After our recent post with a photo of hula dancing keikis at the Queen's Shops on the Kohala Coast, we came across this wonderful video by HawaiiKidsMusic.com
Watch the keikis on one of our beautiful Hawaii white sand beaches. The kids hula dance keiki kind and sing the popular song 'Pearly Shells'. We enjoyed it a lot and are sure you will so too.
Aloha, from the Kohala Coast
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Who dunit on the Kohala Coast?
Hawaii vacationers did it.
What did they do?
They had the best vacation of their lives!
To find out how you can do it too.
Visit Kohala Coast Web!
We will help you solve the mystery. Aloha from Pua and Keoki
Monday, December 17, 2012
Bill's surf adventure with the big Kahuna wave in Hawaii
Aloha to all of our Hawaii surf enthusiasts,
Ever wondered how it is surfing the big winter waves in Hawaii? Keep reading Bill's surf adventure from many years ago. Having had our own encounters with the famous winter surf and knowing the power of those waves, Bill's story kept us on the edge of our seat
"December … this morning the air was cold and clear, and a search-light moon gave ground to a golden dawn rising over Mauna Kea. Those who wake early will know what I mean when I say the sky seemed almost polished, with the stars sharp and bright. It was a winter sky this morning, as December’s bright face came smiling into town.
Waimea is blessed with both high country vistas and easy access to long, creamy beaches along the Kohala coast. In winter we see the spectacle of teenagers in slippers and board shorts bundled up in thick hoodies with boogie boards under their arms, standing by the roadside waiting for rides down the hill. Winter surf is always the best surf!
Many years ago, my brother-in-law, Jim, who was a fine body surfer of some acclaim, was crowing about his custom-made paipo board. It didn’t look that great to me, and I thought that I could make an even better one. Paipo boards were made of plywood and were much, much faster than the soft boogie boards popular today. Of course they were dangerous too, but we didn’t worry as much about danger then as folks do now. Jim’s board was yellow. Mine would be red.
That was late summer, and there was no surf to speak of when I set out to build the fastest board Waimea had ever seen. It took a couple of months to laminate the material and slowly shape her sleek lines, building dynamic edges into the trailing corners, where the board would cut into the face of the wave. When it was done everyone wanted to take a picture. It was gorgeous and deadly at the same time. After all, it is much better to get conked on the head by loose foam boogie board than a 20-pound plywood missile!
We waited weeks for the first big surf of the season to finally arrive off the point at Waialea. When it came, it came big, and the whole bay was completely closed out! We sat on the beach for at least an hour before we could plot a way out through the steaming lines of surf stacked up all the way to the outside break.
I had great respect for Jim’s ability in the water, so I had taken care to give myself every advantage I could think of, including taking the time to carefully apply several coats of car wax to the bottom of my beautiful red board. The way it slipped though the water was something to behold as we made our way through the crushing walls of white water thundering through the bay. Soon the roar of the break drowned any thought of our calling to each other, and we dived deep enough to hurt our ears in order to make way under the giant breakers. My board was perfect in every way, steady and confident under water, but my heart was hammering out of my chest!
The outside break seemed impossibly big to me, although I knew that was just an illusion. Once our boards began down the steep faces we would fly like birds at impossible speed, masters of the thunder, and the waves would seem much smaller. Before long Jim took off on a magnificent wave and disappeared as the smooth back of the wave collapsed and tore across the bay. I waited and waited until I finally saw him seemingly a half mile inshore, waving triumphantly on his yellow board. He had made a fabulous ride!
Scared half to death I hesitated for several more waves until a true monster smoothed out and towered above me. I was in a perfect spot, well back in the pocket as I stroked hard down the face of the steepening giant, and my beautiful red board seemed to tremble with excitement, leaping forward, almost in free fall. The top of the wave pitched far out over the face, darkening the sky as the carefully shaped trailing corner of my paipo board knifed into the vertical face of the wave, groaning with the strain, and shot me forward so fast I didn’t think I could hang on. In a split second I was nearly airborne, streaking across the great green wall, when the hissing water plucked my fins and shorts right off my body!
