The Bali Hai ohana congratulates Jack Baker on his win at the 7th Annual Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Golf Tournament held January 28th at Poipu Golf Course, Kauai.

Jack Baker (far right) and his winning team. Way to go Jack!

The scenic and well-maintained Poipu Golf Course located on the island of Kauai was the site of the 7th annual Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) golf tournament sponsored by the Kauai Chapter.  Coldwell Banker Bali Hai associate, Jack Baker (RA), was fortunate enough to team up with 3 other golfers to secure first place!  Warren Doi of GreenCarHawaii, Scott Pacer of Hanalei Bay Resort, and Douglas Avery Sutter of the Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort filled out the 4-person team.  The event began early in the day and continued with an awards luncheon and silent auction event afterwards to benefit the HLTA scholarship fund and various other local charities.

The HLTA, which is the largest visitor industry trade group in Hawaii, is a partner association of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. That’s worth noting because the AHLA is the largest trade organization of its kind in the world. It’s a nationwide federation of 52 state and city lodging associations (New York City and Washington, D.C., are the cities) and represents more than 1.5 million rooms in the United States. Members range from economy hotels to five-star resorts.

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Young, Old, Men and Women Enjoy Stand Up Paddling

The sport of stand up paddle boarding involves using an oversized surfboard and a canoe-like paddle to propel yourself over the water while standing atop the board.

Stand up paddle boards ready for adventure. Photo by Sean Ahearn

The wide, long and thick stand up paddleboards provide excellent stability so even beginners can be successful on their very first try.

A few years ago the number of stand up paddlers in Hawaiian waters were very few. Today it is the fastest growing water sport in the world, and Hawaii is leading what many refer to as a stand up revolution!

Stand up paddling for beginners is best accomplished on very calm water, and it also helps if there isn’t too much wind. The best place to learn is on a calm and protected ocean bay or in a placid river, which makes Hanalei one of the best stand up paddling locations because it has both.

Beginners can launch their boards by Hanalei Pier and if the ocean water is too rough then they can paddle around in the large, calm area of the Hanalei river mouth.

Once you learn some basic skills including the proper stance as well as how to paddle and turn the board, then you may choose to venture up the Hanalei River to practice your skills. As you make your way toward the Hanalei Bridge you will enjoy the peaceful surroundings including lush and tropical greenery with scenic mountains and waterfalls in the distance.

The Allure of Stand Up Paddle Boarding

What is so attractive about stand up paddle boarding? One appeal of this new sport for many surfers is the ability to be standing and using a Read the rest of this entry »

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Hanalei’s ‘Green Church’ is turning 100 years old!

Join the centennial celebration!

Yes! The Wai’oli Hui’ia Church’s green, gothic, iconic sanctuary was built in 1912! In celebration of this historic event, our church choir thought it would be a great time to celebrate by remembering the Hanalei Plantation Hotel that opened 50 years ago. The church’s choir shared Hawaiian hymns, songs, and hula every Sunday evening in the dining room from the time Hanalei Plantation Hotel opened in 1961 until its doors closed in the early 1970s.

Memorabilia from the hotel will be displayed in the Church Hall with multimedia presentations and talk story time. And we will recreate a “Piki Niki”, the famous paniolo style meal offered and enjoyed at the Hanalei Plantation Hotel with music and entertainment. The gathering of past employees of the hotel and their recollection of what it was like to work at the only hotel on the north shore promises to be a historical event. It will be an experience not to be missed!

Celebrating 100 years of the ‘Green Church’

Read the rest of this entry »

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Easy, Low-Cost and No-Cost Ways To Reduce Kauai Energy Costs

Kauai residents may significantly lower their electric bills and overall energy costs by evaluating home energy use and making some small changes that add up to big savings now.

Save energy. Save money.

The best plan for saving money is to first complete full energy use review. A home energy audit will help you pinpoint areas where energy is being wasted and help you develop effective measures to reduce your energy costs.

Whether you want to install solar power or other alternative energy options will depend upon a cost analysis as well as a consideration of how long you plant to live in your current home.

Meanwhile you can develop a strategy to make low-cost and no-cost changes and relatively minor home improvements that will optimize your energy efficiency as well as save you money.

Here are the top things you can do to lower your Kauai energy bill:

If you use air conditioning or heating check your insulation levels and inspect for holes or cracks around walls, ceilings, windows and doors as well as light and plumbing fixtures where leaks may occur. Also check for open fireplace dampers. Install a programmable thermostat.

Evaluate your family’s overall lighting use paying particular attention to high-use areas including the kitchen, living room and outdoor lighting. Investigate ways to use lighting controls including timers, dimmers and occupancy sensors.

