We are back for one last episode, and it’s an awesome one! Today we are going to talk about hiking the Kalalau Trail, with Amanda of the “Living the Aloha Life” podcast. The Kalalau Trail is often on Top 10 lists of both most beautiful hikes in the world, and most dangerous hikes in the world. It truly is an amazing, once in a lifetime, magical adventure.
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Today we are going to give a quick update on what’s been going on in my life since the last episode and talk about why this is very likely going to be the last episode of Kauai Podcast. Then we are going to bring on Wayde Fishman to talk about his “Living the Aloha Life” podcast, the current state of Hawaii, many other things regarding the islands, and setting up an “off grid” community on Big Island.
As discussed in the show:
Wayde’s “Living the Aloha Life” podcast
My “Exploring Tampa Florida and Beyond” podcast
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Island Update with J.R.
In April of 2018, Kauai was battered with torrential rains that caused a ton of damage and closed the road to the north shore past Hanalei. Last month that road was re-opened to the general public for the first time, but with that re-opening came some access limits to Ke’e Beach and the Kalalau Trail, for visitors. I felt it was important to update this shows listeners with this new information, as well as discuss other changes on Kauai, and J.R is the perfect guest to bring on the show to do so.
J.R. just returned from a recent vacation to Kauai with his family, and in this episode we discuss his vacation, his love for the island, and the many changes on Kauai over the past couple years.
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My Ten Day Escape to Hawaii Island
It’s been a while, and I should start by saying that the show is still on a hiatus. However, I just came back from an incredible ten day escape to Hawaii’s Big Island and felt there was a ton of information as well as cool experiences to share. In this “special episode”, I will take you on a journey all around the Big Island, discuss where to stay, give you my honest thoughts as a first time visitor about Hawaii Island as a vacation destination, share some exciting stories, and compare Hawaii Island with both Kauai and Maui.
As discussed in the show, this link will take you to the VRBO page for the home we stayed at while on the Hilo side of Hawaii Island.
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After last months show, I have had many people ask me if I was still planning on moving to Kauai and still planning on doing the podcast. The answer to whether or not I still plan on moving to Kauai is a resounding “YES!”. As for the show, it will be put on hold for a while due to issues completely unrelated to anything covered in last months show. It this episode today, we talk about my reasons for putting the show on hiatus.
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The Battle With GMO Companies on Kauai
This episode is a deviation from the fun, vacation style of show I normally like to bring you, because we need to tackle a very serious subject. This month we tackle the problem of GMO companies, which are using Kauai as a testing ground for new products and spraying tons of very dangerous chemicals on the island. I always preach the importance of respecting Hawaii, yet these companies are disrespecting both the people of Kauai and the land of Kauai on a massive scale. They poison them both without concern, all the while hiding smugly behind data which they control and laws which they help mold. Today we will swan dive into this issue with no holding back!
In this episode we are are going to discuss:
The problem and legal battle between the GMO companies and the people of Kauai.
The corruption of GMO company money in politics, and our university system.
The attempts of GMO companies to block information regarding the harmful effects of their chemicals.
My investigation into the companies, which makes a solid case that one of them may very well own a major portion of the responsibility for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The following links either relate to the podcast, or are great resources for more information:
Joint Fact Finding Study Group, Final Report
US Right to Know
Gary Hooser’s Facebook Page
Report: Public Research, Private Gain
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I’ve had a lot of people ask me to do a show about visiting Kauai with children, but frankly didn’t know the best way to put a good show together that would be informative for parents while being entertaining for everyone… until now. This month we talk with Alex, a listener of the show who just returned from his first ever trip to Kauai, about Kauai as a vacation destination with children. We talk about many kid friendly activities, as well things to be cautious of, and things to outright avoid while vacationing on Kauai. In addition to that we discuss accommodations on both the north and south shores, and the virtues of spending a few days camping while on your trip.
