Hotel workers give up turkeys to help victims of Katrina

By Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden Island
Posted: Tuesday, Nov 29, 2005 - 03:36:41 am HST
NUKOLI'I — When Hurricane 'Iniki devastated Kaua'i in 1992, some of the employees of what is now the Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort remembered the massive Thanksgiving community feed that was made possible through the generosity of other people.
When Hurricane Katrina smashed through New Orleans, the employees knew the victims of that storm needed help.
The employees knew that it was a challenging time for victims, and they felt they wanted to contribute to the recovery effort.
That set the stage for a meeting wherein the employees decided that, in lieu of their Thanksgiving turkey certificates from their managers, they would instead donate the value of those certificates to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"In the spirit of Thanksgiving, and during these holiday times, the employees of the Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort wish to extend their aloha to families of those affected by Hurricane Katrina," said Rob Gunthner, the resort's general manager, during a special presentation to Alfred Darling, the director of the Kaua'i chapter of the Hawai'i branch of the American Red Cross.

That presentation Monday, the first day following the long Thanksgiving weekend, was done with representatives present from all the different departments of the resort that was formerly known as the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, was once an Outrigger property, and opened several years ago as a Hilton property.
"We have collected $3,000 from the employees of the Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort who, instead of receiving a turkey certificate, chose to donate to the victims of the recent hurricane," added Gunthner.
At his invitation, the employees helped themselves to punch and cookies before they adjourned to return to their respective chores at the resort, the light refreshments a token of appreciation for their spirit of aloha, he said.

The Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort is a 25-acre, deluxe, beach-front property centrally located on a three-mile stretch of beach on Kaua'i's eastern Coconut Coast, off Kuhio Highway near Hanama'ulu.
The resort features 347 rooms, seven suites, complete meeting and banquet facilities, three restaurants, a boutique spa and fitness center, and a super pool complex made up of four swimming pools set amidst waterfalls and grottoes.
Massive renovations have taken place at the resort, and, now, individual units at the hotel are being sold to individual investors.

Kauai beaches close in face of big surf

HANALEI » High surf on the northern and eastern shores yesterday prompted Kauai lifeguards to close North Shore beaches to swimmers.
Kaleo Hookano, Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor, said the surf, in the 8- to 15-foot face-height range with bigger sets, was causing strong rip currents all over the North Shore. That prompted lifeguards to prohibit swimming from Hanalei to Haena, officials said.

Surf at some of the less accessible spots on Kauai's northeastern shore had big sets rolling in, some with wave faces as big as 25 feet. Hookano said lifeguards were busy in Hanalei and Haena, but they did not make any rescues.
The north swell is expected to slowly subside today, and lifeguards are expected to reopen beaches to swimmers this morning, officials said.

Kauai’s Powers shreds forward at Sunset

The 24-year-old Hanalei surfer wins his fourth-round heat at Sunset Beach
By Brandon Lee
Special to the Star-Bulletin
Professional surfer Roy Powers has already enjoyed a career-making year this season. And he would like to make it even better by finishing it wearing a crown.
The 24-year-old from Hanalei, Kauai, could do just that, as he won his fourth-round heat yesterday at Sunset Beach during the second day of the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, the second jewel of the 23rd annual men's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
The Triple Crown is a prestigious series of three big-wave events at premier venues on Oahu's North Shore that also represents the final stretch for the surfing season each year. In addition to having winners at each of the contests, the Triple Crown also awards its own championship title to the best overall performer in the series.
Powers made the quarterfinals at the first Triple Crown event -- the Op Pro Hawaii at Haleiwa -- last week. With that result, Powers cemented his spot next year on the elite World Championship Tour, which is reserved for the top 45 surfers in the world.
"Coming into the Triple Crown, I knew I was (virtually guaranteed a spot) on the WCT," Powers said. "So I focused on my next goal: I want to win a Triple Crown title.
"You look at guys from Hawaii like Sunny (Garcia) and Kaipo (Jaquias), and at my age they were already on their way to winning a Triple Crown. I want to at least put myself high up there if I don't win it this year."
Powers totaled 11.30 points (out of 20) for his top two waves to win his heat, the first he surfed in the World Cup because he entered it as the No. 6 surfer on the World Qualifying Series and was seeded directly into the fourth round.
The World Cup is a $125,000, 6-star event that, in addition to being part of the Triple Crown, is the season finale for the WQS. The WQS is the lower-level tour that allows opportunities for its top surfers to earn their way on to the WCT.
The last five heats of the third round and 13 of 16 of the fourth were completed yesterday in waves with faces that ranged from 10 to 18 feet. The World Cup will need two more days of competition by Dec. 6 to finish.
Of the Triple Crown venues, "Sunset is definitely my favorite place I like to surf at," Powers said. "I push just a bit harder here."

Another who does the same is Sunset Beach resident Makua Rothman. The standout when he won all three of his heats and posted the highest overall score of the day in his second-rounder on the World Cup's first day last Friday, Rothman won his fourth-rounder by again posting one of the highest totals (15.76) yesterday.
Other Hawaii surfers to advance included Kainoa McGee, Sean Moody, Nathan Carroll and current world No. 12 Bruce Irons.
Other notables to move on included Adrian Buchan of Australia and former world No. 2 Shane Beschen, who has lived mostly on the North Shore for the last 10 years but is originally from California.
"This is going to be my last year (competing regularly)," Beschen, 33, said. "I just want to have fun. ... I've had a really great career, and this -- I really just wanted the chance to come out here and surf with (practically) no one else out (in the lineup)."
Garcia, the defending Triple Crown champion, and fellow Hawaii surfers Pancho Sullivan (the winner of the first jewel) and current world No. 2 Andy Irons have yet to surf because they were seeded directly into the fifth round.
Conditions permitting, the World Cup continues today.

Rain soaks Maui County

By MELISSA TANJI, Staff Writer
WAILUKU – Maui residents experienced a soggy Sunday as an expected band of showers stalled over the island, creating some minor traffic problems and inconveniences.
Bob Burke, a forecaster at the National Weather Service on Oahu, said rain should diminish today, with clearer skies by Tuesday.
A band of showers worked its way down through the island chain beginning with Kauai and dissipating over Maui before reaching the Big Island, Burke said.
The wet weather did create traffic problems for motorists as some traffic lights malfunctioned and water built up along low-lying areas.
There were also reports of rock slides, including one Sunday afternoon that blocked one lane of Honoapiilani Highway in Honokohau Valley, police said.
On Sunday morning, Hana police said East Maui skies were overcast and rainy, but there were no major reports of weather-related incidents.
In Lahaina on Sunday afternoon, police reported standing water along low-lying areas of Front Street and Lower Honoapiilani Highway, but no major incidents.
On Molokai, police officials said rain fell on Saturday but parts of the island were sunny on Sunday.
A worker at the Lodge at Koele on Lanai said conditions were foggy and rainy Sunday morning, but it wasn’t anything unusual.
She said skies began to clear around 2:45 p.m. Sunday.
In Maui County, rains fell the heaviest on Kahoolawe, as rainfall totals showed that 1.76 inches fell on the island in a 24-hour period that ended at 11 a.m. Sunday.
For the same time period, Kahului Airport received 1.37 inches of rain, and reports for other areas included: Kahakuloa, 1.54 inches; Lanai City, 1.31 inches; Ulupalakua, 1.1 inches; and Oheo Gulch, 1.08 inches.
The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory for north- and east-facing shores through today. Surf along north-facing shores was 14 to 18 feet on Sunday and was expected to continue through today. Surf along east-facing shores was smaller, 6 to 10 feet on Sunday and through today.
Burke said there still will be an absence of the trade winds, with light and variable winds sticking around.
"I don’t see them coming back anytime soon," Burke said.
According to the National Weather Service, today’s forecast for the Central Valley is partly cloudy with scattered showers. Highs are expected to be between 76 and 81 degrees, with light winds and a 50 percent chance of rain.
Tonight was forecast to be mostly clear, with isolated showers. Lows were expected to be between 64 and 75 degrees, with light winds and a 40 percent chance of rain.
Forecasters predicted that there will be clear and mostly sunny skies throughout the rest of this week.

