Military Calls RIMPAC Exercises Success

The U.S. military says despite its sonar restrictions this time around, the RIMPAC training in Hawaii waters this month was a success.
About 20,000 people from eight countries participated in the RIMPAC war games off Oahu and Kauai.
Yesterday all 35 ships came back to shore, signaling the end of their mission.
Today U.S. leaders say besides working on tactical skills, the sailors and marines learned a lot about communicating with their allies.
"We formed great relationships with our partner nations in this exercise, relationships that are critical to the future security in this region," said Commodore Bruce Donaldson with the Canadian Pacific Fleet.
But not everyone was satisfied with this year's exercises. Environmentalists protested RIMPAC's use of sonar.
Several groups filed a lawsuit and got the military to change the way it uses sonar to avoid hurting marine mammals.
Then, an explosion off Ewa Beach raised controversy because the military never warned the fire department it was going to set off explosives in the area.

Visitor numbers in Hawaii still high

Hawaii is coming off a record year in terms of visitor numbers. Business, law enforcement and tourism officials gathered today to discuss ways of keeping those visitors safe.
An island vacation can go sour in a hurry if a visitor is scammed or robbed. These visitor industry, business and law enforcement officials are meeting with one goal in mind - to prevent that from happening. But if it does, the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii is there to help the visitor.
"Because they have no support mechanism, infrastructure or people to rely on while they're here as opposed to local residents who do have family and friends that they can go to," says Warren Ferreira, Outrigger Security.
More and more visitors are traveling to the neighbor islands. And there may be a tendency for them to feel safer in a less populated setting.
"It's a blessing to know that people feel very safe in Kauai but at the same time we just want to make sure that, as best as possible, try and do the things that would make you safe at any destination but specifically Kauai," says Susan Kanoho, Kauai Visitors Hawaii.
During the conference, businesses, hotel operators, hotel security personnel were reminded of warnings they need to pass on to visitors. Warren Ferreira, head of security for Outrigger hotels, says there is a fine line that must be walked.
"The concept that we've taken is that what we want to do is really warn without really alarming the guests and the warnings run the gamut of not leaving your property unattended on the beach to be careful when you go swimming," says Ferreira.
There is a ray of sunshine in this conference.
"All of the crime categories are on a downward trend from 2002 to 2006 so obviously based on those statistics the problems are getting better," says Ferreira.
"Yeah, we're very happy about that and I really think it's due to the collaboration of all the organizations and the law enforcement coalition - as well as the business community," says Jan Yamane, Waikiki Business Improvement District.

Called By A Cache Of Color On `Garden Isle' Of Kauai

It's not the sandy beaches or dramatic mountain peaks or perfect weather that keeps luring me back to the island of Kauai.
It's the colors.
The blue is first to command my attention. Kauai's sky and sea blend in a spectrum of cobalt and azure, turquoise and ultramarine. At times there is so much blue on the horizon, you can't tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins.
Vivid greens come next in Kauai's pageantry of color. In each of my three visits to the island, I've stayed on its wet north shore, where the jagged emerald slopes of the Na Pali Coast hug the sea. Tourists like me flock to the verdant Hanalei Valley to capture its picture-perfect patchwork of jade agricultural fields. And at the beaches, it's easy to find a bit of shade beneath leafy green naupaka trees and Ironwood pines.
Not that the countless tropical blooms on Hawaii's northernmost island get lost amid all this blue and green. As I drive along the Kuhio Highway, the colors of red, pink, yellow, and orange appear on every roadside. I spy them in the flowers of hibiscus trees, the fragrant blossoms of the plumeria and the bouquets on the bougainvillea. Even the feral roosters that roam Kauai are streaked with iridescent plumage.
All these rich colors confirm Kauai's reputation as Hawaii's "Garden Isle." During my most recent visit to the north shore, I sought out some concentrated dosages of color at two local botanical gardens.
`Makana' Means `Gift'
My botanical sightseeing started at Limahuli Garden and Preserve in the village of Haena. While most Kauai tourists venture this far north for the caves, the snorkeling and the start of the Kalalau Trail, Limahuli Garden should not be overlooked.
Over the years, I have visited this National Tropical Botanical Garden three times - not so much for the plants but for the atmosphere. At Limahuli's highest point, you can look to the right and see miles of blue Pacific Ocean. Look to the left, and be overwhelmed by the towering green cliffs of Makana Mountain, more commonly known as "Bali Hai."
There are no sounds of civilization here - just the tradewinds, the birds and the rushing of water from nearby Limahuli Stream. No wonder the Hawaiian word for "makana" means "gift."
For $15, I took Limahuli's self-guided tour, which begins in front of some ancient lava rock terraces. This is where I got a close-up look at leaves of taro, or kalo. The purple potato plant is an important part of the Hawaiian diet - poi comes from mashed taro roots.
All the featured vegetation in Limahuli's 17 acres is nicely spaced, clearly labeled and numbered for reference in a guide booklet. Well-designed paths lined with gravel, stairs and railings make the uphill climbs easy.
The garden's first steep hill led me to a grove of screwpines, or hala. These unusual Hawaiian trees are easy to identify by their elevated roots, which form a triangle. Female hala trees bear a fruit resembling a pineapple, often referred to as "tourist pineapple." According to the guide booklet, ancient Hawaiians used hala leaves to weave sails, baskets and interior flooring. I used this canopy of hala leaves to escape a sudden burst of rainfall, a frequent occurrence on the north shore.
After I had wandered past about a dozen native species and a few tourists, a peculiar plant caught my eye. It looked like a cabbage on top of a baseball bat. The label said it is called alula, an endangered Hawaiian plant saved from extinction by Limahuli Garden's botanists. Ancient Hawaiians apparently used alula as signal horns after hollowing out the trunks.
I spent about 1½ hours at Limahuli, walking at a leisurely pace. I grew to appreciate the garden's many benches, thoughtfully placed in spots with the prettiest vistas. I rested, admired the colors and contemplated what it would take to have a permanent life in paradise.
`Lands By The Sea'
For all that Limahuli Garden offers in natural Hawaiian flora, the Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea doubles in dramatic man-made landscaping and horticulture.
Everything about this pristine 240-acre property is big and otherworldly. Orchids tied to random tree limbs seem to grow everywhere. Turn a corner and be suddenly delighted with a wistful and/or whimsical bronze sculpture.
There are more than 70 sculptures on exhibit in 13 distinct gardens, not to mention a beach, a meadow and hardwood plantation of 60,000 teak and mahogany trees.
Na 'Aina Kai means "Lands by the Sea" in Hawaiian. It is the creation of Ed & Joyce Doty, two Californians who moved to Kauai in 1982. As their gardening and landscaping hobbies expanded, the Dotys eventually made the property a not-for-profit entity. Guided tours, gifts and the sale of the hardwoods help subsidize the cost of maintaining such a huge tract of flora.
With my 5-year-old daughter in tow, I joined Na 'Aina Kai's two-hour family walking tour. The guided excursion began, oddly enough, in a dry international desert garden.
Had we been magically transported to the Sahara? I wouldn't think a cactus could survive all the rain and moisture on Kauai's north shore. But a huge array of succulents and cacti from around the world seemed to thrive in the artificially arid conditions.
A romantic palm garden came next, where we beheld the "King Kong" of the palm world - a 50-foot-tall Talipot tree. The green leaves of this monster Sri Lankan species have a 15-foot span. And when this massive tree flowers, its one bloom can grow up to 10 feet tall. Our tour guide called it "palm on steroids."
Then we wandered through an enormous hedge maze. More than 2,400 mock orange plants form the maze, planted in the shape of a royal Poinciana tree. Unexpected topiaries and sculptures lay in wait around every turn.
We skipped across the footbridges of a 1.5 million-gallon lagoon and fed dozens of bright orange koi living in the water. Much to my daughter's delight, the friendly fish ate right out of our hands.
Our tour eventually ended inside a wonderful Under the Rainbow children's garden. Open since 2005, this garden's centerpiece is a 16-foot bronze Jack and the Beanstalk fountain that feeds a wading pool.
My daughter and I splashed in the blue water, ran through a gecko-shaped garden maze, explored a kid-sized jungle and climbed a gigantic wooden tree house. Na 'Aina Kai was a "Neverland" neither of us wanted to leave.
When we got back to reality outside the garden gates, I had some color of my own to take home - a cache of really great photographs and a slight sunburn.