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The North Shore of Kauai could easily be labeled the most beautiful spot on Earth. Today we are going to travel there, and I will spend the entire show taking you on a personal tour through this slice of Heaven on Earth, starting at Princeville, going through Hanalei, and ending at Ke’e Beach. We are going to discuss the pros and cons of staying there on vacation, places to stay and places to eat, as well as visit many key beaches and points of interest. I’m sure you will love it… so just hit play and let’s Escape to Kauai.
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After finding out my friends Connie and Gerson Rosenbloom were planning on spending their vacation in Hawaii over the Christmas and New Years holidays, I asked them if they were up for another podcast. (You may remember them from Podcast #10, “The Journey to Secret Falls”.) They agreed, and come to us live from Kauai today. Their passion and enthusiam for the island of Kauai is apparent as they take us right there with them and discuss what it’s like to be on Kauai during Christmas, from a vacationers point of view. Among that and other things, we also talk about a few places to eat: Gaylords, Hukilau Lanai, and Kailua Bakery.
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Finding the Best Deals on Airfare, and the South Shore Gets Some Love
I received an email a few weeks back from Seth Ettwein, a listener of the show who thinks I’ve been a little hard on the South Shore and wanted to sell me on it’s virtues. I agreed that I have been a little unfair, so I asked him if he would like to come on the show to share his opinions with everyone. For those who think I’ve been a little rough, the South Shore finally gets some well deserved love.
Seth also spent about 15 years working in the marketing department for Alaskan Airlines, and has a ton of great tips to pass along for finding the best deals on airfare which we discuss in the first half of our conversation.
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David Penhallow on Pearl Harbor, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki
This month I am really excited to bring David Penhallow back to the show. David is a fifth generation Hawaiian who was born on Oahu, spent most of his life on Kauai, and has recently moved to the Big Island. His life is full of experiences and his ways of sharing them are second to no one. He has worked as an actor, an author, a teacher, and a historian. He has worked as a waiter, bartender, and manager in training at Coco Palms. He has acted in New York City, served as director of the Kauai Museum, director of economic development for the County of Kauai, and assistant to the Mayor of the County of Kauai.
He has taught drama on Kauai and the mainland, and written many successful plays and books which integrate Hawaiian history with incredible writing and story telling. Today I am really happy to have him back to talk about his first hand experiences with several huge, historical moments in Hawaiian history…. Pearl Harbor and WWII, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki.
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Having just returned from a two week excursion to Kauai, Pam and I sit down to discuss many events from our trip. Among other things, topics discussed are, the search for the best (and finding the worst) shave ice on the island, Hanapepe’s Art Night, the road you should not drive on, The Kauai Museum, Smith’s Tropical Paradise, staying in a unit with no AC, Coco Palms and Coconut Marketplace updates, and not doing totally stupid things (like jumping off of Wailua Falls) while on vacation.
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Lucky We Live Hawaii Podcasters, Bruce Fisher and Wayde Fishman
Today I am really happy to bring you an interview with the two hosts of the Lucky We Live Hawaii podcast, Bruce Fisher and Wayde Fishman. If you haven’t listened to their show before, you really should. Their show is really different from most things you see pertaining to Hawaii, because they not only talk about the good things that we see in every travel brochure, but they also talk about current events and the challenges and the reality of daily living in Hawaii. Both are locals who have lived in Hawaii for 20 plus years, and they bring that experience to their shows.
If you have listened to their show before, today you’re going to get a chance to learn a little about each of them in a more in-depth and personal manner through two separate interviews. With Wayde, we are going to hear about his moving to the islands, how living in Hawaii has changed him, challenges facing Hawaii and what he is doing to help, and a unique tour company that he started which I think is an amazing idea. With Bruce, we are going to hear about his background in radio as a newcomer to Oahu, Hurricane Iniki, how he got into the travel business, what it’s like to own a travel business, and what people should know when booking their vacations.
