Things to Do Blog
Have you ever been on Kauai, lounging on a white sandy beach and enjoying the beautiful mountain views and friendly people, and thought, “I wonder what living here was like a couple hundred years ago?” Well, now you can come close to finding out AND you can eat fantastic food at the same time! That’s right Kauai visitors – the month of May munchies continues with A Taste of Old Kauai.
The Taste of Old Kauai is a combination tour and meal that will take place on Friday, May 17, from 9am-2pm. The tour is of the Waipa ahupuaa, a watershed settled by the first Polynesians. It is a beautiful place for tourists to visit, explore, and learn about Polynesian culture and how it affects Kauai today. While Kauai is a place of modern conveniences and fast-paced technology, we are also a community that remembers our roots and the culture that brought us to where we are today. And understanding that culture is one of the first steps to understanding Aloha.
Of course, an agricultural and ecological tour isn’t the best part of this event. In fact, my favorite part of this tour is when they bring out the food. Now, as you may know, kalo (taro) is an important commodity is Hawaii. It has been grown here for many many years and has fed celebrities and Kings, as well as typical Kauai residents. And while part of the tour allows you to walk through a taro garden fed by mountain streams, you will get to sample cooked taro, poi, and kulolo (which is DELICIOUS by the way). This is how your taste of Kauai begins.
At the end of your tour, you will sit down to a lovely lunch, which is prepared by one of Waipa’s the best chefs. Now I can’t tell you what you’ll be eating, as the meals change by season and the chef’s preferences that day. However, I can tell you that everything you eat will be Kauai grown, organic, locally caught, and expertly made. When I took the tour, the salad was simply amazing, with freshly picked ingredients and grilled vegetables. And everything I was served was something that would have been eaten by residents of Kauai 100 years ago.
So does this sound like something you might want to do? I can guarantee that you will have a good time and a good meal. And the cost is only $115 with reservations required 3 days in advance. That’s not bad for a 9am-2pm tour including a good meal, right? Seriously, if you have the time and the interest, I highly recommend this Taste of Old Kauai, conveniently located at 5-5785A Kuhio Highway.
With Mother’s Day almost here, I though it would be a good idea to give a shout out to my own mother. Mom – You taught me so much about how to be a woman and how to live my dreams and love my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you!
And now, for the rest of you reading this, let’s talk brunch.
If you don’t know, brunch is the magical meal between breakfast and lunch, the perfect time to take your mom out for a bite to eat. And this year, I recommend Tortilla Republic for your meal needs. Here’s why.
1. Tortilla Republic is yummy. Seriously, their food is really good. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten something there that I didn’t like. They are a “modern Mexican grill,” which means that their Mexican food is grilled to perfection and has a signature flavor that I simply love. In fact, I’m craving it right now just typing about it.
2. They have drinks! Their margaritas are just about famous in both Hawaii and Hollywood. Plus, they have a plethora of other options for you, including their Mother’s Day “Mom-osas”. These are sure to be a big hit.
3. For Mother’s Day, they are featuring a “Mom-osa and Bellini cart.” And they are serving brunch from 9am-3pm. So you can bring your mom down for food and drinks, enjoying your time together with the assistance of a little alcohol. (Which is sadly a necessity for some of you and your moms.)
Now, here is my question: will you be on Kauai for Mother’s Day? Cause if you are, this is a great choice for a brunch, lunch, or dinner date with Mom. And if you are on Kauai but your mom isn’t here, why not go anyway? You can take pictures of your great time and send them to your mom as a Mother’s Day present. ☺ Or you can take me and I can watch you eat all of the amazing food while I try to stick to my diet. *sigh*
I have been told for years that juicing is a great way to lose weight and feel fabulous at the same time. So I decided to try it. However, I came to realize that juice doesn’t really fill me up. Now, it might just be me and the way that I love food, but juice is just liquid. I needed something substantial.
Now, what is juicing really? It’s taking the essentials out of vegetables and fruit and drinking it, right? Well, I can do that AND have substance. How? With smoothies! (Good plan, huh?)
So, every morning at breakfast, I get out my blender (a Magic Bullet that a friend let me borrow for the month) and I go to town, throwing in whatever veggies and fruits I have in my refrigerator, along with a little protein powder and ice. The result is a heavenly combination of wonderful flavors, thick enough to feel like a real meal. I’m dieting and enjoying it! It’s great!
