Kauai Cove

We left Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor early.

Bound for Niihau around Lehua Rock with Marvin (Seasport Divers) , Andrew, Mike, also John, and Woody who were spear diving…. with much appreciation and thanks to the Guy who brought us on this wonderful trip, David Kundysek.

We saw a pod of Sperm Whales breaching, with the strange sight of seeing their spouts come out the side at a 45 degree angle….. I’ve seen lots of Whale Sharks and pilot whales here, even an Orca, but never seen Sperm Whales before, got me thinking about Moby Dick and the big albino whale. (By the way, look up the story of the “Wreck of the Two Brothers” northwest of Kauai, Herman Melville’s character)

Then we caught an Ono (wahoo) going 12 knots.

Then we got some uku. . .

Fantastic Day!

We hooked and lost 2 medium sized blue marlin on the way back over the channel. Lost both but big tussel with heavy gear going 15 knots! You should see the size of lures Andrew makes: big, heavy and red. They don’t come much out of the water even at high speed.

Thanks David, his dad, Marvin and Andrew and the rest of the crew for making the trip so awesome!

Kukui’ula Harbor is a historic Kauai gem on the way to Spouting Horn on Lawai Beach Road (Lawai Rd.) In the early 1900′s, it was used for an important sampan harbor for the local Island fishing industry. “Kukui’ula” in Hawaiian means “kukui fire” or light, as the oil from the indigenous kukui nut was used to to provide light for the fishing vessels to find their way back at night.

The Harbor hasn’t changed much over the years. With a ring of small beaches lining it’s sides and the clear blue ocean water, it provides a laid-back recreational haven for locals and visitors alike.

Fridays on Kauai – Art night in Hanapepe!

Every friday evening is Art Night in Hanapepe, Kauai’s best bet for great food, festivity, and art works from all over the Island. There’s everything from handmade jewelry to old artifacts, and koa furniture to fine paintings. The atmosphere is lively and fun, with plenty of interesting stores to browse and even a swinging bridge that crosses the Hanapepe River.

Every Monday at noon at the Koloa Ballpark, just north outside of Koloa, is a bustling farmer’s market that begins with throngs of people waiting for the whistle for what amounts to a race line of shoppers eager for delicious local Island fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to see what all the rush is about. Scores of vendors and even more buyers vie for the best selection of the Island’s locally grown bounty. Some of which is familiar, but much which is not. There’s everything from Noni to Jackfruit to Cherimoya and from Sweet Potatoes to lettuce and tropical flowers. Varieties range from Dragon-fruit to Dragon-eye. Enjoy the flavors of the grows here on the Garden Island, exotic and delicious locally-grown food you’ll long remember!

For a world-class night club action steps from the beach, check out Tortilla Republic on Saturdays! My bartender friend Dave poured some awesome margaritas to the pulsating vibe beat of techno, rock and roll, and reggae. The bar was beyond well stocked with world-class tequilas and fun-loving people dancing. The ambiance was powered by stars on the lanai outside and red candlelight within alabaster bar tops fluoresced by luminescent lighting underneath. People were dancing to vibe, cool breeze with palm trees, awesome drinks, ocean nearby, and it dawned on me that no other place could quite compare.

Mahaulepu

The Mahaulepu coastline stretches almost 6 miles east from Poipu to Kipu Kai and is a wonderful site for beaches and scenery. There is great hiking, snorkeling, horseback riding, and cave exploration as well.

Craggy cliffs with sharp edges adorn the shoreline and there are numerous trails along the ocean that meander through a patchwork of ironwood, palm trees, naupaka, and small rocky beaches.

Back from the largest stretch of sand is Makauwehi Cave, lying next to a stream that is fed from Waita Resevoir near the historic Koloa Sugar Mill. This cave has been excavated as an ancient archaeological site containing Hawaiian artifacts and certain bones of extinct bird species. The cave area has recently been restored with native vegetation thanks in large part to the efforts of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. The area is special to Islanders because of the vast shoreline’s lack of development and infrastructure is one the last few remaining on Kauai. Organizations like Malama Mahaulepu and the Sierra Club hope to keep it that way.

Kalalau Rim Hike

Here’s one of our favorite hikes for views of the Na Pali Coast. You just go to the left at the green fence at the Kalalau Valley lookout at the end of the Waimea Canyon Drive. You hike the ridge and you see views right away, unlike the more known-about Awaawapuhi and Nuulolo hikes most people take. Those are each 7 miles round-trips, and this one’s only a couple of miles. This is a scenic unmarked hike that starts at the Kalalau Valley Lookout. If you want to hike the Na Pali, check this one out first. The Kalalau Valley Lookout is at the end of the Waimea Canyon Road out west (In Kokee). The Lookout has a green metal fence around it, and the trail starts to the left. GO EARLY, because clouds form as the day goes on, and can obscure the view! Take the trail off to the left by a narrow gap between the 2 metal posts on the green metal fence. It’s to the left side as your looking over the Valley lookout. Take a walking stick, a buddy, and water with you. The trail will start off steep at first, but levels off. It takes about 50 minutes to get there from Poipu.