More clouds and rain on the way

By EDWIN TANJI, City Editor
KIHEI – A low-pressure system moving rapidly eastward is expected to drag a cold front and a band of showers across the islands today and Sunday, with the potential for a cloud mass to stall over Maui or the Big Island.
“If the cloud band stalls, although it’s not sure that it will, but it would keep showers falling on Sunday, especially Sunday morning,” said Maui weather specialist Glenn James.
The system is one in a series of low-pressure systems moving eastward across the North Pacific, but the developing storm is unusually close to the islands, located about 500 miles northwest of Kauai.
James, senior weather analyst with the Pacific Disaster Center, said the low-pressure system will remain north of the islands, but it is trailing a cold front that will be dragged across the island chain today, arriving over Maui tonight.
“It looks like it will bring some moderate to heavy showers. There may be some localized street flooding,” he said.
The low-pressure system also will generate a swell that should be hitting north and east shores over the weekend, he said. But because the system is so close to the islands, the surf it will generate will be rough and likely will be poorly formed.
“Because it’s so close, the waves will be closely spaced and that makes for rough surf,” he said.
“It’s the kind of conditions in which people will need to be careful about getting near the ocean where the waves can hit them. Caution will be in order.”
The light winds, mostly clear skies and warm conditions experienced Friday should continue this morning, before the front moves in, he said.
Ahead of the front, there will be light to Kona wind conditions, possibly blowing in volcanic haze from the Big Island, with Maui County remaining mostly clear and dry through midday and early afternoon.
On Friday, most areas reported dry and clear to partly cloudy conditions. The Lanai and Molokai airports both were reporting a southerly to easterly wind Friday afternoon, blowing 7 to 12 mph, while the Kahului Airport was reporting fair skies with variable winds up to 7 mph.
Today, James said, the winds should be southerly with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon and early evening.
“The showers will be more of an islandwide thing. It’s not going to be just on the leeward sides. The front should pass all the way over Maui, so there will be some pretty good shower activity, and behind it, the trades will be coming back,” he said.
James produces the hawaiiweathertoday.com Web site, on which he will provide updated information over the weekend.

Nearby storm bringing big, choppy surf

By Mary Vorsino
mvorsino@starbulletin.com
A storm system that brought fast-moving thundershowers to parts of Oahu and Kauai yesterday -- forcing officials to cancel this weekend's Sunset on the Beach -- is also expected to bring big, choppy surf to Oahu's north- and east-facing shores today, forecasters said.
Forecasters issued a high-surf advisory for the northerly swell yesterday. It is in effect through 6 p.m. tomorrow.
"You not only have high surf, but you have rough surf," said National Weather Service lead forecaster Tim Craig. "It could be downright ugly."
Surf on the North Shore will peak tonight or early tomorrow, with wave faces as high as 18 feet.
East-facing shores will have wave faces between 6 and 10 feet.
Craig said the system that created the swell was about 500 miles north of Hawaii. Most winter swells come from the northwest, and are spurned by storms more than 2,000 miles away.
The closeness of this swell means that the period between wave sets will be between 9 and 13 seconds -- shorter than normal, which makes for choppy surf, he said.
The swell could also create problems for north-facing harbors, including those in Kahului and Hilo.
"Water will surge back in the harbor," Craig said.
Meanwhile, remnants of the system that brought showers to Oahu and Kauai yesterday are expected to move over Maui today.
Mona Woods, a spokeswoman for Sunset on the Beach, said event organizers decided to cancel both nights on Friday afternoon. The cancellation was announced yesterday.
"It didn't storm as badly as everybody was telling us," Woods said. "We were going back and forth."

Jessica would love a gift for her baby's first Christmas

Posted: Saturday, Nov 26, 2005 - 04:29:24 am HST

Staff at The Garden Island newspaper and members of the Zonta Club of Kauai are again teaming up this year, and asking members of the community's help in making the holidays happier for less-fortunate neighbors through the Zonta/Garden Island Christmas Fund.
While most people look forward each year to the merriment and cheer of the holiday season, there are far too many residents who have their hands more than full simply trying to make ends meet on a
From now through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, The Garden Island will share stories of families who could use a little holiday cheer along with an appeal for monetary donations of any size. Funds raised are distributed to needy families by Zonta Club members who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make their simple dreams come true.
Because of logistical limitations, only monetary donations can be accepted. Gift certificates and used or new items, while appreciated, should not be submitted.
Checks should be written to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation 501(c)3. Donations are tax-deductible, and should be mailed to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, c/o Joy Miura Koerte, P.O. Box 3996, Lihu'e, HI 96766.

Jessica needs clothing and a gift for baby
Jessica is a 26-year-old single mother who has been displaced and is currently homeless with her 10-month-old daughter. A newcomer to the island, Jessica's life and marriage were torn apart by her abusive husband. Without any family here to help her, some community agencies are assisting Jessica with the tasks of replacing her work permit, birth certificate and social security card, which were intentionally destroyed. She is also making pre-employment preparations and exploring options for childcare to provide a safe and positive environment for her baby after she finds a job.
Clothing would help Jessica in her job-seeking attempts. However, because it's her baby's first Christmas, Jessica would be so happy to be able to give her little one a present.

Bruce would enjoy a special Christmas meal
Bruce, who is 52 years old, is developmentally delayed but has been able to live alone and independently, holding a job as a part-time janitor, much to his credit and perseverance. He has recently had financial difficulties because he has dental work that was required and now need dentures. He's had to choose between rent, other household expenses and getting the dentures in order to eat for proper nutrition.
For Bruce, Christmas is another day, so a holiday wish for him would be for someone to prepare a special meal with Christmas cheer.

TURKEYS ALONE DON'T MAKE THANKSGIVING

By Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden Island
Posted: Thursday, Nov 24, 2005 - 04:38:52 am HST
HANAPEPE — "We didn't come here for lunch. We came to help," said Deeann Kundysek, who with her children Kennedy and Waverly, and dad Herman Isaacs, and friend Gianna D'Annibale of Lihu'e, waited outside The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps while the annual Thanksgiving luncheon was being dished out.
Members of the Kundysek family had arrived on Kaua'i from Dallas, Texas, on Friday, along with Isaacs, a retired pastor who hails from Stillwell, Okla.
After learning at the Po'ipu Holiday Festival about the annual Salvation Army community luncheon, they decided to make it a part of their stay on Kaua'i.
But, when the family arrived at the Hanapepe Corps, there was an abundance of volunteers who were already delegated into areas of responsibility, so Lt. Larry Groenleer suggested that they have lunch and help with the cleanup.
"For those occasions which cause us to humble ourselves, and for the strength that has come to us in our hour of weakness and despair, we rejoice and give thanks."
That phrase out of the opening prayer led by Lt. Joy Groenleer at the Hanapepe Corps annual luncheon made everyone realize that Thanksgiving is not just about the turkey,
It is about people.
Beauty surrounds the island daily, and reasons for being thankful abound, if people take the time to look for them, Lt. Larry Groenleer said.
Lt. Larry Groenleer said that this year's event had meals budgeted for about 300 people, the majority coming from the five senior centers from Kalaheo to Kekaha.
Leaders at the Hanapepe Corps were more concerned about people who could not attend the event.
Richard Wheelock covered that concern, as he had the responsibility to put together his "delivery" of lunches that were destined to homebound residents in Kaumakani, Pakala, and Waimea.
However, Wheelock's chores are not limited to Thanksgiving, as he said that, with the help of Dan Chapp, the pair make deliveries every Tuesday after the Kauai Food Bank driver drops off the weekly allocation from the Senior Produce Program.
"Most of these people are elderly widows who are homebound," Wheelock said. "They have no way of getting these things."
Additionally, Lt. Larry Groenleer said that, yesterday, Wheelock expanded his route to check the beaches to see if there were any homeless people and members of families who needed some food.
As the hall resounded with the sounds of laughter and music from the entertainers who hailed from each of the senior centers, J Robertson, the host for the day, explained that, for those fortunate enough to attend the event, it was a preview of the annual Senior Extravaganza.
"They're good. They can each sing and dance the hula, too," one volunteer noted while waiting for the food to arrive.
Chefs at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Po'ipu prepared the food, which arrived via truck in special food-delivery containers.
One volunteer noted how special it was that the Hyatt folks would do this for members of the community, considering they had their hands full with the 23rd PGA Grand Slam of Golf that was in its final day of play yesterday.
Greg Meyers, a volunteer from the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, said that, following his volunteering at the luncheon, he and his wife were planning to take in the final stages of play at that event.
Outside the arena of excitement, Maile Kanahele quietly sat with a young child. Lt. Larry Groenleer said that Kanahele and her sister Emma Kanahele are the quiet forces that make events such as the community luncheons a success.
He said that the two sisters are at the Hanapepe Corps every week for four days, doing a variety of chores and tasks to keep the facility spic-and-span. Maile Kanahele, on this day, was tending to one of the Groenleers' children, while her sister Emma Kanahele dove in with the rest of the volunteers to help dole out the food.
They were some of the last to enjoy the meals.
Other volunteers poured in from The Hanapepe Salvation Army Home League, the Lihue Baptist Church, the Hanapepe station of the Kaua'i Fire Department, Aqua Engineers, the Rotary Club of West Kauai, the West Kauai Lions Club, the Waimea High School Leo Club, and a group of Menehune students directed by Joy Canute.
"She won a package of toilet paper, but look at her. She's so excited that she won something," said Marsha Olmarza, one of the Rotarian volunteers, as she watched her mother, Gloria, enjoy the prize.
Lt. Larry Groenleer also pointed out a young boy who was walking around cradling a 20-pound sack of rice that he had just won in a lucky-number drawing.
Besides those at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, contributions from owners and operators of community businesses put smiles on the faces of everyone present.
These institutions included Foodland Kauai, Big Save, Inc., Collectibles and Fine Junque, Kauai Coffee Co., Captain Andy's, Kauai Kookie Kompany, Jacqueline of Kauai, Santa's Vacation Hale, Eddie's Hairstyle, Bobbies Restaurant, and the Camp House Grill.
For the Groenleers, it was a day of being thankful for being surrounded by the ocean of volunteers, a hall full of laughing, smiling people, and, for Lt. Joy Groenleer, it was a homecoming for the girl born in Kekaha who graduated from Waimea High School.
For Lt. Larry Groenleer, it was a time to wish that community feeds could take place more frequently, not just at Thanksgiving.