As discussed in the show, I have included the following links:
Wayde’s Website and Jeep Tours
808 Cleanups
The Price for Paradise – Episode 1
Hawaii Aloha Travel
Lucky We Live Hawaii Podcast Website
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Places to Stay, Places to Eat, and Places to Watch Sports
This episode consists of a conversation Pam and I had after getting home from our last trip, where we did a comprehensive comparison and review of many places to stay on the East Side of Kauai, specifically around the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa. We also include a very unique place we stayed for two nights in Lihue, The Garden Island Inn. We also talk about many places we visited in a search for the best place to watch sports.
Condos or hotels we discuss are the Garden Island Inn, Islander on the Beach, Wailua Bayview, Pono Kai, Kapaa Sands, Lanikai, Lae Nani, Kauai Shores, Plantation Hale, Kauai Coast Resort (Beachboy), and Courtyard Marriott at Coconut Beach
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Back on the Island and Back on the Air
Finally, the Kauai Podcast is back on the Air! In this welcome back episode, I discuss many things which have gone on in my life during the break as well as my plans going forward with regards to the show and moving to Kauai. Then I talk about my recent trip to the Island, as well as a couple of hikes which I went on, Sleeping Giant and the Makaleha Hike.
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Show Update
Not a normal episode. Just a quick update to give you some information about what I have been up to and when to expect the next show.
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Taylor Camp DVD
Taylor Camp, with John Wehrheim
I’m really excited about today’s show, and I think you are going to really enjoy it! Today we are going to talk about Taylor Camp, a “hippie” community which existed on the north shore of Kauai from 1969-1977. It began as a “safe haven” when Howard Taylor (brother of actress “Elizabeth Taylor”) bailed out 13 people jailed for vagrancy and offered to let them stay on his land at Haena. It quickly became a mecca for surfers, hippies, Vietnam vets, artists, and those looking for a different way of life. Taylor Camp really reflected the movement of the 70’s perfectly. It was a clothing optional (but many times not), drug friendly, commune of acceptance and love, an ordered community without rules, and it represented a non-materialistic way of life. It was a true microcosm of people and personalities from all over, bonded by their love of nature, Kauai, and living freely, and it seemed to provide spiritual healing for all of them in one way or another.
A couple years back I picked it up the video, “Taylor Camp”, eagerly watched it, and loved it. I thought it was a very well made documentary, an amazing mix of both incredible pictures of Taylor Camp and its residents in its day, and interviews with camp residents, Kauai locals, and the government officials who wanted them out, thirty years later. It totally drew me in, and because of that documentary, doing a show on Taylor Camp has always been a priority on my list of show subjects.
A couple months back I decided to reach out and contact my “dream interview” for this show, and I called John Wehrheim, the Emmy Award winning producer of the movie “Taylor Camp”. We talked for a bit, and after a short conversation he agreed to come on the show and discuss Taylor Camp with us. He’s not only a great guy, but I don’t think there could be a more perfect person for this show. I’m really excited to have him on and I think you are just going to love this interview.
As discussed in the show I have included the following links:
Website for Taylor Camp
John’s Website encompassing both Taylor Camp and Bhutan projects
Taylor Camp Book
Taylor Camp
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Papa’a Bay
A show packed full of advice, tips, and stories from my recent trip to the island. Among other things, subjects included are reviews of places to stay on the Coconut Coast, Anahola Beach Park, Papa’a Bay and beach, hiking to the bottom of Wailua Falls, the Na ‘Aina Kai gardens, tripping around the town of Waimea, and a quest for Kauai art.
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After giving a brief talk about the highlights of my last Kauai trip, this episode follows an incredible hike up the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach, and then up a side trail to Hanakapi’ai falls. The first half of the hike takes you on an awesome adventure along Kauai’s Napali Coast, and offers incredible views both Ke’e Beach and the NaPali Coastline, and ends at gorgeous Hanakapi’ai Beach. The second half follows a ridiculously tough but adventuresome side trail to Hanakapi’ai Falls, and ends by rewarding you with a breathtaking view, and a memory that you will never forget.