Of course, you may be asking yourself what this has to do with you? Well, that’s a good question, and I’ll tell you. Every morning I mix fresh fruits and vegetables into my smoothie. And every day I can buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the local market stands and farmers markets on the island! Goodbye frozen fruits and canned veggies. Hello fresh, organic produce from right here on Kauai.
Now, I’m from the North Side of the island, so I stick with these markets. But there are farmers markets all over Kauai if you just ask around about them. So if I don’t mention a FM that you know about and love, feel free to leave a comment about it here on my blog.
Okay, here is my schedule:
Monday – I go to Westin in Princeville with a friend who lives there and buy organic produce between 5 and 6pm. If I can’t go there, I hit Namahana Farmers Market by Banana Joe’s at 4pm.
Tuesday – Waipa Farmer’s Market meets at 2pm at Waipa Ahupuaa Field. They have great organic choices and chocolate covered bananas!! (Those are healthy because they are bananas, right?)
Wednesday – I don’t know of a FM on the North Shore. So if I don’t stock up on Tuesday, I buy stuff at the Kapaa Sunshine Market in the New Town Ball Park Parking Lot between 3 and 4pm. They have organic stuff too, but it is a bit of a drive for me.
Thursday – The Kilauea Neighborhood Center Ball Park Parking Lot has a FM at 4:30pm. It’s smaller than the others, but it gets the job done.
Friday – I have the same problem as with Wednesday. But I typically head to Vidinha Stadium at 3pm if there is an event at the stadium that night I want to see. Otherwise, I head into Anahola, where there is an all day market. (The problem with this is that they also serve lunches like a huli-huli chicken plate with roasted potatoes that is to die for! So I have to be careful.)
Saturday – The Hanalei Farmers Market is probably the closest to my house, which is great because then I have more of the day to play. ☺ This market is open from 9:30 in the morning until noon and also features craft booths, which are fun to look through.
Sunday – On Sundays, I eat a real breakfast as a treat after a week of dieting. (Though I usually use the fruit from the day before.) But if you really want to go to a FM, my favorite is in Kealia (East side of the island) by the post office. It runs from noon until 4pm and has much more than produce. There is live music, free entertainment, arts and crafts, flowers, hula, and more. It’s pretty fun and a great way to spend the afternoon if you’re bored.
So there you go. Kauai grows a ton of organic and local produce, from fruits to vegetables. And the number of farmer’s markets can clearly show you that. So if you want to eat healthy, or have fresh fruits and vegetables to work with everyday that you are here, visit some of our markets today.
No, this post will not be about which queens in Kauai’s history were known to use bubble bath. ☺ In fact, this post isn’t about a real bath at all. Rather, it is about a beautiful spot on Kauai that is rather dangerous. While I would normally write a post encouraging travel to lovely spots on Kauai, this blog will be more of a warning.
The Queen’s Bath is actually a tide pool in Princeville. It’s about the size of a swimming pool and is listed on many blogs for tourists as a beautiful spot to hike, swim, snorkel, and watch the surf. According to these other posts, the path down to the pool itself is a bit steep, but the walk is only about 10 minutes long and the view is worth it.
Well, this particular blogger disagrees with what is said on the other blogs. You see, anyone living on Kauai knows that this is a dangerous area, even if it is lovely. Every year, people die while trying to get down the slick, water-covered path to the tide pool, and even more drown as a result of swimming in and near this pool. While some websites will just tell you to wear grippy shoes and avoid high tide, I think this place should be a no-visit spot on Kauai for everyone, including those with grippy shoes.
The last time I visited the Queen’s Bath, I was much younger than I am now. I wore my swimsuit and got into the water. As always, the water was a perfect 75-80 degrees, so swimming was comfortable. Some friends and I went together and we laughed, talked, swam, and played in the water. The problem came when we were leaving.
A good friend of mine slipped from the rocks and fell into the water. She almost drowned. The tide was pulling at her and slammed her against the rocks. She was under for a while. Luckily, we had a trained lifeguard with us (a bonus of having such amazing friends) and he dove into the water after her. When we all made it back up to our cars, we made a pact: no more visits to the Queen’s Bath.
And I’m not the only one who has experienced problems with this area. Over 30 people have died there in the past several years, both from rouge waves and from slipping on the rocks. In fact, Queen’s Bath has been labeled one of the three most dangerous places to visit on Kauai. So, to put it plainly, don’t go there.
I bring this up because we have had a string of tourists visiting this swim spot in the last few months, and not all of them have come back unscathed. And while I want you all to experience everything Kauai has to offer, I also don’t want to see anything happen to you. So please do me a favor and take the following advice:
1. Don’t ever swim without a lifeguard present.
2. Don’t go to the Queen’s Bath and expect a fun day with no problems.
3. And never assume the water is safe and couldn’t hurt you just because you’re a strong swimmer at home and the waves look calm at the moment.
Okay guys, I’m sorry to be so fervent with this post, but I have lived here a long time and want everyone to stay here in safety. There are many beautiful beaches with fun tide pools, white sand, and calm waters that you can visit while on Kauai. And if you need information about any particular beach, just ask me! I would be glad to talk to you about everything you need to know.
As you know, I’ve termed this month April Awareness month in honor of water safety. I want all visitors to our island to stay safe, avoid dangers, and have a wonderful time. And since so many people acquaint Hawaii with surfing, I think the first water safety blog I write should be about surfing safety.
On the news in February, you probably heard about the surfer who died while surfing a large wave in Hanalei Bay. That’s right in my backyard, so it was especially shocking for me. And while I don’t normally write about death on this blog, I feel this man’s accident is an especially good example of why we should always be cautious in the water.
The man who died was Richard Proczka, a resident of Kilauea! In other words, he was from here, had been in the ocean a million times before, and was a good surfer. But when a high surf warning was announced on the North Shore, he ran toward the water instead of away from it. Now, many great surfers tend to do this, as bigger waves mean bigger surfing awesomeness. But bigger waves also mean danger, especially for those who are newer to surfing.
Large breaking surf is hazardous because it can create dangerous rip currents and undertow. You know that feeling that you get under your feet when a small wave crashes on shore and the water is sucked back out to sea? Well, that’s undertow. Now times that by a million and you have the affect that is caused after a large wave hits the shore. And rip currents are strong currents that not even the best swimmer in the world can fight. They will drag you out into deep water, and there is nothing you can do except stay calm, go with the flow, and wait for help. Even expert surfers are at the mercy of such a great force of nature, as was proven by Mr. Proczka.
So how can you surf and stay safe at the same time. Well, first of all, DO NOT go surfing while a high surf warning is in affect. How will you know when a warning is in affect? Well, there is a website (found here) called Kauai Explorer. You can check there for up-to-date info about the water conditions on the island. This site is up-kept by lifeguards, so the information is good and should be followed.
And speaking of lifeguards, if you want to go surfing, make sure you do so on a beach with a guard tower. Surfing in secluded areas and exclusive beaches might sound fun and romantic, but it’s just plain dangerous. You need the protection of someone who is trained in water rescue, even if you never have to use his or her expertise.
Another good idea is to NEVER surf alone. Find some friends who want to go with you or join a class or surfing club. This is Kauai, after all, and we have quite a few surfers around. I’m sure you’ll never hurt for lack of company.
Okay, there is so much more to do before the Prince Kuhio Day celebration ends. But I don’t have enough time to blog about all of it. ☹ (Sometimes it’s hard when the rest of my life interferes with my blogging.)
SO… I’ve decided to give you a brief overview of everything else you can do during this month. Hopefully, you will see something you’re interested in and you can contact the venue for more information. Okay, are you ready to quickly learn about your options? Good!
Cultural Demonstrations (FREE) – Did you miss the crafting sessions and cultural lessons last Friday? Well, good news! There will be more sessions today (March 24) from 9:30am to 3pm. Plus, in addition to the previous lesson choices, you can take ancient hula lessons at 10am! Awesome, right? For more information, contact Stella Burgess at 808-240-6369.
Talk Story (FREE) – A talk story (if you haven’t read this blog before) is an oral account of Hawaiian history. And at this Talk Story, you will have the opportunity to listen to our eastside kupuna tell the histories of Kauai. This is also a great chance to ask questions about Kauai and a good chance to get your children some extra credit in their history classes. The talk story is Thursday (March 28th) at 10am. For more information, call 808-632-8202 and talk to the front desk. (This Talk Story will take place at Kauai Lagoons in Lihue.)
Birthday Party – You knew that was coming, right? 
Okay, so this party will take place at Smith’s Tropical Paradise in Wailua on Friday (March 29). From 5-6pm, the life of Prince Kuhio will be showcased, pictures will be shown, and history will be given. Then at 6pm, there will be an abundance of food! So come hungry and bring your wallets, because this will cost money. You can call Smith’s or check their website for more information.
Another Birthday Party (FREE) – This will be a town-wide celebration in Anahola on Saturday (March 30) and will take place mostly at Anahola Beach Park from 11am to 5pm. There will be stories, dancing, art, games, crafts, food, and more. For more information, call 808-639-1754.
