North Shore Eats & Honolulu Sweets

Continuing my posts about my recent trip to Oahu... I finally get to talk about some of the great food that I ate all around the island! While my family had the luxury of eating home-cooked meals for most of our vacation (Thanks, Mom!), eating out was inevitable. Fortunately, we've visited the island enough times to know our way around. Here are a few of my favorite places, and I hope you fit them into your plans if you're ever in Oahu! (I would hate for you to think that Cheesecake Factory or PF Chang's in Waikiki is as good as it gets...)

The Pros of Keeping the Pro Bowl in Hawaii

I want the NFL to keep the Pro Bowl going. And I want the NFL to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawai'i. These are sentiments of a football fan who's actually been attending the game, or at least been in town to partake in all of the admission-free festivities, and happens to have a deep love for the Hawaiian islands. While I'm aware of all of the variables in this issue...quality of play, ticket sales, TV ratings...I hope to at least offer a glimpse of what it's like to actually experience Pro Bowl week, beyond just watching coverage on TV.

Aulani Resort & Spa: The Super-Post

Today, I'm excited to talk all about my recent trip to Oahu, Hawai'i! To start, I want to talk about the place that was "home" for a week: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. My parents are Disney Vacation Club members, so when DVC opened a resort in Hawai'i in August 2011, we were all ecstatic to come out and see it. We were blown away by every detail, and it became obvious that we'd be coming here again and again and again. This year, in town for the Pro Bowl once again, we had my 5 year old nephew with us! We really had a chance to experience the resort with a kid-friendly perspective in mind and to see how it caters to a big family made up of different ages.

Lucky We Live Hawaii

There's a local saying: "Lucky we live Hawai'i!" It's an understanding of how special it is to be on the islands day in and day out...the breathtaking land, the climate, and what the combination of these two can produce. I'm talking about all of the amazing fresh fruits and vegetables! Kaua'i, in particular, is an ideal setting for farmers markets. And, if you didn't know, markets are one of favorite things in the whole world. This was my favorite part of my trip and why I saved discussing it for last! While you can find these gatherings all across Hawai'i, what makes the Garden Island stand out is the Kaua'i County Farm Bureau and its Kaua'i Grown program. My eyes were opened to an amazing world of family-owned farms and a mouth-watering parade of fresh produce.

Kayaking in Hanalei

Just one day after plantation tubing, the group and I headed right back out for some all-day kayaking. This time, we didn't have a scheduled time or any guides. We wanted to go out, explore, and move along at our own pace. One of our tubing guides, Kalana, actually recommended the Hanalei River. Its calm waters allow for an easy paddle, which was perfect for the members of our group who weren't very experienced nor quite ready to handle sea-kayaking. We spent a few hours out on the water, enjoying the sunshine and scenery!

Plantation Tubing: The Ultimate Recap

I'm sad to say we're approaching the end of my Kaua'i posts, but not to worry, I saved the best parts of my trip for the finale! I've shared with you the places where I've eaten and the towns that I've visited. Now, it's time to talk about the more rugged affairs! I keep emphazing the "Garden Island" nickname, but what's the fun in being on a tropical haven brimming with plant life if you can't enjoy it up close? Well, Kaua'i has an abundance of options, from sailing along the Na Pali coast, to ziplining over the forest canopy. I've done most of them on previous travels, so this year's group wanted to try something new and something that we could do all together.

Solution: Mountain tubing. A little internet research and feedback from friends brought me to this Garden Island-exclusive. (Our group also wanted to avoid problems with sea-sickness and fear of heights.) So read on for my complete recap on Kaua'i Backcountry Adventures' Mountain Tubing Adventure, with tips and anecdotes along the way.

Kaua'i Made

When it comes to Hawaiian souvenirs, most people buy shirts, art, or chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.

My parents buy plants.

If the expression is "green thumb", my parents must have "green hands". They love to garden and enjoy being outdoors. Orchids happen to be one of their specialties. While I can't say that gardening is one of my favorite activities ever, I still enjoy looking around at all the vibrant shades and distinct patterns. So, when my Uncle Alex, Auntie Jocelyn, Mom, and Dad all wanted to check out Orchid Alley in Kapa'a, I didn't complain. We also planned on visiting Kauai's "Biggest Little Town" in Hanapepe afterwards. (Fun fact: Quiet Hanapepe, along with the equally quaint town of Hanalei, was the inspiration for Lilo's home in Disney's Lilo & Stitch!)

