Experiencing Hawaiian Culture

Posted on May 15, 2012 by jordandunn


It can be said that a Luau is synonymous with Hawaii; a Luau is what comes to mind first to people soon as they hear that someone went to Hawaii or if someone is going. Maybe you are going to Hawaii and want to go to a Luau because that is just the thing you do when you go to Hawaii. However, the question some have is why are Luaus so important? What makes them something you have to do when visiting Kauai or any island of Hawaii? The answer to this is not as simple as you might think, because for everyone it can be something different.

One of the reasons Luaus are something that most people want to go visit is for the food. At many Luaus you attend you can actually watch them take the pig out of the ground. You can’t find food that gets fresher than that. All of the food tastes amazing and represents Hawaiian culture. Whether you’re a picky eater or an adventurous one you are sure to leave a Luau feeling full and satisfied.

At some Luaus you also have the option of skipping the food and just watching the show, this is very appealing to many with a larger family and or people who just want to experience the show. The show is more than just some people waiving fire; it is an expression of Hawaiian culture. If you don’t know too much about Hawaiian culture than going to a Luau is probably one of the most fun ways to learn more about it. Many of the people who are in the Luau started training for it when they were only kids. They take pride in their culture and make sure that everything is authentic in the show.

Going to a Luau in Hawaii is about more than just going just because it is so popular it is about going and experiencing Hawaiian culture. It also makes for a great night out, dinner and a show makes for an enjoyable night for anyone. Going to a Luau is a nice change of pace than the normal same night out after night, it allows you to go back in time a little bit to experience history that even the kids will enjoy learning about. So if you are in Hawaii, go and check out a Luau not because everyone says you should but because it will be an amazing night that you will never want to forget.

 

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A Vacation for Everyone

Posted on May 11, 2012 by jordandunn

One of the great wonders that every person is supposed to see at least once in his or her life is the Grand Canyon. However, the only problem with making a special trip up to see the Grand Canyon is that the Grand Canyon is pretty much the only site around besides the dessert. So now you are faced with the decision of making a trip up to see one site that is supposed to be amazing or go somewhere that will actually be entertaining. Thankfully with Kauai you can have a compromise with your family, Kauai clearly does not have the Grand Canyon but it has the second best canyon, the Waimea Canyon.

The Waimea Canyon is said to be the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. Of course it isn’t quite as large as the Grand Canyon, or old as the Grand Canyon it still is beautiful. It is about fourteen miles long, and 1 mile wide, stretching as deep as about thirty–six hundred feet. It is certainly a site that everyone should see. Depending on where you are at on the island it can be a bit of a drive so usually it is best to plan a day of it. You can decide to just go to a few different look out places, and have a picnic on a lookout spot and just enjoy the site or you can choose to be more adventurous.

What is great about the Waimea Canyon is that you can explore it if you choose too. You would walk along the Kukui trail, and unlike the Grand Canyon where you would probably only see more sand on the Kukui trail you can expect to see different waterfalls and different plants and animals. The kukui trail is a great experience for anyone who is interested in making a serious hike. If you are thinking about camping in the canyon make sure that you get a permit as you can only camp there if you have been approved a permit. Although, beware that it is not the easiest hike, it will be a hot dusty trail and one that should only be attempted by serious hikers who are willing to put in the effort.

So the next time you are deciding where to take a vacation, think about taking a vacation where you can enjoy a natural wonder like the Waimea canyon and yet still be able to enjoy the ocean and many other wonderful sites. You work hard all year long and deserve a vacation that you can get the most out of. When visiting Kauai you will quickly learn that you can never accomplish all the activities and see all the sites that it has to offer.

 

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Helicopter Tours

Posted on May 7, 2012 by jordandunn

Kauai is a very beautiful island, one of the most beautiful places a person will ever visit. So many beautiful places to visit that you probably wont have time to see them all. One of the options that you have is to take a helicopter tour of the island. However, helicopter tours can be very expensive and you may look at it as something that is not necessary. Many people think that they can just see the sights just fine without paying for a special helicopter tour. The real issue is how much do you want to enjoy your vacation?

First lets talk about what you can expect if you decide to take a helicopter tour. Deciding on the company you go with you can have a helicopter that just fits you and your spouse or go with a larger one so you can fit your whole family, some companies allow you to have up to six people. Helicopter tours take you all over the island, they are usually a little over an hour long. Many companies will give you a DVD to take home with you too so that way you can remember your vacation for the rest of your life. The nice part about them giving you the DVD is that you don’t have to worry about taking pictures the whole time and forget to enjoy the trip yourself.

