field’s 13th season; founding chef Jim Denevan did his first farm dinner in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California in 1999. In 2011, OitF staged 87 dinners across North America from Vancouver to Virginia and, for the first time, in Europe.

“Our dinner season traditionally starts in Spring, but when we decided to add Winter dates in 2012, we knew it was finally time to go to Hawaii,” said Denevan, who became a chef because it gave him time to surf during the day. “Over the years, we’ve had many requests to come, and we can’t wait to meet island farmers, see what new tropical-climate foods we discover, and catch a few waves.”

Since 1999, Denevan and the Outstanding crew have created outdoor dining events at country farms and urban gardens, on mountain tops and sea caves, on islands and ranches. Wherever the location, the mission is the same: To re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food and introduce them to the local farmers and food artisans whose good work brings nourishment to the table. Ingredients for the meal are almost all local, often sourced within inches of the table, and prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the host site, everyone settles in: farmers, culinary artisans and diners serving each other at the long communal table. Outstanding in the Field Table Denevan is also an environmental artist, known for the large-scale drawings he creates on beaches, dry lakebeds and frozen surfaces. A temporary piece or two on Hawaiian sand, destined to disappear with the tide, is likely to appear during his visit.

Many Outstanding in the Field dates sell out within hours of being announced. The Hawaii events in January start at 3pm with a glass of wine and welcome hors d’oeuvres, followed by a tour of the host farm and a family-style, four-course meal paired with wines. Ticket price of $190 per person includes the farm tour, multi-course meal with wine and all gratuities.

To learn more and reserve a seat at the Outstanding table, please visit www.outstandinginthefield.com

Perfect Winter Weather on Kauai

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Beaches

How would you feel this time of year if you could say, “Yeah, we had a couple of weeks of blustery rain and wind and the temperatures fell into the low seventies, but the last couple weeks have given us perfect winter weather. The wind has died down, the skies are clear as a bell and the ocean is crystal clear and calm at least on the South Shore.” I’ll tell you how I feel, SPOILED! The last week of December and the first week of January have been as close to perfect as it can get.

So what’s the downfall of perfect weather?

Salt Pond Reef

Well, the dishes are piled in the sink, I need to do the laundry, the car is covered in dirt and the fridge is empty because I don’t ever want to waste a perfect day. Instead of doing my chores, I have taken my son snorkeling at Lydgate Park, gone on a hike, played Mini Golf in Kilauea, gone tide-pooling at Salt Pond Beach Park, had a beach day at Baby Beach and took my son on a play date at Poipu Beach Park.

Lydgate Beach Park

Want to hear how SPOILED we actually are on Kauai. Yesterday, I took my son snorkeling and we both wore wetsuits because the 75 degree water was too cold for us. Of course we were the only ones on the entire beach wearing wetsuits. We’ve been here so long that our blood has thinned. Everyone else was sporting bikinis and surf trunks and soaking up the beautiful Kauai weather. Where else can you enjoy these kinds of days on the beach in your bikini in January.

So, if you are looking for a good place to thaw out in January, this is it. The beach is always a great place to be on Kauai, but Kauai has a ton of other attractions and activities that will help you take advantage of the perfect winter weather.

An Unexpected Kauai Souvenir

Kauai Experiences, Kauai Hiking

My husband and I visited Kauai for a week during March/April of 2011. What a beautiful island! We traveled all over, trying to see as much as we could. There were so many highlights to our trip. We started the week with a quick trip to the Humane Society (to give a donation and buy a shirt) and a helicopter ride with Blue Hawaiian. What a great way to see the whole Island, especially a bird’s eye view of Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast.

We knew after the helicopter ride that we HAD to go out to Waimea Canyon. So, the next day we headed up there. We stopped briefly in the town of Waimea to find something to eat. There had been a guy outside the store with some really skinny (too skinny) dog. We thought it was funny when the dog paid no attention to the employees trying to shoo him back outside. We felt bad for him and bought some food for him. When we headed outside, the guy was still there so we talked to him while we fed the dog a little bit. Turns out the guy was hiking up in the canyon when he found the dog wandering around. The dog had some nasty cuts on his leg and clearly hadn’t had much to eat in quite awhile. Since the guy was only using the bus to get around, he didn’t really know what to do about the dog.

My husband and I decided we could take the time to head back to the Humane Society to drop the dog off. So, after a detour to take care of the dog, we headed back to the Canyon. What an amazing sight! And we had pretty good weather while we were up there, making for some good photo opportunities.

