A snowy Big Island winter and Five-0 actor Alex O'Loughlin would probably top the list of things visitors should know aboutHawai‘i – especially during this time of year when Christmas is just around the corner and Five-0's at its prime. While the two wouldn't necessarily fall into the same category, they seem to be just as important for some as they are for others nose-deep into books about local traditions and customs.
Slippers, shoes, flats, crocs. Leaving all footwear at the door is a must in Hawai‘i.
We've got the scoops on all those and more for Hawai‘i-bound visitors but especially want to make sure you're prepared in the customs category. One custom visitors will notice when going to someone's house – removing footwear before entering a home. Our blogger Cindy Scheopner told us WHERE you should remove your shoes. This post's a little more about WHY we do it.
Neat rows of slippers and shoes outside of the front door or a rack lined with them can be telling signs for any newcomer unfamiliar with the custom. And if that's not enough, a pretty ceramic sign hanging eye-level (which have become popular items sold at local craft fairs) spell it out: "Please remove your shoes. Mahalo!"
For locals, it's become as natural as pointing and laughing at those who forget to take off their footwear. It shows respect to the host by keeping their home clean and not tracking germs inside. We often consider our floor a comfy place to sit or lie down, and if there's a baby crawling around, this rule gets heavily enforced. Funny and probably only in Hawai‘i, but even the repair man knows to take off his shoes!
The custom came from the Japanese during the plantation days, when immigrants brought customs to Hawai‘i from their home country – no matter how weird people perceived them to be. The tradition caught on and today, slippers and shoes outside of a front door not only serve as respectful reminders but as a telling sign as to whether the party's rocking or not. More pairs means more fun to be had! Any Hawai‘i get-together may have rows upon rows of footwear, each guest quickly kicking them off to join in on the action.
Just be sure to follow the number one rule of the slipper rule: go home in the same pair you came in!
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
For those of you who know of TED talks, no other explanation is needed.
For those of you who need an explanation, I’ll use the one from Wikipedia: “TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) is a global set of conferences formed to disseminate 'ideas worth spreading,' and their mission statement is, “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world." I’m a believer, so when I learned that O‘ahu would be a venue, I was excited and determined to attend. I filled out the semi-autobiographical missive that they requested, and two days later, I received my acceptance letter, along with the 79 other people chosen to attend, representing a cross section of the island.
"It's about time!" I'm geared up for a day of learning more about the islands.
One new outfit later, I was all excited to be walking into the venue on Nov. 1, 2011 at 8 a.m. sharp. Eleven hours later (hmm… that’s sort of ironic isn’t it?) we emerged quite starry-eyed and overstuffed with ideas, both successful and sad stories, musical entertainment, challenges, digital imagery, great food, new contacts and a sense that the world contains a glorious array of opportunities and mysteries to solve.
Good food, good entertainment and great company at the TEDx event last month.
As with all TEDx events, videos of the talks are now up on the internet to view. All speakers were from Hawai‘i.
For astronomy buffs, Dr. Michael Liu’s “Telescopes As Time Machines.” He works on the Big Island, on top of Mauna Kea, where the powerful Keck Observatory resides. It was put there because of the clarity of the night sky. This is a tourist MUST for those coming to the island of Hawai‘i.
Music enthusiasts will love our homegrown Jason Tom’s "Vocal Groove" and world famous TEDx veteran Jake Shimabukuro’s "Peace Love Ukulele." Both of these musicians are a master at their art, and they perform regularly in the islands.
VIDEO: Lots to remember at the TEDx event. Hopefully you'll be in town for the next one.
Dr. Robert Hong’s “A Clinical Approach to Complex Problems.” This cardiologist is associated with Queens Hospital, the state’s Level II trauma facility. His discussion was based around the strategies he uses to help save the lives of people who have acute heart failure. Not only was his talk inspiring, but it was reassuring to know that our island has this type of superb skill available to residents and visitors who need this level of medical care.
Also in the medical field was Dr. Ho Leung Ng, who spoke on “How This Chemist Fights Cancer.” A professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a medical doctor, he told of his own battle with cancer, which emphasized his desire to use chemistry to learn more about developing drugs to fight cancer. This is what he is doing now here in Hawai‘i, and again, this gave me satisfaction to know that we have him here on our island.