I had no time to worry about how things looked, because a great, growing welt was forming across the face of the wave as the backwash surged out to sea, creating a ridge, cresting right in front of me, and there was nowhere to turn! In the blink of a terrified eye I was hurled high into the air, sailing far above the seething crush of bone-grinding white water below, watching my impossibly fast, red paipo board climbing ever higher in the gale of spray until the last glimpse of red winked away behind the giant avalanche that sucked me down, crushing me into a deep channel between the coral heads choked with swirling sand and darkness.
I never saw my board, my shorts or my fins again. Fortunately we had left towels in the branches of the keawe trees to cover my battered, scrapped and bruised body when I finally dragged myself to shore for the long wait until my brother-in-law with his inferior, yellow board finally swam to shore. I had time to think about my accomplishment, and there was no doubt in my mind. For a few glorious seconds I had ridden the fastest paipo board Waimea had ever seen. Who is to say what that beautiful red board could have done with a better rider?
May December bring you many blessings, fine health and much love! Malama pono, Bill Jardine Big Island Buyer Brokers
We and our visitors would love to hear from your Hawaii surf adventures. Mahalo, Pua and Keoki Kohala Coast Vacation
Ever wondered how it is surfing the big winter waves in Hawaii? Keep reading Bill's surf adventure from many years ago. Having had our own encounters with the famous winter surf and knowing the power of those waves, Bill's story kept us on the edge of our seat
"December … this morning the air was cold and clear, and a search-light moon gave ground to a golden dawn rising over Mauna Kea. Those who wake early will know what I mean when I say the sky seemed almost polished, with the stars sharp and bright. It was a winter sky this morning, as December’s bright face came smiling into town.
Waimea is blessed with both high country vistas and easy access to long, creamy beaches along the Kohala coast. In winter we see the spectacle of teenagers in slippers and board shorts bundled up in thick hoodies with boogie boards under their arms, standing by the roadside waiting for rides down the hill. Winter surf is always the best surf!
Many years ago, my brother-in-law, Jim, who was a fine body surfer of some acclaim, was crowing about his custom-made paipo board. It didn’t look that great to me, and I thought that I could make an even better one. Paipo boards were made of plywood and were much, much faster than the soft boogie boards popular today. Of course they were dangerous too, but we didn’t worry as much about danger then as folks do now. Jim’s board was yellow. Mine would be red.
That was late summer, and there was no surf to speak of when I set out to build the fastest board Waimea had ever seen. It took a couple of months to laminate the material and slowly shape her sleek lines, building dynamic edges into the trailing corners, where the board would cut into the face of the wave. When it was done everyone wanted to take a picture. It was gorgeous and deadly at the same time. After all, it is much better to get conked on the head by loose foam boogie board than a 20-pound plywood missile!
We waited weeks for the first big surf of the season to finally arrive off the point at Waialea. When it came, it came big, and the whole bay was completely closed out! We sat on the beach for at least an hour before we could plot a way out through the steaming lines of surf stacked up all the way to the outside break.
I had great respect for Jim’s ability in the water, so I had taken care to give myself every advantage I could think of, including taking the time to carefully apply several coats of car wax to the bottom of my beautiful red board. The way it slipped though the water was something to behold as we made our way through the crushing walls of white water thundering through the bay. Soon the roar of the break drowned any thought of our calling to each other, and we dived deep enough to hurt our ears in order to make way under the giant breakers. My board was perfect in every way, steady and confident under water, but my heart was hammering out of my chest!
The outside break seemed impossibly big to me, although I knew that was just an illusion. Once our boards began down the steep faces we would fly like birds at impossible speed, masters of the thunder, and the waves would seem much smaller. Before long Jim took off on a magnificent wave and disappeared as the smooth back of the wave collapsed and tore across the bay. I waited and waited until I finally saw him seemingly a half mile inshore, waving triumphantly on his yellow board. He had made a fabulous ride!