The next day we did an ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Adventures. What a kick that was! We had a nice small group and two great guides. It was a little drizzly so we had some nice mud puddles to ride through (my socks are still stained red). After the tour we thought we’d take a quick trip back to the Humane Society, hoping they had found the owners of the dog we had taken there the day before. No such luck, but at least he was now being taken care of, given food to eat, and had a nice warm place to sleep.

The rest of the week was spent checking out different areas of the island, spending some time on the beaches, and going to the Humane Society every day to play with the dog. As you can probably guess by now, we were completely suckered in by his goofy, long face and he has become our favorite souvenir ever. Through a lot of help and hard work by the wonderful people at the Humane Society we were able to bring Enzo (as we named him) home with us at the end of the week. He is now happily ensconced in our home back in Washington State along with his siblings (3 other dogs and 5 cats)! Definitely our favorite souvenir! We can’t wait to come back and visit Kauai again, but next time we won’t be coming home with a critter (probably).

Aloha,
Joe and Kerry Klein

Hiking Kauai’s Alakai Swamp

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Hiking

Boardwalk Stairs along Alakai Swamp Trail

Hiking on Kauai is one of the best activities you can do with your family. And one of our family favorites is the Pihea Trail Kilohana Lookout. So to end the year we set off to Kokee with friends and family to do just that, Hike into the mist and the bogs of the world’s highest rain forest, The Alakai Swamp and Wilderness Preserve.

Crossroads Pihea and Alakai Swamp Trail

The Pihea Trail can be reached from Pu`u o Kila at the end of Highway 550 or if you have access to a four-wheel drive you can start from Mohihi Road Camp 10. The 3 1/2 miles into Kilohana Lookout is a combination of trails, wooden boardwalks, a river crossing, and hundreds of wooden steps up and down, (two-hundred seventy is our count one way). Rain panchos, a warm jacket, ample water, and a picnic lunch are recommended for the list of what to bring. Some of the kids in our group chose bare feet as their preferred footwear, but good hiking boots are suggested. The weather report called for blue skies, but it is always best to go prepared for anything.

Wrapped in our warmest gear (sweatshirt and cheap plastic ponchos) with temperatures dropping into the high 50s, this was as close to a winter wonderland that our Kauai Keiki would experience this Christmas season. Clear skies were needed to view the North Shore and Hanalei Bay at the end of the trail, but secretly the idea of the thick clouds hovering over the bogs and boardwalks of the swamp is what I was looking forward to. Where else on Kauai can you hear, ” I’m walking through the clouds!”

Ohia Blossom

Moss along trail

Thick moss in every shade of green covers the branches and trunks of the trees, vibrant red blossoms of the ohia trees, and the songs of the ‘elepaio, an endangered bird that is endemic to Kauai, are all part of the magic this hike offers. As we headed further into the forest of rare plants and birds the skies would tease us with moments of warm and blue and then quickly shroud us in a blanket of mist.

Laua`e FErn

Rainbow over Alakai Swamo

For years this was a trail for hunters and scientists who braved the muck and soggy bogs for a view of Kilohana. It is hard to imagine how this trail was traversed by Queen Emma in 1871. With a wish to see Kilohana and the Hanalei Valley, Queen Emma valiantly rode by horseback from Waimea into the muggy rainforest. At the edge of the swamp, she dismounted her horse and preceded to hike the remainder of the way to the vista on a makeshift boardwalk of moss-covered logs and ferns. On a clear day at the end of the trail, one is rewarded with views of Wainiha Valley, Hanalei Bay, and occasionally even beyond Kilauea Lighthouse. Today would not be one of those clear days, but each time we visit the heart of Kauai we are reminded how diverse, wild, beautiful, and special a place we live. For more Kauai hiking information check out Kauai.com/hikes

Kauai Fireworks bring in the New Year!

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Events and Festivals

Every New Years Eve, my son looks forward to seeing the aerial fireworks display in Poipu. This free event is held at Poipu Beach Park on the South side of Kauai, drier weather, family friendly facilities and a beautiful palm lined backdrop, is the perfect location for this outdoor event. The popularity of this event can make parking a little tricky. If you plan on attending an event like this in the future, you can either get there early, walk from your resort, or park along the side of Poipu Road and walk in. We chose to hoof it.