Educators Amy Burvall and Herb Mahelona presented “What I Learned from Napoleon and MTV.” This was highly entertaining, and a real eye-opener for those of us whose memories of middle school are getting fainter. The teachers are known nationwide for their unique approach to teaching history via costume, dance, and song, all presented like a music video that appeals to kids. Amy stars in the videos, which has 80s pop music playing. Please do yourself a favor and find one on YouTube. There is no way you will not laugh through the whole thing and also learn some history. Maybe you are planning a move here with children and wonder about schools. This pair is a bright star in the system that raises the bar for other teachers.
Photo Credit: Top two images of second image, Burt Lum
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
The names of the 8,000 leprosy patients who lived and died at Kalaupapa will be brought to life with a memorial in their honor. It will list each name and not only serve as a tribute to these individuals but as a tombstone for many of them as well.
This comes at a time when Hawai‘i may soon be getting its second saint, two years after St. Damien was canonized. Marianne Cope helped patients for the last 39 years of her life and was known by all as the "beloved mother of the outcasts."
Thousands buried in Kalawao and Kalaupapa can finally rest in peace.
There are 951 marked graves at Kalawao (the original settlement) and Kalaupapa, meaning almost 7,000 who were isolated on the peninsula and died there do not have a tombstone. Families of these nearly forgotten patients can now find closure when visiting this Moloka‘i memorial.
In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Kalaupapa Memorial Act into law. Now a two-year environmental assessment is being conducted at the chosen site, within the Old Baldwin Boys Home at Kalawao. Once that's done, a competition for memorial designs will be opened to the community with continued efforts to raise money for its construction.
Subtle Kalaupapa Details
Visitors can access Kalaupapa by light air craft, mule ride or hike. They're able to sign up for a guided tour, but it's rare for visitors to actually meet and spend time with patients. The leprosy isolation law was lifted in 1969. However, many patients have chosen to stay. Currently, there are less than 20 surviving patients, all older than 70, living in Kalaupapa.
Even after patients were allowed to leave Kalaupapa, they chose to stay. It's where their disfigurements were most accepted.
A group from Kamehameha's Kapālama and Maui High School campuses got a rare opportunity to talk story with some of the patients during a recent visit – getting an inside perspective of life on the secluded peninsula. Kumu (teacher) Hans Wilhelm, Kahu (priest) Kalani Wong and their students spent time there, just a few months before the memorial was signed into law.
They sang Hawaiian songs and played the ukulele with patients, as well as helped clean patients' yards. One woman had not been able to walk through her overgrown yard for years since her husband passed away. As the group cleared out the four-foot-tall grass, they found some vegetables her husband planted. They then harvested and prepared the vintage veggies for her to finally enjoy.
Students clear out chest-high grass from patients' yards and other areas on the penninsula.
The students and chaperones were able to see the original holding station where families visited the patients. Before the sulfone drug was discovered in the 1940s as a cure for leprosy, patients could not come into physical contact with outsiders for fear of spreading the bacterial disease. Instead they could only talk to their families from behind windows enclosed with bars.
The group even got a sneak peak into an archival area, where the patients' belongings are collected after they pass away. Everything from religious items to teddy bears to paintings by the patients get stored there for safekeeping. It has not been decided yet, but the items will either become a part of a museum or given to the patients' families.
(Left) Holding station where families visited patients. (Right) Special spoons that made it easier for patients with disfigurements to eat.
There are several little details within the community that visitors may not easily notice, such as the feral cats' strange behaviors or the importance of June in Kalaupapa. Because no one under the age of 14 has been allowed to visit the area, many patients have treated the cats like children. And the cats, in turn, act like humans – sitting on tables and giving visitors inquisitive looks. And for those who live in Kalaupapa, "Christmas" comes a little later in the year. An annual oversized sleigh in the form of a barge brings supplies and big items that can't be brought by plane to the secluded peninsula. They appropriately call it, "Christmas in June."
A patient's painted illustration of Kalaupapa's only bar called Elaine's Place.
Visiting Kalaupapa is an experience in itself, but it's the history you'll find nestled between the houses, within the people and buried in the soil that really brings this place to life. And with the soon-to-be memorial, the people of Kalaupapa will find their way back into history while making the history of Kalaupapa even more complete.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
The Christmas gingerbread man's got a lot of places he needs to visit before the holidays melt away as quickly as Mauna Kea's snow. Starting with some sweet gingerbread replicas of several Hawai‘i landmarks. It's the only time of year we'll want to chomp on a Hawai‘i lighthouse or take a bite out of an old Hawaiian palace. Mmmm, they have never looked more appetizing – a dash of ginger, add the nutmeg, mix in the molasses – and I'd say we're ready for a Hawaiian Christmas!