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Owning a Peice of Paradise
I’m really excited to bring you this episode. If you have ever even considered owning a piece of Kauai, then this episode is truly a “don’t miss”. Packed full of info about purchasing property and investing in real estate on Kauai, this episode contains of two interviews. Part one covers the basics of buying property on Kauai with Steve Whitney, a real estate broker with Hawaii Life realty. Part two, an interview with real estate investor Luke Hofacker, discusses purchasing and owning a property as an investment or vacation rental.
Subjects covered include… the difference between fee simple, leasehold, fractional ownerships, and timeshare. Pros and cons of purchasing a condo vs. a single family home. Best places on the island to purchase. Things to watch for and be aware of. Purchasing and owning a vacation rental. Managing a vacation rental yourself vs. using a management company… and much, much more.
As discussed in the podcast, I have included the following links:
Website of Steve Whitney, broker with Hawaii Life Realty
VRBO page for Luke Hofackers vacation rental on Kauai
House Bill 2078 in its final form before it passed
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Is Moving to Hawaii the Right Decision for You?
Many people come to the islands and never want to leave. Every time I come here I meet someone new who originally came for a short vacation, but decided to simply skip their flight home and just stay. Countless others have gone home, sold everything, and moved back as quickly as possible. These people with the courage to do that have always amazed me. On one hand I really admire their courage, and I’m jealous of their ability to grasp life by the horns. On the other I wonder if acting so abruptly is the smartest move, and I wonder how they do it. Today we are going to talk about giving into your desires, overcoming your fears, and actually acting on this emotion. We are going to talk about moving to Hawaii.
In an awesome interview, we are going to talk with Michele Meyer, author of the eBook, “Moving to Hawaii, A Step-by-Step Guide”. Michele not only wrote the book, but took the plunge by moving to Oahu a few years back. Her book chronicles, in step by step detail, everything you will need to know to make a successful move to the islands. We’ll also talk about the reality of moving to the islands, and ask, “Is it really the right decision for you?”
Links:
Michele’s book now available free here: “Moving to Hawaii, A Step-by-Step Guide“
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Moloa’a Beach
Kauai’s Beaches Reviewed, and Beach Safety
In this episode, Carol and I take you around the island, reviewing some of Kauai’s most popular beaches. From the north shore to the south, we discuss the beaches in honest detail, so you can plan which ones will be most perfect for you. Also included is an interview with Kalani Vierra, of Kauai’s Ocean Safety Bureau, pertaining to beach safety. He and I discuss many things that could save your life, or at the very least stop you from ruining your vacation. We also discuss both some of his favorite spots on the island, and some of the Kauai’s most dangerous beaches.
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Kauai Revealed
Ultimate Kauai Guidebook Author, Andrew Doughty
All I can say about today’s show is… Wow!!! …A dream come true show! Today I am totally honored to bring you the author of the Ultimate Guidebook Series, Andrew Doughty, in a rare and completely candid interview. Andrew has created four truly amazing guidebooks, often referred to by travelers as the “blue bibles”, and for good reason… His series of travel guidebooks are by far the most popular on the islands, and are also some of the most popular travel books in the world.
Whichever island you find yourself on, it often seems as if you can’t go five minutes without seeing one of them. They include “The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook”, commonly known as “Kauai Revealed”, “Hawaii the Big Island Revealed; The Ultimate Guidebook”, “Maui Revealed; The Ultimate Guidebook”, and “Oahu Revealed; The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Beyond”.
In this “can’t miss” episode, we discuss his background, the making of his first book, how he found so many of his hidden gems, some of the problems that can arise with massive success, and many other aspects of his books and these islands.
Andrew’s official website also contains a goldmine of information for anyone looking to book a hotel or condo on the island, you can find it at the following link:
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Ke’e Beach from the Kalalau Trail
Travelog 2012: My Three Day Escape to Kauai
A few weeks ago I saw a great deal on a great flight to Kauai and jumped on it, booking a short, three-day escape to Kauai… which I just returned from. This episode will chronicle that mini-vacation and is packed full of useful information for any traveler. It is full of advice on many subjects including where I stayed, activities to do, restaurants to eat at, and where to shop for souvenirs. Some of subjects covered include kayaking the Kalihiwai River, hiking the Kalalau Trail, where to watch the best sunset, where to go to watch a sporting event, Ho’opi’i’ Falls, and visiting Maha’ulepu Beach. Restaurants covered include Kountry Kitchen, Calypsos, Dukes, and Olympic Café.