Easter Egg Hunts – In all of this celebrating, we can’t forget Easter, right? So, you have options! I have heard about two egg hunts so far: one in Anahola and one at the Prince Clubhouse. The Prince (golf course in Princeville) will be hosting an egg hunt, meet the bunny, and refreshments event from 9-11am. This event is FREE but food will cost money. Anahola’s Easter event will take place at Anahola Baptist Church from 1pm-1am and will include a live bunny petting zoo, games, songs, stories, snacks, an egg hunt, prizes, and more. Free for all ages. You can call 639-9675 for more information.
Okay, that is just a few of the things happening this week. Crazy, right?! And the funny thing is… there is so much more I could have told you about! So if you don’t see something here that sounds like fun, just look around you and ask a resident. We’ll be happy to help you find a concert, craft fair, water sport, rental company, or luau that interests you. ☺
When I was a kid, I was pretty good in school. I loved to read, and so I easily got through my textbooks. Plus, I’m a visual learner. So, if it was in the book, I would pick it up rather quickly. If information was placed on the blackboard, I would remember it. And if I took notes in class, I would even remember what my teacher said. It was great.
However, there was a girl right next to me who simply couldn’t sit still. She was constantly tapping her pencil, bouncing her feet on the floor, cracking her knuckles, and generally moving. She simply had to move. At the time, her parents thought it was ADHD and put her on some low dose meds. But after her grades dropped (and a very good school counselor got involved), she learned that she was simply a kinetic learner. She had to be moving to learn. She really enjoyed building things, doing hands-on projects, and excelled at PE.
I think of her now because there is a Hawaiian cultural demonstration coming up that I think everyone will enjoy. This demonstration is a part of the Prince Kuhio Day celebration, and will involve hands-on arts sessions! So if you have ever wanted to make Hawaiian crafts and arts, now is your chance to learn, no matter your learning style.
Let’s be honest here – it takes more than a lecture to learn something. You have to practice, play, and figure it out in a practical place. Well, this cultural event will highlight the Native Hawaiian culture and art practices by teaching weaving, working with taro, stone-carving, Hawaiian weapons, making drums, making tapa, and the creation of bracelets. There will also be Ukulele lessons. Awesome, right?
Now, not all of these things will involve participation learning, but several will involve activities where you can get hands-on experience. And, the best part, these sessions are FREE!
So, if learning about Hawaiian culture and learning to make fun crafts sounds good to you, come to Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa this Friday from 2pm until 7pm. And, if you want to ensure yourself a seat, you can call the concierge at the hotel early to register for the lessons. Want more information before you decide? No problem! Just call 808-240-6369 and talk to Stella Burgess.
Do you have $10? Do you like archaeology? Are you going to be here on Kauai on Thursday, March 21st, from 9am to 11:30am? Well, if you answered yes to these questions, then I have an event for you!
The Makauwahi Reserve is a fascinating place where explorers can visit and hear all about the past and future of Kauai. Both past and future? Why yes! Let me explain. This reserve has the largest limestone cave on Hawaii, which is pretty cool in and of itself. But add to that an open-air sink hole containing what scientists say is perfectly preserved fossils ranging from 10,000 years ago or more and you have amazing.
To quote the Makauwahi Cave Reserve’s website (which can be found here): “The rich fossil-bearing sediments of Makauwahi Cave, over 10 m (33 feet) thick in some areas, have an unusual chemistry that preserves almost everything that fell in there over the last 10,000 years or more – animal fossils such as shells and bones, as well as plant fossils including seeds, leaves, and wood. Microscopic fossils, including pollen, spores, algae, even DNA fragments, occur by the billions.
So what does this mean? Well, by using the information from fossils found in the cave, scientists have been able to research the past and do some pretty awesome things in the present, like saving species on the brink of extinction. Plus, the place looks really neat. So if you want to come and visit, why not stop by.
As part of the Prince Kuhio Day events, there will be a Makauwahi Reserve Tour starting at 9am on Thursday morning. The tour will give the history of the area, a presentation of the fossils found, and information about how uncovered scientific data is able to preserve the present and future as well as the past. The price for this tour is only $10! So it will be well worth the price. Plus, how cool is ancient history!?
If you’d like to sign up for the tour, simply call 480-225-5604 for more information. And if you go, remember to wear grippy walking shoes and to bring a water bottle. The preserve is 17-acres, and walking in and out will work up a thirst.
As part of the Prince Kuhio Day celebration, there will be a mini rodeo at CJM Stables at 2pm today! So if you want to enjoy some great horseback riding and be a part of a wonderful Kauai tradition, then come and join us.
Rodeos have a long history on our island. They started around the plantation era, where farming families would learn to ride and compete with others from around the island. And ever since then, we have held our horseback-riding heritage in our hearts. That’s why there are rodeo events and horseback riding options all year round on Kauai, especially in Poipu.
Now today, there will be barrel racing. This event will be divided up into three separate divisions: open, senior, and youth. So no matter your age or riding style, you could join us. And, if you don’t want to race, you can certainly watch the fun. After all, admission to this event is FREE!! So you can come, watch a day of horsing around, and enjoy yourselves for no cost.
And if you have kids, there will also be pony rides available. So everyone wins!
For more information on this event, you can visit CJM Stables online or call 808-639-6695. And if you don’t like horses, don’t worry. There will be many more events this month as we move toward Prince Kuhio Day.
If you visit Kauai sometime before the end of this month, chances are that you will hear about Prince Kuhio’s birthday. And you will think, “Well, happy birthday to him” and then go about your merry way, enjoying the sand, the surf, and the special events on our lovely island. But there is more to this event than you think.
First of all, Prince Kuhio is dead. I know – shocker, right? So don’t feel too bad if you can’t find him to wish him a happy birthday in person. So why are we celebrating? Well, Prince Kuhio Day is a statewide holiday on Hawaii, and on Kauai we like to build up the celebration a bit. So while the Prince’s official birthday is on March 26th and his full name is actually Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole Piikoi, we have a bunch of celebratory events all throughout the end of March.
Secondly, we aren’t just celebrating a birthday here. Just like President’s day is actually President George Washington’s birthday, Prince Kuhio Day is a day to celebrate the life and achievements of our dear Prince. You see, Prince Kuhio was heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was prince of the House of Kalakaua. And he was, by all rights and accounts, a great man.
But you see, the United States was forming and our set of tiny islands needed unity and protection. So, when Hawaii entered the United States of America and became an official state, we could no longer have a King. We had a President.
That didn’t stop Prince Kuhio, however. Our prince did not consider himself so important that he would block our entrance into the United States. Instead, he desired the good of all of our people. He worked hard to ensure that Hawaii was well-represented in Congress. He authored the Hawaii Statehood bill in 1919. And he worked hard to provide for his people. By going through the US government, he did more for his people that we could have ever imagined. And he looked good doing it! ☺
And so we celebrate Prince Kuhio Day (his birthday) as a memorial to this great man and a celebration of his legacy. Plus, it’s always a good day for a party of two, right?
Now, if you are on Kauai and you see a PK Day celebration going on, join us! We welcome all tourists and residents alike. And we look forward to celebrating our freedom, our island heritage, and our culture with you.
If you like art, then you will want to visit Poipu Beach Park on Saturday, March 16th. Why? Well, over 40 of Kauai’s top artists will be there, working artist booths and showing their wares. From photography and paintings to jewelry and wood carvings, you can find it all at one of our artisan fairs. And this one is no exception.
One of my favorite things to do is window shop. I admit that I don’t have a ton of cash to spend on things I like, but I do enjoy looking at the things that I like and knowing how lovely they would be in my house. So when an artisan fair comes up on the schedule, I get excited.
I love art because I love beautiful things. And you can clearly see that when you walk into my house. Paintings cover the walls, specialty baskets hold my belongings, wood carvings are the centerpieces on my table, and I have several photography books lying around on coffee tables. In other words, if it’s pretty, I want it. And I save up my money until I can buy it.
I also know a few artisans here on Kauai and request their work as my birthday and Christmas presents. So my life is always full of color, creativity, crafts, and created things. It makes me happy and my fiancée puts up with it nicely. ☺
So if you are anything like me (or if you just want something fun and easy-going to do on a Saturday morning), come to Poipu Beach Park. Walk along the sand, check out the beautiful works of art, and find something new. There will be clothes, carvings, pounded mulberry bark, oil paintings, linens, and much more to buy. Plus, you can see some of the best artists on Kauai, ask them questions, and get to know their work.
If you are vacationing here, what better souvenir can you bring back for your friends that a special piece of art made by a local artist right here on Kauai? Sure, it’s no plastic surfboard keychain, but I think a piece of art would make a great gift. So come and see for yourselves. The Prince Kuhio Garden Isle Artisan Fair will begin promptly at 9am and will continue until 3pm. Entrance to the park is free, so you can stop by and visit at any time.
