Kauai Podcast

David Penhallow on Pearl Harbor, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki

This month I am really excited to bring David Penhallow back to the show.   David is a fifth generation Hawaiian who was born on Oahu, spent most of his life on Kauai, and has recently moved to the Big Island.  His life is full of experiences and his ways of sharing them are second to no one.  He has worked as an actor, an author, a teacher, and a historian.   He has worked as a waiter, bartender, and manager in training at Coco Palms.  He has acted in New York City, served as director of the Kauai Museum, director of economic development for the County of Kauai, and assistant to the Mayor of the County of Kauai.

He has taught drama on Kauai and the mainland, and written many successful plays and books which integrate Hawaiian history with incredible writing and story telling.   Today I am really happy to have him back to talk about his first hand experiences with several huge, historical moments in Hawaiian history…. Pearl Harbor and WWII, the Tidal Wave of 1946, and Hurricane Iniki.

Travelog 2016

Having just returned from a two week excursion to Kauai, Pam and I sit down to discuss many events from our trip.  Among other things, topics discussed are, the search for the best (and finding the worst) shave ice on the island, Hanapepe’s Art Night, the road you should not drive on, The Kauai Museum, Smith’s Tropical Paradise, staying in a unit with no AC, Coco Palms and Coconut Marketplace updates, and not doing totally stupid things (like jumping off of Wailua Falls) while on vacation.

Lucky We Live Hawaii Podcasters, Bruce Fisher and Wayde Fishman

Today I am really happy to bring you an interview with the two hosts of the Lucky We Live Hawaii podcast, Bruce Fisher and Wayde Fishman.  If you haven’t listened to their show before, you really should.  Their show is really different from most things you see pertaining to Hawaii, because they not only talk about the good things that we see in every travel brochure, but they also talk about current events and the challenges and the reality of daily living in Hawaii.  Both are locals who have lived in Hawaii for 20 plus years, and they bring that experience to their shows.

If you have listened to their show before, today you’re going to get a chance to learn a little about each of them in a more in-depth and personal manner through two separate interviews.  With Wayde, we are going to hear about his moving to the islands, how living in Hawaii has changed him, challenges facing Hawaii and what he is doing to help, and a unique tour company that he started which I think is an amazing idea.  With Bruce, we are going to hear about his background in radio as a newcomer to Oahu, Hurricane Iniki, how he got into the travel business, what it’s like to own a travel business, and what people should know when booking their vacations.

As discussed in the show, I have included the following links:

Places to Stay, Places to Eat, and Places to Watch Sports

This episode consists of a conversation Pam and I had after getting home from our last trip, where we did a comprehensive comparison and review of many places to stay on the East Side of Kauai, specifically around the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa.  We also include a very unique place we stayed for two nights in Lihue, The Garden Island Inn.  We also talk about many places we visited in a search for the best place to watch sports.

Condos or hotels we discuss are the Garden Island Inn, Islander on the Beach, Wailua Bayview, Pono Kai, Kapaa Sands, Lanikai, Lae Nani, Kauai Shores, Plantation Hale, Kauai Coast Resort (Beachboy), and Courtyard Marriott at Coconut Beach

Back on the Island and Back on the Air

Finally, the Kauai Podcast is back on the Air!  In this welcome back episode, I discuss many things which have gone on in my life during the break as well as my plans going forward with regards to the show and moving to Kauai.   Then I talk about my recent trip to the Island, as well as a couple of hikes which I went on, Sleeping Giant and the Makaleha Hike.

Show Update

Taylor Camp DVD

Taylor Camp, with John Wehrheim

I’m really excited about today’s show, and I think you are going to really enjoy it!  Today we are going to talk about Taylor Camp, a “hippie” community which existed on the north shore of Kauai from 1969-1977.  It began as a “safe haven” when Howard Taylor (brother of actress “Elizabeth Taylor”) bailed out 13 people jailed for vagrancy and offered to let them stay on his land at Haena.  It quickly became a mecca for surfers, hippies, Vietnam vets, artists, and those looking for a different way of life.  Taylor Camp really reflected the movement of the 70’s perfectly.  It was a clothing optional (but many times not), drug friendly, commune of acceptance and love, an ordered community without rules, and it represented a non-materialistic way of life.  It was a true microcosm of people and personalities from all over, bonded by their love of nature, Kauai, and living freely, and it seemed to provide spiritual healing for all of them in one way or another.

A couple years back I picked it up the video, “Taylor Camp”, eagerly watched it, and loved it.  I thought it was a very well made documentary, an amazing mix of both incredible pictures of Taylor Camp and its residents in its day, and interviews with camp residents, Kauai locals, and the government officials who wanted them out, thirty years later.  It totally drew me in, and because of that documentary, doing a show on Taylor Camp has always been a priority on my list of show subjects.

A couple months back I decided to reach out and contact my “dream interview” for this show, and I called John Wehrheim, the Emmy Award winning producer of the movie “Taylor Camp”.  We talked for a bit, and after a short conversation he agreed to come on the show and discuss Taylor Camp with us.  He’s not only a great guy, but I don’t think there could be a more perfect person for this show.  I’m really excited to have him on and I think you are just going to love this interview.

As discussed in the show I have included the following links:

Papa’a Bay

Travelog 2013:  Sept 10-17

A show packed full of advice, tips, and stories from my recent trip to the island.   Among other things, subjects included are reviews of places to stay on the Coconut Coast, Anahola Beach Park, Papa’a Bay and beach, hiking to the bottom of Wailua Falls, the Na ‘Aina Kai gardens, tripping around the town of Waimea, and a quest for Kauai art.

Hiking to Hanakapi’ai Falls

After giving a brief talk about the highlights of my last Kauai trip, this episode follows an incredible hike up the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach, and then up a side trail to Hanakapi’ai falls.  The first half of the hike takes you on an awesome adventure along Kauai’s Napali Coast, and offers incredible views both Ke’e Beach and the NaPali Coastline, and ends at gorgeous Hanakapi’ai Beach.  The second half follows a ridiculously tough but adventuresome side trail to Hanakapi’ai Falls, and ends by rewarding you with a breathtaking view, and a memory that you will never forget.

Owning a Peice of Paradise

Buying Property on Kauai

I’m really excited to bring you this episode.  If you have ever even considered owning a piece of Kauai, then this episode is truly a “don’t miss”.  Packed full of info about purchasing property and investing in real estate on Kauai, this episode contains of two interviews.  Part one covers the basics of buying property on Kauai with Steve Whitney, a real estate broker with Hawaii Life realty.  Part two, an interview with real estate investor Luke Hofacker, discusses purchasing and owning a property as an investment or vacation rental.

Subjects covered include… the difference between fee simple, leasehold, fractional ownerships, and timeshare.  Pros and cons of purchasing a condo vs. a single family home.  Best places on the island to purchase.  Things to watch for and be aware of.  Purchasing and owning a vacation rental.  Managing a vacation rental yourself vs. using a management company… and much, much more.

As discussed in the podcast, I have included the following links: