Joseph sylvester's Blog – July 2011 Archive (5)

Hiking Kauai Along The Makawehi Sand Dunes

One of my favorite things to do in Kauai during the Koloa Plantation Days celebration is to attend events that require hiking. When I can exercise and combine that with interesting 'in the field' lectures by recognized experts, it doesn't get much better than that for me. Experts like Dr. David Burney, a paleoenvironmentalist and the Director of Conservation at the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), and others who have… Continue

Added by joseph sylvester on July 29, 2011 at 10:14am — No Comments

Learning To Love Muddy Water

I have been drinking Yaqona (pronounced: Yon-gona) for the past 30 years. To say that it is an acquired taste is accurate, and I just cannot wait until I acquire it. Yaqona, as it is called in Fiji, or Kava as it is called in Hawaii and other Polynesian cultures is harvested from the plant, Piper methysticum. It…

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Added by joseph sylvester on July 22, 2011 at 1:13am — 2 Comments

Are Those My Ears On Fire?

I have been spoiled. While on a nearly one month exploration of Turkey I discovered the art of Grooming. No, not some mundane ritual of scraping my face each morning half asleep and caffeine deprived. But the time honored art practiced by Turkish barbers.

Recently I found myself in the small town of Kirazli, a farming community approximately 45 minutes from Ephesus. Known for their wonderful cherry and apricots, their slightly alkaline soils and abundance of water make their fruit…

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Added by joseph sylvester on July 18, 2011 at 11:54am — No Comments

Salt Production An Ancient Tradition Continues On Kauai

The Hawaiian Method For Salt Production

On Kauai, the Hawaiians of the Hanapepe Valley were the masters of salt production in ancient times. Today their ancestors are working the salt ponds and honoring this tradition that dates back to 500 AD. Most visitors to the area are unaware that quietly and without fanfare this practice continues adjacent to the beautiful crescent shaped beach they are lying upon at Salt Pond Beach Park.

The Hanapepe Hawaiians would like it to remain… Continue

Added by joseph sylvester on July 16, 2011 at 9:57pm — No Comments

Koloa Plantation Days 2011

One of the best things to do on Kauai in mid July is to attend the annual Koloa Plantation Days celebration. I am biased I'll admit, its a time when a great number of former sugarcane plantation workers are gathered in one place and between great events and shows we can share a few stories about 'the good old days'. With this being the 26th annual event our stories are becoming as tall as the…

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Added by joseph sylvester on July 16, 2011 at 5:54pm — No Comments