Hulihe‘e Palace (left) and Moku‘aikaua Church (right) in their most sugary forms.
Big Island culinary students at West Hawai‘i Community College (HawCC) put on their holiday hats and whipped up the gingerbread creations in time for the Dining with the Chefs event this past weekend. For the second year, they auctioned off the edible landmarks for as much as $100 a piece to benefit culinary scholarships and kitchen equipment for the future West Hawai‘i college campus at Palamanui.
The kitchen carpenters went through a multi-step process in order to build the gingerbread structures; measuring the actual landmark then scaling it down to a miniature version involved a lot of patience and precision. Once cardboard templates were made and transferred to plywood, the students rolled out the dough and traced the plywood pieces. They then added the finishing details and let the oven do the rest.
HawCC student Josh Goodwin makes the Capt. Cook Monument and a Hawai‘i lighthouse look scrumptious.
The ring of the oven timer was when the fun really begun. About 100 pounds of flour, 20 pounds of brown sugar and 1 1/2 pounds of ground ginger and cinnamon later? Eight Hawai‘i landmarks – including Hulihe‘e Palace, Moku‘aikaua Church and Captain Cook's Monument – have been brought to life in its tastiest gingerbread form. Each topped off with some pretzels, ice cream cones, noodles and herbs for the grassy areas.
Chef Fernand Guiot of Kailua-Kona's former French Bakery guided the students along. He's been baking gingerbread houses for years, including several displays for the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. Last year's theme for the culinary endeavor was replicas of hale (houses) from Kona Village Resort.
Gingerbread hale rocked the house as last year's theme for the Christmas event.
As tempting as it may be, the gingerbread landmarks are most likely not eaten. Those who won the items will take advantage of their holiday decor and put them out for display. I'd say the Christmas gingerbread man better hurry up if he wants to visit these places before the Christmas roaches beat him to it!
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
The Aloha spirit is alive. It extends beyond Hawai‘i, across the seas and into people's hearts and minds throughout the world. It's like a chunk of clay that's been stretched and molded into all kinds of shapes and sizes. I set out to find some of these unique pieces of Aloha during a recent trip to San Francisco and discovered that it is, indeed, very much living…in its artistic appeal, flavors and cultural connection.
VIDEO: A few ambassadors of Aloha I found in the Bay area.
The Treasure Island flea market we went to was infested with Aloha. It's where I met several people with ties to the islands, like Melanie Wright. Her plumeria hairpin caught my eye, and I found out it was a vintage piece actually from Hawai‘i. Melanie's father got the plumeria (originally as an earring) for her mother a while back. But she's since refurbished it, turning it into a beautiful adornment for a hair barrette. Even her paintings, she told me, have been heavily inspired by Hawai‘i – from the ruffling coconut fronds to the gentle motions of the ocean. A stretched canvas painting of a palm tree sat next to her as she lightly glided from one side of her display table to the other, sharing with passerby's her passion for art found in each hand-made barrette. The painting made for great conversation starters, too, as people frequently stopped to admire the tropical tree.
(Top) Melanie loves painting tropical trees, especially this one. (Bottom) Visitors trying li hing mui snacks for the first time.
There was no way I could have missed Michelle Francia's booth. Her sign was a dead give away: Plumeria Flours. I strolled over and heard the words: li hing mui. That made me laugh a little. It couldn't have sounded more familiar and foreign at the same time. Familiar to me as a part of my upbringing but uttered in a foreign setting. Michelle and her husband had been giving out free samples of li hing mui covered goodies and different kinds of popcorn, like seaweed (nori) and red hibiscus. But the most popular request had to be the kalua pig and chocolate caramel flavored popcorn. Turns out, Michelle was born on O‘ahu and moved to Cali soon after. She and her husband still frequent the islands, bringing back some of the local flavors to share with those abroad.
Although the last person I met had to be the least talkative of the three, it was what he'd been doing that spoke for itself. He carefully used a carving tool to hack away at a block of wood, chips flying in all directions. I spotted him earlier in the day, when the sun was just level with the Bay Bridge, and observed his deft hands at work, his forehead glistening with a hint of perspiration. I thought I'd talk story with him afterwards, so I continued my trek through the market in search of some cool vintage treasures. By the time I returned, the sun had moved almost well above the bridge, but it was apparent that he hadn't let up. He worked on the same block of wood, but this time, it had a face and some arms. It looked strikingly similar to the Hawaiian ki‘i (more commonly known as tiki) that we see all over Hawai‘i and parts of Polynesia. They're statues that usually represent the gods.