Golf is king on Kauai

Challenging courses usually show even the best who's boss

By Carey Hoffman
Enquirer contributor

Where King Kamehameha failed, Phil Mickelson succeeded.
Kauai prides itself on the fact that Kamehameha never was able to conquer the treasure now known as Hawaii's Garden Isle. But Mickelson found the island considerably more welcoming a year ago, when played in the annual Grand Slam of Golf. His conquest at Poipu Bay Golf Resort was capped by a round of 59 - the golfing equivalent of pitching a perfect game.
Could life be any sweeter than finding perfection in paradise?

Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Michael Campbell and Vijay Singh all return to Kauai this week for the Grand Slam. For those who would like to get a flavor of golf on the island while watching this year's top players, the event will be aired live on TNT (7-10 p.m. Tuesday, 6-10 p.m. Wednesday). But a visit to Kauai would quickly convince you just how exceptional Mickelson's 59 was.

Poipu Bay, set high above blue water crashing into the red rock shoreline of the island's south coast, is not the most difficult layout in the world by PGA Tour standards. But when the wind blows - which it usually does - golfers have their work cut out for them. After you have your second or third drive hang up in the wind and fall less than 200 yards off the tee, you begin to appreciate Mickelson's skill.

Poipu Bay, part of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, is one option in an abundance of quality courses on the roughly 550-square-mile island. Billing itself as "Golf's Ultimate Island Green," Kauai offers 135 holes for play at Poipu Bay, Kauai Lagoons, Kiahuna, Puakea and Princeville. An additional option on Kauai is the municipal course, Wailua, which has three times hosted the U.S. Golf Association's national championship for public course players.

Feel lucky to be on No. 13

Flying into the island's airport at Lihue, the first course you see is Kauai Lagoons, which has 36 holes adjacent to the airport. You'll probably spot the Kauai Lagoons' signature hole, No. 16 on its Kiele course, on your approach. It is one of a stretch of oceanfront holes on Kiele that come the closest of any course on the island to matching what tourists typically envision as Hawaiian golf.

The most memorable hole to play in that stretch, however, is No. 13, a medium-length par-3 where the tee and the green are separated by an inlet where Pacific waves crash far below.

All 36 holes at Kauai Lagoons are Jack Nicklaus designs, with the golf part of the amenities of the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Golf Magazine rates the resort as one of the 25 best golf destinations in America.

The dominant golf architect for Kauai, however, is Robert Trent Jones Jr., who has a residence on the island and was the creative force behind Poipu Bay, Kiahuna and the course most often referred to as his masterpiece, the Prince Course at the Princeville at Hanalei Resort.

While undeniably gorgeous, it is worth noting that the Prince is also a stern test of golf that will be most appealing to the accomplished player. The starter is unabashed in describing the Prince as a "jungle course" that demands a lot of target golf. This is particularly true of the second nine, which run through deep and rugged tropical canyons.

Princeville itself, on the north end of Kauai, is an A-list honeymoon destination. Mountains loom over the Prince, including Mount Waialeale, which is considered the wettest spot on Earth with average annual rainfall of 460 inches. The near-perfect view of the bay by the hotel features its own landmark - the terrain in the distance was used in the filming of "South Pacific" in 1958.

Two for the less-skilled

Hollywood, in fact, has had a love affair with Kauai for longer than golf has. Kauai's newest course, Puakea, sits close by the "Jurassic Park" locations and has quite a storyline of its own. Construction on the course began in 1991, but when Kauai took a blow from Hurricane Iniki in 1992, construction came to a standstill. Eventually, Puakea opened 10 holes in 1997, and stayed at that oddball configuration until 2002. That's when Hawaiian native and AOL founder Steve Case bought the facility. A year later, the final eight holes were finished by original architect Robin Nelson.

What emerged is a course different in style from the oceanfront layouts on the island. Puakea is more along the lines of a parkland-style course you would encounter on the mainland (except with better backdrops). It was the best conditioned course we saw on the island, and Nelson did some admirable work in crafting creative green complexes on fairly non-descript inland terrain. If you are staying on Kauai for an extended period, Puakea might be the best bet as a course you could play repeatedly and enjoy.

Kiahuna fits a similar profile to Puakea. It is also inland, less penal to the less-skilled player, and more affordable than the courses attached directly to a resort. (Prime-time greens fees for the island range from $170-185 per round for the oceanside courses to between $90 and $125 for the inland courses).

Kiahuna is on the dry side of the island's mountains, giving it a favorable climate. A group of residents have recently purchased the course, which is undergoing renovations. Among its unique features are lava tubes preserved as habitat for the rare blind Kauai cave spider.

Bethany rides again

The Kauai teen’s drive to compete amazes many at a North Shore surf meet
By Alexandre Da Silva
Associated Press
Bethany Hamilton's fame from losing an arm in a shark attack is ebbing away wave by wave as fans come to realize she is also a highly competitive surfer.
The 15-year-old from Kauai says she's glad to see attention finally focus on what she really wants to be known for: her surfing talent.
Hamilton lost her qualifying heat in the Roxy Pro women's surfing competition yesterday, behind Honolulu's Carissa Moore, but ahead of two other experienced surfers.
Hamilton was happy with her performance in her best two waves, which were double her size and peeled just a few feet above sharp coral off Oahu's North Shore.
She glided through 12-foot waves, scoring 12.93 out of a possible 20 points, just short of Moore's 14 points.
"A lot of people don't really think I can surf, but I like to show them what I can do," Hamilton said after braving the pounding surf. "It definitely makes me known as a surfer."

Two years after having her left arm bitten off at the shoulder by a shark while surfing off the coast of Kauai, Hamilton overcame powerful waves at Haleiwa Beach to put on a performance at the Roxy Pro that even top professional surfers couldn't grasp.
"It's amazing to me that she can still go out there and compete and win and stay at that competitive level," said Keala Kennelly, who was ranked second by the Association of Surfing Professionals in 2003 and who is among the top 10 this year. "I couldn't do it. I really don't think I could do it."

Randy Rarrick, contest director for the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing tournament series, was impressed by Hamilton's quick comeback to competition and her fluid surfing style.
"To overcome adversity and still show that much style ... is a great inspiration for women surfers," he said,
The Roxy Pro is the second-to-last stop of the women's professional tour. It is held at Haleiwa, a break feared even by top professionals for its powerful currents and shifting surf.
Hamilton took a beating at the beginning of her heat when a set of large waves swallowed her.
"I got clipped by the set," Hamilton said about the wipeout, noting that it also ripped a special handle attached to her board which she uses to go under waves that crash in front of her. "I was falling apart but then I was just thinking, 'OK, pay attention, get one good wave and it will all disappear."'
Hamilton said she was trying catch the bigger waves.
"I just went out there to do my best," she said. "I had a blast."

Wet season starts

The annual wet season already has brought flash flooding to some Oahu and Kauai farmers, but no significant crop losses.
"Hawaii's wet season starts in October; and true to form the month started with some heavy showers that actually began on Sept. 30," said Mark Hudson, director of the National Agricultural Statistics Service Hawaii Field Office.
The heavy showers dissipated by Oct. 2 and were replaced by two weeks of moderate trade winds. During this period, the trades brought almost daily showers to windward-facing areas of most islands. On Oct. 22 and 23, a shear line, the first of this wet season, brought trade wind-generated showers to most areas of the state. More rain followed on Oct. 24 with parts of Kauai and Oahu getting more than two inches. Finally, the month ended as it began with heavy morning rains pelting Windward Oahu.
Vegetable crops made generally fair progress during the month as wet conditions, cloudy skies, shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures hampered development.

GOLF - Aloha means goodbye: Grand Slam may leave Hawaii

HONOLULU -- The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a made-for-TV event featuring the winners of the year's four majors tournaments, may be played on Kauai next week for the final time.
The PGA of America is considering moving the elite four-man event to another city, an official said Thursday.
"Similar to the PGA's other major events -- the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup -- we've decided to take it on the road and let spectators from different parts of the country experience the toughest tournament to qualify for," said Julius Mason, senior director of communications and media relations for the PGA of America.
A number of locations, including Las Vegas and the Caribbean, have expressed interest in hosting the tournament, "but at this stage, we're not ready to discuss 2006," Mason said.

