Homeward Bound!

Posted by golfkat on February 27, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Travel. Leave a comment

Title courtesy of the great Paul Simon!uniqlolexi V day 2019sunset

We made it home earlier this morning, 3am to be exact!!! First thing, after some Peet’s Coffee, was a trip to Elaine’s Pet Resort to pick up Lexi. And what a greeting we received!!! She jumped all over the place, taking at least 5 minutes to settle down enough for her collar, halter, and leash. I am not sure who was happiest to see one another.

Elaine’s dressed her up for Valentine’s Day. I am not sure how they got the tutu and beads on her. That is a difficult task!

Almost two weeks away from her is too much. We are glad to be back home with her. And glad to be home.

Visiting three islands of Hawaii is both fun, and tiring. But not complaining, as we got to see many dear friends, some great meals, our cousins from Clovis, and lots of whale sightings. I did not tell you that on our way back to Kaanapali from Wailea, we saw a whale not more than 75 yards from shore!!!!

Overall, it seems development is proceeding in Hawaii at a rapid pace. Some new hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and attractions have popped up. On the down side, the old Coco Palms (the Elvis Blue Hawaii location) is being stripped down to its concrete frame.

While in Hawaii, I had to complete my Digital Photography class assignment: portraits. Somehow, I managed to stay on task. It remains to be seen whether I get a good grade!!! So, thanks to my subjects.

So, back to the routine, Lexi, spin class (or road cycling), healthy meals, Monday night dinners with friends, Bulldog sports, classes at the local colleges, and ??

One hint for any of you going to Hawaii. I much prefer Hawaiian Airlines. The Alaska Airlines flights leave at weird times, and they use smaller planes. We got into Oakland at 11:30pm! I much prefer the earlier flights that Hawaiian has. Plus their food and service is much better! We tried Alaska since it was so much cheaper. Not a good idea!

So, aloha, mahalo, bonzai, and see you around!

Costs More to Live in Hawaii

Posted by golfkat on February 27, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Shopping, Travel. Leave a comment
It really does cost more to live in the land of beaches and sunshine.  “Households in Honolulu spent $66,100 for housing in 2016-2017, about 11% more than our national average.  Food was the next highest expenditure, with 15.4% of household budgets, compared to 12.7% nationally.”
Yet, when we visit, we find hotel rooms for about the same cost as any large city in the U.S.  And we spend far less on food, since we tend to “eat local” most of the time.  We also do a barbecue or two while here. I notice car rentals have increased the most, followed by gasoline, and entrance to parks and entertainment.
After many visits, I do not see visiting Hawaii as any more expensive than other large American cities.  Again, getting from island to island is expensive, as are car rentals and gas.  Public transportation is limited to circling the island, as in Oahu, or some city buses on the outer islands.  Parking is usually at a premium as well, in high traffic areas.
Golf is certainly more expensive here, though I do not golf anymore.  But other excursions and rentals are pricey, including renting bicycles, ziplining, sailing/snorkeling trips, whale watching, and water sports equipment rentals.  Thankfully, we do our early morning walks, and most of the places we stay have a gym on site.
The biggest expenditure is always shopping related.  We love to bring home gifts for people back home.  One of those items is always coffee.  We love Hawaiian coffee!  And our latest favorite is the flavored ones, like the vanilla macadamia by Kauai Coffee.  Here is our little coffee secret.  We love the Peet’s French Roast, so we add a teaspoon or two of the vanilla macadamia for just a hint of flavor.  Please don’t tell anyone!
We love the flea markets or weekly farmer’s markets here as well.  It is impossible to visit one and not buy anything!  And our favorite is the one in Honolulu, at the Aloha Stadium Market on weekends.  We can always find something to buy, whether gifts or snacks.
Speaking of food, the islands offer many snacks and treats not available on the mainland.  Some of our favorites:  manapua (pork bun), shave ice (snow cone), mac cookies (Kauai Cookie is our fav), and spam musubi.  Some are even healthy, like the papayas, fruit smoothies, and pineapple treats.
just a bit of advice:  stay away from the expensive restaurants.  Play the muni golf courses, like Wailua on Kauai.  (PS:  They found two bodies on the beach near the golf course).coral2kapalua1Kauai 005Honolua 005 And take advantage of any freebies your hotel, condo, or timeshare offers.

Prevent Coral Harming

Posted by golfkat on February 26, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Travel. Leave a comment

From CBS, and other news media outlets:

Hawaii is ending the sale of sunscreen containing two chemicals believed to harm coral reefs. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday signed legislation which makes Hawaii the first U.S. state to enact a ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate.

“This is just one small step toward protecting and restoring the resiliency of Hawaii’s reefs,” Ige said at a signing ceremony for the bill, which takes effect in 2021. He said the state would need to continue other efforts to protect coral, including fighting invasive species, pollution from land runoff and climate change.

Sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate will only be available to those with a prescription from a physician. Others will have to buy sunscreens without these chemicals or bring their own sunscreen with them to Hawaii.

Scientists have found the two substances can be toxic to coral reefs, which are a vital part of the ocean ecosystem and a popular draw for tourists. Both are widely used in sunscreen, with oxybenzone present in the blood of 96 percent of Americans, according to the Environmental Working Group.

State Sen. Roz Baker, who represents south and west Maui, said the bill has enormous significance because coral is such a fundamental part of a larger ecosystem important to the health of the planet.

Between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen are released onto coral reefs every year, a 2015 paper found.

For us, we do not venture into the water much anymore.  And we are trying to reduce our exposure to the sun in general, much less at the ocean.

But we do wear sunscreen, almost every day.  Our latest favorite, replacing many years of Hawaiian Tropic (oxybenzone 4%), is now from Trader Joe’s.  It also contains 4% oxybenzone, but we do not use it when we swim in the ocean!!

I think while we are here in the islands, we will search for a new sunscreen, safe for the coral and the environment.

BTW, the weather is now fabulous!!!!  I hear you are getting lots of rain, mud slides, and floods.  Sorry.  We had some snow on Maui!!!!

Whalers Galore!

Posted by golfkat on February 25, 2019
Posted in: Entertainment, Travel. Leave a comment
Several pods outside of the immediate beach area.  Playing, I assume, tails in the air, like  Super Bowl coin flip?  On the way back form Wailea, we saw one particularly playful whale about 75 yards from shore!!!!
 
I thought the wind would bother them.  Not at all.  Wonderful start to another week in paradise.
 
Sadly, they found a women’s body at the Wailua golf course over on Kauai.  I played it many times in the past.  Imagine the shock of hunting birdies and eagles and finding a dead human?  In fact, they also found a body of a male nearby, both 26 hears old.  Crime scene?
 
Two years since our last visit, so the new bypass around Lahaina is operational.  But I miss the iconic view of this town, Lahaina, as we get closer to our digs.
 
May have to rent a road bike and ride up to Kapalua area.
 
Miss our little Lexi.  I hope she remembers who we are!
 
High is 75 today, very pleasant, thank you.
Again, it is Aloha Friday, so you know what that means?  Yes, grab a 12 pack and head to the beach with your best buds.
 
Next to my best travel buddy Mike, my brother and his wife come in a strong second for great travel companions.  After all, we went to Australia and New Zealand with them.
 
And just like that trip, the front desk lady thought we were twins.  He had to tell her he is 5 years younger!!
 
I guess one never gets tired of the islands.  Aloha for now.Honolulu 002Honolulu 021kana2

Hawaiian Master Plan

Posted by golfkat on February 24, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Travel. Leave a comment

Our timeshare, the Marriott Ocean Club is located here on Kaanapali Beach, just north of the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui.  Few people know this was Hawaii’s first master planned resort.  Back in 1962, the Royal Lahaina Resort opened.  I was a sophomore in high school.

Many resorts and high rises followed, creating what is now a popular, luxurious, and rather crowded area of west Maui.  Over the years, we have stayed at several.  By 2003, Kaanapali Beach was rated the #1 beach in America.  It is now rather difficult to believe this was a deserted beach at one time.

For one, a horse racing track covered much of the resort area, attracting both Hawaiian royalty and island business people.  And sugar cane dominated the crops, now replaced by housing and coffee plantations.  And the Black Rock, called Puu Kekaa, is where the King of Maui practiced leaping into the sea, a sport known to locals as lele kawa.

Today, the Black Rock forms a barrier between the two beaches, Kaanapali to the south, and Kahekili or “airport beach” to the north.  Kahekili is a popular snorkeling spot, and also boasts plenty of public parking.  And starting around mid day Friday, Aloha Friday, for those of you on the mainland, locals begin their ritual of weekend barbecues, children’s birthday parties, and Friday night relaxation.

Serious surfers head elsewhere, but beginners find Kaanapali a great place to learn and practice.  The largest swells run from 6 to 8 feet, winter or summer.  And we do see a few fishermen in the area as well.

On a clear day, sounds like a song.  But during winter months, whales can easily be seen from shore.  Though we have taken the ferry to Lanai, and gone on whale watching tours, we enjoy spotting whales from our balcony.  And maybe with a cold beer or glass of champagne in our hands.

One nice, simple, and free activity each morning is to take the Beach Walk from our resort up to the old Royal Lahaina Resort.  It seems everyone else is doing the same thing, while it is cool, and quiet on the beach.

