Visitors come to Kauai expecting paradise, but they don’t understand just how powerful the ocean can be: strong wind-driven currents, rocks, unexpected large rough-and-tumble waves, and dangerous rip currents. Tragically, the first quarter of 2013 has already seen 11 drownings. Even savvy ocean-goers often find our particular ocean conditions challenging.

In an ideal world our visitors would only visit lifeguarded beaches, but the reality is that many hotels and rental properties are on or near unguarded beaches. It all comes down to this: saving lives.

If the Kauai Beach Guide saves even one life, your investment is worth it! Our goal is to let the beauty and aloha of Kauai’s island paradise be the memories visitors take away.

Please spread the word! Email, Twitter and Facebook are great ways to get the message out there. The more activity on the site, the more visibility it earns. Click here to visit it. We’re off to a great start – we’ve already raised over $500! There are some wonderful perks, and it’s also possible to click on “Contribute Now” to donate any sum you wish without the perks.

Thank you for helping us save lives!

The 30 minute presentation updates on where the lifeguard towers are, what educational materials are available, and what local conditions most threaten our visitors safety. In light of the 10 drownings that occurred in 9 weeks this year already, this is very timely information.

An important point made was that visitors aren’t stupid; they are uninformed, or misinformed at best. It is extremely difficult for visitors to understand and recognize hazardous conditions. They are coming to vacation in paradise, and don’t expect it to be dangerous. The ocean isn’t a swimming pool, and Kauai’s location in the middle of the Pacific makes a difference, even to savvy ocean goers.

Two of the greatest hazards are shore breaks, and rip currents.

With shore breaks, a 3 ft. wave can knock someone off their feet, and create panic. Difficulty in getting up and continually getting knocked back down can lead to exhaustion and sometimes fatal results.

Rip currents are present at many beaches. It is safest to visit lifeguarded beaches as they know where the rip currents are, can give warning, and undertake any needed rescues. But many visitors visit other beaches where lifeguards aren’t present. The greatest reason for drowning from rip currents is that people panic. Instinct takes over, and the unconscious mind looks to return to the spot where that person entered the water. Instead, wait until the current releases you, don’t fight it! If possible wave your arms above your head for help, swim parallel to the beach away from the current, and then into shore.

There is good news. As of April 11th, there will be an ocean safety video played at the baggage claim areas at the Lihue airport. There is a beach safety display at the Waiohai beach, and two more are going in at Kalapaki beach. These displays show specific hazards for each beach. Last but not least, the rescue tubes have helped save over 60 lives.

If you would like to go:

April 4th, St. Regis, 10 am
April 11th, Aston Kauai Beach Resort, 10 am

Click here. for a full article in The Garden Island newspaper. It includes a mention of our app – we are going to be in the video in the baggage claim areas!

There is something taking place almost every day, so here are a few highlights:

Monday March 18th, Salt Pond Park:
The art and culture of Hawaiian salt making, 9:30am. Learn about it from one of the few familys still cultivating salt at this sacred site.

Wednesday March 20th, Marriott Waiohai Beach Club:
“Talk Story” about Kauai’s south shore culture, flora and history, 10am. Experience an opening protocol ceremony, and hear traditional oral history and stories from Kauai’s south side.

Friday, March 22, Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort & Spa Lobby:
Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weaving, working with taro, making kapa, and playing the ukelele are a few of the lessons given. Register with the concierge.

Saturday March 23, Prince Kuhio Park: (Main Event).
Prince Kuhio Commemorative Ceremonies with the Royal Order of Kamehameha, 10:00 a.m. Observe the protocol of honoring Prince Kuhio’s birthday with ceremonies, hula, and chant.

Saturday March 23, Seaview Terrace at the Grand Hyatt:
An evening of Hawaiian music with the legendary Ledward Kaapana and Mike Ka`awa, 8:15 p.m. Listen to these award-winning slack key guitarists who are considered masters of Hawaiian music.

Saturday March 30, Anahola Beach Park:
3rd Annual Anahola Prince Kuhio Day Celebration, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are educational, health and wellness exhibits, performances, and arts and crafts to honor the past and embrace the future of Prince Kuhio’s legacy.

These events are a very special way to learn more about Hawaiian culture. Most of the events are free of charge. For more detailed information, please click here.