When my brother moved to New York, he was so impressed with the buildings, the city life, and the play options. Being raised on Kauai, he grew up loving live entertainment. So moving to New York was a great thing for him. In a big city, there is always something going on and always a play to go and see.
Well, being on Kauai is similar to that. We always have something going on. There are carnivals, street fairs, cultural exhibits, craft shows, luaus, parties, plays, concerts, and more. There is always something to do, especially if you love live entertainment.
So every now and then, we get the opportunity to go to a unique dance show or concert, and I call my brother and brag about it. After all, there is a lot to do in New York, but you just can’t beat a good performance on a tropical island, right? And the upcoming Silence of the Nile show is one of the reasons why I called my brother this week.
I have always wanted to know how to belly dance. It was something that I tried as a child, and I was okay. I never really had the coordination for the more complicated belly dancing, but it was fun to learn and to perform. I read once that belly dancing is great for exercise, stretching, building the right muscles prior to childbirth, fun, and presentation. And with all of the good that comes from it, why not give it a shot!
And perhaps that’s why the Garden Nile Belly Dancers decided to learn as well. But, not only did they learn and find it fun to do, they also became very good and decided to put on shows. And this upcoming show features a prominent belly dancer from Germany: Khalida. (Other performers include Gypsy Rose, Sudeeka, Al Farashat, Cheryl, Sweih, and Laura from the Big Island. So there is sure to be a lot of talented people at this show.)
So here is my question for you: have you ever wanted to belly dance? And what about you men… have you ever wanted to watch a belly dancing show? Well, if you answered yes to either of those questions, then visit Church of the Pacific in Princeville on Friday, March 15, from 7pm-1am for Silence of the Nile! The show costs only $15 at the door ($10 in advance from their website) and will be well worth the minimal cost. Plus… BELLY DANCING!! Awesome, right!?
Okay, I just read a new article on cheeseburger.com and it’s awesome. And while I typically don’t read articles on this website (or do anything an article tells me to do), I just really want to try this. So… who wants to have a potato party??
Let me explain: Potato parties involves all of your friends and family, coming together for one unique purpose… to eat your bodyweight in french fries. Oh yes! Seriously, doesn’t that sound like fun? Sure, slightly nauseating fun, but still! I, personally, want to have one of these parties and invite all of you. Of course, it might take me a while to get one of these together. Why? Well, let me explain.
1. No one I’ve talked to so far actually wants to eat that many French fries, so getting people to show up might be a little bit difficult.
2. When I mentioned it to my local McDonalds (which is in Lihue, so I was willing to drive for this), they said that they wouldn’t allow such a thing.
3. It costs a couple hundred dollars to get enough French fries for this to work, and I like spending my money on other things.
But if I ever do manage to get one together, you guys will be the first to know about it. After all, who wouldn’t want a bunch of tables completely covered in freshly made French fries!?! It sound something like heaven to me, but that might just be that I NEVER eat at McDonalds and therefore think of these things as a treat. ☺
Of course, I’m not the only one who can do this. You can have your own potato parties at home! (And if you do, please invite me!)
Are you in need of something fun to do today? Well, how about heading to the Kauai Veterans Center in Lihue for a swap meet of sorts. That’s right – today is the Veteran Road Show!
Okay, this actually “Road Show” isn’t exactly a star-studded affair. But there will be men and women there who gave it all for the stars and stripes, so that’s far better, right? You see, veterans and collectors from all over the island (and the surrounding islands) will be getting together from 9am-2pm today and swapping everything from stories to trade goods. And you could join them! It’ll be cool!
Now let’s see… do you want some amazing deals on wartime goods? How about trading your canteen for some home grown produce? Would you like to hear some great war stories or listen to a guy bragging about his conquests in 1945? Would you like something fun to do on a Saturday morning? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then this is your chance. The Veteran Road Show is a one day only event.
Of course, as with all island swap meets, entrance is free. And you will probably find quite a few fun items! So visit 3215 Kapule Hwy today and see what you can find. And listen to a few stories while you’re there. Our island veterans have been to some amazing places and have seen some devastating things. And I believe it is good for everyone to get a taste of what it’s like to be a soldier for the USA.
Yea! Women in Theatre are having another performance and it starts today! This performance will be the Sisters Rosensweig, and it’s bound to be awesome. So why not give it a shot? Here, let me tell you more.
Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening for the next three weekends, The Sisters Rosensweig will be performed at the WITS END theater in Kapaa. (The WITS END is located in the Coconut Marketplace.) Each performance will cost only $18 and will be 6+ hours of entertainment. How awesome is that? Performances start at 7pm each night, except Sundays. On Sundays, the performances start at 5pm.
So what is the play like? Well, I’ve been told it’s hilarious. Apparently, it’s a family drama about three sisters who reunite in London to celebrate a birthday party. While all three women have different personalities, baggage, relationships, and lives, they all learn to love each other, have respect for each other, and understand each other’s differences. Sounds quite moving, right? But it’s also supposed to be funny, and I do SO love dramas that have a sense of humor.
So do you want to go? It’s a great opportunity to see a wonderful play while enjoying some time on a tropical island. What more could you ask for? Well, how about a ticket selling location? Hmmmm, good question! If you would like to purchase tickets to this show, simply head to Brown Paper Tickets or call 635-3727.
I know it sounds like a lot of fun, and we’re definitely going. So why don’t you join us. WITS END. The Sisters Rosensweig. Kapaa. Let’s go see a play!
If you haven’t been to one of our local farmer’s markets, it’s well worth the time, especially if you are staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel room. Why? Well, you can find a lot of great local produce from fresh fruits to homegrown vegetables. But that won’t do you as much good unless you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, if you know what I mean.
This Wednesday (aka tomorrow) from 3pm-6pm, the weekly Kapaa Farmers Market and Swap Meet will take place. This is one of the better Farmers Markets because you can get excellent produce and also amazing deals on swapped items. Last year, a friend of mine got a $200 surfboard as a trade in for car parts! Can you believe it!?? Of course, I don’t surf, so I didn’t even consider the surfboard. But I’ve gotten clothes, other water sports gear, and a few items for my home from this swap meet. So I know it’s worth a visit.
I try to get there every Wednesday, but lately I’ve only been going once a month. I got a bit busy, I guess, so I don’t have as much free time in the afternoons. But if you have the time, I would highly recommend visiting this Farmers Market. It’s free for anyone wanting some good deals and fresh foods, and it’s only $20 for vendors to set up a booth. So everyone wins.
I’ll include a map of where it’s located (plus it shouldn’t be hard to find on a GPS). My recommendation is to enter the market from behind the Bank of Hawaii on Lehua Street and park there, as there will be less traffic. And once you get there, have fun! Browse, buy, and support our local growers.
I have never wanted to go to a concert so much in my entire life!!!
Okay, let me start from the beginning. So, I was hanging out with some friends the other day and one of them mentioned that Lea Salonga was coming to Kauai. As in she will actually be here on our island! In Puhi! At the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center! For a concert!!!
As you can tell, I was a bit excited. In fact, I bought tickets immediately. You see, Lea Salonga is one of my heros. Having very little musical talent of my own, I have always imagined singing on Broadway. I know it’s stilly (and downright sad if you’ve ever heard me sing), but it was a big dream of mine for a long time. And Lea Salonga was (and still is) part of the reason why.
I first heard her sing when I visited my brother on the mainland. Her voice was amazing and sounded SO familiar. So when I got home, I googled her. Turns out, she was the singing voice of Jasmine on Disney’s Aladdin. I recognized her voice finally, but couldn’t believe it. She was such an amazing person.
To give you some background (in case you don’t want to google her yourself), she was the leading role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. She was also the first Asian to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway! (Not in the recent movie… but I think she was MUCH better than the singers in the movie.) She also did the singing for Disney’s Mulan!
And she has won a ton of awards from a Tony to the Theatre World award! (You really should look her up or visit her website.)
Anyway, I’m such a fan. She has had a phenomenal career and has pioneered many singing roles for Asian women. And SHE IS COMING HERE!!!! *girly screams*
Sorry. Okay, here are the details. She will be performing at Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center on February 26 at 7pm. The concert will be three hours long (including intermission) and will cost $40/person ($20 for students). For more information and ticket purchases, you can call 808-245-7464.
I hope you can make the concert. I am personally going to be first in line. See you there!
I might not have been raised in Waimea, but a hometown celebration is still one of my favorite things to attend. So when I saw that there is a Waimea Town Celebration going on, I decided we all have to go!
That’s right – we want you there too!
The celebration started on February 16th, but the big event will take place on February 22 and 23. Starting at 4:30pm on Friday, the 22nd, at the Old Sugar Mill on Kaumualii Highway, this hometown event will be just like a fair! There will be booths for crafts, games, food, rides, and more. For the adults, there will be a Beer Garden featuring Coors. For the kids, there will be special rides and games. Plus there will be a large stage where live musicians and other entertainers will perform for the entire 2-day celebration! So you’ll hear all kinds of music from ukuleles to rock songs. And all performers will be from right here on Kauai.