Scared half to death I hesitated for several more waves until a true monster smoothed out and towered above me. I was in a perfect spot, well back in the pocket as I stroked hard down the face of the steepening giant, and my beautiful red board seemed to tremble with excitement, leaping forward, almost in free fall. The top of the wave pitched far out over the face, darkening the sky as the carefully shaped trailing corner of my paipo board knifed into the vertical face of the wave, groaning with the strain, and shot me forward so fast I didn’t think I could hang on. In a split second I was nearly airborne, streaking across the great green wall, when the hissing water plucked my fins and shorts right off my body!
I had no time to worry about how things looked, because a great, growing welt was forming across the face of the wave as the backwash surged out to sea, creating a ridge, cresting right in front of me, and there was nowhere to turn! In the blink of a terrified eye I was hurled high into the air, sailing far above the seething crush of bone-grinding white water below, watching my impossibly fast, red paipo board climbing ever higher in the gale of spray until the last glimpse of red winked away behind the giant avalanche that sucked me down, crushing me into a deep channel between the coral heads choked with swirling sand and darkness.
I never saw my board, my shorts or my fins again. Fortunately we had left towels in the branches of the keawe trees to cover my battered, scrapped and bruised body when I finally dragged myself to shore for the long wait until my brother-in-law with his inferior, yellow board finally swam to shore. I had time to think about my accomplishment, and there was no doubt in my mind. For a few glorious seconds I had ridden the fastest paipo board Waimea had ever seen. Who is to say what that beautiful red board could have done with a better rider?
May December bring you many blessings, fine health and much love! Malama pono, Bill Jardine Big Island Buyer Brokers
We and our visitors would love to hear from your Hawaii surf adventures. Mahalo, Pua and Keoki Kohala Coast Vacation
Friday, November 23, 2012
New Hawaii Video - Footage you have never seen
Dear Best Hawaii Vacation visitors,
It's amazing how social media networking like Google Plus widens our horizon with special circles, just as I mentioned on 'Follow us on Google Plus'. We've come across on Google+ the most unique photos and exciting videos related to travel and vacation around the globe, which we would otherwise have never seen.
Of course, with our target audience being Hawaii vacation, anything new on the Hawaii video market gets our special attention. When friends from the island of Oahu told us about this totally unique video about Hawaii, we had to share it with our Google+ followers. Today we are going to share it with our blog visitors
You will see footage from the Hawaiian Islands which most of you have never seen before. Enjoy Hawaii from a different view. Aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation
What do you think about the Hawaii video produced by German TV station ZDF?
It's amazing how social media networking like Google Plus widens our horizon with special circles, just as I mentioned on 'Follow us on Google Plus'. We've come across on Google+ the most unique photos and exciting videos related to travel and vacation around the globe, which we would otherwise have never seen.
Of course, with our target audience being Hawaii vacation, anything new on the Hawaii video market gets our special attention. When friends from the island of Oahu told us about this totally unique video about Hawaii, we had to share it with our Google+ followers. Today we are going to share it with our blog visitors
You will see footage from the Hawaiian Islands which most of you have never seen before. Enjoy Hawaii from a different view. Aloha, Pua Kohala Coast Vacation
What do you think about the Hawaii video produced by German TV station ZDF?
Saturday, November 17, 2012
PBS HAWAII campaign for new home in Honolulu
Presss Release by PBS Hawaii
New Home campaign program November 18 at 6:30 PM
'Best Hawaii Vacation blog' shares another time one of PBS Hawaii's press releases with its visitors. By doing so, we hope that more of our visitors watch this program by Hawaii Public Broadcasting on November 18 to generate enough money for a new home of PBS Hawaii in Honolulu. We all take advantage of the quality programs by our Hawaii PBS station. Now let's give something back.