Hanapepe: artists colony in Kauai's Wild West

Hanapepe's Storybook Theatre is a popular venue for kid-oriented activities. Locals are proud of Hanapepe's vintage architecture. (Carol Bain/Lonely Planet Images )
Driving along Kauai's southwestern coast, a sign points to Hanapepe: "KAUAI'S BIGGEST LITTLE TOWN." Huh? Hanapepe barely tops 2,000 residents and lacks even a single stoplight. I'm curious, so I veer onto the town's sole commercial street, Hanapepe Road.
Located inland, Hanapepe is no surf town. Rather, it resembles the Wild West, with retro wooden buildings and dusty roads baking under the sun. On a weekday, I feel I'm the sole visitor to a ghost town or a Hollywood set. Indeed, Hanapepe substituted for the Australian outback in the TV miniseries "The Thorn Birds," for the Filipino Olongapo City in the movie "Flight of the Intruder" and for an iconic Hawaiian town in Disney's animated movie "Lilo and Stitch."
But behind the quaint facades are 15 art galleries, plus a handful of longtime shops and restaurants. The best time to visit: Friday Art Night, when Hanapepe throws a town party with live music. Galleries take turns hosting the free event and stay open till 9 p.m.
Locals are proud of Hanapepe's vintage architecture, which includes more than 40 sites that meet State or Federal National Historic Register criteria. I can appreciate the old buildings after snagging a copy of Hanapepe's colorfully detailed Walking Tour Map ($2, or use the free coupon from This Week Kauai, a widespread freebie guide).
Most galleries are artist-owned, letting you meet the artists face to face. For traditional Hawaiian themes, visit Koa Wood Gallery, which features classic woodworking (admire the gleaming $2,000 rocking chair), and Kauai Fine Arts, with antique maps and prints, plus rare Niihau shell jewelry. The Art of Marbling showcases exquisite, vividly dyed silks - wearable art, including an affordable $40 square scarf.
If you prefer spending under $20 for a souvenir, go to Banana Patch Studio for terra-cotta coasters with petroglyph or tiki designs (two for $12) or hand-painted hanging tiles (from $17). The ones stating "Please remove your shoes" are ubiquitous across Hawaii. Remember, it's a local custom to go barefoot indoors.
A visit to Hanapepe is incomplete without two stops: First, walk across the town's Swinging Bridge, a short-but-sweet suspension bridge over Hanapepe River. Don't expect a massive Capilano Suspension Bridge. Think backyard-y, neighborhood-y, old-time landmark.
Second, savor homemade chips at Taro Ko Chips Factory (808-335-5586). Calling the one-room kitchen a factory is an exaggeration, but don't let the dilapidated building fool you. Elderly, diminutive Mrs. Nagamine, who still fries sliced taro (and potato and purple sweet potato) in giant cauldrons at dawn, puts the mass-produced stuff to shame.
If you're wondering why Hanapepe has remained so untouched by the tourism rampant elsewhere on Kauai, here's the
backstory: In the early 1800s, Hanapepe was a thriving, taro-farming, Native-Hawaiian community. But Hanapepe's native population declined from introduced diseases, and by 1870 only a small village remained. In the late 1800s, Hanapepe became a haven for the sugar-plantation malcontents, including labor-union organizers and restless laborers who started small businesses or farms.
In the early 1900s, Hanapepe was a bustling commercial center, popular for military R & R, but in the late 1930s, Lihue became the island's shipping, business and political seat. Hanapepe declined further when the main highway bypassed the town center.
Today Hanapepe is reinventing itself as an artists' colony and tourist stop. Swing by on your way toward Waimea Canyon or after swimming at nearby Salt Pond Beach Park. Or visit after a bird's-eye tour with Inter-Island Helicopters (800-656-5009; $185-250), which flies open-door choppers.
Hanapepe adopted the "biggest little town" moniker to attract passersby. On one hand, I hope the town is bustling every day, not only on Friday nights. On the other, I want Hanapepe to remain a sleepy, small-town secret. Unlike the island's showy attractions, from the lush Na Pali Coast to world-famous golf courses, Hanapepe offers an insider's peek of Kauai.

