The county of Kauai maintains good information about tsunami preparedness which is an important thing for residents to know especially if they live near the ocean. Typically visitors want to stay as close to the ocean as possible though this is the highest risk area so it is important for visitors to also know what to do and where to go in case of a tsunami warning. In Poipu there is a siren at Poipu crater. If you hear this you should get to the local shelter which is at the Koloa elementary school on Poipu road.
I also noticed that the county has an interactive map that will show the tsunami inundation zones. These are the areas where it is likely that a large tsunami will flood. I was happy to see that Poipu Sands and in particular Poipu Sands 124 is very safe from a tsunami. This is not so for a number of other resorts which lie lower in elevation relative to sea level.
Although the risk of a tsunami is so low that I personally would not be too worried where I stay, it is interesting to look at the map and wonder about the condos so close to the ocean.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bus ends up in Nawiliwili stream
The other day a Blue Hawaiian helicoptor shuttle bus was being parked down at Nawiliwili harbor and the new driver had trouble and the bus ended up in the stream. I feel a little guilty posting about this but honestly it is a little funny. Rumor is that the company is looking for a new shuttle bus driver.
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Monday, September 27, 2010
Getting set for another trip !
So I am just getting excited for my fall trip to the condo to get it ready for the prime visitor season. It is going to be a special trip for me this year for two main reasons. First is I get almost 2 weeks on the island - the longest I've stayed at one time :). The second is that I'm planning some major work ! I'll be repainting the entire inside of the condo, replacing the closet rods and shelves and doing the regular semi-annual fixups including the ever fun silverware and dinnerware count.
I'll also have time to do some fun things too. Jenn and I are getting married in July and she has arranged an engagement photo shoot for the two of us with a local photographer. We'll be going to some beach on the westside (not sure where yet) for sunset pictures. We are also going to kayak up the Hanalei river one afternoon together as well as return to some of our favorite beaches: Larsen's and Secret. And as of now I am also planning on renting a bike and riding up Waimea Canyon.
So in November I'll be able to have almost 2 weeks of sun, warm weather, beaches, tropical fruits and Home Depot.
I'll also have time to do some fun things too. Jenn and I are getting married in July and she has arranged an engagement photo shoot for the two of us with a local photographer. We'll be going to some beach on the westside (not sure where yet) for sunset pictures. We are also going to kayak up the Hanalei river one afternoon together as well as return to some of our favorite beaches: Larsen's and Secret. And as of now I am also planning on renting a bike and riding up Waimea Canyon.
So in November I'll be able to have almost 2 weeks of sun, warm weather, beaches, tropical fruits and Home Depot.
Guest Post - Jenn's tips for a fun trip to Kauai
[Editor's note: Jenn sends this email to guests of Poipu Sands 124 with her tips for a fun time on the island. I thought I'd share it with everyone]
Hey there! Costco and Wal-Mart both are great for souvenirs for the kiddos and anyone else you want to bring stuff back for. We tend to avoid places like the ABC store and also go get some really fun stuff at the "schlock sellers" at Spouting horn, which is where I have gotten cool kind of funky jewelry from year after year. I also love to shop at Old Koloa Town, which is right near the condo and there is a new shopping center also near the condo called Kukui'ula Village and they have some cool shops as well as a new food co-op. oh, there is also great cool artsy fartsy stuff in Hanalei up on the north shore.
