Kauai author seeks support in MeeGenius! national author challenge

Meegenius! is a wonderfully unique and educational app that helps children learn to read by enjoying their favorite stories on your computer, tablet or other portable reading device. The app is designed to enhance children’s stories by reading them aloud while simultaneously highlighting the words that are being read. Recently, Meegenius! has initiated a national author’s challenge.

Local Kauai author, Monika Mira has risen to the challenge with her story, Hector the Hermit. Hawaii children’s authors tend to garner plenty of local support but tend to struggle when trying to acquire national attention. With only a few days left to vote, Mira is launching a campaign to increase her rank in the contest. In order to be successful in the challenge, authors must get their audience to vote for their stories by liking them on Facebook.

Hector the Hermit is the story of one hermit crab’s adventure to find a new shell and how he learns a valuable lesson about recycling along the way. The story is told in classic nursery rhyme style and can be read on the Meegenius! author’s challenge website. You can help this Kauai author by voting for or sharing the story of Hector the Hermit. Feedback is also welcome.

Mira is the award-winning author of The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book. Mira holds a Marine Science degree from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, so it is no wonder that her books tend to carry marine life and conservation themes. This is her first attempt to publish a title available for ereaders. You can learn more about Mira’s other works at Lucid Publishing website.

Kauai County Parks are great for re-energizing the kids

If you have been touring the island, it is possible that your little might get a little fussy from being stuck in his car seat all day. A trip to one of the many county parks on Kauai can re-energize just about any child, or at least wear them out. The nice thing is that the county parks are located just about everywhere. Parents might even feel energized after running through the grass, having a pcinic or sitting under a tree to get some air.

On the North Shore in Princeville the park is located just behind the Princeville library. This park has playground equipment for both the littlest of toddlers and the bigger kids who want to try scaling rock walls. There are numerous slides and a vast open field with an amazing view. There is even a workout course for the adults situated around an open field.

In Kapaa, I would suggest Lydgate Park, which is actually a community built playground with just about every apparatus imaginable. A 40 ft enclosed volcano slide, tire swing, balance beams, swings, suspension bridge, a hidden “jail”, conveyor belt bouncing bridge, music maker and much more can keep the kids busy while you relax on one of the many benches or tables provided in the shade. Since the playground is located next to Lydgate Beach, your family can take a dip after playing at this wonderful park.

On the South Shore, Poipu Beach Parks sports a playground on the beach. There are no swings here, but who needs swings when you also have the ocean. There is also another park just a mile away, right at the entrance to the tree tunnel.

In Kalaheo, Kalawai Park is little hidden, but if you turn mauka (that means towards the mountains) at the red dirt shirt store, make your first right and follow the road about ½ mile, you will see the sign for Kalawai. This park is a gem because it is quite big and there is rarely anyone there. If you are quiet, you might even hear the song of the Shama Thrush.

On the west side, Hanapepe Park is located right next to the Hanapepe Fire Station on the main highway and is also home to the Thursday afternoon farmers market. This park has a basketball court, a large field with an enormous Monkey Pod shade tree, swings, and a few other bonuses. You may even want to visit Hanapepe town for a snack or a walk across the suspension bridge.

These are just a few of the many playgrounds at your disposal for the enjoyment of the kids. Take advantage of them, the kids will thank you, and they may even fall asleep on the way home.

10 ways to protect coral reefs, they could be extinct if we do not act!

As of 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Services is considering whether to list eighty-two species of coral as threatened or endangered. Seventy-five of these species are found in the Pacific and nine are found in Hawaiian waters. Scientific research shows that coral reefs could be facing extinction due to overfishing, pollution, global warming and ocean acidification. Scientists fear that if we do not work to protect coral reefs they could be lost within decades. The loss of coral reefs could have devastating effects for the planet as a whole. Coral reefs provide food and economic benefits to populations around the globe.

I urge you to take a minute to consider Kauai’s resources and read the tips below. These tips can help you protect coral reefs, both here in Hawaii and world-wide. Many of these tips can be practiced while you are visiting Kauai, but they are also applicable when you return home, even if you live far from the ocean.

1.) Reduce your carbon footprint. Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming and ocean acidification, both of which can have devastating effects on coral reef ecosystems.