Kauai launches new "Kauai Made" logo

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) _ Kauai launched its new ``Kauai Made'' logo _ a marker to adorn products made on Kauai by the island's people using Kauai materials.
The event resulted from a three-year push by Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Kauai's Office of Economic Development to promote Kauai businesses.
Those that qualify may place on their products a circular purple and green logo featuring a pair of hands holding a package wrapped in a ti leaf. The mark is designed to symbolize a hookupu, or an offering of an honored gift in traditional Hawaiian custom.
The county developed the mark because it wanted to capitalize on the fact that more than 80 percent of tourists visiting the island shop specifically for Kauai products.
Studies show an average Kauai tourist spends 150 dollars a day shopping, creating a potential 19 (m) million industry for Kauai-based retailers and vendors.

Kauai Lighthouse Restoration Needs Your Help

Kauai residents are hoping you can help them restore a national treasure.
Don McConnell called our "Talk Story" phone line to share with us his dream to one day see the restoration of the Kilauea Lighthouse.
The lighthouse on Kaua'i's north shore helped guide mariners traveling from the orient to Honolulu in 1913.
Now, it sees about a half million visitors each year.
McConnell says, time and the harsh marine environment are taking a toll on the lighthouse and adjacent structures.
"The station is 100 years old and a lot of things have been done to it over the years that make it no longer historic as it could be so we'd like to restore it. We need about a million and a half dollars in total," said McConnell.
The group has applied for a grant which will provide a significant amount of funding for the restoration.
They hope to raise the rest of the money with the help from the community.
Concerned citizens on Kaua'i have started a fund drive to restore the Kilauea Lighthouse.

Survey finds tobacco sales to island youths remain low

HONOLULU (AP) _ Illegal tobacco sales to minors under the age of 18 remain low throughout the state.
That's according to a survey by the state Health Department's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
Earlier this year, federally mandated annual inspections were conducted of retail outlets to determine the extent of illegal sales of tobacco products to youths.
Teams composed of volunteers, ages 15 to 17, and adult observers visited a random sample of 221 stores where the youths attempted to buy cigarettes.
The department says just 13 stores sold to the minors.
The noncompliance rate was nine-point-seven percent on the Big Island, seven-point-four percent for Maui County and five-point-three percent for Oahu. No stores on Kauai sold cigarettes to the youths.

State Agencies Prepare For Daniel's Arrival

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is not the only agency in town gearing up as Daniel heads our way.
State Civil Defense workers are now on 24 hour watch as Daniel approaches.
Many may be breathing a sigh of relief that Daniel is weakening, but even as a tropical storm, Daniel could do some damage.
And that is why the State is preparing for the worst.
Daniel is days away from our islands and weakening, but its now, the State is stepping up preparations for the storm.
"Were not taking this storm lightly even though it should be downgraded to a tropical storm," said Ed Teixeira from State Civil Defense.
Because even a tropical storm could have a serious impact on the islands.
"When it comes to tropical storm force winds - 39 miles an hour - most runway operations will be shut down," Teixeira explained.
Air travel may not be the only thing Daniel may disrupt. This storm will create rough seas and high surf for eastern shores.
"It's going to affect inter island navigation - barge operations, ships at harbors," added Teixeira.
In addition to planning for possible evacuations and checking the status of shelters, the State is also preparing for the worst that could happen from this storm.
Our public needs to be aware of power outages from trees and telephone poles," Teixeira said "So that's why they need to have a disaster kit out to about three days.
"I'd say I have a lot of things, but it's not put together in a bag or so to take with us" Montalbo explained.
But at City Mill, store employees say many wait until the last minute to stock up for a storm.
They need essentials like non-perishable food, water, flashlights and batteries.
But those who have lived thru hurricanes have learned the importance of preparing for the worst.
"We found that, when we lived on Kauai, we were 45 days without water. And so that was a real strain on us that we were not prepared for," Montalbo said. "Forty-five days without water is a long time."

Feds give $1 million from Clean Vessel Act Pump-out Program

HONOLULU (AP) _ The state has received one (m) million dollars in federal funds to help reduce pollution and sewage in small board harbors on Kauai and Maui.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the money comes from the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act Pump-out Grant Program.
The funds will be used to design and construct pump-out improvements at Kauai's Port Allen and Maui's Maalaea Small Boat Harbor.
Some of the money will be used to educate boaters about the importance of proper waste disposal and the consequences of improper disposal.
In an effort to reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges, Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act in 1992 to establish the grant program administered by the service.

Civil Defense Prepares for Storm Hit

It's been almost 14 years since Iniki tore through the island of Kauai. It was the last tropical system to make a direct hit on the state.
With Daniel slowly creeping toward the state, it threatens to be the next. State Civil Defense is taking that threat seriously.
"It is still a major threat to our critical infrastructure like ports, our utility companies and our airports, so we have to play it very closely about air operations, safe hangering of aircraft so they're available after the storm," said Ed Teixeira, Vice Director of Hawaii Civil Defense.
Each storm is different, so Civil Defense plays it by ear. It is talking each day with county, state and federal agencies to make sure each is on the same page and prepared.
The Red Cross has even started notifying its employees and volunteers, telling them to be on standby just in case.
"We like to inform our volunteers in advance, well in advance, of an approaching storm so they can also get their personal things together," said Red Cross worker Maria Lutz. "We stress employees and volunteers to get their disaster kit and disaster plan together."
Civil Defense says according to the law, state workers can be considered Civil Defense workers if needed. That provides a force of at least 50,000 workers that can be tapped.
But officials are stressing that people need to take responsibility of their own safety.
"That means bringing bedding, bring food and water to the shelter with you, because that will be the critical time," said Lutz. "And make sure that you have supplies that are for five to seven days."
Monday night the Coast Guard spent four hours flying 300-500 miles out from the state warning mariners of the threat by radio.