SO, for Sunshine Markets, here is the link: http://www.kauai.gov/default.aspx?tabid=214 to the list of the official Sunshine Markets - which have to follow very specific protocol - all items sold must be local and from the earth - no packaged things, just food and flowers. They also are on a different day and time all over the island and you can't exchange money until the start time - there is usually a horn. Locals tend to get there early and start to bundle up their stuff, so just have an easy going attitude and get what you get. We have never had a problem getting what we want. We tend to strategize (shocking, I know) and hit a few in a week's trip. We also get really ripe stuff and some greener stuff that will sun ripen out on the lanai. There are also some other markets that aren't official sunshine markets, but are GREAT as well, they have the produce and flowers as well as some locally produced coffees, cheeses, baked good, granola, etc. Our favorite is on Saturdays from 10-1 at Kauai Community College, which is over by Costco - about 20 minutes from the condo. The best coffee you will ever drink is sold there - Moloa'a Bay Coffee...amazing...also, the best goat's milk cheeses you will ever have - Kunana Dairy. Incredible. Alan's website has some great links that could also help you find things that you want to do: http://www.poipusands124.com/KauaiLinks.htm.
You are not making it up about the beef from the Chevron station. It is in Princeville and it is the best beef! Locally raised beef from Princeville ranch, grass fed, organic. It's pricey, but worth it for a nice meal. Get some Kauai purple sweet potatoes and mash them with a touch of ginger and soy sauce and marinate the beef in soy sauce, citrus, ginger, garlic, onions...it's amazing. There are gas grills by the pool.
Booze: it depends on how much you are going to want to drink. A and I tend to get the giant $16 bottle of Malibu from Costco and what we don't drink we put away for the next trip, but we are able to do that and you may have to waste some. You can get it at Costco or any grocery store, so don't sweat it. We usually just get the Malibu since it is perfect for any tropical blended drink. We also use the "Aloha" canned "juice" for mixers - it's sugar water and is at all the grocery stores and walmart. We also use the Costco pineapple for blended drinks and the sunshine market ones for just eating. :)
Luaus: http://www.summitpacificinc.com/kauai-luau.html this is the link to the different options for luaus. I have been to three of them: Hyatt, Smith's and Luau Kalamaku. I have very strong opinions...so...here goes. Smith's: great show, but we didn't have dinner there, we just did the $15 show so I have no idea how the food is. The show was really great, very traditional and lots of dancing from all the different Polynesian cultures and what has inspired Hawaiian culture. I have heard the food is good and the grounds are beautiful, if a bit Disney-ish though. Lu'au Kalamaku - we went to this one on our trip in November and it is the one that I would go back to. The food was AMAZING and the drinks were strong and lots of options (Kona Longboard beer as well as Mai Tai, Bahamama Mama, Pina Colada, Blue Hawaiian, Beach Bums and more). The food was truly fantastic for that type of a venue, in terms of the number of people, etc. Also, if you book online there are often deals - we got a free 8x10 photo which was really cute, they also give every woman a fresh flower lei and every man a shell necklace. The prices on the link above are outdated, so be sure to go to the actual link for that luau. You can also wait and try to get a twofer deal, but that will entail sitting through a timeshare....we do it from time to time. The show at this luau is not the "traditional" luau show, it is far more theatrical, it is like watching a musical. I loved it, but if you are looking for traditional, you might be happier at Smith's. The Hyatt: don't go. Don't do it. It rained and we had to have it in their ballroom and it was A W F U L. The food wasn't even that great. It was appealing because of its proximity in that we can walk home, but it wasn't worth it by a mile. I have also heard good things about the Sheraton, which is on the beach and is a longer walk, but you could walk home whereas the other two I recommend you would have to drive. You have a lot of options and there are pros and cons to all, but no matter what, as long as you avoid the Hyatt, you will be fine. :) Watch the weather and decide on a couple of night options and then decide if you want. You can't go wrong with Smith's or the other in terms of weather, they are outdoors, but covered. You will drop over $200 for both of you, but it is fun.
Snorkeling: we don’t snorkel, but you can do it a lot of places - one being Poipu beach, which is an easy walk from the condo and you just throw on the fins and the mask and go. There is a rental place across the street from the beach. There is a section in the Ultimate Kauai book that covers this. The instructions are also great in terms of directing you where you are going since a lot of the beaches require some fancy footwork to get to. :) most of the really amazingly beautiful beaches are a teeny bit of a hike, but nothing anyone in ok shape can't handle.