Helicopter tours take you to places that you probably wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise, whether it’s due to time or just the places they go that you can’t really get to by foot. Helicopter tours allow you to see the island in a whole different light. Being able to see Kauai from the air is an amazing experience that you certainly wouldn’t regret if you did it.

So should you go on a helicopter tour? Well, that is really up to you to decide on. Everyone is different and think certain things are important that others don’t. If you want to truly appreciate Kauai in all of its beauty than you should go for it. If you are just hesitant because of the price, remember it is your vacation; you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest. Visiting Kauai is time for you to relax and do what you have always wanted to do. Decide when you come to Kauai that you are going to enjoy yourself whether that means taking a helicopter tour or just enjoying yourself on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

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No More Sand in Your Shoes

Posted on May 4, 2012 by jordandunn

Kauai is probably most known for its beautiful beaches, however, maybe you are at the point or getting to the point where you just can’t stand anymore sand or water. If this is you don’t worry you are not a bad person who hates beauty you are just a person who wants to be clean. The fact of the matter is that sand gets everywhere, and sometimes it takes a couple showers before you really become clean. So the question at this point is what do you do now? You probably have only heard about the beaches and not much else. Don’t be discouraged Kauai has much more to offer than just beaches.

One of the many options is golfing, whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will be sure to enjoy Kauai’s golf courses. Some PGA pros designed a couple of the golf courses themselves. In fact you may actually get to see a PGA golf pro out on the links some days. If you are a beginner you can take a lesson to learn a little more about golf or to just better improve your swing.

If you aren’t into golfing but your husband is don’t worry there is an activity for you too, one that every woman will enjoy–shopping. Kauai offers many beautiful shops that will keep you busy for the whole day. You can also explore the many art museums, which offer some very unique art. If you still have time consider stopping by a few local farmers markets.

The next activity you can look at is exploring the fern grotto, this adventure will keep you perfectly dry and sand free. You can first explore the beautifulgardens and then take a boat tour to the fern grotto, and on your way you will be sure to see many other beautiful flowers. The fern grotto is perfect if you love nature and want to explore it a little more, yet not have to worry about getting too dirty.

Kauai has more than beaches to offer you, so don’t be weary if you are tired of the beach. In fact you may find that your vacation really starts once you are outside of the beach, because than you can explore all the different shops and local cuisine that makes Kauai so special. Whenever you go to a new place one of the best things you can do is to just take in the culture. By visiting all the different places of Kauai you can learn more about the people and the history of the island and come into a new appreciation of the island.

 

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Movies Filmed on Kauai

Posted on May 1, 2012 by jordandunn

Kauai maybe most known for the many movies filmed on it, if a movie looks like it was filmed in Hawaii, or on some majestic island it was probably filmed on Kauai. Although, you probably already know that, you still don’t know where exactly they were filmed, where you can go to see the exact places these movies were filmed and see if you can recognize them. While it is fun to sometimes guess there are certain areas where you should specifically visit so you can see where a classic was filmed.

The thing to remember when you are exploring Kauai looking for movie locations is that there usually isn’t one specific location where the movie was filmed. Many times the whole island is used to get different shots. What you can look for is specific scenes that are more momentous than others. One scene you will want to visit is Jurassic Park, the one scene you can be sure to see are the doors. The doors that opened up to a magical world that was Jurassic Park, you can see these doors by visiting the town of Kapaa, what is great about this location is that you can also go tubing down the river too so that you don’t just make the trek to see the Jurassic Park scene and that’s it.

Some movie locations you can only see by air, such as the movie To End All Wars, and Hawaii, Hook, Six Days/Seven nights. These movies were filmed on the South Shore and most companies should be able to take you to see these spots normally or if you ask specifically. You can also see the waterfalls used in Jurassic Park by air.

If you are looking to maximize your time its probably best to visit the North shore, where you can see movies such as Honeymoon in Vegas, Lilo & Stitch, South Pacific, Lord of the Flies, and of course you cannot forget King Kong. You can see the lighthouse that was used by visiting Kilauea Lighthouse on the North Shore. One of the best ways to ensure that you see all the movie spots is by taking a movie tour, let a professional take you around the island to make sure that you don’t miss a single spot where your favorite films were shot. The quickest way is to take a helicopter tour, and see them by air if you are looking for a general over view and don’t want to see all the details of specific ones.