A star-studded cast of Hawaii residents will appear on PBS Hawaii Sunday, November 18 at 6:30 pm HST to help the statewide public television station engage public support for its campaign to build a new home. The 90-minute live broadcast of the NEW HOME Campaign is available online via livestreaming on PBS Hawaii
The program will be rebroadcast and also available online on Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 pm HST. Broadway performer Loretta Ables Sayre will host the program, featuring slack key guitar master Keola Beamer; singer Marlene Sai; YouTube sensation Ryan Higa; singer/composer Paula Fuga; jazz singer and PBS Hawaii Board member Jimmy Borges; singer/musician and PBS Hawaii Board member Kawika Kahiapo; entertainer Danny Kaleikini; slam poet Kealoha; voice coach Neva Rego; ukulele impresario Roy Sakuma; storyteller and Enterprise Honolulu President and CEO Pono Shim; Searider Productions educator Candy Suiso; Hawaii and San Francisco public broadcasting executive Mary Bitterman; and iconic artist Pegge Hopper. Singers will be accompanied by Dan Del Negro on the piano and John Kolivas on bass.
The program is intended to raise public awareness and financial support for a $30 million capital campaign to develop a site that the station purchased at 315 Sand Island Access Road at Nimitz Highway. PBS Hawaii must vacate the University of Hawaii Manoa building it has occupied for 40 years because the university needs the space for expansion.
New Home campaign program November 18 at 6:30 PM
'Best Hawaii Vacation blog' shares another time one of PBS Hawaii's press releases with its visitors. By doing so, we hope that more of our visitors watch this program by Hawaii Public Broadcasting on November 18 to generate enough money for a new home of PBS Hawaii in Honolulu. We all take advantage of the quality programs by our Hawaii PBS station. Now let's give something back.
A star-studded cast of Hawaii residents will appear on PBS Hawaii Sunday, November 18 at 6:30 pm HST to help the statewide public television station engage public support for its campaign to build a new home. The 90-minute live broadcast of the NEW HOME Campaign is available online via livestreaming on PBS Hawaii
The program will be rebroadcast and also available online on Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 pm HST. Broadway performer Loretta Ables Sayre will host the program, featuring slack key guitar master Keola Beamer; singer Marlene Sai; YouTube sensation Ryan Higa; singer/composer Paula Fuga; jazz singer and PBS Hawaii Board member Jimmy Borges; singer/musician and PBS Hawaii Board member Kawika Kahiapo; entertainer Danny Kaleikini; slam poet Kealoha; voice coach Neva Rego; ukulele impresario Roy Sakuma; storyteller and Enterprise Honolulu President and CEO Pono Shim; Searider Productions educator Candy Suiso; Hawaii and San Francisco public broadcasting executive Mary Bitterman; and iconic artist Pegge Hopper. Singers will be accompanied by Dan Del Negro on the piano and John Kolivas on bass.
The program is intended to raise public awareness and financial support for a $30 million capital campaign to develop a site that the station purchased at 315 Sand Island Access Road at Nimitz Highway. PBS Hawaii must vacate the University of Hawaii Manoa building it has occupied for 40 years because the university needs the space for expansion.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Follow us on Google Plus
What a nice rhyme 'Follow us on Google Plus' and a great new tool!
Like everybody else in the vacation & travel business we came recently across more and more Google+ badges and +1 buttons when visiting Hawaii twitter friend sites or generally surfing the web. Then naturally the question came up what is all the hype about Google+? Admittedly, we were a bit skeptical and hesitant when Google first showed up as new player among the social media scene of Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. It seemed kind of late but obviously not too late when considering the ever rising numbers of members of Google+ pages, exclusively designed for business owners.
As owners of KohalaCoastWeb and HawaiiAffordableVacationRentals as well as our Best Hawaii Vacation blog we had to ask ourselves: "Can we really afford NOT to join Google+? Here is the result of our brainstorming after more detailed studies of Google+ business pages. We think that the structure of Google+ gives us business owners a powerful platform to promote our websites with its unique features Facebook and Twitter don't offer. Consequently we joined Google+ about three weeks ago.
Why we think Google+ is right for us:
1. Open a Google+ business page
After I had opened my individual personal Google+ account, Google allowed me to open a Google+ business page with profile, description of business target, link to company and of course with the possibility to post new, fresh interesting and exciting posts there.
FYI Google Plus offers to link your blog with your Google+ business page. When you do that, each blog post will automatically show up in your posts at Google+. I decided NOT to link my blogger blogspot account with Google+, yet. I don't think I want that, at least not at this moment. OK I have a different 'audience' in Google+ but in the end it would be just a repeat of my blog post. There is so much more to posting fresh content on Google Plus!