There are a lot of boat rides that include snorkeling, those are fun and almost always a twofer with a 90 minute timeshare presentation. Go to the activities shack in Koloa Town and see if you want to fit the timeshare into your schedule. We ended up with a great 5 hour Na Pali coast boat ride for $45 for both of us after the twofer and the coupon. It's not always worth it, it depends on how much time you want to dedicate to being stuck in a timeshare presentation. Let me tell you how fun it is with Alan who also happens to read all the local news and knows all about all the timeshares and pending lawsuits and stuff like that...he also sets his cell phone alarm to go off at exactly 90 minutes and then is ready to go. It's rad. :)
Hey there! Costco and Wal-Mart both are great for souvenirs for the kiddos and anyone else you want to bring stuff back for. We tend to avoid places like the ABC store and also go get some really fun stuff at the "schlock sellers" at Spouting horn, which is where I have gotten cool kind of funky jewelry from year after year. I also love to shop at Old Koloa Town, which is right near the condo and there is a new shopping center also near the condo called Kukui'ula Village and they have some cool shops as well as a new food co-op. oh, there is also great cool artsy fartsy stuff in Hanalei up on the north shore.
SO, for Sunshine Markets, here is the link: http://www.kauai.gov/default.aspx?tabid=214 to the list of the official Sunshine Markets - which have to follow very specific protocol - all items sold must be local and from the earth - no packaged things, just food and flowers. They also are on a different day and time all over the island and you can't exchange money until the start time - there is usually a horn. Locals tend to get there early and start to bundle up their stuff, so just have an easy going attitude and get what you get. We have never had a problem getting what we want. We tend to strategize (shocking, I know) and hit a few in a week's trip. We also get really ripe stuff and some greener stuff that will sun ripen out on the lanai. There are also some other markets that aren't official sunshine markets, but are GREAT as well, they have the produce and flowers as well as some locally produced coffees, cheeses, baked good, granola, etc. Our favorite is on Saturdays from 10-1 at Kauai Community College, which is over by Costco - about 20 minutes from the condo. The best coffee you will ever drink is sold there - Moloa'a Bay Coffee...amazing...also, the best goat's milk cheeses you will ever have - Kunana Dairy. Incredible. Alan's website has some great links that could also help you find things that you want to do: http://www.poipusands124.com/KauaiLinks.htm.
You are not making it up about the beef from the Chevron station. It is in Princeville and it is the best beef! Locally raised beef from Princeville ranch, grass fed, organic. It's pricey, but worth it for a nice meal. Get some Kauai purple sweet potatoes and mash them with a touch of ginger and soy sauce and marinate the beef in soy sauce, citrus, ginger, garlic, onions...it's amazing. There are gas grills by the pool.