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Camping at Kokee State Park
Camping and Hiking Kauai – A Budget Vacation to the Island
Today when we travel to Kauai, we are going to get out and about and explore the beauty of the island, and we’re going to do it very inexpensively. We are going to meet Shelia and Mike, who just got back from a two-island, sixteen-day vacation to Hawaii. On each of the islands that they visited, they camped for four nights and stayed in high quality, inexpensive lodging for the other four. We’re going to talk with them and discuss how, by blending camping and inexpensive lodging and filling their days with outdoor activities, they were able to spend one week on Kauai, and one week on The Big Island, for less money than most people spend in a week on one island.
The subject of this weeks show has something for everyone. We will let you know everything you need to know about booking a campsite on Kauai. If camping isn’t your thing, we also have a great tool to give you to help you locate inexpensive lodging, and we are going to discuss five awesome hikes in detail. These hikes vary in parts of the island that they are located on, and in difficulty, and they can’t be missed on your next vacation.
To view Mike’s pictures from his hikes, you can visit his Facebook page. He has made albums public, but you must have a Facebook account and log in to see them.
As mentioned in the show, I have included the following links:
Hawaii State Parks
Kauai County Parks
Airbnb
Ho’opi’i Falls Hike
Maha’ulepu Beach Hike (click little image on right for a great location map)
Nu’alolo Trail Hike
Secret Lava Pools Hike
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The Coco Palms Lagoon
The Coco Palms Hotel, with David Penhallow
If you were to see The Coco Palms Hotel today, you would see tattered buildings and overgrown landscaping. You would sense the broken memories of a place that was once amazing. … and still it would call to you. Coco Palms was once the premier hotel in all the Hawaiian Islands, and for good reason. Even today, 20 years after being destroyed in Hurricane Iniki, Coco Palms still gives off a magic unlike any other resort.
Today we are going to talk with David Penhallow, author of the book The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel. This great interview will take you back to 1950s Kauai, and Coco Palms in all it’s glory. I am so excited about this show on many levels. I think everyone, whether or not they have seen or even heard of Coco Palms before, should hear its story, and I don’t think there is anyone better suited to tell you the story than David. The story of Coco Palms is not just a story of Kauai History, it’s a story of living and loving life, it’s a story of “spreading aloha”, it’s a story of kindness to others, it’s a story of romance, and it could also be a story told in business schools.
As mentioned in the show, I have included the following links:
The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel: The Grace Buscher Guslander Years 1953-1985
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Hurricane Iniki
Hurricane Iniki
(Click to listen to the episode in a new window)
Today we are going back to a time when the people of Kauai needed to band together, lift each other up, and overcome a major challenge. On September 11th, 1992, Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful Hurricane to strike the Hawaiian Islands in recorded history, hit Kauai directly leaving a trail of total devastation behind. It would take many years for the island to recover. Thousands of people were left homeless, businesses were destroyed, roads were wiped out, crops were lost, and tourism took a major hit.
Captain Sherwin (Kaleo) Perez, currently acting Assistant Chief of the Administrative and Technical Bureau of the Kauai Police Department, was an officer on duty when it hit, and one of the people who worked hard to ensure everyone’s safety. Today we are going to hear his story, from his point of view, and from a police officer’s point point of view, of what it was like to be on Kauai when Hurricane Iniki hit and through the rebuilding process afterward.
A special thanks to all members of The Kauai Police Department, who put themselves on the line every day to ensure the island is safe for everyone.