Let’s see – what else. Oh! There will be sporting events. As far as I can tell, the plans include a canoe race, a softball tournament, a basketball tournament, a Fun Run, and a paddle boarding competition. In other words, there will be many sports to watch and participate in. Of course, I’m a little late in finding out about it, so some of the races might have already happened. But you can find out more information on the town’s celebration website.
And, if you want to spend a little money, there will also be a rodeo! Complete with all of the typical rodeo fun, this rodeo will feature races, riding, roping, and more. But remember, while the other events in the celebration are free, this one will cost you. (I actually don’t know the cost. I tried to find out, but haven’t found the price yet. I’ll let you know if I find out in advance.)
So, if you want to have a little fun and enjoy an awesome hometown event, please join us in Waimea at the Old Sugar Mill. It’s sure to be a great time.
When I was a child, I thought there was absolutely nothing to do in my hometown. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. It seems that, no matter how many activities were going on, in my mind they had all been done before. Why should I go to the shopping center when there was nothing there I wanted? Why go golfing or mini-golfing again? Didn’t I just do that last weekend? Why play at the beach? I’ve lived near the beach my whole life and it can’t possibly still be fun, right?
Maybe you were the same way. I remember visiting a friend in California once. She lived up north, which was a bit different for me. I’m used to the sun, the surf, and the sand. But in Northern California, there are mountains, trees, bluffs, and it’s COLD! (Okay, at least it was when I was there in October.) But despite the cold weather, I thought she lived in one of the most unique and beautiful places around. I asked what fun things there were to do, and she just shrugged. She had done it all before and wasn’t sure there was anything fun left to do. (And this is a person who lived less than an hour from Lake Tahoe!)
I guess hometowns are like that when we’re young. But, luckily, they no longer seem that way as an adult. After all, as adults we have far less “free time” to do whatever we want. So, when we have a free afternoon, doing “nothing” at the beach is downright wonderful! Going golfing for an entire morning is like heaven! Getting to shop without distraction or interruption can be fabulous. And learning a new water sport is exciting. It’s like the whole world is new again.
Of course, I live in a wonderful and exciting location. Living on Kauai is like living in paradise. It’s tropical, beautiful, fun, and it smells great! (It pays to be “the Garden Island.”) And if you are a visitor to our island, you will find it hard to believe that I was ever a bored child. ☺
Here on the North Shore, we have some of the best Kauai beaches. It’s wonderful during surfing season, when the waves are big and surfer-friendly. But our beaches are also great for moon-lit strolls, sun-bathing, horseback riding at sunset, snorkeling or scuba diving, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, swimming, and much more. With white sand and breaking surf, visitors will love this area.
Of course, there are also shopping centers, golf courses, ranches, plantations, luaus, tours, helicopter rides, home rentals, and more. I am constantly busy trying new things, visiting the farmers markets, going to museums and craft fairs, participating in festivals and fairs, and overall living life to the fullest.
So if you would like to visit my hometown sometime, please do! I would love to meet you and show you around some of my favorite places, from the lighthouse to the tropical gardens. Plus, there is always something to do, especially for those who need a nice vacation getaway.
There is a dance-a-thon coming up here on Kauai in Lihue! Now, for those of you who don’t know what a dance-a-thon is, let me explain. This is a day completely filled with dancing from start to finish. You can join in or just want the dancers from all different age and skill levels dance to several styles of music, ranging from Ballet to Hip Hop.
The dance-a-thon will be held at Lihue’s War Memorial Convention Hall on Sunday, February 17th, from 9:30am until 4:00pm. Throughout the day, there will be dancing and exhibitions. In fact, every hour on the hour there will be a showcase, allowing the best dancing students to show off what they know. It will be a fun filled, musical day of dancing excitement.
Plus, if you have a child between the ages of three and six, you can get them a free lesson just by showing up! There will be a free ballet workshop for small children starting at 10am. (Of course, space will be limited, so I recommend calling in advance if you plan to have your child in the class. The number is 823-9588.)
Let’s see… what else. Oh yes! If dancing all day and watching amazing performances isn’t enough, there will also be a silent auction to raise money for scholarships. There will also be a raffle, a bake sale, and things to buy like food and gifts. So come and enjoy some great music, great dancers, fun times, and good friends.
For more information, visit Kauai Dance Center.
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