Jealous. Have a blast.

Me too, jealous! Our next trip is not until March 1st to HNL. That is exactly 101 days from today. Enjoy your trip!!

tifa, love it! I also count the days from pretty far out when we have a trip planned. March 1 will be here before you know it.

Poke -----sigh

Mr_Glass and I were watching a recent episode of Hawaii 5'O and at the food truck set, they had a huge bowl of poke at the picnic table. We both got all misty eyed.

Yay! Love your reports and I hope you have a great time and get your plumeria and poke fixes!

We're going to Maui in February again. Same dates as last year for 11 nights (inc President's week), same hotels but this year we're using air miles and got upgrades (for the return at least!). It might mean that leaving paradise is a little easier and even better I get to stay for 2 extra days as there were no award flights for my chosen return date.

Most of all I'm looking forward to the sunshine in the dead of winter.. and the whales.. and the beach.. I could go on!

Our next trip is May 25-June 1, 2013 to Kauai!! It will be our 5th trip to Kauai! We are going with my brother and his fiancee and it will be their first time to Hawaii.

DH & my brother's fiancee share the same birthday, May 31, so we will be there to celebrate!

6 months and 5 days!!!!!!!!

I'll beat you by ten days, louistraveler5: May 15-26, 2013. Heading to Maui.

and they don't make good eatin even if you poached them. Although rooster jerkey has made great strides in the culinary world.

Not only that, but those buggers chase you down the street for a poppy seed muffin.

Have a great trip martym.
Hope to go back to Kauai next fall.

Hanalei in 217 days!

The Big Island for our annual month in March-April. Poke, yes!! Papayas, yes!! Hula dancing, yes!!

A smidge less than three months until my very first visit to Hawaii (17 days on Waikiki, Poipu and Big Island)! I am SOOOO excited! I'll be spending a good chunk of the holiday weekend nailing down more details. I keep watching The Descendents which is on heavy rotation on HBO at the moment. I just discovered a good friend is booked on the same flight as us on the way home - small world! HURRY FEBRUARY!!

Another Hawaii virgin gets defrocked!

37 days....first New Year's Eve we've missed on Kauai since '92. Been going every year since '89, except for Iniki. We used to go for T'giving/Wedding anniv until the lovely Mrs Kal's biddness took off.

Since the hotel no longer keeps the Sand Bar open for New Year's Eve so we could celebrate with all of our "local ohana", we decided to go over a few days later....let all those pesky tourists clear off the island.

Sad to miss New Year's Eve but nice to get a rental car for $17/day v. $25/$30 from Dec 30-Jan 2.

In 10 days we'll be "cleansing our palates" for Kauai by going to Pittsburgh.

Martym......We'll be in Kona starting Feb 1 for a month. I already have a lot of info, but please give me your favorite beach, your favorite luau, your favorite attraction, your favorite seafood restaurant, and anything else that is your favorite! Also, any reasonable places to golf? Thanks!

Kal, pretty much set for Kauai the end of Jan but if you have any favorites, I would like to hear them! I probably be in the Kountry Kitchen for pancakes every day!

cd, where on Kauai will you be?

Depending on tomorrow's medical procedure, we'll be doing 'Baggage Lotto' Jan. 4 into HNL, then on to OGG for two months at our South Maui condo.

(I can't predict the outcome of HA's new refusal to through-check baggage off our AA flight. All wasbooked by AA, but that leg is on a separate ticket from the rest. We may be claimin', haulin', re-checkin' and enjoying the shoeless shuffle all over again at HNL.)

Hi sf, we are staying in a condo at Wailua Bay View, Kapaa

Well, I highly concur with the Kountry Kitchen recommendation, but also wanted to mention that we had a couple of really good dinners at Josselin's in Poipu if you happen to be in the area. It's "small plates", meant to be shared, and a very innovative menu.

Thanks! Made note!

two hundred nine.

91 Days before JFK --> HNL! Made it down to double digits.

cd -- I'd be interested in hearing how you like WBV. We stayed there two years, but long ago. We enjoyed watching the canoe clubs and once had a monk seal visiting for a few days on the beach alongside the road across from Coco Palms.