Vicki Sterne creator of Kauai Beach Guide iPhone app, Poipu

Vicki Sterne of Po‘ipu is the creator of the Kaua‘i Beach Guide iPhone app, which features beach safety information, ocean reports, weather and much more. The app is available on iTunes for 99 cents.

What inspired you to bankroll your own Kaua‘i beach guide and ocean safety app?

Vicki Sterne: While working here as a concierge, a guest approached me saying that he was very impressed by my knowledge and how I shared it. He suggested creating an iPhone app. I realized our visitors’ greatest need was more detailed beach information, with a focus on safety.

Months later, I walked along Kealia Beach late one afternoon, asking myself if I should continue working on the app. Within 10 minutes I was involved in an ocean rescue of three tourists. They had an iPhone and the info in my app would have enabled them to avoid the dangers there. So, I had my answer.

When did you first launch the Kaua‘i Beach Guide app?

VS: The launch was in November 2011. The app has a GPS enabled map and the beaches have static color-coded pins: green for lifeguarded; yellow for beaches generally safe under good conditions — 0 to 2 foot waves; and red for those where swimming isn’t recommended.

There are filters for safety, swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, amenities and child-friendly beaches. Wave heights from the ocean report are visible in several sections of the app, as well as the time of the report. The general info section has quite a bit about safety, as well as marine life and how to go green while visiting Kaua‘i.

Was it difficult to get this project off the ground? How did you pay for it?

VS: It has been quite a learning curve as it is out of my previous realm of experience. I started the project with the guest who approached me. He was the tech/business guy and I was responsible for the content. When he opted to bow out to enjoy his retirement, I felt so passionate about the project that I decided to continue on, using my savings. I eventually found a wonderful developer to complete the graphics and coding. He was a Russian living in Pennsylvania. Thank heavens for Skype!

Where does all the information available on the app come from?

VS: I did all of the research and wrote the content. I am very fortunate to have permission from KauaiExplorer.com to use its ocean report data. I also get up-to-date weather from wunderground.com.

When it comes to ocean safety, what does your app offer that other resources do not?

VS: For starters, the app is very user friendly and perfect for those on the go. The static color-coded pins on the map are a big help in steering visitors to lifeguarded beaches and showing them which ones need more caution. The detailed beach information is clear and concise and any dangers or concerns are listed.

I met with Dr. Monty Downs several times and both he and head lifeguard Kalani Vierra took the time to review my content and suggest a few changes. I also visited each lifeguard tower and asked what they wanted visitors to know in general, as well as about that particular beach. I felt it very important to give our lifeguards a voice, to help with prevention. As one lifeguard said, “I’d rather talk to the visitors than have to rescue them later.”

Other than projects like your own, what do you feel Kaua‘i should be doing to address ocean safety moving forward? What else can be done to prevent drownings?

VS: I think the Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Task Force, the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association and Kaua‘i Explorer are doing an amazing job in keeping our visitors safe. The rescue tubes have been a true blessing — we used one in that Kealia rescue.

Prevention is everything and everyone from concierges to beachgoers can help. A friendly word of advice goes a long way. We know our ocean and its dangers better than our visitors. Steering them to the appropriate beaches and advising of dangers helps a lot. Sending a family with two toddlers down to Hideaways in December, which happened to a family I met, is a recipe for disaster.

What is something most visitors don’t know understand about Kaua‘i’s beaches that you think they should?

VS: I had a visitor ask me the other day to recommend an “off-the-beaten-track” beach that wasn’t in my app. The reason they aren’t listed are the many safety issues involved — difficult trails to the beach, often dangerous conditions, possible help being very far away, to name just a few. Even savvy oceangoers often find our ocean conditions more challenging. Being an island in the middle of the Pacific makes a huge difference.

In an ideal world our visitors would only visit lifeguarded beaches, but the reality is that even some of their hotels are on unguarded beaches. Use the resources available, whether it’s the Kaua‘i Beach Guide iPhone app, kauaiexplorer.com or asking your concierge or front desk questions before heading out.

I am proud to be even a small part of Kaua‘i’s ocean safety team.

For a real taste of Hawaiian culture visit the West Kauai Visitor Center. On Friday the 22nd go look at the Paniolo hat lei contest entries 12p-8:00p. Saturday the 23rd they will announce the winners, as well as offer many cultural activities including poi pounding, lei making, and learning how to play Konane (an ancient Hawaiian game growing in popularity) from 10a-4p. All activities are free, donations welcome.