The Grand Slam, billed as "the most exclusive event in golf," has been played at the scenic, oceanside Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai's southern shore since 1994. It was also played at the Kauai Lagoons Resort in 1991 before spending two years at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.
PGA officials are currently in negotiations, but there is a possibility that the tournament will return to Kauai next year.
"We will never rule out returning to Hawaii," Mason said. "This is a special place."
The loss would be a financial blow for the island of Kauai. The Grand Slam is the Garden Island's sole major sporting event and generates $2.4 million in visitor spending and $150,000 in tax revenues.
"Certainly we don't want to lose the Grand Slam, but the other side of it is, we can't afford a $5 million Grand Slam," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. "We're not going to get into a bidding war with other areas over the Grand Slam."
The state contributed $254,000 this year to host the event.
Johnson said the PGA of America has not asked the state for more money.
This year's 36-hole, $1 million tournament, which begins Tuesday, includes five-time winner Tiger Woods, defending champion Phil Mickelson, Michael Campbell and Vijay Singh.

Waves to Reach Dangerous Heights

Severe Weather Coverage
A high surf warning has been posted for the north and west facing shores of Oahu, Maui, Niihau, Kauai, and Molokai. Surf is building and the National Weather Service says wave faces could reach heights of 20-30 feet this afternoon and continue through early Thursday. A high surf advisory covers most shores of the Big Island.
The big waves meant a green light for surfers competing in the O.P. Pro Hawaii. The first jewel in the Vans' Triple Crown got under way this morning at the Ali'i Beach Park in Haleiwa. KGMB9's Guy Hagi says he is hearing about "epic" surf conditions at Pipeline as well.
But experts are warning, these waves are for the experienced surfers only. Other residents and visitors are being urged to avoid the water due to dangerous wave action and strong rip currents. There is also the chance for the surf to cause damage to property near the shoreline.
The high surf warning will remain in effect until 9 am tomorrow morning. We have a team of reporters covering today's big surf. We will bring you live reports on the KGMB9 News at 5pm & 6pm.

TheHawaiiChannel - Sports - Source: PGA To Pull Grand Slam From Kauai

Brent Suyama, Managing Editor TheHawaiiChannel.com
POSTED: 9:26 am HST November 17, 2005

HONOLULU -- The PGA is going to move the Grand Slam of Golf, that features the four winners of the tour's majors, from Kauai to Las Vegas, according to a golf analyst.
The tournament has been at the Poipu Bay Golf Course for 12 years. The move will happen next year, NBC golf analyst and Maui resident Mark Rolfing told KITV.
Don Renteria, of the Poipu Bay Golf Course, said there is no official word on the change. He did say that the tournament is on a year-to-year contract with the PGA.
An official announcement is expected to be made by the tour in three weeks.
Las Vegas and the Caribbean were vying for the tournament.
The high cost of sending equipment to Hawaii and the cost of production is said to have been a major concern about Poipu as a venue.
Each year the tournament pits the four winners of the PGA majors: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship.
This year's field on Nov. 22-23 will include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Michael Campbell and Vijay Singh.

The tournament brings in millions of dollars to the Garden Isle. Tourists flock to the tournament to watch the games best. The broadcast is also a major boost because it often features plush tropical conditions when many parts of the mainland are starting to feel the frigid blasts of late fall and early winter.

Kauai Habitat for Humanity's Kauai Garden Island News

By The Garden Island

The mall, the heart of the nation's capital, serves as a construction zone now through this Friday, Nov. 18, as Habitat and Freddie Mac leaders and volunteers team together to build homes that will help house families affected by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region.
During the Washington build, frames for 51 homes will be completed, one representing each state and the District of Columbia.
Kauai Habitat for Humanity's leaders were invited to send a representative because they belong to a top-performing affiliate in Hawai'i.
Leaders of Habitat for Humanity International invited two representatives from topperforming affiliates in each of the 50 states to help build.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to Washington and be part of this national effort with Freddie Mac," said McNamara.
"Habitat for Humanity is not only helping to make a difference in the lives of people affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, but also building in Kaua'i with families in need." "America Builds on the National Mall" is part of a larger, nationwide effort by Habitat for Humanity leaders and volunteers that engages partners and communities to panelize interior and exterior walls that are then shipped to the Gulf Coast region and assembled into permanent housing.
Leaders of Freddie Mac, one of the nation's largest investors in residential mortgages, are the sole corporate sponsor, and have sent several hundred employee volunteers to help frame the homes.
Progress on the project is being covered by members of the "NBC News Today" TV show as part of their ongoing Make a Difference Today partnership with officials from Habitat for Humanity International.
Members of news crews from NBC 4 in Washington, D.C., are also covering the week's activities, and are sponsors of the event.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Freddie Mac to join Habitat in helping lowincome families who were affected or displaced by the hurricanes," said Richard F.
Syron, Freddie Mac's chair and chief executive officer.
"It's a natural extension of what we do everyday: make homes possible for families," said Syron. "This build symbolizes the entire nation's extraordinary response to the Gulf region." The District of Columbia house, among the first to be built, is framed, doors and windows installed, and roof trusses added, and stands during the build as a demonstration house.
Between four and eight houses are being framed each day, with homes representing the four states affected most by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, being framed the last day, this Friday, Nov. 18.
Operation Home Delivery is Habitat's for Humanity's effort to assist families in need in finding housing and hope in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes that devastated Gulf Coast communities.
One element of the program provides for volunteers to contribute to the effort by building at special events outside the Gulf region so that houses and funds can be "stockpiled" until cities and families in hurricane-ravaged areas are ready to begin rebuilding in place.
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry whose leaders welcome to their work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating substandard housing.
Since 1976, Habitat volunteers and staff have built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for one million people. The Web site is www.habitat.org

English: Even with problems, buying KE was the right move

By Paul C. Curtis - The Garden Island
Posted: Monday, Nov 14, 2005 - 03:57:45 am HST

The executive director of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association said that, even with current trust issues and other problems, Kauaians made the right choice to purchase Kauai Electric three years ago.
"I think you're moving down the right road. People made the right decision to go with the coop model," said Glenn English, a former 20-year member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma.
"The people of Kaua'i are smart enough to take care of their own power needs," he said.
The changing of the former, for-profit Kauai Electric, owned by leaders of the for-profit Citizens Communications in Connecticut, into the member-owned, nonprofit Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative, in the long run will be a good thing for residents of the island, he added.
KIUC leaders' performance is "rather remarkable," to purchase an investor-owned utility and transform it into a co-op through a "buyout," he said. "No one's done anything like KIUC," English continued.
Leaders of KIUC took on "some enormous issues," including the escalating cost of fuel, generation, examination of alternatives to burning fossil fuel, and even becoming the first electric coop in the state and the regulatory issues that arise out of that situation, he added.
And for those who are critical of some of the spending, travel and other decision-making involving money members pay for their electric bills, English invites them to consider the situation of a co-op in Alaska, whose leaders, faced with the prospect of not having fuel to generate power, had to fly oil in at a shipping cost alone of $5 per barrel.
Getting back to alternative-energy ideas, English said that he is not that familiar with conditions on Kaua'i, but noticed, "you get some wind here," but he is not sure whether or not wind power will work here, because of reliability and other issues.
"We think renewables are important," and that KIUC leaders are headed in the right direction in exploring all manner of renewable-energy ideas in order to cut down on the dependence on fossil fuel to generate electricity, he said.
That's especially important now, since not too far down the road KIUC leaders will have to start planning for new plants to generate electricity.
Nationally, one new generation facility is needed each week for the next 20 years, because of economic growth, he said.
Fuel costs, construction costs, environmental regulation, and other matters all drive up the cost of producing electricity, and distributing it to members, he said.
For that and other reasons, conservation should be important to members, as it is to KIUC staff and directors, he said.
On the issue of training for KIUC staff and board members, English stressed that training is important, and mandatory in some cases, for staff and directors, especially in matters of regulatory and legislative affairs.
Directors must receive training sufficient for them to become certified cooperative directors, and sometimes that means they have to travel off-island to get that training, he said.
As he mentioned earlier, it is important for directors and KIUC staff to be open, honest, and communicative, with members, about future plans, English said.
The coop model has shown its resilience. "Enron went under, but the coops are still operating. It says a lot about the model, but it says a lot more about the people," he said.
There are electric co-ops in 47 states (all but Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and lawmakers in Massachusetts passed a law prohibiting electric co-ops), and 83 percent of all U.S. counties, with 37 million members, over 60,000 employees, and over 7,000 directors, he said.
Just as former Kauai Electric and current KIUC employees sometimes go abroad to help members of fellow co-ops rebuild after disasters, there are some 10,000 linemen from other co-ops working to help restore power to parts of Mississippi ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, he noted.
Some 85 percent of Mississippi residents get their power from operators of electric co-ops, and 80 percent of co-op electrical infrastructure was destroyed or damaged by Katrina, he said.