2.) Reduce your plastic consumption. Avoid plastic grocery bags (now illegal on Kauai), cut six-pack rings and recycle. Marine debris is a threat to sea birds and marine life by both ingestion and entanglement. Chemical leaching from plastics may provide an additional threat. Did you know there is an island of floating plastic the size of Texas somewhere out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and it is wreaking havoc on sea bird and other marine life populations?

3.) Take steps to decrease overfishing and support sustainable fishing practices. One way you can do this is to choose vegetarian and sustainable menu options when visiting local restaurants.

4.) Get educated. Learn more about oceans and reefs so that you can help others understand their value.

5.) Prevent marine water pollution in the following two ways: a.) Avoid the use of potential pollutants and chemicals by choosing eco friendly products and b.) Minimize your own runoff by decreasing impervious surfaces at home.

6.) Support green and reef-friendly businesses and/or encourage businesses to participate in reef protection and education activities.

7.) Support sustainable development, especially the reduction of impervious surfaces. Unsustainable coastal development in particular can present a huge threat to reefs and marine resources.

8.) Support local conservation programs and organizations such as Save our Seas and Surf Rider Foundation.

9.) If you are a boater, never anchor directly onto a reef. Instead, anchor in sandy areas or on moorings and only support tour companies that follow this rule.

10.) If you have a salt water aquarium, be an “informed aquarist”; choose cultured species and avoid purchasing gathered species.

Please feel free to comment below if you have additional tips!

Celebrate the Health and Happiness of Children at the Princess Ka’iulani Keiki Fest in Hanapepe Town

This year, the Princess Ka’iulani Keiki Fest will be held in Hanapepe town on Saturday, October 15th from 9:30am-4pm. Entertainment and activities stations will be dispersed throughout the event grounds from Hanapepe Park to Storybook Theatre and across the road to the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church.

Festivities will include: entertainment, celebrity story readers, hula performances, a keiki talent contest, coloring and essay contests, a main street parade, food and vendor booths and a visit from the Princess. Curriculum projects from local schools will also be on display.

The Peace Garden at Storybook Theatre will be the Princess’ headquarters. Here children will be delighted by the Princess’ birthday party and special performances on the stage including a presentation of the Magic Paint Box by artist and puppeteer, Margie Rex. Kimo Palama will be offering free pony rides in the park to remember the Princess’ favorite childhood gift: her own pony, Fairy.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Storybook Theatre at 335-0712 or visit their website www.storybook.org.

Driving Under the Rainbow, Magical Afternoons on Kauai

No matter where you are in the world, the late afternoon is a special time to enjoy the outdoors. Temperatures cool, the sun sets, the sky lights up, and the world quiets down, except of course for the banter of the birds. This time of day seems to be especially magical on the island of Kauai. When the trade winds blow and the sun heads for the ocean, the temperatures start to drop a few degrees and a brief afternoon shower is cued. The combination of afternoon showers and sunrays that are low on the horizon is what creates these magnificent rainbows.

The neat thing is that afternoon rainbows can be enjoyed in many different settings, each with its own unique magic. On an afternoon walk in the hills, rainbows can be viewed between valleys, with one leg touching the ocean. In the ocean, they can be seen from the water cascading across the sky against the dramatic peaks of Kauai’s cliffs. While sipping an afternoon cocktail on the lanai, an afternoon rainbow may sneak up behind you, because no doubt you are looking toward the setting sun. One of my favorite ways to view afternoon rainbows is in the car. It seems as if you will never catch them as they keep moving forward and then all of a sudden, YES!, you get to drive under the rainbow as it vanishes behind you.

I like to watch them change as the misting rain becomes heavier and the sunrays more intense. The rainbow will brighten and reflect itself into yet another rainbow right on top of the first. It seems as the day gets later the rainbows take on more red hues and just as the rainbow vanishes, the sun sinks for its final descent only to light up the sky with afterglow. Oh, it is a magical time of day. If you are visiting with kids, you may want to play a game betting on how many rainbows you can count during your stay.

You can see rainbows on any side of the island at any time of day, but remember the sun sets in the west, so you should be looking to the east for rainbows. That means if you are watching the sunset, look behind you. The best beaches for watching the sunset include, Poipu, Salt Pond, Kekaha and Polihale, but you can catch afternoon rainbows anywhere, as long as you keep your eyes and your mind open.