Many discoveries to be made in Koloa/Poipu

KOLOA, Hawaii — The abundant sunshine of Kauai's leeward side is a potent lure for today's resort travelers, but there was a time when it was just as highly prized for its nurturing effect on sugar cane.
The crop flourished here in the late 19th century, when the Koloa Plantation took root as Hawaii's first successful commercial sugar operation. Its plantation town, Koloa, is just inland of the Poipu Beach resort strip, and visitors can readily peer a century into the past along the self-guided Koloa Heritage Trail.
Free brochures may be found in tourist racks at Koloa's historic business district, or at the Poipu hotels. Fourteen sites are listed, from the birthplace of a Hawaiian prince to a building that was a former general store in the plantation era.
The Poipu region subsists mainly on tourism now and is pretty sleepy in that regard (at least when compared to West Maui), with a sprinkling of hotels and condo complexes. But during a 25-year period in the late 1800s, this corner of the Hawaiian Islands bustled with commerce, as the heydays of sugar and whaling coincided.
The Koloa History Center, tucked behind the town's shops, chronicles these eras. Tourists dressed comfortably in bathing suits, T-shirts and flip-flops wince at archival photos of workers in the fields — wearing long sleeves, long pants, gloves and hats in labors conducted far from the cool ocean breezes.
One exhibit depicts the luxurious baths favored by Japanese laborers when the day's rigors were done. This still required a lot of work: Hauling water, gathering firewood — and persuading someone to stoke the fire throughout the bath.
The Japanese were just one ethnic group brought to Hawaii to work — others came from China, the Philippines, Portugal and Germany. Workers often wanted to keep alive customs from their homeland, and the 1910 Jodo Mission, where Japanese worshipped at a Buddhist temple and conducted social events, survives from that era.
Also in town is the Sugar Monument, dominated by the tall rock chimney of the mill's boiling house, where cane juice was rendered into sugar crystals.
Koloa's storefronts date to the early 20th century and thus have an Old West appearance but today house galleries, gift shops and casual eateries.
Kauai is notorious for its treacherous ocean waters. The weekend we arrived in May, three people died in undertows off the eastern coast. Reliably calm waters and lifeguard stands are hard to come by throughout the island. But both can be found at Poipu Beach Park, a series of scalloped coves favored by locals and visitors alike. A rock jetty here creates a frolic area for the smallest beachgoers. It is about as deep as a wading pool — and every bit as calm.
For livelier sport, head up the coast to Shipwreck Beach, where the Grand Hyatt Kauai is. A pretty big break is close to shore here, and it's popular with surfers and body-boarders — which can make for pretty good spectator sport, too. Sometimes that beachbreak is strong enough to sweep unwary beachcombers right off their feet.
Shopping sense
The independent shops of Koloa — notably the gallery of artist James Hoyle — carry first-rate merchandise and are a natural lure for visitors, but a lesser-known shopping opportunity should not be missed.
It is an enclave of makeshift stands at the end of Lawai Road, where tourists stop to observe Spouting Horn — a lava tube that gushes a vertical plume of spray when the ocean waves roll under a rock shelf. The awnings of this low-key market shelter a wealth of value-priced but good-quality souvenirs, including shell jewelry, basketry and wood crafts.
Nibbles and sips
There is a Roy's restaurant at the Poipu Shopping Village, but recent experiences left us questioning its consistency — and whether Roy Yamaguchi has simply spread himself too thin. A dinner there in December was superb, but in May my ono filet was criminally dried out on the grill, and the service was rushed — as if they couldn't wait to turn our table for the next party.
A pleasant surprise was found directly across the parking lot at Keoki's Paradise, a favorite of author Ray Riegert in his "Hidden Kauai" guidebook. Although Keoki Paradise's preparations aren't as inventive as Roy's, an herb-sauteed onaga was delicious, the service was friendly and the setting was a lot of fun — jungle-like, with tables set amid streams and waterfalls.
For an ocean view, the best bet is Brennecke's Beach Broiler, where second-floor lanai seating overlooks Poipu Beach Park and the impossibly blue Pacific beyond. The food may not provide an indelible memory, but the setting is unsurpassed for lunch or an afternoon drink.

Kauai shrimp farm permit approved

The Hawaii Department of Health has approved a permit for Sunrise Capital to restart a shrimp operation in Kekaha, on the west side of Kauai's south shore.
Janice Okubo, a spokeswoman for the department, said a permit had been approved in recent days for Sunrise, which acquired the assets of Ceatech USA Inc. a year ago for less than $500,000 after Ceatech entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Sunrise Capital includes Hawaii Community Foundation executive Kelvin Taketa, Maui Land & Pineapple CEO David Cole, Digital Island CEO Ron Higgins and developer Bill Mills. They acquired a 20-year lease on the state land where the shrimp farm is located.
In the original permit application, the investors requested permission to operate up to 44 acres of shrimp ponds and discharge billions of gallons of shrimp waste. Residents feared this would bring sharks to nearby surf spots. State officials said the permit would be amended to address such concerns.
Ceatech -- the name was short for Controlled Environmental Aquaculture Technology Inc. -- at one time employed 40 people and was the biggest shrimp farm and brood stock operation in Hawaii.

Students Navigate to Kauai on Hokulea

It's the voyage of a lifetime. Nearly a dozen students have set sail on the Hokule'a and they'll be looking to the sky to guide them.
Eleven students, ages 16 to 19, are sailing from Oahu to Kauai to Nihoa Island and they're doing it without any navigational instruments.
In the past month, they've been in the classroom learning about navigation and safety. Now they're ready and grateful or the chance to sail on a piece of Hawaiian history.
"Whether it connects them with their roots or they learn something new, a lot of people get changed by it," said first-time traveler Austin Kino. "They get changed as a Hawaiian, they get changed as a person and so that's kind of what I'm looking for."
While on Kauai, they plan to clean up beaches and give tours of the Hokule'a.
The main goal is to educate students about its history and Hawaiian culture.

Kauai time-share firm bought by Wyndham

Wyndham Vacation Ownership Inc. has acquired privately held Pahio Resorts Inc. and Pahio Vacation Ownership Inc., both of Kauai.
Wyndham's resort portfolio now will include 12 resorts throughout the state. CEO Franz Hanning said he was "excited to accelerate our growth in Hawaii."
The company will assume property management, sales and marketing for Bali Hai Villas, Ka Eo Kai, Kauai Beach Villas and Shearwater and Makai resorts, which collectively have 20,000 owners and more than 400 vacation ownership units.
"Hawaii remains one of the most popular vacation destinations for our more than 750,000 owner families, and we look forward to introducing them to the wonderful island of Kauai," Hanning said.
Wyndham entered into an exclusive relationship with Pahio CEO David Walters to expand the Bali Hai Villas resort, adding 125 vacation ownership units and a new club house.
"Wyndham Vacation Ownership will provide Pahio with a robust platform for future growth," Walters said.