Kauai mails out land-use survey

Residents are asked to provide information to assist with traffic and housing problems
By Tom Finnegan
tfinnegan@starbulletin.com
LIHUE » Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste has turned to developers, landowners and business leaders to tackle some of the Garden Isle's most pressing problems such as affordable housing and traffic.

A group named the Kauai Housing & Traffic Solutions Coalition is made up of executives from Grove Farm Properties, Princeville Resort, Kikiaola Land Co. as well as representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the state Department of Transportation.
The group took its first steps recently, mailing housing surveys to Kauai residents. The survey, which is due back by Tuesday, will help the mayor and his coalition create a plan to develop affordable housing, Baptiste said.
"We really need the community's help with filling out the survey and returning them by the deadline," Baptiste said. "The information gathered from the survey will support the landowners and developers in their efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing for Kauai residents."

The coalition plans to use the survey to decide exactly how many affordable-housing projects should be built, expected to be about 1,000. Then the landowners and developers plan to schedule community meetings for input from the public on their affordable-housing plans. Groundbreaking on the new units could be as early as October, said Mary Daubert, county public information officer.

The landowners and developers also expressed concerns with the bottlenecks in the county's permitting process, county officials said.
They suggested following the City and County of Honolulu's permit process, which allows third parties such as architects or engineers to be hired by developers to review straightforward building applications.
If a project is given a stamp of approval by a certified architect or engineer, the developer can then move ahead with obtaining building permits, eliminating the need for a city and county engineer to review the project, Daubert said.
But county leaders said no one would be available to be the third party, since all engineers and architects already have huge workloads due to the explosion in construction on Kauai.

Steve Kyono, district engineer for state Highways Division, also recently gave the group a brief summary of short- and long-term plans for state highway improvements.
In recent years, he noted, planning efforts for Transportation Department projects were handled at the state level.
"Now this is being brought back to the districts," Kyono said. "I think things will move faster with decisions being made at the district level."
The coalition's meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5, Daubert said.

'Buried at Sea' -- Army weapons list didn't reach the top

A retired Army general from Hawaii says clean-up of chemical weapons disposed at sea wasn't discussed under his watch, even though the Army's list of dump sites was done while he was in charge.

"We had significant stockpiles of munitions at the end of the Cold War, and my recollection is we evacuated them and they were properly disposed of. So this is a new subject for me," said Gen. Eric Shinseki, Army chief of staff from 1999 to 2003. The Army completed an offshore dumping list in 2001, naming several spots off Hawaii's coast.
Shinseki, originally from Kauai, spoke to a large crowd at the University of Hawaii tonight.

Military critics on hand said they hope Congressman Neil Abercrombie gets results on weapons clean-up after initiating an inquiry with the Pentagon.
"That's some positive steps, but we really need action to speak louder than words," said activist Kyle Kajihiro, attending the Shinseki event to demonstrate against UARC and the Stryker brigade. I mean, Kahoolawe was $400 million, and we consider it a failed cleanup."
"I think Congressman Abercrombie has asked the right people," Shinseki said.

Kaua'i Made' brand proposed

By Lester Chang - The Garden Island
Posted: Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 - 04:21:20 am HST

LIHU'E — Kauaians have sold Kaua'i-made products for years.
Now, Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste said his administration will attempt to bring more of their products to the markets of the world.
Proposed legislation that members of Baptiste's administration sent to members of the Kaua'i County Council for approval last week would establish a new program sponsored by county officials, "Kaua'i Made."

The program leaders would promote locally made products, give them more visibility, and establish criteria for participation by artists and business folks.
If the program gets off the ground, hundreds of artisans and craftspeople who use Kaua'i materials to make their goods could see their businesses grow tremendously, Baptiste said during a press conference in his office at the Lihu'e Civic Center.
The project could transform what is essentially a cottage industry into a new business industry on the island, Baptiste said.
"The program will present opportunities for business, and it will help strengthen business on the island," Baptiste said.

A Web site will be set up, and promotional brochures will be put in racks throughout the island. In addition, goods will be put in storefronts of owners who join or support the program.

Kaua'i-made products were sold for many years at a store supported by leaders of the Kauai Products Council.
The difference between that program and the proposed program is the former "identified products, and the new program will market them, and bring retailers into partnerships," Baptiste said.
Spearheading the program will be Beth Tokioka, director of the county's Office of Economic Development.
Tokioka, who attended the press conference, said she has had a number of discussions with council members, and said their input was extremely valuable in crafting the bill.
"We look forward to continue working with the County Council in creating a solid framework for the 'Kaua'i Made' program, and if everything goes as planned, we hope to launch it in early 2006," Tokioka said.

Tokioka pointed out that there are two major differences between the "Kaua'i Made" program and other, similar programs that were studied.
First, the "Kaua'i Made" program will offer permits to both retailers and product-makers, rather than focusing solely on products, she said.
Secondly, Kaua'i's program will be supported by strong marketing efforts, Tokioka said.
"We'll start with a Web site and promotional brochures in racks throughout the island," said Tokioka. "Eventually, we hope to have the resources for a fully developed marketing and advertising campaign. This would be of tremendous benefit to the permitholders."
Tokioka said quality products will be sought out.
"We really want to emphasize quality and authenticity in our 'Kaua'i Made' program," she said. "Although we will be accepting a wide range of products, food, beauty, crafts and apparel, vendors must demonstrate that their products are either made on Kaua'i or made with Kaua'i materials, or both."

The investment in the program for vendors and retailers as proposed in the bill would be minimal, $50 a year to list an individual product or product line, with retailers paying $75 per establishment, Tokioka said.
She believes the permit charges would be a "small investment for the marketing value participants will receive."
Tokioka added that sponsor-ship by a government entity will lend credibility in the eyes of consumers.
Such products are in demand, Baptiste and Tokioka said.
According to a recent Kaua'i Visitors Bureau survey, more than 80 percent of departing visitors reported that shopping for Kaua'i products was one of the top three activities they engaged in during their visit to Kaua'i, just behind renting a car and going to the beach, Tokioka said.

"With over one million visitors on Kaua'i a year, there's tremendous opportunity for our retail sector," Tokioka said, adding that the average party of travelers is 2.08 persons.
"If you assume that each party spends roughly $50 on souvenirs, this translates to a $19 million-a-year industry," she said.
Joanna Carolan, who owns the Banana Patch Studios in Hanapepe and has served on the "Kaua'i Made" advisory committee, said she likes the direction of the program.
"I am pleased to see that government has recognized that Kaua'i product-makers are a valuable part of what makes our island unique," she said.
"This program will help get the word out to both visitors and residents about the many wonderful things that are made here on Kaua'i," Carolan said.
"I believe that this program will benefit my business and other small businesses like mine. I look forward to being a part of it."
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau, said the program is good news for Kaua'i artists and operators of island businesses.
"We were so pleased to learn of the 'Kaua'i Made' program, and believe this initiative will provide another tool for us to market the island of Kaua'i as special and unique," she said.
"We have found that our visitors are always looking to purchase products as a reminder of their trip, and oftentimes would like to take back locally-made items for friends and family," Kanoho continued.

"The 'Kaua'i Made' branding will help people identify Kaua'i-made products readily, and provide them the reassurance the item truly comes from Kaua'i."
Kanoho said KVB officials look forward to supporting the program through public-relations efforts, as well as with KVB's work with travel agents and consumers.
Tokioka said the spark for the proposed program came from Baptiste two years ago.
"The mayor wanted to have a program similar to the successful Mountain Apple brand of products found in KTA stores on the Big Island," Tokioka said.
Initial research was provided by members of the Kauai Agriculture Advisory Committee in 2004. In early 2005, Hawaii Tourism Authority officials provided a grant to create the program, which was matched by county Office of Economic Development leaders, Tokioka said.

Through a request-for-proposals process, leaders of the advertising and marketing firm of Starr Seigle Communications were awarded the contract to create the logo and a marketing program, she said.
An advisory committee, whose members are made up of local product-makers, retailers and marketers, was organized to assist OED and Starr Seigle leaders in the process, Tokioka added.
"We are pleased to support the 'Kaua'i Made' program because it in turn supports HTA's mission to enrich and diversify Hawai'i's attributes," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
"This will certainly enhance our marketing efforts, and add to the visitor experience for both the island of Kaua'i and the entire state."
Those involved in setting up the program studied other "branding" programs, including the "Made in Hawai'i" and "Made in Maui" programs, along with branding efforts of state of Oregon officials, Tokioka said.
Tokioka also said proponents of the proposed program gleaned the most information from the "Made in Alaska" program.
"It's been in existence for 20 years, and is codified extensively in Alaska's state laws," she said. "Looking at their documentation and talking to their coordinator was very helpful."