2. Start circles in Google+
As I said above I am still a newcomer to Google+ but I immediately started creating customized 'Circles' in my business page for Hawaii, Big Island, Vacation, Travel, Hawaii Activities etc. which seems to be the perfect way to unite same or similar target businesses in one circle. I really like the circles.
3. Google+ badges and +1 buttons
Third step I did was to get from Google Developers the Google badge and the +1 button to my site KohalaCoastWeb which invites site visitors to follow my Google+ page (see top of pages) and to +1 a page (individual page placement) whose content they like.
4. Google+ improving Search engine results
Since we've started Google+ just recently and it's still new territory for us, we don't expect a miracle in Google SERPs of our sites and blog. However, our belief is that the potential is there and should be big considering that Google accumulated the biggest amount of data as the biggest player in the search engine business. The majority of us still 'googles' instead of 'bings'. Naturally we can expect that Google will integrate their social media network with search business in the future.
Mahalo for following us on Google Plus.
So if you are owning a Hawaii or vacation or travel related business and I convinced you to start your own Google+ page, please, let us know when you did so. Happy to find kindred spirits on Google+. A hui hou. Aloha, Pua & Keoki
p.s.
First positive result to report from joining Googe Plus, is the ever climbing number of Twitter followers, business owners of quality sites & blogs in the travel and vacation business!
BTW We noticed one of the best unexpected 'side effect' of being closely connected to Hawaii and Travel sites around the world are...the most amazing photos from unique places in Hawaii and around the world. Most of those travel photo posts are available for 'sharing'.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Best spots for snorkeling in Hawaii
Aloha everybody,
The Big Island has the most healthy coral fields of the islands, and plenty of sea life. It is our top pick for a snorkeling destination in Hawaii. And it is actually pretty easy to say what our favorite spot is on the island, because it is probably our favorite spot in all the Hawaiian Islands.
If Two Steps had a beach, it would be the poster child for world's best snorkel spot. Instead, you get in the water from a solid rock shoreline, stepping down natural steps into the water. Don't let the lack of beach stop you, because this little bay has it all, fantastic corals draped across fields, valleys and cliffs. Turtles and dolphins frequent the bay, along with lots and lots of tropical fish. We have spotted octopus here, and even the elusive seahorse.
Kauai offers some exciting snorkeling, at the base of it's gorgeous rain shrouded mountains.
This is one giant of a snorkel spot. In fact, the curve of the outer protective reef at Tunnels can be seen from space. And it seems that most folks who snorkel here are not aware that with a good swim out farther inside the reef there are some huge healthy coral heads, and schools of tropical fish. So if you are a strong swimmer, explore a bit further inside the reef area for a real treat.
Maui is no slouch. It offers some fantastic snorkeling and wonderful healthy coral reefs. And if you love to snorkel with turtles then Maui is the ticket, having an abundance of Green Sea Turtles.
Po'olenalena may not have the fame of Molokini, but with it's perfect depths for a snorkeler and an abundance of sea life, it is much better in our book. The southernmost rocky point of the beach has stellar snorkeling. If you love seeing families of turtles, gorgeous hard corals, and healthy populations of fish, then this is not to be missed.
Oahu snorkeling
If you are fortunate enough to visit the north shore of Oahu in the summer, there are some great snorkel beaches, like Three Tables, described below. But in the winter and when there is a north swell, those spots favor surfers, so you will find better luck at locations on the west and south sides, like the famous Hanauma Bay.
After looking for special vacation spots in Hawaii in our previous post, we and of course you got invited by two Hawaii snorkel experts Galen & Nicole to visit with them best spots for snorkeling in Hawaii. Excited to hear about their favorite snorkel spots on each Hawaiian Island? Then keep reading what they have to say:
"Why visit Hawaii? It's got to be for the hot sun and the beautiful ocean. Two essential elements for all kinds of fun. And snorkeling in Hawaii is like slipping between those two wonderful elements. And in the space between you discover a new world, that fills your eyes and your mind with life, fresh color and an expanse of quiet beauty. Sea life.