Nurses reject offer, remain on picket line

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) _ Contract negotiations involving striking nurses at Wilcox Memorial Hospital are to resume next week after management's latest proposal was roundly rejected.
Nurse D.Q. Jackson is a spokesman for the Hawaii Nurses Association. He says not a single nurse voted to accept the offer from Kauai's only hospital.
About 140 Wilcox nurses went on strike June 24th after failing to win concessions from management to put more nurses on staff.
Jackson said the hospital's latest offer represented a step backward for the nurses, because it called for ``the elimination of all nurse participation in patient care staffing.''
Hospital spokeswoman Lani Yukimura said the proposal was an effort to start up discussions toward reaching a contract agreement.

Federal plan protects rare Kauai species

The priority is to restore habitat for the Kauai cave wolf spider and amphipod
Tiny, small in numbers and totally blind, the Kauai cave wolf spider and amphipod are both slated to be rescued from the edge of extinction with a new plan issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The service announced yesterday that the Final Recovery Plan for the Kauai Cave Arthropods is now available to the public.
"These unique and highly specialized species are often overshadowed by Hawaii's charismatic species, such as the green sea turtle, Hawaiian monk seal and others, but deserve just as much attention if not more," said Patrick Leonard, field supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office.
The new plan will ensure the recovery of the species and raise awareness about their existence, he said.
Both species are eyeless and were unknown until their discovery in 1971.
Little is still known about the quarter-size wolf spiders, which live in the lava tubes and cave-bearing rock in Kauai's Koloa Basin. Their population is estimated to possibly be fewer than 30. The spiders hunt by sensing chemical compounds.
Ranging in size up to nearly a half-inch, the Kauai cave amphipod is a land-hopper that resembles a shrimp. The amphipod feeds on plant materials and is believed to be a food source of the Kauai cave wolf spider. Surveys indicate the rare insect's numbers are anywhere between eight and 300.
The priority of the recovery plan is to protect and restore the species' cave habitats.
To protect the caves, the report recommends controlling access and preventing the destruction of plants above the cave systems. It also calls for halting the introduction of non-native species and contamination by pollutants.
The plan also recommends encouraging the growth of appropriate plants above the caves to increase the food source for the amphipods and the relative humidity of the caves. Cave-dwelling species appear to require high humidity, possibly as much as 100 percent.
Further research on the species and their habitats is also recommended to better understand their conservation needs, the plan said.

Kauai nurses, management to resume negotiations

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) _ Kauai's only hospital and its striking nurses are scheduled to resume negotiations Monday for the first time in nearly a month.
Leaders for the union and Wilcox Memorial Hospital were to meet with a federal negotiator.
About 140 Wilcox nurses went on strike June 24th after failing to win concessions from management to put more nurses on staff.
Aggie Pigao Cadiz, executive director of the Hawaii Nurses Association, said nurses have been wanting to negotiate, but the administration has been dragging its feet.
The hospital has been operating with 40 replacement nurses, including some flown in from the mainland.
In dispute is how many nurses Wilcox should have on staff to care for patients.
Nurses have already gotten management to agree to a 21 percent wage hike over three years.

Kauai Homeowner Asks for Memorial

KILAUEA, Kauai (KHNL) - Four months ago, a wall of water flooded a Kauai town destroying hundreds of acres, and killing seven people.
There is talk now of putting a memorial up to honor the lives lost in that horrible dam breach.
The aftermath of the Ka Loko Reservoir flood is still visible, months after the natural disaster. When the dam broke, it sent an estimated 350 million gallons of water across Kuhio highway, through Kilauea town, and down to Kahili Quarry Beach.
Bruce Fehring lost seven loved ones that day: Daughter Aurora Fehring, grandson Rowan Fehring-Dingwall, and son in law Alan Dingwall. "They were cremated and we have their ashes. Their ashes were spread at sea."
Also killed in the flooding were Christina Macnees and her fiancee Daniel Arroyo; Timothy Noonan, and Wayne "Banyan" Rotstein. Fehring puts his head down and sighs, "It's very, very difficult."
Not a day goes by where he doesn't hurt. Fehring says he misses his 2 year-old grandson, Rowan, the most. "I think most often of my grandson Rowan. Not only will I not be able to play with my grandson, he will not have the opportunity to grow up to get to know us better."
Fehring and his family planted three trees on his land, as living memorials to remember the lives lost. He'll plant a few more this summer. The trees are not the only remembrance Fehring's put up. "We have a whole wall devoted to memories and photos of our families and friends."
He's just started thinking about a permanent memorial, to "honor these people, these wonderful people that were lost and their potential that was lost."
Fehring would like to put the memorial near the river mouth, where the bodies were found. If not, he's willing to consider putting one on his property.

Kauai boy Casey Watabu claims amateur publinx championship

For the first time in 12 years...Hawaii is home to the U.S. amateur men's public links champion...
Today...Kauai boy Casey Watabu claimed the 81st edition of the championship in Washington he's the 5th player ever to do so from Hawaii...and has now booked a trip to one of golfs premier tournaments.
Two rounds of golf and Watabu dominated both of them...
Watabu took a 1-up lead over Anthony Kim of Michigan...at the par-3 fifth hole, and would never trail again.
Watabu defeated Kim 4 and 3...he is the first Hawaii player to win the public links since Guy Yamamoto in 1994...
The 22 year old Watabu is playing in his third public links...missed the cut in 2000 and 2004.
Watabu adds this win to his 2006 NCAA west regional individual title as a senior at Nevada. ...but bigger than the trophy...Watabu automatically qualifies for the 2007 masters against the best in the game.

Kauai seeks $50,000 to fill police chief post

LIHUE » The Kauai County Police Commission plans to ask the county for about $50,000 to hire a consultant that will help it find a new police chief.
The process would be similar to the steps Honolulu went through to select its current police chief, said Deputy County Attorney Galen Nakamura. The County Attorney's office suggested hiring a consultant.
Nakamura told the commission that it would take about 30 days to choose a consultant, then about four months to find a new police chief.
Councilman Mel Rapozo said he supports the idea, adding $50,000 was not expensive if it enabled the county to select a police chief in a fair and impartial way.
The island's last police chief, K.C. Lum, resigned last month after a tumultuous tenure.
Lum has vowed to run for office on Kauai but hasn't said what race he'll enter.