Other events on Friday and Saturday include live Hawaiian music, traditional rodeo events, Lappert’s Ice Cream eating contest, Ukelele contest, Fun Runs (10k, 5k, & 2k), silent auction, food and general fun for the whole family! Most events are free – Saturday’s rodeo and the Fun Runs have a small charge.

Visit waimeatowncelebration.com for the full schedule and location of all the events.

Over the years award winning musicians such as Eddie Kamae, Willie K, Dennis Kamakahi, George Kahumoku, Napua Makua, Jeff Peterson, Nathan Aweau, and Makana have shared themselves and their music. Often someone in the crowd will get up on stage and perform a graceful hula to a special song being played. Sometimes Hula Halaus (hula schools) are the evenings entertainers and the stage is full of dancers that you would rarely have the opportunity to see otherwise.

The last few years EKK has taken place Monday evenings in the ballroom at the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort just north of Lihue. It is a good central location, and tourists from as far away as Europe and Asia join with locals from all parts of Kauai to take part in this 3 hour event. From 6-7pm the musicians performing later that evening lead ukelele workshops on how to play some of their songs. Every once in awhile, if a Hula Halau is performing, they will teach a hula dance. The main event is from 7-9pm and is a wonderful mix of stories and music.

EKK is free, but donations are gladly accepted to help the Garden Island Arts Council keep the program running. You can put money in the basket, or become a patron with early entry privileges to the events. Schedule info is available on their website; click here for this year’s program.

One of the factors to take under consideration is that it is a 5 mile dirt road recommended for 4 wheel drive only, and most if not all rental car companies have you sign off that you will not drive this road. At times the road is in better shape and the potholes won’t swallow your car, but we have seen a number of tourists bogged down in the sandy conditions near the beach, especially near Queen’s Pond.

Kudos to Travel and Leisure for not recommending surfing or snorkeling due to strong currents. It is an unprotected shore break, the rip currents can be quite strong depending on the ocean conditions, and there are no lifeguards present. They do mention Queen’s Pond as a good swimming spot. It can be – if you can find it as there are no signs, and if it isn’t filled with sand. Changing surf conditions move sand around, and there have been times that Queen’s Pond is completely filled in.

Although there can be times that ocean conditions are good, we feel that due to Polihale’s extreme distance from any help and the number of drownings that have occurred here, that it’s best to enjoy Polihale by taking a nice long walk on the beach, and saving a dip in the ocean for beaches better protected and suited for water activities.

This free event starts at 5pm with live local music, food booths, and a children’s tent with kids activities (donations welcome in the tent). Local music groups include award winning musician Anuhea, Kauai’s Revival, Titus Kinimaka, and Dustin Thomas who will open and close the music festival.

The fireworks are scheduled for 9:20pm.

Be careful where you park as last year police were handing out parking tickets. Pay attention to parking signs, and be prepared to walk, as the parking lots at Poipu Beach Park fill up quickly. Take a flashlight to help you get back to your car.

Have a wonderful time, and all the best for 2013.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou, Happy New Year!

The North Pacific Humpback Whale is the most popular whale in Hawaii. A number of them breed and birth here, and the rest travel down the the west coast of the continental USA to Mexico to do the same. They then all travel north to the Arctic circle (including Alaska) to feed in the summer, as there is no food for them in warmer waters. The round trip from Hawaii to Alaska is about 6,000 miles, and is one of the longest migration distances of all animal species.

The humpback whales each weigh almost as much as 4 elephants, and yet can completely leap out of the water in spectacular breaches. Their acrobatics are fun to watch: breaching, tail and pectoral fin slapping, and spy hopping (where they bring their heads above water in what appears to be looking around). It is not known why they do these things – could be mating rituals, ridding themselves of barnacles, communication or just sheer playfulness. For whatever reason, it is a joy to watch them.

It is possible to whale watch from the shore, but a good pair of binoculars makes this activity easier and more enjoyable. On the north shore the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful whale watching spot and is open from 10-4 daily (except major holidays) and is $5 for those 16 and up. They even have free binoculars to use while you are there.

Even better is to take a boat trip to get out into their territory. On Kauai there are zodiac raft trips for the more adventurous, or for those looking for more comfort, catamaran tours. However you choose to see them, take some time to look for these wonderful whales. Sightings continue until May, but January – March are the best viewing months.

This information can also be found under Marine Life in the Aloha Info section in our iPhone app “Kauai Beach Guide”.