 

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Most beautiful beaches on Kauai

Posted on April 27, 2012 by jordandunn

Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is the beach that you dream about but don’t think it actually exists; it is the beach that makes paradise a reality. It is located on Kauai’s North Shore and it may be the best beach in all of Hawaii. You look out from the white sand beach to see the beautiful see through ocean alongside of the beautiful mountain landscape. You can also look behind you and see waterfall and the mountains that wrap around the beach. Hanalei bay beach is the beach that will exceed your dreams of a perfect beach.

Ke’e Beach Park, Kauai
Ke’e beach is perfect after a long day at work or touring the island to go and watch an amazing sunset. Nothing is better than watching the ocean set over any ocean, but the beauty of this beach makes the sunset ten times better than anywhere else. This beach is also great for snorkeling during the day time; you will most likely see many colorful different reef fishes and some turtles.

Poipu Beach, Kauai
Poipu beach is perfect for a family with small children as it has an area with rocks that make a pool area which is not too deep, and you do not have to worry about heavy waves. Poipu beach is also perfect if you are just starting to snorkel and want to get a feel for it before you go out into the unprotected ocean.  If you are there long enough you may be able to site an endangered monk seal that occasionally comes up to the beach for a nice nap. Poipu beach is also said to be one of the most romantic spots on the island, and once you step on it you will see why, as it provides a majestic background perfect for any wedding or romantic getaway.

Hideaway beach, Kauai
Hideaway beach is one that you will have to do a little more work to get too, but will be well worth it when you get there. To get to this beach you have to go down a long steep path and a staircase, you will want to note that it may be hard to navigate for children or for people who have mobility problems. What makes this beach so great is that it is a little out of the way and that it is a smaller beach than the others. Having so much greenery in the background really makes this beach stand out more so than other beaches. It is also another great area to snorkel as there is a break in certain areas which block the waves.

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Best Beaches for Snorkeling on Kauai

Posted on April 26, 2012 by jordandunn

Lydgate Beach
Lydgate beach is one of the best beaches for snorkeling if you are a beginner. It is perfect for beginners because a reef protects it so you don’t have to worry about major waves over powering you. You can relax and learn to snorkel without too many people around distracting you or running into you. You will see enough fish to keep you interested but once you get the hang of snorkeling you will probably want to move to a different beach. However, Lydgate beach is always perfect for a nice relaxing day without having to fight the waves.

Poipu Beach
Poipu beach is the next step up from Lydgate; it still has protected parts for the beginner, and has a lifeguard if you choose to venture out of the protected area. You will be sure to see more fishes than at Lydgate beach but not as many than other beaches. However, anytime at Poipu beach is time well spent, you can improve your snorkeling skills with knowing that you have someone watching over you and enjoy seeing some beautiful fishes.

Ke’e Beach
Ke’e beach is great if you have finally conquered Lydgate and Poipu beach. It is a little more crowded than some of the other beaches but at the end of the road it has a great lagoon that you will be sure to see lots of tropical fish in. Unlike with some other beaches where you have to search for fishes, here they will come right up to you as soon as you get far enough in.

Tunnels Beach
As with anything else the best has to be saved for last, tunnels beach is known for being one of the best beaches in Kauai for snorkeling. You will also have more privacy than you would have at Ke’e beach. It is not protected, nor does it have a lifeguard so you will want to make sure that you are a confident swimmer or go with a friend. Although, you may miss the lifeguard it is definitely worth visiting to enjoy the variety of fishes that you cannot experience as much with other beaches.

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10 Important Items to Pack for Kauai

Posted on April 23, 2012 by jordandunn
  1. Sunglasses – You will want to make sure that you have a good pair of sunglasses for your many days on the beaches or just exploring the island. The darker the sunglasses the better, while the sun can be brighter than you might be used too.
  2. T-shirts for Snorkeling – You can easily spend hours snorkeling but what you will not realize is that while you’re enjoying yourself your skin is baking. It is best to wear a shirt to help protect you from the sun. It is better to have protection from the sun than to have to spend the rest of your vacation dealing with painful sunburn.
  3. A Collapsible Cooler – If you have a small collapsible cooler that can fit in your luggage bring it with you. This way you can bring drinks with you to the beach or even pack a small lunch for yourself. You can always purchase a cooler on the island but then you have to figure out what to do with it when you leave, so it is best if you can bring one with you.
  4. Dirty Shoes – If you wish to do hiking or exploring of any type you will want to bring some old shoes that you don’t mind throwing away after your vacation. The red dirt in Hawaii stains everything it comes into contact with. Leave your new shoes at home and bring ones that you can have fun with.
  5. Addresses – Make sure to take addresses of all the people you wish to send postcards to while on vacation. This not only makes your friends and family feel special but is also a cheap way to send souvenirs to your loved ones.
  6. An Extra Bag – Most likely you will want to buy lots of souvenirs to remember your trip, so you will want an extra bag to be able to carry all of your souvenirs home with you. Even if you don’t think you will buy that much it is always best to be prepared than not.
  7. Bug Spray – Hiking up to a waterfall makes for a great day, but you will regret it for the next week if you don’t have bug spray. Mosquitos love water and damp areas, and when visiting Kauai you will realize it rains almost every day for a couple of minutes which makes a great place for mosquitos.
  8. Casual Clothes – You want to pack more casual fun beach dress than any other type of clothing. You will really only want one or two nice pair of pants and shirts for when you go to a nice restaurant for dinner.
  9. Waterproof Camera – Spring for a water proof camera or even just buy a disposable water proof camera for when you’re snorkeling. This will allow you to have some awesome photos of fish and brag to all of your friends about the fish you saw up close.
  10. A Map/GPS – Make sure that you have directions to where you want to go and a map of the island. You do not want to waste valuable vacation time on being lost.
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5 items not to bring to Kauai