Booze: it depends on how much you are going to want to drink. A and I tend to get the giant $16 bottle of Malibu from Costco and what we don't drink we put away for the next trip, but we are able to do that and you may have to waste some. You can get it at Costco or any grocery store, so don't sweat it. We usually just get the Malibu since it is perfect for any tropical blended drink. We also use the "Aloha" canned "juice" for mixers - it's sugar water and is at all the grocery stores and walmart. We also use the Costco pineapple for blended drinks and the sunshine market ones for just eating. :)
Luaus: http://www.summitpacificinc.com/kauai-luau.html this is the link to the different options for luaus. I have been to three of them: Hyatt, Smith's and Luau Kalamaku. I have very strong opinions...so...here goes. Smith's: great show, but we didn't have dinner there, we just did the $15 show so I have no idea how the food is. The show was really great, very traditional and lots of dancing from all the different Polynesian cultures and what has inspired Hawaiian culture. I have heard the food is good and the grounds are beautiful, if a bit Disney-ish though. Lu'au Kalamaku - we went to this one on our trip in November and it is the one that I would go back to. The food was AMAZING and the drinks were strong and lots of options (Kona Longboard beer as well as Mai Tai, Bahamama Mama, Pina Colada, Blue Hawaiian, Beach Bums and more). The food was truly fantastic for that type of a venue, in terms of the number of people, etc. Also, if you book online there are often deals - we got a free 8x10 photo which was really cute, they also give every woman a fresh flower lei and every man a shell necklace. The prices on the link above are outdated, so be sure to go to the actual link for that luau. You can also wait and try to get a twofer deal, but that will entail sitting through a timeshare....we do it from time to time. The show at this luau is not the "traditional" luau show, it is far more theatrical, it is like watching a musical. I loved it, but if you are looking for traditional, you might be happier at Smith's. The Hyatt: don't go. Don't do it. It rained and we had to have it in their ballroom and it was A W F U L. The food wasn't even that great. It was appealing because of its proximity in that we can walk home, but it wasn't worth it by a mile. I have also heard good things about the Sheraton, which is on the beach and is a longer walk, but you could walk home whereas the other two I recommend you would have to drive. You have a lot of options and there are pros and cons to all, but no matter what, as long as you avoid the Hyatt, you will be fine. :) Watch the weather and decide on a couple of night options and then decide if you want. You can't go wrong with Smith's or the other in terms of weather, they are outdoors, but covered. You will drop over $200 for both of you, but it is fun.
Snorkeling: we don’t snorkel, but you can do it a lot of places - one being Poipu beach, which is an easy walk from the condo and you just throw on the fins and the mask and go. There is a rental place across the street from the beach. There is a section in the Ultimate Kauai book that covers this. The instructions are also great in terms of directing you where you are going since a lot of the beaches require some fancy footwork to get to. :) most of the really amazingly beautiful beaches are a teeny bit of a hike, but nothing anyone in ok shape can't handle.
There are a lot of boat rides that include snorkeling, those are fun and almost always a twofer with a 90 minute timeshare presentation. Go to the activities shack in Koloa Town and see if you want to fit the timeshare into your schedule. We ended up with a great 5 hour Na Pali coast boat ride for $45 for both of us after the twofer and the coupon. It's not always worth it, it depends on how much time you want to dedicate to being stuck in a timeshare presentation. Let me tell you how fun it is with Alan who also happens to read all the local news and knows all about all the timeshares and pending lawsuits and stuff like that...he also sets his cell phone alarm to go off at exactly 90 minutes and then is ready to go. It's rad. :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Moloa'a Bay Coffee
One of my favorite treats to bring back from Kauai is a package of Moloa'a Bay coffee. Now, I will admit to being a little crazy over coffee; I grind my own coffee fresh before brewing and usually turn my nose up at instant coffee and go to Starbucks only when I have to. So if you are like me and enjoy fancy coffee then I really recommend you give Moloa'a Bay coffee a try. I've truly never had such an interesting cup of coffee.
Every Saturday there is a farmer's market at Kauai Community College in Puhi which is not far from the Kukui Grove mall. Each time I have been there, the farmer who grows Moloa'a Bay coffee and many other things is there giving out samples and selling bags of his locally grown and roasted beans. He also sells dried bananas and cocoa which grow well with coffee. The last bag I enjoyed had beans that grew around mangos trees and the coffee had interesting mango undertones. I've stopped to talk to him and is a very nice person and interesting.
If you don't get to the KCC market you can always go to Kauai Coffee in Eleele. The visitor center is open every day and has free samples of their coffees. Each time I've been there they have had about 20 different kinds. They also have a gift shop with the regular kind of stuff though the chocolate cover coffee beans are truly very good. We always need to bring back a couple of bags for our friends each trip.