As discussed in the interview, below is a link to some dramatic hurricane footage:
Hurricane Iniki Footage
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Secret Falls
Going on the journey to Secret Falls always accounts for one of my favorite days on Kauai. It consists of a two mile kayak trip up the gorgeous Wailua River, followed by a one mile hike through the jungle to a beautiful waterfall. This week we meet up with Connie and Gerson, who are actually in Kauai on vacation, and who just returned from this adventure. In a fantastic conversation recorded literally just two hours after they returned from the river, we discuss their day kayaking the river, hiking through the jungle to the falls, and a side trip they took to the Fern Grotto. Towards the end of the conversation we also discuss a few aspects of their trip and, on the heels of last week, their marriage in Kauai four years ago.
There are two ways to experience this journey, in a guided tour group, which is a very popular way of doing it, and the less popular way that I recommend… by renting a kayak and doing it yourself. Strict limitations are imposed on the amount of people that are allowed to do this trip solo. So, at the end of the show I also bring you another short interview with Tian, one of the owners of Wailua Kayak Adventures, about restrictions on kayaking this river solo and other great tips you need to know to make your day perfect.
As discussed in the episode, I have included the following links:
Connie’s Video of the Day: Created on her iPhone during the return trip
Wailua Kayak Adventures: Their website
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Leo and Nancy
The Hawaiian Islands are lush, full of beauty, and inspire romance. Hundreds of thousands of people are drawn to the romance of these islands every year, and many of those people feel it is not only a perfect vacation spot, but an ideal place to get married or renew your vows. More than 20,000 marriages are performed each year on the islands, and nearly half of the couples married here are from somewhere else.
In this episode of Kauai Podcast we speak with Leo and Nancy, two awesome people who were married on Kauai last year. They share their incredible story of finding true love, and then talk in depth about planning their marriage on Kauai. For anyone even thinking about getting married on Kauai, listening to this show is a must. Whether you have a small, intimate, and inexpensive wedding in mind, or a large and grand one, this show has budget tips, great advice, and useful information for everyone.
As discussed in the podcast, the following links are invaluable resources:
Kauai Paradise Weddings: Leo and Nancy’s Wedding Website
Kauai DPH wedding info: All you need to know about the legal stuff and getting a license. Need relationship coaching to find that right person to marry? Nancy’s Website.
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Resting off Kalalau Beach
Kayaking Kauai’s Na Pali Coast
The Na Pali coast of Kauai consists of 17 miles of gorgeous coastline along the northwest portion of Kauai. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world with 4000 ft cliffs plunging straight into the ocean. All along, it is lined with waterfalls and riddled with secluded beaches, and sea caves. Kayaking the coast is the adventure of a lifetime, and was listed by National Geographic as the number two adventure in America. Today we are going to talk to Adrian Nicholas, an amazing dude, living the life with an incredible job as an adventure guide on Kauai, taking people on kayak trips down the Na Pali coastline. In this incredible interview, we discuss all aspects undertaking and completing of this awesome journey.
As discussed in this episode, I have included several links:
Na Pali Kayak is an incredible company, who I went with on my trip down the coast, and who Adrian works for. They have a great website with a ton of information on their journeys.
Our Na Pali journey was partially recorded by Leo, one of the members on our trip. He sent a video to us afterward with some great clips of the beginning of the coast and the first two sea caves.
Adrian was working with Elements Production, which did many shows including fire dancing. I found a performance show combining belly dance and fire dancing, that is definitely worth watching.
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So Nice To Be Here!
Traveling To, and Arriving On, Kauai
This show discusses everything you need to know about packing for, traveling to, and arriving on, the island of Kauai. When talking about packing, we discuss not only the most important things you need to remember, but also some major things you should leave at home. Since the only effective way to reach Kauai is by flying, we spend some time discussing fear of flying, which many people are forced to face on their way here. Once arriving on the island, I will discuss my thoughts on picking up a rental car, grabbing a bite, and where everyone’s first stop should be. I’ll also give out a must have iPhone app for your Kauai vacation, and discuss some ideas for things to do on your first day. This show marks the last episode of our “vacation prep” series and the beginning of our arrival to, and exploring of, the Island of Kauai.