This year, the celebration included a Kauai Musicians, food booths and a Keiki tent. Festivities began at 5:00pm with entertainment by Alyson’s Anthem. The Music Fest continued to rock into the night with some of the hottest local bands like the Papa’a Bay Boys, Sashamon and Revival. The event culminated in a spectacular aerial fireworks display that began promptly at 9:15 giving families ample time to get home safely to ring in the New Year.

The celebration is sponsored by the Poipu Beach Resort Association and numerous local businesses. This is a family friendly event that brings local and visitors together to ring in the New Year. Unlike the New Year’s Festivities in New York where folks are bundled up in the freezing weather, Kauai people are sporting shorts, tank tops, sandals and big smiles. The mood is social and friendly, and local families are often handing out poppers and sparklers to any kids who are lacking. It was indeed a festive and enjoyable Kauai style New Years celebration on the South Shore.

Kauai.com wishes you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

Christmas Day 2011 Kauai Message in a Bottle

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Beaches

Finding a message in a bottle is one of those things that stirs up stories of sea adventures, long lost love, serendipity and chance. And this time of year there is always a bit of nostalgia surrounding stories of such things. On Christmas Eve of 1996 my husband Thor proposed to me with a message in the bottle. This happened off our tiny beach catamaran, with a blue moon Christmas Eve on Kauai. Before the proposal in the bottle there were years of build up and anticipation about a real message in the bottle that he had sent from a sailboat, at the equator, between Mexico and the Marquesas. During this time I lived in Costa Rica, he was sailing the Pacific. Thor always told me that during our time of traveling, separately for a year, he tried to contact me by mail and phone with no luck. So he tried Bottle Post.

There was always a bit of intrigue surrounding his story. “What did it say?” …He would never reveal. “Where would it end up?”….probably on a deserted reef, and “Would it really be found?”… highly doubtful. Well crazier things have happened and did. We were married six months later.

Now the story could end here with a romantic proposal and happily ever after, but there is more. A week after our wedding a letter addressed to my maiden name arrived at the home of my parents on Kauai. With not much thought to it I opened the letter expecting it to be a congratulations from one of the friends I had met it my years of traveling. As soon as I opened the letter it was clear that the sender of this letter was not from anyone I knew, but they seemed to know me. Included in the letter was a xerox copy of a hand written note and a photo of a barnacle crusted wine bottle. The question from the sender was, “Are you still best friends?”

James King from Surfers Paradise, Australia found the bottle. A bottle that was sent years before from the sailboat at the equator, between Mexico and the Marquesas and the only wine bottle aboard a small sailing yacht headed to Fiji. This glass bottle would be the courier of a message that would be delivered four years later, after traveling 5,000 miles by way of wind and ocean currents, and the more amazing part is that Mr. King found it within days of our wedding.

So part of our Christmas Day on Kauai is always spent on the beach, and yesterday was no exception. The strong winds of the past week had died down and the sun was shining. So we packed up our kids and headed to the beach for some sun, surf and beach exploring.

After fun in the waves Thor took the kids on a beach walk along the same stretch of coast, where 15 years earlier where we got engaged. Today a new chapter in the message in the bottle story was added. Thor the sender of our message in a bottle found his own barnacle encrusted bottle and message. There was no cryptic message of long lost love, no S.O.S from a deserted island, just a lone business card from a T.Hunter from Chino, California. The Christmas day discovery was enough to ignite excitement and nostalgia in all of us.

When we got home we emailed T. Hunter ( a lot faster than bottle post) to find out his story. His bottle was sent only months ago from the coast of California and included some jabs and teasing from friends. He said he would appreciate it we would send it on to further destinations. So to carry on the fun experiment we too will send this off with an additional note and T. Hunters business card. Hopefully to be found again and spark intrigue in someone else on a far away shore.

This story is a reminder to myself and others to Dare to Dream and Believe in the impossible.

Stranger things have happened!

Happy New Year!

Holiday Lights, a Kauai Tradition

Exploring Kauai, Kauai Events and Festivals

A great Holiday activity on Kauai is to amaze your family with a winter wonderland in a tropical climate. Despite the summer weather, Kauai residents get into the Christmas spirit with outstanding displays of holiday lights. There are numerous displays to be found around the island, just take a drive and you are sure to be dazzled. For those of you looking for more specific locations, keep reading.

The located inside Kauai’s Historic County Building is a tribute to Auntie Josie Chansky and her Christmas house in Kapaa. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6-8pm through Christmas Eve, your family can participate in this spectacular island-style holiday celebration.

