Kauai Children's Author's Book Makes Amazon Best Seller List

"I just can't believe it!" Kauai, author, Monika Mira is just stunned that this simple coloring book made it to Amazon's best seller list in just a few weeks.

"I knew I should release it in time for the holiday, but I never expected it to become a best seller!" says Mira.

According to the author and illustrator,  the book started as party game that she put together for a group of neighborhood kids a couple of years ago. The collection of sugar skull illustration began to grow, and the children looked forward to coming over for the annual Dia de los Muertos party. Each year, Mira would add new designs and new features. Last year, she added the life-size skeleton, which she buried in a mock graveyard outside. She had the kids dig through piles of leaves in the yard to find the pieces of the skeleton. Then the kids brought the pieces inside to assemble the skeleton. 

Mira decided to offer it to teachers as download on TeachersPayTeachers and it did well last season. Lucid Publishing decided to offer it on Amazon this year, and as they say, the rest is history.

The Day of the Dead Coloring Book features ten original sugar skulls designs that can be colored in and used to string banners, decorate an alter, make masks, or for a cultural activities in the classroom. A blank skull template is provided for artists who want to create their own designs. Intricately designed sugar skulls are not all that the book has to offer. Also included is a 4’ child life-sized skeleton. The skeleton takes up about ten pages of the book and can be colored in, cut out and assembled by a child. The life-sized skeleton is perfect for Halloween decorations, party games, or even an anatomy lesson.

The Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Coloring Book is available on Amazon. More information about the book and the author's other books is available at www.lucid-hawaii.com.

Princess Ka’iulani Keiki Fest to be held October 17th - 19th in Hanapepe Town

The Storybook Theatre of Hawaii will hold the 9th annual Princess Ka’iulani Keiki Fest in Hanapepe Town this October and it promises to be the most colorful and culturally exciting event on Kauai for young people and their families this year.

The family friendly festival features local food and fun, enriching activities that are sponsored by schools and non-profit organizations. This years theme is ‘Honoring the Ali’i of Old’ and will feature children’s artwork and stories about Hawaii’s past. As always, the event is free and open to the public.

On Friday night at 7pm, October 17th, 2014, the feature film, ‘In the Footsteps of our Princess’ will be shown at the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church where there will also be live music and a small reception.

On Saturday, October 18th, 2014 the festival will run from 12-4pm. Attendees will experience cultural events such as hula, Hawaiian music, and a costumed children’s parade down main street. After the parade, the Princess will stop and read a story in the theatre before attending her party. The Princess’ commemorative birthday party will take place in Sparky’s Garden at 2pm, and children of all ages are invited to celebrate with the Princess.

On Sunday, October 19th, 2014 at 10am, the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church will hold special service dedicated to Princess Victoria Ka’iulani.

This year’s princess is Wailenalena Andrea Kaohi. Wailenalena is the daughter of Galen and Andrea Kaohi of Waimea.  In September, Wai turned nine years old. She is a fourth grade student at Eleʻele Elementary School and an active member of the Hanapepe Hawaiian Congregational Church Sunday School.  Wailenalena loves riding horses and bikes in her free time.  She also discovered a love for track and field at the Mayorʻs Annual Track meet this past Spring, where she received a medal for her role in winning the baton race with three other students/friends. She looks forward to the next meet!  Wailenalena is proud of her Hawaiian heritage and is very excited about portraying Hawaiiʻs Princess, Kaʻiulani.

More information about the festival is available at www.storybook.org .

My Kauai, A Guide for Visitors

Need more info about Kauai? Check out this new ebook by children's author Mark Huff. Available exclusively on Amazon, just follow the link.

Hurricane Preparedness

This above list is for entertainment only and not meant to be a comprehensive hurricane preparedness list.

It is recommended that families have enough drinking water for seven days, one gallon per person per day. Jugs and buckets can also be filled for washing and toilet flushing. Families should have enough food on-hand for seven days, non-parishable items in airtight containers are recommended. Don't forget the can opener.

Make sure to have a battery-powered radio and plenty of extra batteries and gather prescriptions, medications and extra eye glasses. Gather important documents like: birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, passports etc., you can keep them in Ziplock bags for dry storage.

You may also need to prepare kit with dry clothes, toiletries, and blankets if you are asked to evacuate. Tools, cash, a whistle, camping gear, and plastic storage boxes are also recommended for keeping stuff safe and dry.

The Red Cross publishes a comprehensive checklist that can be accessed from the link.

Travel Advisory: Monstrous Surf Closes North Shore Beaches on Kauai

The biggest swell of the season is supposed to hit today, BIG WEDNESDAY (January 22, 2014), with surf heights expected to rise above advisory levels. Strong winds are making the conditions especially dangerous. Surf is already in the ten foot range this morning and on the rise. Wave heights are expected to top thirty feet on the outer reefs. All beaches from Kee to Anahola are closed! This is not a day for the beach. Dangerous shore breaks make even a walk on the beach dangerous.

If you must go to the beach today, please choose a south shore beach like Poipu, and check in with the lifeguards. The weather is expected to be ugly today. If you are visiting, you might want to hit the Kauai Humane Society, the Kauai Museum or take a stroll through Hanapepe town. If you are traveling without the kids, head over to Nani Moon Mead for a special wine tasting. Whatever you do, just steer clear of those North Shore Beaches