Graceful Green Sea Turtles fly by. Dolphins click and squeak to each other and break the horizon in acrobatic spins. Schools of bright tropical fish either crowd you for a handout, or are so indifferent you are lucky to catch a glimpse. Not to mention the vast fields of colorful coral life that tries to imitate rock during the day.
Every time we snorkel in Hawaii, it offers something new and interesting. And Hawaii is so accommodating. The state has made all beaches public. So you can get up, watch the sun rise, and jump in at your own pace, just about anywhere. Of course, you can also book an exciting snorkel boat tour, filled with good company, food and music.
Ready to snorkel? But where? Because while it is true that you can get in the water almost anywhere in Hawaii, some snorkeling spots are much better than others. The best spots offer healthy reefs and an abundance of sea life to interact with. So what is our favorite spot on each of the main Hawaiian Islands? Tough question, because we love many spots on each island. Forced to choose, here is a favorite on each island that won't disappoint you:
Big Island (Hawaii) snorkeling
The Big Island has the most healthy coral fields of the islands, and plenty of sea life. It is our top pick for a snorkeling destination in Hawaii. And it is actually pretty easy to say what our favorite spot is on the island, because it is probably our favorite spot in all the Hawaiian Islands.
Two Steps in Honaunau - Our choice for best spot for snorkeling on the Big Island
If Two Steps had a beach, it would be the poster child for world's best snorkel spot. Instead, you get in the water from a solid rock shoreline, stepping down natural steps into the water. Don't let the lack of beach stop you, because this little bay has it all, fantastic corals draped across fields, valleys and cliffs. Turtles and dolphins frequent the bay, along with lots and lots of tropical fish. We have spotted octopus here, and even the elusive seahorse.
Kauai snorkeling
Kauai offers some exciting snorkeling, at the base of it's gorgeous rain shrouded mountains.
Tunnels - When snorkeling on Kauai this is our favorite spot
This is one giant of a snorkel spot. In fact, the curve of the outer protective reef at Tunnels can be seen from space. And it seems that most folks who snorkel here are not aware that with a good swim out farther inside the reef there are some huge healthy coral heads, and schools of tropical fish. So if you are a strong swimmer, explore a bit further inside the reef area for a real treat.
Maui snorkeling
Maui is no slouch. It offers some fantastic snorkeling and wonderful healthy coral reefs. And if you love to snorkel with turtles then Maui is the ticket, having an abundance of Green Sea Turtles.
Po'olenalena Beach - This Maui beach is our favorite for snorkeling on Maui
Po'olenalena may not have the fame of Molokini, but with it's perfect depths for a snorkeler and an abundance of sea life, it is much better in our book. The southernmost rocky point of the beach has stellar snorkeling. If you love seeing families of turtles, gorgeous hard corals, and healthy populations of fish, then this is not to be missed.
Oahu snorkeling
If you are fortunate enough to visit the north shore of Oahu in the summer, there are some great snorkel beaches, like Three Tables, described below. But in the winter and when there is a north swell, those spots favor surfers, so you will find better luck at locations on the west and south sides, like the famous Hanauma Bay.
Three Tables - Great spot on Oahu for snorkeling on a beach day
Just a tiny swim out from this quaint little beach and you will find one of the few spots on Oahu with healthy corals, and lots of fish. We have also found inquisitive reef squid here. The area is not big, but is full of life. But be aware that you need to be cautious of waves and currents at all of the north shore locations on Oahu."
Keoki and I really enjoyed Galen's and Nicoles Hawaii snorkel tour and the beautiful ocean life photos. To our visitors, remember that these photos are copyright and if you would like to use one, please, ask them their permission. We are sure that you have your own preferences about your favorite snorkel spots in Hawaii. Click the comment link and tell us more about your snorkeling in Paradise.
Mahalo Galen & Nicole again and aloha to all of you from Pua & Keoki Kohala Coast Web
p.s.
Galen & Nicole are half salt water, half web geeks who love sharing their snorkeling experiences from around the world at their website and in their eBook snorkeling guides. Drop in and say hi.
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