Ki‘i statues stand guard in San Fran as another wooden masterpiece comes to life.
The man went by the name of Tualau Tauheluhelu and spoke very quietly with a subtle Polynesian accent. He rarely took his eyes off of the statue-in-progress that lay on his lap but summed it up nicely: "I carve all hours of the day, every day." He actually knows a few well-known carvers throughout Polynesia, including a man living in Hawai‘i, from whom he's learned his craft. Today, he shares the tradition with younger generations and gives a few private lessons here and there. He even had some koa wood and whale bone jewelry. I watched as Tualau continued to chip away at the block of wood – which, by the end of our conversation, had a nose. We eventually said our goodbyes after he finally got to his feet only to take his grandson to the restroom.
I'm so glad I have crossed paths with Melanie, Michelle and Tualau – each an ambassador of Aloha in his or her own way. As I travel, I'm finding that these kind of people are everywhere. They don't necessarily have to be wearing a t-shirt that blatantly spells out, "HAWAII," nor do they have to be wearing a lei. But rather, it's the Aloha spirt they embrace that never fails to bring people together, exuding an island warmth wherever they may be.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Being practically bottle-fed on Zeppelin and Hendrix, it's safe to say that I love rock and roll. So when I was invited to attend a media-only event at the Hard Rock Café in Waikīkī to sample a new brand of Maui-made rum created by Sammy Hagar – the legendary front man of Van Halen – I was ecstatic.
As the song goes, "Everybody! Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots!" and some Mai Tai's, maybe?
When my friend Jason and I walked into the Hard Rock, we were immediately greeted by a table full of shots. The friendly staff encouraged us to sample Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum in its pure, 80 proof state. So we cheers-ed and knocked it back. It was delicious. I’m no rum expert, but I felt as if you could taste the sweetness of the sugarcane, the soil it came from, the sun and rain that nourished it and the loving hands that distilled it.
We had a seat and were immediately approached by a waiter with a tray of Mai Tai's. Then another with daiquiris. Then another with shots. All packed with this sweet, nectar of the rock 'n roll gods. I couldn’t refuse and was “sipping” these concoctions down faster than a lady is proud to admit. My head was swimming, and I was feeling good. Chatty even.
With this douse of liquid courage and all nervousness melted away, I marched up to Sammy Hagar and said, “Hello, nice to meet you. I’m a big fan, and your rum is amazing.” Great entrance, right?
It would have been, but it wasn’t Sammy Hagar. It was Mark Nigbur, the distiller genius behind Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum and Sammy Hagar's long lost twin (not really, but they really do look alike!). After the initial embarrassment, we started talking about the rum. Every step of the process was local, from the sugar cane to the distillation. I was surprised to learn that it was just him and his son that carry out the entire distillation process.
My friend Jason and I about to take shots with Mark Nigbur (left) and Sammy's Beach Bar Rum president, Steve Kauffman (right). Bottom's up!
“We make about 100 cases a day," he said. "Everything is bottled by hand."
After an awesome conversation with Mark, I got up the courage to finally approach Sammy. I grabbed Jason, a few more shots and marched up to the Red Rocker.
“Hi! Would you like to take a shot with us?" I asked him.
The three of us knocked back our glasses and smacked our lips. I then blurted out the first thing that came to my mind, “If Blackbeard were alive, what would he say about this rum?”
Sammy looked at me very seriously for a moment, and then in a big belly laugh yelled, “He’d say it was a girly drink!!”
(Left) This is what Sammy looks like before a few shots. (Right) And after a few shots, everyone's feeling good!
Girly drink or not, this is a rum that would give anyone some hair on their chest. Staggering out of the Hard Rock Café that afternoon, I was in awe of how lucky I was to have this experience. To meet these rock stars – one in the music world, the other in the distilling world – who were really just good-hearted, down-to-earth people doing what they loved.
SAMMY'S BEACH BAR RUM / Produced By Haliimaile Distilling Co, Makawao, Hawai‘i / Enjoy Responsibly / http://www.sammysbeachbarrum.com /
*EDITOR'S NOTE: The Hawai‘i Vacations Blog encourages responsible alcohol consumption for those 21 years and older. We do not condone drinking under the influence. Serena and her friend took a cab home from the media event.
Posted by Serena Kaldi Follow me on Twitter @Serena_Divina
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Who knew a few childhood favorites would become such an integral part in Ali McMahon's life. A favorite food, favorite color and a dream to one day have her own boutique came together when she opened Olive Boutique in her hometown of Kailua a few years ago.
