Greetings from Kauai, the Garden Isle of Hawaii.

The fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands, it is often called the Garden Isle because it is lush and green.  It’s lush and green because it rains a lot here, and there are spots on the island that claim to have the most rainfall of anywhere on Earth.  Whether that’s a fact, or an urban legend, seems up for debate, but there’s no debating that this island is not what most people expect of Hawaii.

This was a view of the ocean on my morning walk, as I was walking to the city of Kapa’a, the second largest on the island.

In addition to the surf crashing against the volcanic rocks on the beach, my morning walk was peppered with the sounds of roosters crowing and chickens clucking.  The area is home to thousands of wild roosters and hens, and they roam freely around yards, walkways, and even along the edge of the beach.  I

It’s unusual to be walking alongside the ocean and hear roosters crowing.  It’s even more startling to have on cross your path on the beach!

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

If you think that Baccarat is just crystal, think again.  Baccarat Wailea is Maui’s premiere luxury resort, with residences. Which means that you can come for the crystal and stay for a lifetime.If you don’t know Wailea, it’s a community nestled at the base of Haleakala along Maui’s southern coast.  Primarily a resort community consisting of luxury hotels, private luxury homes and condominiums, and golf courses, it’s known as the place to be…if you’ve got a few million burning a hole in your pocket.

Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by Eric_Charlton

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Located on a nine-acre campus above the University of Hawaii-Hilo, with spectacular views, the center, formerly known as Maunakea Astronomy Education Center, is where families and students from all walks of life explore the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and the science of astronomy.

Visit BigIsland.org for maps and driving directions to the Hilo area and its many attractions.

Photo by  Flickr Creative Commons by MGShelton

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Home prices in Honolulu, although falling, have farther to go, according to the study, and therefore are going to leave owners with negative equity were they to sell in four years.

In a related story at MSNBC, you can also explore real estate on the mainland, and Sixty Six Cities where Buying Makes Sense .

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Friday, October 10th
“Taste of the North Shore Shrimp Trucks”
6:30pm
Tickets: $35 per person

Saturday, October 11th
“Sam Choy Poke Contest”
10:30am – 1pm
Tickets: $ 25 per person

“Seafood Under the Stars”
6:30 pm
Tickets: $75

Taste of the North Shore Shrimp Trucks, Friday, October 10th

All along the world famous North Shore of O’ahu stands Shrimp Trucks. This is the one and only event where you can actually “taste” from each truck for one admittance price, $35.

Turtle Bay Resort has commitments from Macky’s, Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp & Seafood, Hono’s, Famous Kahuku Shrimp, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, Romy’s Kahuku Prawn & Shrimp Hut, Big Wave Shrimp and Aloha Shrimp, representing the most famous of the North Shore Shrimp trucks. Each will provide a unique specialty.

Added to this will be top selections from Sam Choy’s Big Aloha Brewery, one of the few “local” breweries in the islands, specializing in providing the best that the islands can offer. Music for this first evening is provided by the award winning Hawaiian favorite, Kapena and ticket purchase will be available beginning September 1, 2008 at the Turtle Bay Resort Concierge Desk. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

More from the Alohaween files: If you and your little ones are interested in some pumpkin carving activities for this season, here are a few starter ideas to get you going wikki wikki.

First Check Architects Hawaii LTD  or give them a call.  They usually hold an annual pumpkin carving that’s top notch.

Look at Kuhuku Public Library.  It’s Halloween Extravaganza is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Keep looking at the Honolulu Advertiser  or the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for current events and announcements as Halloween time draws near.

Hanapepe Spook Night is an annual event that takes place on or near Halloween night every year in Kauai’s Hanapepe Town Park. Contact the Hanapepe Town Association for more information.

If all else fails, there’s always the underwater pumpkin carving contest at Maui Ocean Center, but I don’t recommend you try this at home (unless you’re in the bathtub.)