Posted on April 20, 2012 by jordandunn

Snorkeling Gear – You will of course want to snorkel in Kauai, but you do not want to take up packing space with snorkel gear. You can rent snorkel gear for about $10 a week, and with the extra space in your luggage you can bring back a souvenir that you can only get in Kauai.

Fruit - When traveling to Hawaii, you will have to declare any fruits and vegetables that you have with you. Bringing a couple apples with you is not worth the extra time that you will have to go through once you to Kauai. Instead forgo the normal fruits from your average grocery store and the buy some unique fruit from the local market in Kauai.

Formal Wear – The most formal wear you will want to bring is a nice pair of pants and a nice shirt. Most of the restaurants you will go too, everyone will be in shorts and slippers (flip flops). Remember Hawaiian culture is more laid back than on the mainland. Going to Hawaii is all about relaxing and leaving your cares behind. So leave your formal wear behind and embrace the Hawaiian culture of being comfortable.

Sun Lotion SPF15 – The sun in Hawaii is much stronger than you are probably used too and you will burn much quicker. You will want to make sure that you wear sun lotion that has an SPF of at least 30 if not higher. Make sure that you also reapply sunblock if you are out in the sun all day, even if the sunblock says it lasts all day, it is best to reapply at least every 4 hours if not sooner. You do want to spend your entire vacation sun burned, so leave your light sun lotion at home and bring the powerful sun lotion so that you can enjoy your vacation.

Nice Shoes – Some may have heard about the red dirt in Hawaii, however, what many people do not think about is how it will stain everything it touches. You do not want to wear shoes that you are not willing to throw away when you get home or to just designate as hiking shoes. Remember when packing for Kauai, to always keep in mind that you will probably get your clothes dirty. You do not want to bring something that you will be upset about ruining. You will have more fun if you dress in clothes that you can get down and dirty with.

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The Perfect Vacation Rental for You

Posted on April 18, 2012 by jordandunn

Visiting Kauai can be one of the best times of your life depending on how well you have planned your vacation.  Some people spend so much time thinking about all they want to do and what they want to see that they don’t think too much about where they are going to stay. Many people choose where they stay by the lowest price. However, if you want a vacation you will never forget than choosing where you should stay should be at the top of your list of preparing for vacation.

The one reason everyone is ready to go home by the end of vacation is that he or she just wants to be in his or her own home, because the stuffiness of a hotel is nothing like home. Thankfully no longer are you bound to being stuck at a hotel that has a smell that you just can’t make out. You can now choose from several different Kauai vacation homes or Kauai Condos. Once you stay at a Kauai vacation rental you will never want to leave Kauai, it will feel like a home away from home.

Vacation homes and condos also give you a better variety of places to stay, whether you want to stay on the North shore or the South shore you can find a perfect vacation rental for you. Vacation rentals also allow you to have access to some beaches that the general public cannot get too because they are private. You can walk outside of your condo or home right on to the beautiful beach without having to travel miles to see the sunset or sunrise.

Vacation homes are perfect for a large family or for several different friends to go on vacation together. You will not have to worry about stepping over each other or fighting to get into one bathroom. You will have room to spread out and be comfortable while still being able to enjoy one another’s company.  They allow for kids to be able to run around and play on those rainy days that Kauai is famous for.

Every aspect of vacation should be enjoyable not just certain hours of the day when you are not in your vacation rental. Find the right vacation home or condo that fits your needs, whether that be more rooms or being right on the ocean, find the one that makes your vacation that much more perfect. The only problem you will run into when staying at a vacation rental is that you will never want to go back to your regular home.

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