Beachcombing on Kauai

Beachcombing is a popular past-time for visitors and locals alike. Wind, waves, and nearby environments can cause different kinds of trash and treasures to end up on Kauai’s beaches. Popular finds include shells, fishing floats, beach glass, driftwood and stones. Different beaches bring different finds, but regardless of what you pick up, a relaxing walk on the beach is always worthwhile.

The east side of Kauai is constantly exposed to strong trade winds. These winds can blow an abundance of interesting debris onto the shorelines. You may find old fishing floats, fishing nets, driftwood, bottles and bits of plastic. Upon further inspection of the debris, you may discover its origin in distant lands such as Japan. However, most of this debris is from fishing vessels. The stretch of beach that begins at the south end of Lydgate Park and continues past the Wailua Golf Course is the best place for beachcombing if you are looking for fishing debris.

Driftwood is also a popular find for beachcombers but sometimes a nuisance to beachgoers when it is present in large quantities after a storm. Driftwood can be found at any beach with a river, which includes most of the beaches on Kauai. As may be expected, bigger rivers bring bigger quantities of wood. As a result, you may expect to find some great pieces of driftwood at the mouth of the Wailua River (see my Travel Advisory post about Lydgate Beach Park).

If you are looking for shells, the North Shore beaches like Tunnels and Anini offer hours of entertainment. West side Beachcombers find bits of pottery, beach glass and rolled metal at Glass Beach near Port Allen. Glass beach defines the phrase, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Once a dumping site, it is now beachcomber’s paradise.

Don’t forget that the tide and surf can influence your finds. If the tide is low after a very high tide couples with strong surf, all the shells or glass may have been removed. The same beach may yield different treasures on different days.
Avid beachcombers know that treasure hunting takes persistence. Most finds however are often incidental. So instead of focusing on beachcombing, make a day at the beach with your family, enjoy the ocean and occasional look down. The more days you spend, the more fun you have, and the more likely you are to find a treasure.

What fish you will see when snorkeling on Kauai

You’ve got the whole family suited up with snorkel gear, floaties and fins and you’re ready to hit the reef. Perhaps you just got out of the water and are feeling that sense of awe that accompanies your first family snorkel trip. Your seven year old asks, “Daddy, what was that black one with the yellow stripes? Did you see that fluorescent pink one with the blue fins?” You will want to know what you saw or what to expect. There are a number of fish that are impossible to miss if you snorkel in Hawaii. Several of these species are described below.

Most likely the first fish you will encounter while snorkeling is the Saddle Wrasse. The Saddle Wrasse is endemic to Hawaii, meaning that you won’t find it anywhere else in the world. Wrasses are a diverse group of colorful fish and are usually the dominant family on the coral reef. The Saddle Wrasse can be identified by the orange band or “saddle” that is present behind its blue-green head. This fish sports an elongated purplish-green body and males may display a white band behind the orange saddle.

It is nearly impossible to snorkel in Hawaii and not run across the Manini or Convict Surgeonfish. The body of the Convict Surgeonfish is ovate with a greenish or silvery cast and displays six vertical black stripes like the prison inmate uniforms seen in the old movies, thus the name. This fish has a small puckering mouth that it uses to feed on algae and a pair of sharp weapons near the tail.

Moorish Idols are very common on the reef. They are often found in pairs or groups and are very easy to spot. Called “Angelfish” by many newcomers for the long filament that trails from the dorsal fin, they are actually more closely related to Surgeonfish than true Angelfish. Moorish Idols display two wide black bars on the body and one the tail. The center of the body is a sunny yellow color and the face is black with a yellow drop that adorns the top of a pointed snout.

Now that you recognize some of these fish, you might be interested in identifying more. Pick up one of those cheap Hawaii Fish ID cards that can be found at all the snorkel rental locations for use at the beach. Then get yourself a field guide like John Randall’s Shore Fishes of Hawaii or John Hoover’s Hawaii’s Fishes. For the kids, pick up a copy of The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book, which includes over 80 species of fish that the kids can color in while also learning about their coloration, body shapes, feeding habits and the importance of conservation.

Don’t forget that the reef is a delicate place. Avoid touching the reef and apply your ecofriendly sunscreen 15 minutes before entering the water. For more information about how to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs, please visit Kauai based conservation organization, Save our Seas.

Pictures courtesy of John Coney, UHH MOP