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

• Museums–The Hawaiian cultural experience is the richest on Oahu, but there are usually small exhibits and “ad hoc” museums on every island, if not in a designated spot, then at hotels and resorts.
• Libraries–Getting something good to read while you wait it out doesn’t have to be expensive. Hang out at a library, not just for the books, but because librarians are a wealth of information about what else there is to do during your stay.
• Botanical gardens–Most public and botanical gardens have at least a few indoor areas, and are beautiful, fragrant places to spend time.
• Indoor tours–Home Tours Hawai’i is a culinary tour of the Big Island, but if you consider homes on wheels, there’s also a motor home tour of Oahu that sounds interesting and totally unique.  Upcountry Maui is also a great place to take self-guided tours of arts studios.
• Make something–with arts and crafts studios cropping up everywhere, it’s easy, even on-island, to find a place to let your inner artist out, even if it doesn’t want to get wet.
• Go up–Getting high in Hawaii, so to speak, is easy, because each island is situated around one or more volcanoes. Drive to the highest place on the island, and you might just find yourself above it all.
• Eat–While you may already be stuffed, take the opportunity to eat someplace you wouldn’t ordinarily go. Try something you wouldn’t ordinarily try, like the ox tail soup a Kaua’i diner serves for breakfast, or Spam sushi.
• Helicopter rides–Depending on how severe the weather is, a helicopter service may cancel all flights; however, call to get the scoop. The rain may actually free up a charter service’s schedule.
• Water parks–one way to ignore the rain is to get wet, at your own discretion.
• Hotels and resorts–Take a tour of the grand, sprawling resorts in your neck of the rainforest.
• Play centers–take the kids to an indoor playground or learning center, and make new friends to boot.
• Spas–a no-brainer, for anyone, anytime.
• Take a drive–Get out the map and point. Remember the saying, “No rain, no rainbows?” Rainbow hunting in gray conditions ought to be easy.
• Get out of Dodge–Check the weather and visit another island. If you’re on Maui or Oahu, you can take a ferry. If you’re elsewhere, you may have to take an interisland flight.
• Malls–Not only can you shop and grab a shave ice or ice cream, you might catch a free show while you’re there and do some people-watching.
• See a movie–Either by renting one, or going to a theater.
• Take in some live music–It’s everywhere on the islands; walk or drive to the nearest cluster of shops or restaurants, and listen for the slack key guitar.
• Go out anyway–When was the last time you went singing in the rain? Most of us don’t have the gills it takes to weather a week of exposure to the elements, but an hour or two could be fun. Just make sure, if you decide to swim, that conditions are safe.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

What is It?
Music Together is a series of musical-oriented sessions that teaches children from infancy to age 6 about the simple intricacies of music.  Children learn in developmentally appropriate ways how to sing in tune, keep a beat, and appreciate the gifts of the music of our cultures.

What You Get
Each class includes a CD with songs you’ll work on in class, and a songbook with lyrics, music and more.   You’ll also have plenty of fun with other children and their parents or caregivers.

Ohana Music Together currently only operates on Oahu, but if you were interested in starting your own Music Together classes, contact the national headquarters.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

Several years ago, I was behind the wheel in Kaua’i, on my way to the north shore’s Tunnels beach, my favorite.  I didn’t have much time on the island, and wanted to see as many turtles as possible while I was there, and still enjoy a burger in Hanalei.  I had crossed the seemingly endless chain of one-way bridges on the way there, and had been so kind as to wave the car on the other side over instead of going first every time.Near the end of my drive, I was getting anxious. I could see the water from the road, and knew that it was late enough that parking was going to be a hassle, which was why it angered me to find some guy blocking the road and stopping traffic so that he could have a chat with one of the drivers.  When he’d finished his morning conversation, I drove by, grumbling, eager to give him the hairy eyeball and maybe a little lecture on manners.  It turned out to be none other than Glen Fry of Eagles fame. I was still pissed.

These are the kinds of shenanigans and setbacks you’re bound to encounter on-island, which is why it’s best to remember that life moves differently in Hawai’i.  While you may be pressed for time, and have spent a lot of time and money making it to the islands with all your liquids in one plastic bag, there are lots of people living their dreams here, which includes stopping traffic for a minute to catch up with a friend.

If you’re visiting Honolulu, you may find traffic jams. If you’re on the “road to Hana,” you may find yourself behind a line of slow tour busses a mile long. If you’re anywhere, you’ll find  expensive gas, but the news isn’t all bad.

1. Find cheap gas before you go.  It’s not always the most expensive gas in the country, either. For a while, California had higher gas prices.
2. Plan carefully:  Buy a good guidebook with maps and make notes on your excursions beforehand.
3. Combine driving trips with public transportation:  Drive to one central location and take a bus or ferry to other destinations.
4. Do your road-intensive sightseeing early: Not only will you have more energy to enjoy the sights, you’re more likely to miss heavy traffic times after shift workers take to the roads.
5. Remember, you’re on vacation:  Don’t try and do too much; rather enjoy the things you are able to do more deeply by staying in the moment.
6. And if you see Glen Fry:  Tell him I said hello. Then, drive away. There are people behind you trying to get to Tunnels.

Photo by Flickr –Creative Commons, by erichrichardson

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler

It’s been while since I was at O’s, and in fact, I still remember when it was called Oodles of Noodles.  But now Oodles of Noodles is all grown up– in fact, I think the name alone makes this quite apparent.

O’s Bistro is now in the same location at the Crossroads Mall in Kona on the Big Island, near Wal-Mart and Cold Stone, which makes it possible for you to eat too much, but you can buy a bigger pair of shorts for the ride home.

But what endears me to O’s  is that they’ll make you a nice little order to go, or for you to finish making at home, and put it on a nice little platter that you can return the next day.  It’s the little things like that that make you feel like you have friends in town, even if you’re just there for a week.  Happy eating.

Post from: The Hawaii Traveler