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Hawaiian Airlines
Saving Money by Booking Your Own Vacation
Travel agents can come in handy at times, but my experience is that you can save a lot of money, and drastically improve the quality of amenities you receive on your vacation, by booking it yourself. I’ve booked most of my own trips to the islands as well as other places, and not only had a great time doing it, but also found some great deals. On this show I discuss my experiences with booking my vacations and pass along some great tips and lessons learned to save you money on airfare, hotels, car rentals, and excursions.
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My Secret Spot
Maui vs Kauai: Where To Go and Where To Stay.
This week I have finally tracked down the elusive Carol for a discussion comparing the islands of Kauai and Maui. When planning a trip to Hawaii, choosing which island is right for you is an important one. Maui has a saying “Maui is the best” and a lot of people agree with that. I’m not one of them.
Still, I thought it would be good to bring Carol on the show because her position differs from mine, and discuss the two islands as vacation destinations, comparing and contrasting them. We also discuss what we feel are the best places to stay on each island, and I decide to give up my secret… my favorite place where I always stay on Kauai.
Since we were unable to hook up with her last week for the “Top 10 List” show, we spend a little time at the end of the show asking her what she had listed on her personal “must do” list.
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Kayaking into the Open Ceiling Cave on the Na Pali coast
Top 10 Must Do’s… and a Couple of “Skip Its”.
(click to listen in a new window, in a non-flash format)
If you only had one day on the island of Kauai, and you’d never been there before, where should you go and what should you do? This episode tackles that question, counting down the Top 10 things you must do on Kauai… and throws in a couple of “skip its”.
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Nan (center) and Friends
Respecting and Loving Hawaii
(click to listen in a new window, in a non-flash format)
This week we are going to focus on the single most important thing you need to take with you on any trip to Hawaii… the right mindset and the proper education. Through an informative interview with my friend Nanene, we will discuss how many Hawaiians view the massive changes to the islands as well as the threat to their islands and culture through huge population increases and tourism. We will also discuss many faux pas travelers make when dealing with locals, what you need to know to avoid unknowingly harming certain threatened species and ocean life, and how you can take the most from your Hawaiian vacation.
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Ke'e Beach from the Kalalau Trail
A Virtual Tour of the Island of Kauai
(click above to listen in a new window, in a non-flash format)
For those who have never been before and for those who want to “relive” the island, this episode takes you on a virtual tour of Kauai. From the lush north shore beaches and town of Hanalei, to the dry west side with the Waimea Canyon, to the steep, rugged cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, this episode covers it all. While traveling the island, I offer up my opinions on some favorite spots and things to do.
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Bali Hai from Tunnels Beach
Kauai: The Gem of Hawaii
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Thanks for coming along with me on my “Escape to Kauai”. During the course of this show we will explore the island of Kauai in an in depth and personal way. In this inaugural episode of the Kauai Podcast, I introduce myself, Ty Whitman, to you and talk about my passion for the Hawaiian Islands. I give some background about my trips to the Islands before stating why I think Kauai is better than Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. In talking about Maui I tell the story about my horrible attempt to spend the night in Hana. After that, I explain the scope of upcoming episodes, which will include several “planning for the trip to Kauai” shows, just like planning a real vacation. Topics will include an island tour, things to know about Hawaiian culture before you go, “Is Kauai the island for you?”, vacation planning, 10 best activities, and 10 must eats. After that, we will arrive on Kauai with a “your first day” show. Then the show will move into individual episodes that explore the island by focusing on specific subjects, such as individual activities which we will go on together (kayaking the Na Pali coast), interviews with locals about island history (Hurricane Iniki, Hanapepe), and Hawaiian culture. I end the show by giving much thanks to Jayme Kelly Curtis for allowing me to use her original song “Swept Away” as the music for this podcast, and playing a clip of her song. The entire song can be found at her website below or in iTunes. I’m totally excited about this journey, and look forward to having you along with me.
Podcast opening song: Swept Away, by Jayme Kelly Curtis (personal website)
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