Ali McMahon's childhood dream come true, nestled in the heart of Kailua.
Splashes of olive green give the little store a nice accent that's still subtle enough to fit in with the industrial side street it calls home. Inside, customers vibe off the casual chic atmosphere and clothing that's inspired by a beach lifestyle.
"Most of what we carry is more classic than trendy," 34-year-old Ali explains. "It's a bit more spendy, but something you will wear for years rather than months."
Olive offers a nice blend of local and mainland stuff. Hanky Panky, Rosebud Salve and Dolce Vita Shoes have made a name for themselves across the continental U.S. and now find a home in the islands at this Kailua boutique. But what I admire most is Ali's continued support for local up-and-coming designers, all women who create a feminine atmosphere that's alive with creativity.
(Left) Sunrise shell necklace handmade by Indi Ocean Designs. (Right) Wanko Wanko scarves made out of recycled T-shirts.
"I love being able to carry all the local jewelry I do and watching these designers grow as I do," Ali explains proudly. She admits that she's done a lot growing since opening Olive three years ago, when the economy was at its rockiest.
The Kailua native knew fashion and store/window display; in fact, she went to school in Seattle for it and worked in the fashion biz since 2000 as a visual merchandiser for Banana Republic, Escada, St. John, Gucci, Chanel and North Face. Today, she continues to do some visual merchandising with Gucci and Escada in Hawai‘i. But running a business of her own was an entirely new endeavor for Ali, one which she started with the utmost optimism.
"My motto was that it was a good time for me to open," she said. "As long as I could sustain through the hard times, it could only get better."
And it has. The boutique just celebrated its third birthday, bringing together everyone who's supported Olive along the way. Even her fiance gets involved, making all the reclaimed wood frames and displays in the store. Guy, her pet chihuahua, makes for a good model (or at least one of the many cute aspects in her photos) when it comes to showing off the latest and greatest in stock.
(Left) Guy swooning the ladies at Olive. (Right) Cute vintage cards for all occasions.
Even with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Olive still manages to give back to the community by feeding the homeless and donating to a pancreatic cancer research center. In 10 years, Ali hopes to expand into a store that offers more lifestyle options for their devout customers with a lot more clothing and home accessories. Best of luck to Ali and the Olive ohana!
OLIVE BOUTIQUE / Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm / 43 Kihapai Street, Kailua, Hawai‘i 96734 (Map) / 808-263-9919 / www.iheartolive.com / Metered parking available; Near bus stop
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
There's a story hidden in everything around us, and like many other societies, Hawai‘i's mo‘olelo (stories) have become an integral part of the culture today. They define the place and its people and give meaning to everyday occurrences. One such story brings light to a common beach plant that many overlook. Different versions of this story exists, but I'll share one that I learned growing up:
Naupaka, a common Hawai‘i plant that has a not-so-common story to tell.
In ancient times, there was a beautiful princess named Naupaka. Villagers noticed she looked very sad and asked her what was wrong. She told them that she had fallen in love with a man named Kaui, who was a commoner from the village below. Back then, Hawaiian tradition strictly forbade those of royal blood to marry people from common decent. The kupuna (elderly) advised them to take a long journey to a faraway heiau (sacred place), where they should pray and ask the high priest for guidance.
Naupaka and Kaui traveled together for days, over the mountains and through the forests. When they arrived at the temple – exhausted but filled with hope – the young couple told their story. The priest shook his head and explained that he could not help them. The Hawaiian gods must decide. Soon the sky darkened and a storm arrived. This was a sign from the gods disapproving their relationship; the young couple knew what they had to do.
Naupaka took the white flower in her hair and tore it in half. She placed one half in Kaui's hand and told him to return to the seashore. She would live a lonely life in the mountains.
A half of the Naupaka flower tells us hearts have been broken.
Today you may notice the Naupaka flowers bloom in halves. It is said that when the flower from the mountain (Naupaka Kuahiwi) joins the seashore Naupaka (Naupaka Kahakai), both Hawaiian lovers are together once again.
Naupaka typically grow up to 10 feet tall and six to 15 feet wide. The plant has small clusters of small white flowers with light purple streaks. You may see them on almost every island. On O‘ahu, they can be found along the ocean near the Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Aquarium and Kailua Beach. Or up in the mountains in Mānoa Valley.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Coqui frogs are usually the size of a quarter, but females can get twice as big.