Report: Hawaii cities tops nation in gas-sipping vehicles

HONOLULU - Hawaii's cities have the highest percentage of fuel efficient vehicles in the nation, according to a study released Thursday.
Motorists in Kapaa on the island of Kauai were more likely to drive fuel-efficient cars than anywhere else in the United States, according to MapInfo Corp.
The Kahului-Wailuku area on Maui was No. 2, followed by Hilo and Honolulu.
MapInfo said with the nation's highest gas prices in Hawaii, it's no surprise that the top four cities were in the Aloha State.
Hawaii drivers paid an average of $3.37 for a gallon of regular unleaded Thursday, about 12 cents higher than the next state, California, and 22 cents higher than the national average, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.
Despite the high cost of gas, island motorists spent a lower share of their income on fuel compared to other cities.
Motorists in Brookhaven, Miss. led in the nation in that category, spending an average of 7.4 percent of their household income of $46,621 on gasoline. No city in Hawaii made the top ten list.
MapInfo's research was based on statistics supplied by R.L. Polk & Co.
The report also ranked Gillette, Wyo. as the city with the highest percentage of gas-guzzling vehicles.
Motorists in Gillette were twice as likely to own sport utility vehicles, trucks and sports cars than anywhere else in the country.
Marshall, Minn. was second, followed by Snyder, Texas and Rock Springs, Wyo.
"With surging gasoline prices continuing to be a topical issue, we thought it would be interesting to conduct research on which parts of the country are being most impacted," said Sebastien Rancourt of MapInfo.
MapInfo makes software enabling companies to use geographical data in their analyses and forecasts.

Tour copters ordered away from Kauai reserve

LIHUE » The state has ordered tour helicopters to stop landing in Kauai's Moloaa Forest Reserve because the forays into the pristine area could harm the ecosystem.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources sent 15 helicopter tour operators a letter last week reminding them that illegal landings could draw fines of $2,000 a day.

In early May the state inspected an area near a waterfall and pool of water in the reserve and found a helicopter landing site with two adjacent structures.

Peter Young, the DLNR's director, said the landing pad consisted of a simple, cleared area, and the structures provided shade.

Young said the state was not sure who was landing at the spot, so it sent a reminder to all helicopter tour companies.

"In order to do things like this, you need to get a permit," Young said. "In some cases a permit is not even available."

Local helicopter operators said they have been following the rules.

"We've been with the understanding that DLNR wasn't allowing us to have site landings like that," said Chuck Dipiazza, owner of Air Kauai, which operates two helicopters out of the Lihue airport.

At least one tour operator, Inter-Island Helicopters, advertises trips to an unspecified waterfall.

The company's Web site states, "We also provide a special Waterfall Adventure tour that will land at a remote waterfall for a cool dip in its freshwater pool. No one else on Kauai offers that!"

Company officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The DLNR plans to continue monitoring the Moloaa landing site, Young said.

A violation would be reviewed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which Young chairs, before any fine would be imposed.

Kauai named best Hawaiian Island

Kauai was named the number one island in Hawaii by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine in the publication's 2006 World's Best Awards.
"Because this honor is voted on by travelers, being named 'Hawaii's Best Island' is a wonderful reflection on Kauai's communities and people," said Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste.
Respondents judged the islands on five characteristics: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, and value.
"Travelers are always struck by our abundance of physical beauty and I think it showed in this year's survey," said Kelly Hoen, general manager of Princeville Resort and chairwoman of the Kauai Visitors Bureau.
Kauai ranked second on the overall listing of the World's Best Islands, after Bali. The full list:
Bali.
Kauai.
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
Maui.
Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park), Maine.
Tasmania.
The Big Island of Hawaii.
Galapagos Islands.
Santorini, Greece.
Phuket, Thailand.
The awards will be given out in New York in one week. The complete listing appears in the August issue of Travel+Leisure.

Navy and Whale Advocates Settle Sonar Suit

HONOLULU The Navy said it will use active sonar during warfare exercises off Hawaii as early as this weekend, after reaching an agreement with environmentalists who claimed it poses a threat to whales and other sea life.

The settlement reached Friday prevents the Navy from using the sonar within 25 miles of the newly established Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument during its Rim of the Pacific 2006 exercises. It also imposes a variety of methods to watch for and report the presence of marine mammals.

Navy officials have said the value of training to detect stealthy submarines would have been severely diminished without the sonar, which bounces sound off objects in the ocean.

"We want to ensure that the U.S. Navy and its partner navies get the benefit of this opportunity to train in anti-submarine warfare," said Rear Adm. James Symonds, director of environmental readiness.

The Navy hadn't been allowed to activate the sonar under a temporary restraining order issued Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Florence-Marie Cooper in Los Angeles. She lifted the order after the settlement was reached between the environmentalists, the Navy and several federal agencies.

Environmentalists claim whales have stranded themselves on beaches after being exposed to high-intensity mid-frequency sonar. In some cases, whales bled around the brain and in the ears. The sonar is also claimed to interfere with the ability of marine mammals to navigate, hunt, take care of their offspring and avoid predators.

"Military readiness does not require, and our laws do not allow, our natural resources to be sacrificed in the name of national defense," said Joel Reynolds, a Natural Resources Defense Council attorney.

The Navy suspended the use of sonar in similar exercises off Hawaii two years ago, after more than 150 whales gathered close to shore in Kauai's Hanalei Bay and one calf died. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration had asked the Navy to adjust how it uses sonar in this year's drill.

Among other things, the Navy agreed to use electronic, airborne monitoring for marine mammals and to post marine mammal lookouts on all surface ships operating the sonar. The sonar will only be used during anti-submarine warfare exercises, except as required for maintenance and equipment checks.

The gathering of more than 40 ships, some 19,000 troops, 160 aircraft and six submarines runs through July 28. Ships from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, South Korea and Britain are joining the United States for the war games.

Kauai median home price: $599,000

Hawaii Information Service reports the median price of $599,000 in June compares to $697,000 a year earlier. There were 41 sales, compared to 70 in June 2005.
Of those 41 homes that went to closing, 10 were in the Kapaa area (Kawaihau district) and 10 in the Lihue area. Lihue prices actually rose 21 percent from last year.
There were only eight sales in Hanalei compared to 18 a year ago, and Koloa district sales fell to nine from 12 a year earlier. Koloa prices fell only 7 percent and Hanalei prices actually rose 44 percent.
The condo median fell about 6 percent, to $424,000, from $450,000 a year ago, with 62 sales compared to 74 a year ago.
Of those 62 sales, 49 were in the Lihue area for a median price within that district of $395,000, up 18 percent from a year ago.
In Hanalei, where there were just eight condo closings compared to 18 a year ago, the median price rose 24 percent to $665,000.