My brother and his wife have joined us here, in an ocean view, two bedroom condo.  My cousins from California are also here.  We plan a big bbq one evening with them.  Other than the snow on Haleakala crater, some road closures, and lots of cold beer, we are suffering through days of 75 to 80 degrees with intermittent rain.

Tomorrow, the vacation begins for all of us.  Just don’t tell them we were already here, first in Honolulu, then Kauai to visit dear friends!!!   @loha!!!!!

Added bonus:  who cares about the NBA or NCAA basketball.   And best of all, this is a BIG blue state!!!  No evangaculates telling us what to do or think.

 

Majestic twin Wailua waterfalls on Kauai, Hawaii

Hawaii Master Plan

Posted by golfkat on February 24, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Golf, Travel. Leave a comment

Our timeshare, the Marriott Ocean Club is located here on Kaanapali Beach, just north of the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. Few people know this was Hawaii’s first master planned resort. Back in 1962, the Royal Lahaina Resort opened. I was a sophomore in high school.

Many resorts and high rises followed, creating what is now a popular, luxurious, and rather crowded area of west Maui. Over the years, we have stayed at several. By 2003, Kaanapali Beach was rated the #1 beach in America. It is now rather difficult to believe this was a deserted beach at one time.

For one, a horse racing track covered much of the resort area, attracting both Hawaiian royalty and island business people. And sugar cane dominated the crops, now replaced by housing and coffee plantations. And the Black Rock, called Puu Kekaa, is where the King of Maui practiced leaping into the sea, a sport known to locals as lele kawa.

Today, the Black Rock forms a barrier between the two beaches, Kaanapali to the south, and Kahekili or “airport beach” to the north. Kahekili is a popular snorkeling spot, and also boasts plenty of public parking. And starting around mid day Friday, Aloha Friday, for those of you on the mainland, locals begin their ritual of weekend barbecues, children’s birthday parties, and Friday night relaxation.

Serious surfers head elsewhere, but beginners find Kaanapali a great place to learn and practice. The largest swells run from 6 to 8 feet, winter or summer. And we do see a few fishermen in the area as well.

On a clear day, sounds like a song. But during winter months, whales can easily be seen from shore. Though we have taken the ferry to Lanai, and gone on whale watching tours, we enjoy spotting whales from our balcony. And maybe with a cold beer or glass of champagne in our hands.

One nice, simple, and free activity each morning is to take the Beach Walk from our resort up to the old Royal Lahaina Resort. It seems everyone else is doing the same thing, while it is cool, and quiet on the beach.

My brother and his wife have joined us here, in an ocean view, two bedroom condo. My cousins from California are also here. We plan a big bbq one evening with them. Other than the snow on Haleakala crater, some road closures, and lots of cold beer, we are suffering through days of 75 to 80 degrees with intermittent rain.

Tomorrow, the vacation begins for all of us. Just don’t tell them we were already here, first in Honolulu, then Kauai to visit dear friends!!! @loha!!!!!

Added bonus: who cares about the NBA or NCAA basketball. And best of all, this is a BIG blue state!!! No evangaculates telling us what to do or think.

 

As much as we love it here, we might try the new Marriott condo at Kauai Lagoons in two years!!!

 

Is It a Farmacy?

Posted by golfkat on February 23, 2019
Posted in: Cultures, Food, Travel. Leave a comment

Not a pharmacy, but a Farmacy Health Bar with three locations (including one on Front Street in Lahaina) on the island of Maui.

From Maui Now:

Popular health food restaurant, The Farmacy, has opened a new site at the Pukalani Terrace Center. With the health bar’s success in Wailuku, chef and owner Christopher Malik Cousins decided to expand upcountry.

“We believe the people upcountry want and appreciate the fresh organic food we prepare. My mom inspired me to eat healthy and although I didn’t appreciate it as a youth, she is why I have the healthy menus I do today,” says Cousins. “The big difference between us and everyone else is that we are using fresh-squeezed juices for everything, which makes our products almost all alkaline. Most every other place is using granulated sugar or organic sugar; all of those things are not alkaline.”

Cousins says his business buys 1,500 pounds of organic sugar cane a week, which is “not easy to get, but it’s worth it.”  He adds that sugar cane juice is an integral ingredient in many of The Farmacy’s juices and smoothies.

“Sugar cane juice is considered an alkaline-forming food because of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese,” he explains. “Diseases like cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment and studies show its effective in fighting cancer.”

The most popular items at the Pukalani Terrace Center Farmacy Restaurant include the Açaí Bowl, a thick smoothie parfait in a bowl layered with granola and chunks of fruit; and the Pono Burger, which features onion, zucchini, egg, quinoa, buckwheat and seasoning.

“We can’t make them fast enough and we are proud to be helping people be healthy,” says Cousins.

I would vote for the Pono burger, with lots of French fries, and a few cold beers!