Highlights include: the “SPAM Can Tree”, and the “ Surfin’ Santa’s Sleigh” pulled by roosters. Auntie Josie is known for recycling ordinary items like six-pack rings, egg cartons and toothpicks to make extraordinary holiday decorations to share with the children of Kauai and beyond. The display has become a Kauai tradition but was missed last year when the County Building was being remodeled.

Neighborhood displays are also popular and plentiful and have become somewhat of a social event. If you are passing through Kalaheo, there are several elaborate displays that are sure to delight you. An entire neighborhood behind the old CampHouse Grill is lit up with thousands of lights, the Polar Express, the Nutcracker House, vintage Snowmen, and of course, Santa is on hand to hand out lollipops to the Keiki. That Santa sure gets around! Just turn mauka on Opu Road and look for the lights.

If you are coming from Lihue, don’t forget to wave to Santa on the roof of the famous Lawai Christmas house, just past the intersection of Kaumualii Highway and Koloa Roadd. On the East Side, the Wailua House Lots also boasts a Christmas Street where nary a house declines to participate.

As a reminder, when visiting lights displays, please drive slow as children and families are walking the streets, be courteous to the residents and their driveways and of course, don’t forget your camera. Happy Holidays!

Hawaii Childrens Books – Christmas Gifts with Aloha

Exploring Kauai

Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book

New release by Lindy Shapiro

Searching for the perfect gift for a young child can be confusing. All those bright and shiny plastic toys are attractive and are sure to capture a child’s attention and enthusiasm on Christmas morning. Giving a child a book, however is giving a gift that keeps on giving. A book may be overlooked on Christmas morning, but think about the valuable quality time that books give to parent and child each night when reading a bedtime story together. Then there is the gift of literacy. Books will be returned to again and again and is some cases cherished so much that they are passed down to future generations. Whether it be storybook or non-fiction book and the discovery of new fascinations, books are the clear choice for the perfect gift. Below are some new releases and a few classics by Hawaii authors.

Moon Mangoes by master storyteller, Lindy Shapiro

Moon Mangoes is an instant classic inspired by the inquisitive mind of the innocent child. Capturing the spirit of every child’s imagination and combined yearning for and fear of independence, Moon Mangoes explores the what if back-and-forth exchange between child and parent, and the magical before-bedtime hour when anything is possible and love is constant.

Read a great review of this book on the Hawaii Book Blog.

Knuckles, The Hound of Hanalei by Susan Dierker

Follow Knuckles the Hanalei Hound on his journey from the animal shelter to his new life on the beach in this beautifully illustrated children’s book. Author Susan Dierker has also included a Hawaiian Glossary to help children learn some Hawaiian words that are used in the book.

On Vacation with Tutu by Lynne Wykoff, Illustrate by Tammy Yee

For Kainoa, Nani, and little Mehana, being on vacation with Tutu means no bedtime, no baths, and no cleaning up. Being on vacation with Tutu is going to be the best fun ever–or is it? As Tutu’s mynah bird Akamai says, “Tutu is smarter than you think.”

If in the market for children’s books, don’t forget some of the local favorites like Goodnight Hawaiian Moon by Kauai author, Dr. Carolan, or bedtime story Benny the Beetle by Carol Peacock. Open the door to the underwater world with Kauai author, Monika Mira’s, The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book.

A Kauai Christmas Vacation

Exploring Kauai

So you are on Kauai for Christmas. Maybe you want to get a little tree for the
family—but all of your decorations are back on the mainland! You don’t want to go
crazy and buy a bunch of the same things you have back at home! What a dilemma.
Here is what we did one year. We searched through Kauai’s unique and fun souvenir shops and craft fairs to get our goodies.

Seriously, it was a cute tree!

One string of lights (Long’s Drugs)
Two clumps of key chains including surfboards, ukulele, palm trees (they come in bunches of 7 to 10)
Lei—various types
Flowers for the hair

Put it all together and Voila’! You have a fun, nicely decorated Kauai Christmas tree containing knick-knacks to take back to the mainland to give to friends, co-workers, nieces, nephews, cousins and anyone you may have forgotten. “Oh, we brought this little key chain from Kauai, just for you.”We rounded out the tree with a few distinctive Hawaiian ornaments from Hilo Hattie’s in Lihue. Those we took home for ourselves.

Living here more full time now, we are collecting some unique Christmas treasures and the tree has more traditional decorations—but we still have two keychains—for family tradition.