State Names Kaloko Investigator

Who is to blame for the dam break that killed seven on Kauai? Tonight it's up to one man to decide.
The state announced it selected Robert Carson Godbey as the special investigator into the disaster. Godbey was one of two nominees who live in Hawaii.
Godbey worked as an engineer for years before graduating from Harvard Law School. He spent seven years with the U.S. Department of Justice.
He is on the mainland for one week, but will begin his new role when he returns to Hawaii.

Kayaking sacred river an awe-inspiring trek

A lovely strand of liquid jade, the Wailua River flows 20 miles from lush Mount Waialeale to its mouth near Lydgate State Park on Kauai's east coast. The three miles of the river that are navigable border one of the most sacred areas in Hawaii.
Wailua means "spirit, ghost." Legend says the spirits of those who recently died would travel up the river and make their way to the cliffs of Haeleele, which stand guard over Polihale Beach on the island's west side. There, at a portal between the mortal and spirit worlds, they would leap into the next life.
The remnants of seven heiau (ancient temples) can be found between the mouth of the river and the summit of 5,080-foot Waialeale. Dating back to the 14th century, Holoholoku is the oldest heiau extant on Kauai.
Near Holoholoku, at the sacred stones called Pohakuhoohanau, royal women from throughout the islands came to give birth.
Further up Kuamoo Road (Route 580), which hugs the northern banks of the Wailua River, are the remains of Poliahu Heiau, which supposedly was built in one night by the industrious menehune. It is said Kauai's last king, Kaumualii, presided over rituals here relating to war.
From Poliahu a short path leads to the famed Bell Stone, which was struck with a large rock to announce the birth of every new chief. So loud and distinctive was the sound, it could be heard by villagers living miles away.
These are among the treasures of what is now 1,093-acre Wailua River State Park, the magnificent backdrop for Kayak Kauai's Secret Falls Paddling and Hiking Adventure.
This five-hour family-friendly excursion was launched a few years after Micco Godinez and his brother, Chino, founded Kayak Kauai in 1984. Initially, the company focused on open-ocean kayaking trips along the Na Pali Coast.
"I like to say Na Pali and its offshore waters inspired the business, but it is the more gentle rivers of Kauai that keep our heads above water," Godinez says. "We soon realized that Na Pali was a seasonal endeavor that appealed to a small segment of the travel market. We needed an alternative that could be offered year-round and that was well within the capabilities of most people, including kids."
Godinez notes participants on the Secret Falls Paddling and Hiking Adventure have the "carrot" of a waterfall to look forward to.
"That makes it the perfect 'soft adventure' for the average family," he says. "No one gets really tired."
Kayak Kauai's Secret Falls Paddling and Hiking Adventure is a family-friendly tour that flows at a leisurely pace and leads to a waterfall reward.
THE TOUR STARTS with 45 minutes (2.5 miles) of paddling from Smith's Boat Marina on the southern side of the Wailua River.
Never kayaked before? Not a problem. Kayak Kauai's double kayaks are equipped with foot-controlled rudders that facilitate steering.
"If people can walk and chew gum at the same time, they can operate the foot pedals," Godinez asserts. "They are connected to a rudder at the stern. When kayakers step on the right foot pedal, the vessel turns to the right; when they press the left foot pedal, it turns left. That allows folks to concentrate on producing even, consistent strokes. When you break the rhythm of your strokes because you're having trouble steering, that can quickly tire you out."
The Wailua River, Hawaii's largest navigable river, is rated Class I: "Fast-moving water with riffles and small waves; few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy."
Unlike most rivers, however, it is easier to paddle upstream than it is to go downstream. "That's because the tradewinds generally blow inland, toward Waialeale," Godinez explains. "The trades push kayakers up against the gentle current."
He asserts age is not an issue with kayaking.
"We've had grandparents who've done better or just as well as the young ones, and they often prove to be 'poetry in motion,'" he says.
When the river forks, you'll cruise right (north) for about five minutes beneath a canopy of trees until you reach a landing that marks the trail head to Uluwehi or Secret Falls. The 45-minute hike to the waterfall takes you through a natural greenhouse that's full of ti, ginger, mango, Java plum, kukui, hau and "some of the biggest albizia trees I've seen on Kauai," says Godinez. Known as "herbal Prozac," the bark and flowers of the albizia are used in concoctions that purportedly alleviate anxiety, stress and depression.
Rock walls and terraces partially hidden in the dense foliage serve as reminders that you're walking in the footsteps of the ancients. The unhurried pace of the 1-mile trek allows you to savor the peace and beauty of the site, your playground for the next hour.
BEFORE OR AFTER lunch, immerse yourself in the cool stream fed by 120-foot Secret Falls. Godinez doesn't recommend swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall, which is surrounded by rocks and debris.
"I have been there when rocks are falling, and it can be scary," he says. "The sound echoes from everywhere, and unless you actually see the rocks falling, you don't know where they're coming from or whether you'll wind up being the bull's-eye."
After the break, you'll hike back to the landing for the return trip on the river. This time, you'll be kayaking downstream, into the tradewinds, so you'll get a bit more of a workout.
Although Godinez has done the Secret Falls tour "countless" times, it never fails to rejuvenate him.
"There's always a lot of kayakers on the Wailua River, but it's big enough for everyone," he says. "I love the quietness of the river."
And Godinez has found soul-searching is best done in a kayak.
"It's a great place to meditate," he says. "You may not solve all the problems in the world, but if you're looking to find yourself, a kayak will take you there."