The Kauai Economic Development Plan 2005-2015, which was published by county leaders last year, offered more reasons for the program, Tokioka said.
The study identified six proponents for economic growth and diversification, and authors of segments of the study related to arts and culture and food and agriculture recommended the establishment of a Kaua'i brand to promote growth.
"We feel that this provides a strong basis for stepping out and trying to make the 'Kaua'i Made' program a reality," said Tokioka.
Folks interested in finding out more about the program should call the county Office of Economic Development at 241-6390.

Kauai to promote local products

Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste proposes to establish a program to promote "Kauai Made" products to the world.

The newspaper Garden Island reported in its Thursday edition that the Baptiste administration had sent suggested legislation to the Kauai County Council to market Kauai products and set rules for a product to qualify.

That can be more of a gray area than is readily apparent. Is a T-shirt "Kauai Made" if it is made in China and then stenciled in Kapaa? Organizers of the annual Made in Hawaii Festival require that half of what goes into a product must be made in Hawaii.

Baptiste announced the program at a press conference and said small-business people who make goods for local sale could expand if Kauai products had a global reputation. He said the program will be managed by the head of the Kauai Office of Economic Development, Beth Tokioka.

She indicated that the program will be low-cost, focusing mostly on a Web site and visitor pamphlets. Producers will be able to pay $50 a year per product or $75 a year per business to be listed.

Kauai draws about 600 arrivals by air daily even in November and Kauai visitors tend to be deep-pocketed, spending much more per day on hotel rooms than visitors to Honolulu do. Baptiste says even an incremental increase in spending on local products could translate into millions in new business revenues.

Gas Cap Dips to New Low

HONOLULU (AP) -

Expect gas prices to drop even lower next week.
Hawaii's gas cap for next week is more than a dollar lower than it was two months ago.
The state Public Utilities Commission set the cap on the wholesale price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at three cents lower than this week's cap.
That means starting Monday, Oahu wholesalers can't charge more than $1.85 for a gallon of unleaded.
That's down from a $1.88 this week.
It's also a $1.02 lower than the record high set for the third week of the cap's implementation, when the price cap for Oahu $2.87.
Prices at the pump are higher once taxes and retail markup are added, and they tend to vary around the islands.
Once again, next week's cap will be the lowest since the state began limiting the wholesale price of gasoline on September 1st.
Prices for the other seven zones around the state include Hilo, where the cap on wholesale unleaded was set at $2.00 a gallon, and Kona, where it's two cents more at $2.02.
On Kauai and on Maui -- except for Hana -- the cap was set at $1.99.

Kauai's Irons Loses World Title Bid

For the past three years, Andy Irons has dominated the world of surf. The Kauai native has won three straight world championships and two Triple Crown titles. But today, his reign ended in Brazil against his biggest rival.

When it comes down to the final two surfers in the title race, Andy Irons, 27, and Kelly Slater, 33, are most likely the guys left. Combined they've won nine world titles in the last 13 years.
Add to that 2005, which now belongs to Slater.

Irons went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the Nova Schin Festival in Brazil. Slater opened up the opportunity for Irons by losing in the fourth round by less than half a point. All Slater could do was wait out his fate while Irons surfed on.

Irons got past Round Four and just needed one more heat win to keep his title hopes alive. The win would have set up an epic showdown with Slater at Pipeline in December. But in the quarterfinals, Australian Nathan Hedge got the better of Irons by eliminating him on his second wave score by almost a point.

Slater watched it unfold from the shore where he began to celebrate. He admits Irons is tough competition.
"I'm feeling for Andy right now," Slater said. "I know how he feels. I guess we're kind of even in a way. I think that's a good thing for both of us and if I choose to do the tour next year, I know he'll be extra fired up and I know I'm going to have to step it up another level."
It's the seventh time in his career Slater has taken home the Association of Surfing Professionals world title. The record outdoes women's champion Layne Beachley, the only other surfer to have as many as six world titles. Slater, who became the youngest world champion as a 20-year-old back in 1992, now lays claim to the title as oldest-champion ever at age 33.

Maui, Kauai, Big Island Home Prices Back up in October

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) - Housing prices on Maui rose again last month after dipping slightly in September.

The Realtors Association of Maui reports that the median price of a single family home on the Valley Isle in October was 695-thousand dollars.
That's a 20 percent increase over the same month last year when the median price was 580-thousand dollars.
It's also up slightly from September's price of a little over 692-thousand dollars.
The median price of a Maui condominium last month was 445-thousand dollars, a 21 percent boost over October 2004 when it was 367-thousand-500-dollars.
September's median price was more than 428-thousand dollars. Meanwhile, prices on Kauai and the Big Island also rose last month.
The median price of a single family home on Kauai rose 15 percent over the previous year to more than 652-thousand dollars, while the median price of a condo on the Garden Isle rose nine percent to 455-thousand dollars.
On the Big Island, the median price of a single family home rose nine percent over October 2004 to more than 363-thousand dollars.
Big Island condo prices rose more than 47 percent to more than 474-thousand dollars.
Maui set a record back in May, when the median price of a single family house was 780-thousand dollars.

Kauai median home price: $652,500

The median price of Kauai home, which spiked to $750,000 in September, fell back to $652,500 in October.

The Hawaii Information Service reported Tuesday that the Garden Isle median came in just $3,500 above the median of August, and 15 percent above year-ago levels. The median is the level at which half the sales were for more, half for less, and is considered more accurate than the average price, which can be skewed by a few very high-priced home sales.

Realtors, after selling 55 homes in August and 70 in September, sold 54 in October. Eighteen sold in Kawaihau district -- the Kapaa area -- for a median price of $497,000; 17 sold in Hanalei district for a median price of $480,500; 12 sold in Koloa district for a median of $490,000.

Kauai saw 46 existing condo sales in October for a median price of $455,000, down from $467,500 in August and $405,000 in September. There were 15 sales in Hanalei for a median of $599,000, 11 in Koloa for a median of $750,000, and 11 in Lihue for a median of $309,000.

Kauai Food Bank wins $25,000 Weinberg Award

By Paul C. Curtis - The Garden Island
Posted: Tuesday, Nov 08, 2005 - 04:27:17 am HST

The first Kids Cafe in the state led to a big, timely, second- time award for leaders of Kauai Food Bank.
Judith "Judy" Lenthall, Kauai Food Bank executive director, was notified tive Friday that the food bank will receive $25,000 as the statewide winner of the Achievement In Management (AIM) Award from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
It comes at a time when food bank leaders are staring at a year-end deficit even with the grant, Lenthall said.
"I was amazed. I was surprised," said Lenthall.
"I'm just totally stoked." This is the second time Kauai Food Bank leaders won the statewide AIM for Excellence award. In 1999 and 2003, the Kauai Fresh produce program for the island's low-income senior citizens was recognized as an innovative program, allowing Kauai Food Bank leaders to win the award (in 2003 it was for expanding it to the Big Island).

This year, the partnership between leaders of the Kauai Food Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii and Kauai Children's Discovery Museum, which led to the establishment of the state's first Kids Cafe program to feed low-income children, is the project that won the statewide award.

Kauai Food Bank officials appealed and changed national food-bank regulations tional to permit the funding and formation of the first Kids Cafe in the state, operating now out of the Waimea clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii.

Kauai Food Bank employees continue to deliver healthy and fresh food to the clubhouse, Boys & Girls Clubs leaders provide the venue, including a certified kitchen, and Kauai Children's Discovery Museum officials provide facility, nutrition and enrichment activities, including gardening, menu-planning, solar-oven use, and nutrition training (nutrition, health and hygiene).

The partnership has resulted in: . Increased awareness and choices of nutrition and health practices by students and members of families served by the Waimea Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii; . Creation of a nutrition curriculum to be used in the future for other Boys & Girls Clubs; . Increased interaction between Eastside and Westside children and adults through involvement in the garden project; . Increased awareness by members of the overall Kaua'i community of the efforts of leaders of the food bank, Boys & Girls Clubs, Kauai Children's Discovery Museum, and of healthy eating practices, Lenthall explained.

Grants from ConAgra Foods and America's Second Harvest allowed for the establishment of the Waimea Kids Cafe at the start of the 2004-05 school year.
The program operates all 37 weeks of the school year, and has a six-week, summer-feeding component.

Paul C. Curtis, associate editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com

Ocean No. 1 activity site

Travel magazines give Maui top scores on a consistent basis but according to 2004 survey conducted by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, our island has fallen slightly behind Kauai in getting “excellent” ratings from most visitors. The difference was just a couple of percentage points, and Maui’s “above average” ratings were higher than Kauai’s but behind the Big Island’s.