Papalani Gelato: Heaven On A Cone & Handmade Chocolates

I remember leaving Papalani Gelato and thinking to myself, "I can't wait to tell people about this place." It may seem strange to get excited about an Italian treat when you're on a Hawaiian island, but owners Marck & Lauren Shipley took this Italian favorite and truly made it all about Kaua'i. At their shop in Poipu, they offer creamy gelatos & sorbettos inspired by seasonal fruits and local flavors. You'll also find handmade chocolate confections for sale. Labeling their values as "Kaua'i Connected, Naturally", the Shipley's focus on sustainability and quality of products. It's always a nice feeling when you can enjoy what you're eating and can appreciate where it all came from.

Koloa Fish Market

Craving poke, my Auntie Jocelyn brought us to Koloa Fish Market for lunch one day. What exactly is "poke" (pronounced poh-kei), you ask? It's usually a salad of raw, cubed tuna, seaweed, and Hawaiian sea salt. Different places and different people have their own variations, sometimes adding Maui or green onions, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Poke is one of the first dishes that pops up when people talk about Hawaiian cuisine, and it's a tasty way to have fresh fish. We went to this tiny market in Old Koloa Town to try their version!

Chicken In A Barrel

Whether you're going North to South or vice versa, it's hard to miss the plumes of smoke floating off the roadside near Kapa'a, and it's even harder to miss the unmistakable scent of smoked barbecue wafting up and down Kuhio Highway. A quick glance out the car window will reveal a red and yellow shack with a sign of a cartoon chicken...complete with Hawaiian board shorts...surfing in the barrel of a wave. That's Chicken In A Barrel BBQ. I would advise you to immediately pull over and gobble up some good grub!

The Other North Shore

The benefit of driving around Kaua’i is being able to look outside your window and see thriving vegetation everywhere. Then, there are the mountains blanketed in even more greenery. On O’ahu, it’s easy to get distracted by the developed cities and high-rise buildings. But, on the GARDEN island, there are trees, vines, and flowers no matter where you look. Kaua’i has a lot of small towns with wooden houses painted in marine blues, teal greens, and earthy reds. White window panes and white porch banisters only add to the charm. (Unfortunately, some of my iPhone-quality photos really don’t do Kaua’i justice.) On the North Shore of Kaua’i, we stopped at another fruit stand, shopped in peaceful Hanalei, and watched a misty sunset from the taro fields.

The Spouting Horn & Sushi Bushido

If you're ever vacationing in Kaua'i and staying on the Southern shore, following the Koloa Heritage Trail is a must-do. Actually, even if you're not staying on the South Shore, I would recommend just driving down there. (Island, remember? Small. Island.) The trail spans ten miles and includes fourteen stops. You can drive, walk, or bike, and the island's natural, cultural, and geological history are all on display. One of my favorite spots is the Sugar Monument, commemorating Hawai'i's first sugar mill and the sugar industry's eight principal ethnic groups: Hawaiian, Caucasian, Puerto Rican, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and Filipino. My family and our friends decided to do some leisurely driving to start off our trip, and this trail was at the top of our list.

Coconuts, Mangoes, and ...Chickens

After settling into our room, it was still mid-afternoon. Not ones to waste precious vacation hours, we all decided to drive out to and spend the rest of the day in Kapa'a. Kapa'a is just one of Kauai's many charming towns, with buildings painted in fun colors, quaint shops, art galleries, and unique eateries. While walking down Kuhio Highway, just fifty or so yards past the Java Kai Coffee shop and Mermaids Cafe, we stopped at a fresh fruit stand. This was my idea of PARADISE.

Welcome to the Garden Island: Day 1

Labor Day weekend is coming up, and we all know what that means...summer is basically over. Luckily, I had the chance to go on one last family vacation before the fall/winter grind really begins. Already grateful for a June-July that included the Philippines and Disneyland, I was ecstatic for a week-long trip to Kauai with my parents and our long-time family friends, the Quintanas. Of all the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is my favorite. Hands. Down. A perfect way to cap off my 2012 summer!