Every Saturday there is a farmer's market at Kauai Community College in Puhi which is not far from the Kukui Grove mall. Each time I have been there, the farmer who grows Moloa'a Bay coffee and many other things is there giving out samples and selling bags of his locally grown and roasted beans. He also sells dried bananas and cocoa which grow well with coffee. The last bag I enjoyed had beans that grew around mangos trees and the coffee had interesting mango undertones. I've stopped to talk to him and is a very nice person and interesting.
If you don't get to the KCC market you can always go to Kauai Coffee in Eleele. The visitor center is open every day and has free samples of their coffees. Each time I've been there they have had about 20 different kinds. They also have a gift shop with the regular kind of stuff though the chocolate cover coffee beans are truly very good. We always need to bring back a couple of bags for our friends each trip.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Kauai passes a bill to ban non-biodegradable single use plastic bags
The Kauai county council finally passed a law that bans retail establishments from using single use plastic bags unless they decompose at a rate comparable to paper, leaves and food. Additionally legal bags may not contain any polymers created with fossil fuels. The law goes into effect on January 11, 2011 which is the same day a similar law goes into effect on Maui.
Kudos to Kauai for helping to lead the country towards sustainabilty. Given Kauai's isolation and the beautiful island itself, this makes a lot of sense. Why ship tons of plastic from the mainland to Kauai so it can be used once to bring home groceries to only then get dumped in the landfill ?
I'm heading down to Poipu Sands 124 in November to get it ready for the winter season and accept a brand new sleeper sofa and love seat. I'm going to bring down about 5 or so reusable grocery bags and leave them for guests to use instead of relying upon throwaway plastic bags from Big Save or Star Market. Hopefully the bags will be able to stick around for future guests. In any case it seems like a little thing I and guests can do to help protect the island.
Kudos to Kauai for helping to lead the country towards sustainabilty. Given Kauai's isolation and the beautiful island itself, this makes a lot of sense. Why ship tons of plastic from the mainland to Kauai so it can be used once to bring home groceries to only then get dumped in the landfill ?
I'm heading down to Poipu Sands 124 in November to get it ready for the winter season and accept a brand new sleeper sofa and love seat. I'm going to bring down about 5 or so reusable grocery bags and leave them for guests to use instead of relying upon throwaway plastic bags from Big Save or Star Market. Hopefully the bags will be able to stick around for future guests. In any case it seems like a little thing I and guests can do to help protect the island.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Kauai Farms
I have just stumbled across a brochure that has a lot of interesting information about farms on Kauai. It is written to promote local farms to the local restaurant industry though I found some useful information. At the end is a chart that shows the growing seasons for different vegetables, fruits and herbs. Surprising to me there are different growing seasons even in Hawaii. There is also a list of farms and the farmers markets. For my next trip I'm going to see if any of the farms offer farm tours since that is facinating to me. On the last trip I toured Kauai Kunana Dairy which mainly produces goat cheese but also grows fruit and vegetables.
I am particularly interested in the local farms because whenever I visit I eat as local as I can. One of my most favorite meals was last thanksgiving where I enjoyed skewers of locally grown vegetables with local grass-fed beef marinated in Aloha Shoyu (locally made soy sauce), local ginger and juice from a local orange.
There are many reasons to eat locally produced food such fewer carbon emissions for transporting food, better quality and nutrition, supporting your local community and other. All of these reasons make even more sense when you are on an isolated island such as Kauai. Most of the produce you see at Safeway is from California and has been on a one week cruise in a refrigerated container.
Alan
I am particularly interested in the local farms because whenever I visit I eat as local as I can. One of my most favorite meals was last thanksgiving where I enjoyed skewers of locally grown vegetables with local grass-fed beef marinated in Aloha Shoyu (locally made soy sauce), local ginger and juice from a local orange.
There are many reasons to eat locally produced food such fewer carbon emissions for transporting food, better quality and nutrition, supporting your local community and other. All of these reasons make even more sense when you are on an isolated island such as Kauai. Most of the produce you see at Safeway is from California and has been on a one week cruise in a refrigerated container.
Alan
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