The DBEDT’s report includes a wealth of numbers and percentages based on asking tourists how they rated the islands and what they did once they got here. The results were broken down by the origin of the tourists.

How tourists liked to spend their time should be of special interest to local government and local businesses. Without getting into all of the subcategories of origin, the most popular American activity on Maui – as it was on all islands – was shopping, followed by sightseeing and recreation.

The favorite kind of store for Maui visitors was a supermarket followed by convenience stores. The Maui supermarket rating was the highest in the state.
Self-guided sightseeing tours (rental cars) were the most popular by a wide margin, followed by getting out on the ocean.

On Maui, the ocean dominated recreational activities. Eighty percent of the American tourists polled listing swimming and sunbathing as their favorite. The next most popular (53.1 percent) was snorkeling and scuba diving. Maui’s visitors are a pretty athletic bunch, putting fitness running and walking in third spot (34.7 percent) followed by surfing and bodyboarding (24 percent), golf (15.6 percent), gyms and spas (15.1 percent), backpacking/hiking/camping (14.2 percent), jet skiing/parasailing/windsurfing (6.4 percent, but higher for Japanese and European tourists) and sports events (1.8 percent).

One conclusion that could be drawn from the survey is that the ocean is a major tourist lure and that preserving Maui’s marine resources should be a priority. That means protecting reefs, the stocks of fish on those reefs and keeping the water clean. It’s only good business.

Famous Lei Maker Dies in Kauai Crash

A well-known Ni`ihau shell lei maker and his 20-year-old nephew were killed on Kauai in a car accident that sent their car over a cliff.

The bodies of Donald Kanahele and his nephew Jason were found Wednesday. Police say the accident happened Saturday or Sunday near Hanapepe Valley lookout.

Family members had been concerned about their absence, but had no reason to be alarmed until a piece of the car was found at the lookout.

Donald Kanahele was a skilled craftsman in the rare art of weaving Ni'ihau shell lei. His family says he invented the poepoe, or rope weave, for the small red, pink and brown Kahealani shells.

Star-Bulletin Breaking News - Owner of buildings blamed for Kauai fire

Star-Bulletin Staff
citydesk@starbulletin.com

Fire destroyed a warehouse and damaged a nearby garage on Crossley Road in the Wailua Homesteads on Kauai last night.
Residents of four neighboring homes were evacuated shortly the fire was reported at 6:30 p.m.

It took 21 firefighters about an hour to bring the fire under control.

Kauai Fire Department investigator David Bukoski said the fire started after the owner of both buildings failed to put out all hot spots after burning weeds with a propane torch in a controlled burn.

Gerald Ibson went into his home to eat dinner thinking he had doused all the hot spots, according to a Kauai County news release.

Neighbors came over shortly afterward to tell that his warehouse was on fire.

No one was hurt in the fire. Damage estimates were not available.

Bodies Found on Kauai Cliff

Kauai police are investigating the discovery of two bodies on the Hanapepe Cliff.

A call from a concerned citizen led police to the scenic lookout yesterday afternoon. The bodies of two local males were found next to a vehicle that was about halfway down the 600-foot cliff.

Police believe the vehicle ran off the road and plunged down the cliff either Saturday night or Sunday morning. They have not identified either of the men.

Paintball fields planned in Koloa

By Lester Chang - The Garden Island

State Land Use Commission members today, Wednesday, Nov. 2, are scheduled to tour parts of Koloa, where Kauai ATV, LLC leaders plan to build the island's first and largest privately-owned paintball fields.
Paintball is considered one of America's fastest-growing sports.

Company leaders also plan to stage commercial kayaking and sailing activities at Waita Reservoir, and to operate multi-passenger, all-terrain vehicles.
The company already has approval from the Kaua'i County Planning Commission to operate single-passenger ATV tours in the area.

The proposed projects are intended to be carried out within 12,438 acres of land owned by Steve Case, who recently resigned as director of AOL Time Warner, the largest media company in the world. Case is to spend more time with his new investment fund, Revolution LLC.
The acreage is among 40,000 acres from Hanama'ulu to Maha'ulepu Case acquired when he bought Grove Farm in late 2000, and the land once known as Lihue Plantation in early 2001.

For the Kauai ATV proposal, state LUC leaders plan to stop by the company's staging area at the old Koloa sugar mill at 3:30 p.m. today, and then visit the sites where the company proposals are planned to be implemented.
The state LUC members plan to meet at the Aloha Beach Resort-Kauai in Wailua at 9 a.m. this Friday, Nov. 4, to take action on the Kauai ATV proposal.
Members of the Kaua'i County Planning Commission have already approved Kauai ATV leaders' request for use of single-passenger all-terrain vehicles, and have approved as well the latest proposal that has been sent to LUC members for action.
The LUC members are involved in the proposal because the proposed undertaking involves activities that would take place in an area in excess of 15 acres.

Kaua'i attorney Walton D.Y. Hong, who is representing Kauai ATV, emphasized the projects will take place on only a few acres among the 12,438 acres, and that company leaders have no plans to use every inch of that acreage.
Existing cane-haul roads will be used for the ATV activities, and to bring participants to the paintball activities, Hong said.
No new paths have or will be created for the ATV activities, Hong said.
The expanded ATV activities will enable children, youths and senior citizens to see the back-woods of Kaua'i without having to operate ATVs themselves, he said.

The latest proposals would allow those folks to sit on the back of five-passenger ATVs that will be driven by a company employee, Hong said.
"There are underage or elderly people who want to go on the tours, but they can't (now)," he said.
Kauai ATV leaders also plan the construction of a six-acre paintball park for beginners and "visitors who may want to try it out," and a four-acre park for those who are more experienced in the sport, Hong said

A speedball tournament field will be used for competition.
"Paintball is a growing sport, and we are told that groups are undertaking paintball games (on privately-owned lands) without permission from property owners," Hong said. "It affords more reachable opportunities for visitors and residents."
The paintball parks will provide a place where the activity can be regulated and supervised, he said.
In the sport, participants wear protective garments, helmets and eyewear, and shoot paint-jell capsules that are water-soluble.
As part of Kauai ATV's plans, non-motorized boat activities also will be carried out at the Waita Reservoir.
Kauai ATV leaders have a license with officials from Grove Farm Company for their current commercial operations on the land, and have no plans to build new routes should they get approval from LUC members on their latest proposal, Hong said.
"We do not create new roads, and will use existing cane-haul roads, and we will help maintain the roads," Hong said.
Kauai ATV leaders are environmentally-conscious, he said, and don't want their commercial activities to cause erosion or other damage to the land.

Kauai surfer Irons advances in Brazil

HONOLULU (AP) _ Kauai surfer Andy Irons has won his first heat in the Nova Schin Festival in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Irons overcame California's Taylor Knox and Brazil's Guilherme Ferreira today in small and windy surf at Joaquina Beach.
By winning his first-round heat, the three-time world champion kept alive his chances of clinching his fourth world title. He also gets a day off by moving straight to round three.
Irons is currently ranked second in the Association of Surfing Professionals' World Championship Tour. He trails six-time world champion Kelly Slater, who also advanced.

The last event of the season will be at Hawaii's famous Pipeline in mid-December.

(Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

To Spa or Not to Spa

New Hawaii retreat bridges a gap between his and her vacation dreams combining the great outdoors with the comforts and luxuries of a spa.

Kauai, HI (PRWEB) November 1, 2005 -- New Hawaii retreat bridges a gap between his and her vacation dreams combining the great outdoors with the comforts and luxuries of a spa.
He likes rugged outdoors, she prefers a luxurious spa.
There are vacation options today that bridge the gap of completely opposite holiday dreams. Organic style villas of "O Luina", outfitted with all the amenities, fine art and antiques, are designed for those who want to experience the great outdoors in style and comfort

A trend toward "soft adventure" travel, allows the great open-air experience combined with the luxuries of the most upscale accommodations. Rather than sleeping on hard ground following a day of kayaking beautifully rugged Na Pali coast, why not soak in an enormous crushed stone tub for two, with a view of Kauai's South shore, followed by side-by side massage in the privacy of the beautiful villa? Your adventure seamlessly becomes into a complete spa experience. A chef might stop by and prepare a gourmet feast you can indulge in right there on your lanai, in your bathrobe. No other tourists, eager spa goers, no screaming children.

Great Outdoors for Him:
Up country Kauai is a place of tranquility and extraordinary natural elegance possessed of spectacular mountain and ocean views. Abundant flora and fauna, rare native plants, birds, and butterflies. Rainbows are magnificent, mornings laced with birdsong while only the notes of cricket fill the starry nights.
While greeting the morning in an outdoor hot-rain shower, high above the green hills and the azure shades of the Pacific, a pueo (native Hawaiian owl ) might glide by. Even a shy blue dragonfly might make an appearance.