Appropriately named after its high-pitched mating call, the coqui frogs have replaced crickets as Hawai‘i’s sunset serenaders. The little guys may be hard to find, some only the size of quarters, but they’re definitely not hard to hear. By nightfall, backyards become symphonies (or acoustic catastrophes, as some people might say) that carry through the early morning hours. Big Island residents get front row seats since the majority of the coqui population resides there. Some have sighted them on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i as well.
The frogs aren't actually native to Hawai‘i and were brought here by accident from Puerto Rico in the late 80’s. Since then, the coqui population took a huge leap, more than tripling its numbers. They’ve made their presence known, but not everyone considers them cute nor do they consider the mating call musical. In fact, most Hawai‘i residents feel this way about the coqui and hope these frogs will, well, croak. But not in an auditory frog noise kind of way; rather in a, “I hope you get a taste of your own medicine” way.
The state supports those anti-froggers' claims. In 2006, Hawai‘i passed a law specifically defining the reptiles as “pests” for (1) being a noise nuisance and (2) threatening Hawai‘i’s ecosystems. They have big appetites and eat native insects and spiders.
Females can lay at least one clutch of eggs per month. Male coqui tend to the eggs until they hatch.
Others say the coqui do no harm and that they’re not poisonous; their insect-eating habits help control the pesty ones, like mosquitoes and termites. They believe the methods of extermination are inhumane – frogs shouldn’t be boiled, frozen nor should they be sprayed with calcium hydroxide.
You be the judge next time you’re in Hawai‘i…or listen to them here. Still not certain? Then you may want to check out the Coqui Sanctuary and Natural Preserve in Puna on the Big Island. A group of environmentalists designated more than half of the 67-acre property to the coqui.
You may even see or hear them at the Lava Tree State Monument or Waipi‘o Valley Lookout, both also located on the Big Island. Those hoping to minimize the frog population warn visitors to be aware when leaving such coqui-infested places. The frogs tend to spread by hitchhiking on vehicles leaving the area.
To learn more about the coqui, visit http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/coqui. For those interested in visiting the coqui refuge, contact the Coqui Hawaiian Integration and Reeducation Project (CHIRP) at 808-935-5563.
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Get over jet lag with a little java and a lot of caffeine – I’m talking coffee. At Coffee Talk in Kaimuki, caffeine can come in the form of a cup or a baked good. You’re sure to get a buzz off of one of the menu items or at least buzz off of the vibe inside. A nice mix of college students, old timers, tourists and everyone in between (like pets) create a laid-back environment for studying or just plain chillin’ before a long day of exploring the island.
Muffin, mocha, mocha…doggy treat. Coffee Talk in Kaimuki welcomes everyone.
A cup of mocha java and a chocolate chip espresso muffin always wake me up. Everything’s made fresh and has a real homey feel to each bite. A display of strawberry scones, fudge brownies, banana bread and carrot cake have customers drooling as soon as they walk through the doors. A Red Eye cup of coffee can be intense. Watch out! With two shots of espresso, it will have you bouncing all over the island.
When traveling to a new place, it’s always fun to explore the coffee shops. I do that wherever I go – most recently in New York and San Fran – and usually stumble upon some pretty great finds. It’s a cool place to meet some of the regular “Townies,” including a few four-legged ones. The pet-friendly café welcomes dogs and gives them pooch-tastic treats upon entering. I brought my Chiweenie, and he fit right in.
Pakala's neck doesn't seem to be long enough. Perhaps his tongue will add an inch or two.
Subtle hints of liberalism fill your peripheral vision. Look on the walls at hand-painted wooden signs that say stuff like, “I want to believe” or “OBAMA.” My favorite is one that says, “Drink Coffee, Sleep Later.” Sit at the coffee bar, outside near the street or inside, where jazzy tunes and the smell of freshly brewed java dance in the air.
Stop here for something other than coffee, too. They’ve got a fresh menu with reasonable prices – pesto bagel sandwiches and veggie burgers with avocado…yum! Plan the next stop of your island tour while enjoying a quick bite with your old friend, Cup-of-Joe.
Coffee Talk’s one of those rare surprises. From the outside, its dark tinted windows and plain-looking sign make it seem pretty ordinary, but the inside speaks for itself. Talk coffee at the Coffee Talk, and fit right in.
COFFEE TALK / Open Mon-Fri 5am-10pm, Sat-Sun 6am-10pm / 3601 Wai‘alae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96816 (Map) / 808-737-3444 / Free wi-fi, Metered street parking; Near bus stop
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
Published by Bruce Fisher
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