Read the rest of this entry »

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If you have picked up any of the celebrity magazines over the last few years you have frequently seen numerous famous faces being captured relaxing or working on the Garden island. In addition to being a popular filming location for movies, Kauai is also a great place to live as well as play.  What is it about Kauai that attracts so many who can choose to summer or winter anywhere in the world? Some would say it is the islands warm climate and stunning beauty combined with a low key laid back lifestyle. Come find out for yourself.

Call for a showing of Emme Hale, MLS 245388.

Below is a glimpse into a few North Shore estates that provide access to all the magic of the Garden Island while retaining your personal privacy.

MLS  245388  $2,850,00.

Emme Hale at Kai Vista on Kalihiwai Ridge is a unique offering on Kauai; a secluded and tranquil riverfront estate. The nearly 5-acre property is located at the end of a quarter-mile private road, which delivers you to a circular drive protected by a large porte-cochere where the glassed entry opens to the postcard river view.

MLS 248521 $7,500,000.

It’s the things that you don’t expect that Paradise Island Ranch offers that will capture your attention. Two large covered outdoor kitchen areas let you breathe in the valley air while enjoying your favorite culinary treats. Get Read the rest of this entry »

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The next Hanalei to Haena Community Association Meeting is scheduled January 24th.  Below is a notice from current president, Joel Guy:

Kauai's beautiful north shore

Happy New Year! 

With that comes an opportunity for new board members. The HHCA nominating committee has came up with a list of possible candidates and we welcome others. If you have been a current HHCA member for over a month and are interested in being more involved please send me a separate email regarding your interest.  I will run a background check and see….. no, we welcome almost any suggestion and on January 24th at the annual General Membership meeting we can vote for who we want. I get people coming up to me all the time wondering who/what/where/why is the HHCA board doing, NOW IS THE TIME to participate!

The meeting is TUESDAY Jan 24th at 6:30 p.m. sharp. It will be at Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei.

Please tell everyone and anyone you want, we will be welcoming new members and selecting a few new board members.

p.s. And my presidency still has another year :)

Thank you,

Joel Guy

President, HHCA
(808) 635-2074

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Beautiful Lae Nani!

Options abound - the pool or the beach? - at Lae Nani.

Enjoy the peaceful setting at our newest privately owned, oceanfront resort condominium located on the Coconut Coast of Kauai called the Lae Nani.  Lae Nani is conveniently located on the East side of Kauai within a short drive from the airport (7 miles).  Walk to shops and restaurants.  Close to many of Kauai’s favorite island activities and centrally located to sightsee and tour the North and South shore of Kauai.  Swaying coconut trees, beautiful landscaped grounds, amazing sunsets and sunrises grace you as you unwind at the gorgeous Lae Nani property. Featuring many amenities, the Lae Nani is a gated resort which includes a lighted tennis court, heated swimming pool, poolside BBQ grills, an oceanfront swimming bay great for adults and a protected swimming cove perfect for “gentle” swimming for the keikis (little ones) to enjoy.

Lae Nani unit #325 invites you to relax on your large lanai boasting views of the ocean.  This cozy and comfortable 2 bedroom unit comes with 1 king and 2 twins, spacious living area, and fully equipped kitchen with great trade winds to keep you cool and much more!   Come and experience the beauty of Lae Nani.

Kauai Vacation Rentals, Realty Services and Concierge

Lae Nani 325 living area

For the finest quality Kauai vacation rentals including luxury estates, condos, cottages and beach villas, see our Kauai Vacation Rental Galleries or use our new Map-Based Vacation Rental Search feature.

If you are considering buying a home on Kauai you can see some of the island’s best real estate deals by browsing through the Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty Kauai Real Estate Galleries, or use the Map-Based Kauai Home Search.

Also please feel free to give us a call. The Bali Hai Realty staff will be happy to help you find the perfect Kauai vacation rental or assist you in the process of buying or selling a Kauai home. We also offer the highest level of personalized Concierge Services to help you plan your Kauai vacation activities.

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Road construction/improvements at Lumahai.

Highway road improvements continue in the Lumahai Beach area between Hanalei and Haena.  Stabilization and a new wall have just been completed at the “Nurse’s Beach” lookout.  Now, State Department of Transportation contractors are busy cutting back an entire hillside just west as pictured.  Unique equipment can be seen crawling up the steep slope preparing for more concrete stabilization.  This will result in a safer and smoother highway through this area soon.  Traffic has been reduced to one lane during the day but the delays have been minimal.

Soon the road to Haena above Lumahai Beach will be even more memorable to drive.

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