Great Outdoors -- Her Way:
The best part is: here, natural wonders come along with a private, full spa service, a chef, a concierge... A short, scenic drive and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts and hotels is the small town of Kalaheo where quaint, country restaurants abound. Further down the road are the resort towns of Koloa and Poipu, offering spectacular beaches, fine dining, activities and shopping.
She can live with that.

For more information about Ka Hale O Luina, visit the website http://www.oluina.com.

Seven Budget Hotels in Heavenly Kauai

Hawaii's lushest island is dotted with affordable treasures amid all the luxury and glitz
Jeanette Foster
Lots of people have complained that various islands of Hawaii were not what they expected -- but no one says that about Kauai. This is the place of your dreams, a tropical vision of Bali Hai-like cliffs and voluptuous vegetation, of mountain gullies dark with ferns and peppered with vertiginous waterfalls, and of beaches -- miles and miles of sand sloping gently to a bathtub-warm sea. And this "Garden Isle" is also the smallest of Hawaii's four major islands, one where you devote your days not to endless road trips but to floating in crystalline waters full of tropical fish. Here, not a single building can be taller than a coconut tree. So instead of mega-high-rises and packed urban areas, Kauai is a series of small seaside towns, each retaining the uniqueness of its agricultural (sugar, coffee, taro) heritage. An intimate small-town feeling (where people smile and wave to one another) still prevails. Its biggest advantage for the budget traveler is that almost all of its great natural sights are free of charge, and that -- amid the luxury resorts -- a thriving industry of affordable hotels, inns, and other lodging is found in every major section. We've named our seven favorites below.

Hotel Coral Reef 1516 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, tel. 800/843-4659, fax 808/822-7705, hotelcoralreef.com. 24 units. $59-$99 double. Extra person $10; children 12 and under stay free in parents' room when using existing beds. Room/car packages available.
No question this is Kauai's best bargain buy on the sea. Family-owned and operated, the small (24 rooms) pair of two-story buildings (one wood, one concrete) faces a grassy lawn that slopes down to a white sand beach bordered by coconut trees. It offers economical rooms and friendly service in an ideal location that is also within walking distance of shops and restaurants. There's even an eight-mile bike path that starts right on the grounds. In the main building are standard rooms (cable TV, ceiling fans, partial ocean view, and lanai) at $79 to $89 double, while the other oceanfront wing offers slightly more spacious rooms that overlook the beach through sliding-glass lanai doors for $89 to $99 double. Other pluses: daily maid service, complimentary coffee in the lobby all day, free beach mats and coolers, and guest laundry facilities. Linda Warriner, owner and gracious hostess of this quaint hotel, is always happy to give pointers on how to stretch your budget and still have a good time on Kauai.

Garden Island Inn 3445 Wilcox Rd., Lihue, tel. 800/648-0154, fax 808/245-7603, gardenislandinn.com. 21 units. $75-$125 double. Extra person $5.
Location, location, location: Just across the street from one of Kauai's most beautiful white sand beaches and next door to the haughty Kauai Marriott, where rooms start at $229 a night, this family-run inn is a real find. It's a whitewashed, plantation-style three-story building, with wraparound lanais on the second and third floors, and a lush garden with brilliant tropical flowers, bananas, and papayas. The address is perfect for touring the island, and within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Island-style furniture, bright prints, and fresh tropical flowers (grown right on the grounds) decorate the spacious rooms. Each unit contains a fridge, microwave, TV, and coffeemaker; the suites have sitting areas. Prices are based on the view: The first-floor units looking out onto the grounds are $75 (with ceiling fans only, no air-conditioning), the second-floor rooms, with A/C and ocean views, are $85 to $95, and the top-floor two-room suites with private balconies and ocean views are $95 to $125. Owners Steve and Susan Layne offer friendly service, lots of advice on activities, even complimentary use of beach gear, golf clubs, and coolers.

Kalaheo Inn 4444 Papalina Rd., Kalaheo, tel. 888/332-6023, fax 808/332-5242, kalaheoinn.com. 14 units. $55-$65 one-bedroom with kitchenette; $75 one-bedroom with full kitchen; $95 two-bedroom with full kitchen. Two-night minimum.
This place is a deal! Located in the town of Kalaheo, within walking distance of shops and restaurants, the inn is a comfortable 1940s motel (a series of 14 units in one- and two-story buildings centered around a grassy lawn) that was totally remodeled in 1999 and converted into apartment units with kitchens (microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, refrigerator). An added bonus: Guests have privileges at the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club in Poipu (free tennis and use of the swimming pool), just a short 12-minute drive away. Owners Chet and Tish Hunt couldn't be friendlier, handing out complimentary beach towels and beach toys to guests. This is a must-stay for vacationers on a tight, tight budget.

Waikomo Stream Villas 2721 Poipu Rd., Poipu, c/o Grantham Resorts, 3176 Poipu Rd., Suite 1, Koloa, tel. 800/325-5701, fax 808/742-9093, grantham-resorts.com/condos/waikomo.html. 60 units. $85-$95 one-bedroom for four in low season; $105-$115 one-bedroom for four in high season. Five-night minimum.
Yes, Virginia, it is possible to stay in the upscale Poipu resort area for less than $125 a night. This low-rise, plantation-style condominium, landscaped with lush tropical vegetation, features 1,100-square-foot one-bedroom apartments (which comfortably sleep four) at eye-popping prices. Tucked into an Eden-like garden setting, its 60 units are a series of low-rise wooden structures with a swimming pool, a tennis court, and barbecue areas dotting the landscape. One drawback: They're located not directly on the ocean, but a five-minute walk away. Offsetting that, the spacious, well-decorated units have everything you could possibly need on vacation: full kitchen, TV, VCR, washer/dryer, and private lanai. The complex is also adjacent to the Kiahuna Golf Club and just a five-minute walk from restaurants, shopping, and (as noted before) Poipu's beaches. Additional small print: no maid service, no air-conditioning (never mind, the ceiling fans will keep you cool), and these prices don't apply to the Christmas season, December 20 to January 5.

Kahili Mountain Park 4035 Kuamualn Hwy., Koloa, tel. 808/742-9921, fax 808/742-9921, aloha.net/kas/kmp.htm. 32 cabins. $45-$55 cabins double, with kitchenettes and shared community bath/showers; $65-$110 cabins with full kitchens and private baths/showers. Extra person $15.
For families determined to get away from it all yet unwilling to sacrifice the kid's college tuition, this collection of countryside cabins, with Mount Kahili rising majestically in the background, is an answer to their prayers. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, which owns and operates these 197 rolling acres of peace and quiet, makes available 32 single-story cabins ranging from rustic to real vacation homes: one-room "cabinettes" have limited cooking facilities and share a community bath and shower; old one- and two-room cabins with kitchenettes have toilet facilities inside and private showers outside; new one- and two-room cabins have full kitchen facilities and private shower and bathroom; and a two-bedroom home comes with modern kitchen, living room, and two baths. Linens and kitchen utensils arefurnished. There are coin laundry facilities and a pay phone on the property.

Kapaa Shores 900 Kuhio Hwy., reservations c/o Garden Island Properties, 4-928 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa, tel. 800/801-0378, fax 808/822-7984, kauaiproperties.com. 84 units. $115-$125 one-bedroom. Five-night minimum.
In the heart of Kapaa, with the sound of waves lulling you to sleep each night, this complex series of three-story, red-roofed, forest-brown buildings near thick tropical vegetation features views of the exotic gardens, a large swimming pool, and the ocean from every unit. The one-bedroom suites are in excellent shape and come with amenities like fully equipped modern kitchens, cable TV, and large lanais (big enough for a patio table and chairs) where you can enjoy a breakfast or cocktails. The tropically decorated apartments can comfortably sleep four (the queen-size sofa in each unit turns into a bed). Besides the pool, there's a tennis court, a family-size hot tub, a shuffleboard court, laundry facilities, and barbecues.

Wailua Bayview 320 Papaloa Rd., Kapaa, tel. 800/882-9007, fax 425/391-9121, wailuabay.com. 45 units. $99-$110 double. Apr. 15-Dec. 15, seventh night free.
In a light, sand-colored wood building with dark chocolate trim, three stories high and perched on a cliff overlooking the surf at Wailua Bay, these spacious one-bedroom apartments offer the island's best value in oceanfront condos. The roomy units feature ceiling fans, full kitchens (including microwaves and dishwashers), washer/dryers, cable TV, VCRs, radios, and large lanais; most spacious bedrooms have air-conditioning (drowning out any noise so you can snooze undisturbed); and if you have kids, the queen-size sofa bed in the living room allows you to sleep up to four. Several of the units were renovated recently with new carpet and reupholstered furniture; but some of the $99 garden units are close to the road and can be noisy -- I'd recommend the ocean-view units (at $110 still a great deal). On-site facilities include a pool and barbecue area. From April 15 to December 15, there's a seventh-night-free deal.