Joseph sylvester's Blog (19)

News reached us today that an outbreak of Avian botulism has reared its devastating head in Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Maui. The Forestry and Wildlife division, an arm of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, warned the State today. Asking all residents to be on the look out for symptoms of the disease in native Hawaiian wetland birds.

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The stars were aligned in perfect formation for me when The Kauai Adventure Club announced a hike beyond Mahaulepu Beach to Kipu Kai. Of all the epic Kauai hikes, this is a trek beyond the well traveled scenic south shore trail and it was held on a week day when most responsible people are working. The Kauai Adventure Club is a group of residents who have an affinity for hiking and Aloha and the members today ranged from 13 to 60…

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There are not many movie star trees that come to my mind quickly, how about yours? I can think of the great Sequoias in California, and yes the Joshua tree also. Here on Kauai we have the Moreton Bay Fig trees in the Allerton Gardens in Poipu which are close by our vacation rentals .…

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If you enjoy history and trains you will have a treat on Kauai, Hawaii. Kauai has some of the oldest trains in the state that are in operable condition. The good news is that if you are on Kauai on the second Thursday of each month you can ride the train and learn about Kauai's sugar history. Here is our latest web post.

If you are visiting the Garden Isle on the second Thursday of each month, you will have the opportunity to experience one of the best things to do on Kauai. Riding…

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Hiking in Kauai is one of the best things to do of all the great activities that are available to the visitor here on the island. If you are here on a romantic honeymoon or simply a Hawaiian getaway you will be seeing the best of Kauai. Experiencing the road less traveled, the aura, romance, and mystique of hidden Kauai still energizes us even after 30 years. Somehow the air is different, the manner in which the light filters through the ancient <em>Kukui</em> trees,  playing off…

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This past weekend marked the 15th anniversary of one of the great things to do in Kauai Hawaii. The Coconut Festival is held each year in the charming town of Kapa'a to celebrate all things coconut. Hosted by the Kapa'a business community it has become the premier Fall happening on the Kauai festival calendar. This two day event highlights one of the most important plant species in the world that touches almost everyone's life on the planet.

Started by the effervescent Bob Bartolo, a…

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There is no doubt while you are visiting the Hawaiian Islands there is a good chance that you will see a Hawaiian monk seal on the beach. They will be more prevalent on the outer islands of course, they shy from large crowds that are typically found on the island of Oahu. And admittedly I have not heard of a seal resting on the shores of Waikiki. There are just too many people there and seals tend to return to the area they were born.…

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The Hawaiian humpback whales were spotted on Tuesday off the coast of the Big Island about 14 miles south of Kailua-Kona. They have returned several weeks earlier than last year when they were spotted on October 20. This annual migration marks the start of our winter season in Hawaii and the charter boats and vacation rental accommodations gear up annually for the influx of visitors that will arrive to see these giants.…

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The Hanakapiai trail, the first two miles of the epic nearly eleven miles of the Kalalau trail along the Napali offers so much that is Kauai in such a short time that it must be experienced. Mystically enshrouded in morning clouds on a typical north shore day it only enhances the drama. The two of you will be participants watching as the sun climbs in the sky and burns off the clouds to reveal blues and greens  that challenge…

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Planning a romantic getaway to Kauai for just the two of you? Gotta escape the office, or that demanding boss but it just seems so overwhelming? We're here to help. Don't lose your momentum, this can be stress free, and we have a few romantic ideas for your Hawaiian vacation to help with planning. These fun suggestions are at the top of our vacation to do list and we promise if you follow this list your stay will be memorable.…

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The stage was set for the Kauai Hawaii running world with its third annual marathon. A thought kept turning in my head, was it even possible to be competitive or be concerned with 'personal bests' in a venue such as this? A setting that naturally evokes ooohs and aaahs, and has taken the travel industry by storm as one of the best places to kiss. Yes, that's what I was thinking when I fell asleep.…

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Of all the water sports activities associated with Kauai Hawaii, outrigger canoe paddling ranks near the top of the list that one immediately associates with the Island lifestyle. Arguably so, advocates of surfing would list this Sport of Kings as the most identifiable Hawaiian water sports activity in…

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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

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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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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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

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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There are many fun filled Kauai activities that will make your stay here epic. However, we at Turtle Cove Suites believe that staring at goats is not one of them.



 



The film, Men Who Stare At Goats, details the U.S. military's study of the off the wall concept of weaponizing the paranormal, and the men who possessed the ability to kill goats by staring at them. The… Continue

I made a corporate decision to go hiking in Kauai in the innocent hours of Saturday morning. You may ask, What on earth are you doing awake at that hour? Perhaps its my years in sugarcane farming here on Kauai where for 9 months of the year the operation hummed 24/7 and field work started at 6am. Now, checking email and Facebook posts have replaced the logistics of transporting an 8 ton planter to the top of Hukipo Ridge overlooking the town of Waimea on the Westside of Kauai. Rising early is a… Continue