Anti-tobacco effort still has long journey ahead

YOU'VE come a long way, baby." That's how Virginia Slims, the cigarette slim enough for a small purse, was marketed to females -- pregnant and otherwise -- a generation ago.
Well, we have come a long way as a society in recognizing how deadly cigarettes are. On Nov. 16, Hawaii will join 13 other states in implementing a single statewide comprehensive smoking ban that will affect virtually all public places, restaurants, bars and work places.
And it's about time. Twenty years ago, the U.S. surgeon general determined that secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in nonsmokers. The latest report by the surgeon general, issued in June, found that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that the only way of fully protecting nonsmokers from secondhand smoke is to eliminate indoor smoking. Separating smokers from nonsmokers and improved ventilation cannot eliminate risks to nonsmokers.
The American Lung Association of Hawaii applauds Gov. Linda Lingle's decision not to veto Hawaii's comprehensive anti-smoking legislation and hopes she eventually signs it rather than simply allowing it to become law without her signature. There should be no ambiguity about the correctness of this comprehensive pro-health measure.
Nationwide, secondhand smoke causes an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children less than 18 months old, and an estimated 200,000 to 1 million each year have their asthma symptoms worsened by secondhand smoke.
But even as Hawaii prepares to join other states in prohibiting tobacco smoke in restaurants, bars and other public places, a new threat is emerging that shows we still have a long way to go in protecting our children from tobacco. The new threat is flavored cigarettes marketed to youngsters.
Reynolds Tobacco's marketing campaign for flavored cigarettes is aimed at teens and young adults. "Kauai Kolada" was one of the new flavors that rightly attracted condemnation by Lingle and others when it first hit the market. "Kauai Kolada" is no longer sold, but Reynolds still sells five Camel Exotic blend flavors -- Dark Mint, Mandarin Mint, Twist, Izmir Stinger and Crema.
As former U.S. Secretaries of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano Jr. and Louis W. Sullivan recently noted, Reynolds now has turned to alcohol-flavored cigarettes with cool names based on gambling terms -- ScrewDriver Slots, BlackJack Gin, Snake Eyes Scotch, and Back Alley Blend, a bourbon-flavored cigarette.
The two former secretaries call marketing candy-flavored cigarettes "child abuse," and the American Lung Association of Hawaii agrees. Ninety percent of adult smokers become addicted to cigarettes when they're kids, and the younger a child is when he begins to smoke, the more likely it is that he will be a smoker as an adult.
The pro-health, anti-tobacco coalition in Hawaii can be proud of the public smoking ban that will take effect this year, but the fight against candy- and alcohol-flavored cigarettes is just beginning. We hope that fight extends into the 2007 session of the state Legislature and results in innovative ways to address the latest insidious efforts of the tobacco industry to hurt our kids.

Kauai building rules confuse

Some owners face a ban on building additional homes

LIHUE » Owners of small agricultural and open-zoned plots on Kauai have until Dec. 31 if they want to build additional homes on their land. But many are confused about the rules.
While additional dwelling units are permitted in perpetuity statewide on residential lands, Kauai's ordinance will allow additional homes on nonresidential land only until the end of the year.
Kilauea resident Jeff Goodman said he bought his property -- which qualifies for a home and an additional dwelling unit -- so each of his sons could have a plot for a home. Now he worries that time may be running out.
"I've been very diligent. What free time I have, I've spent on this project, and I feel like it's escaping me," he said.
Some landowners are confused as to what qualifies them to protect their right to the additional home by the deadline, whether obtaining a zoning permit is enough or whether one needs to have construction already started or even completed.
"There seems to be no clear administrative rules to outline the process which will determine whether or not a landowner has 'vested' a right to build an (additional dwelling unit) on a qualified lot," according to a letter to the County Council from the Kauai Board of Realtors, which prefers an extension of between five to 10 years.
While the Council also has proposed a 10-year extension on the measure, the proposal hasn't earned strong support.
"We're having a lot of problems with infrastructure right now. I think people have had ample notice when this is going to be ending," said Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, a council member.
About 400 agricultural and open lots have received zoning permits for the additional homes since 1989.
An additional 500 to 700 parcels could still qualify for them, said Rick Shaw, president of Kauai Board of Realtors.
In some cases, owners are holding onto the plots to build housing for their children or to divide the parcels off as separate building lots.
But if the buyers of the separate lots don't meet the deadline, they could face the possibility of never being able to build any home on their lot.
"Realtors may not have been fully informing people," Iseri-Carvalho said.
Shaw said landowners may not have kept track of the timing and the deadlines may not have been fully discussed with buyers when those deadlines were a long way off.
The Kauai Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing next Tuesday on the issue of extending the deadline.
After the hearing, the commission will make its recommendation to the Council.

Kauai base opening up fishing and surf spots

BARKING SANDS, Kauai » Just in time for the Fourth of July festivities, the Navy is allowing a bit more access to civilians at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
Starting tomorrow, at the annual fireworks show, the Navy will unveil a new pass that will allow more access to areas on the base, including fishing and surfing areas currently difficult to access and entry into the base bar and restaurant Shenanigan's.
There are four main changes to the policy, said Tom Clements, the facility's public affairs officer.
The new "guest card" will replace the recreation pass currently offered by the base. The new card, which will come with a $20 fee, will require a federal background check, as opposed to the current statewide check. It will also allow part-time residents and those on extended stays to apply, Clements added.
The other changes allow access to fishing and surfing areas. At Kini Kini Point, a popular fishing area, a parking lot will be opened to the public to allow access into the special fishing area. Currently, fishermen have to walk about a mile from the Major's Bay parking lot along the sand, with all their gear, to the spot.
At the other end of the base, Shenanigan's will be open to the public, and the parking lot also can be used by surfers to get to the area fronting base housing. To get there currently, it requires about a mile walk along the sand.
Current recreation pass holders will be able to use their card for the same access privileges until it expires, Clements added.
Bruce Pleas, a west side resident who surfs the area fronting the base regularly, said the changes are steps in the right direction, the most important of which is the access to Kini Kini's.
"As for surfing, it wasn't that bad" to walk the mile from Major's Bay to the housing area, Pleas said. But the new plan is "especially good for the fishermen."
Pleas added that he would like to see a bit more walking access to other surf breaks fronting the base, especially those on the south end of the base, near Kokele Point. And while he acknowledged the new system allows part-time residents "a more fair system," he hopes that those who have new access to the base will be good stewards of the land and won't venture out into restricted areas.
But it's a step up from the complete closure after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Clements said the new policy is a combination of retooling security capabilities on the base and the presence of new base commander, Capt. Mark Darrah, who took over in April.
"It was the right time to make a change," Clements said.

Kauai landowners near deadline for building on land

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) _ Owners of small agricultural and open-zoned plots on Kauai have until December 31st if they want to build additional homes on their land.
But many are confused about the rules.
Additional dwelling units are permitted in perpetuity statewide on residential lands.
But Kauai's ordinance will allow additional homes on nonresidential land only until the end of the year.
Some landowners are confused as to what qualifies them to protect their right to the additional home by the deadline. They wonder if obtaining a zoning permit is enough or whether they need to have construction already started or even completed.
The Kauai Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing July eleven on a proposal to extend the deadline. "