ChiSue, tell me all you know about it! It is ocean front but I can't find a path to the ocean. You lived there? How did you walk to the ocean?

cd--you asked for the following
1. favorite beach --though I'm sure you know about the beautiful Kohala coast beaches (Hapuna, Mauna Kea, etc) here are three we like--that are often deserted or nearly so especially during the week--
Kaloko Honokohau http://www.nps.gov/kaho/index.htm
Kekaha Kai http://www.hawaiigaga.com/big-island/beaches/kekaha-kai-beach-park.aspx it is a very rough road to get to this beach--but we have done it in a rental sedan--just go slowly
Ke’ei http://mapcarta.com/24043946 it’s located at the south end of Kealakekua Bay on an unmarked road—if you think you would like to visit it—I can send specific directions
2. favorite luau--we've never been to a luau
3. favorite attraction--here are several we've enjoyed through the years
High Tea at Onomea Tea http://www.onotea.com/
Tide pools in Puna http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-kapoho-tide-pools.html
Circle Drive to Hawi from Kailua—hwy 19 to Kawaihae—hwy 270 to Hawi (have lunch at Sushi Rock or Bamboo; continue east to Pololu Valley overlook; then back to Hawi)—take hwy 250 over the Kohala volcano back to hwy 19 then back to Kona
Holualoa http://www.holualoahawaii.com/ art galleries and a nice restaurant see blow
Buddhist Temple in Ka’u (if you're driving the southern route from Volcano to Kona) http://www.nechung.org/
whale watching www.ilovewhales.com--Captain Dan is the best, IMO
4. favorite seafood restaurant -- don't have any favorite restaurant specifically for seafood; the restaurants all have very fresh seafood;--we like
Sushi Rock http://www.sushirockrestaurant.net/
Hilo Bay Café http://www.hilobaycafe.com/
Holuokoa Café http://www.holuakoacafe.com/
Ke’ei Café http://www.keeicafe.net/
Sam Choy’s http://www.samchoy.com/
Super J’s if you want to try authentic Hawaiian food—located south of Kona on hwy 11, ocean (makai) side of road; easy to miss and nothing to look at—wonderful lauluas—the owner is a lovely Hawaiian lady—if you want to try poi this is the place to do it—closed Sunday—cash only
5. any reasonable places to golf--first of all as I'm sure you know, the term reasonable is relative in Hawaii -- sometimes, if he is going to play several times, he buys a golf card that helps a little
Golf card http://www.hawaiigolfdeals.com/big-island-golf/
Courses he likes play are
Makalei http://www.makalei.com/
Big Island Country Club http://www.bigislandcountryclub.com/
South Kona Country Club http://www.konagolf.com/

Wow, great list Martym! Thanks so much!

cd -- You can't swim there. The unit LR's overlook Wailua Bay, and the BR's are in back. Downside is the mini-mart on the BR side. We used the A/C as 'white noise' at night. It's not far from the Coconut Marketplace. If you want to be on a swimming beach, look in Poipu.

ChiCue, we just like to walk the beach, not swim. Can we do that there?

cd -- Yes, but it's not a very LONG beach within the bay. You can go look at the derelict Coco Palms, never rebuilt after Iniki. LOL Ocean is pretty rough along Kapaa, especially in winter. It is a convenient 'middle' place to stay -- driving south to Poipu and Waimea Canyon and north to Princeville/Hanalei.

cd,
I think NeoPatrick stayed at Wailua Bayview two years ago. If you were to post a question with WBV in the title, he might see it and give you his experience.

Chi Sue, that is the reason we chose Kapaa, because it is in the middle.

wekewoody, thanks I'll give it a try.

ChiSue? What's funny about the demise of Coco Palm?

With the ever continuing beach path project in Kapaa, I think you are going to have a fantastic time cd. More then ever, it is a wonderful central home base to explore the island.

Thanks Lookin_Glass

Heading for the airport--if we can get though the rain and wind in San Francisco this morning--we'll sleep in south Kona tonight -- woo hoo!

I will be more than happy to keep this coundown thread going in your absence marty. Have a great trip and I hope the weather here lets a bit so you can get to Kona! Right now it it storming like banshee where I live about 30 miles from SFO.

martym, have a great time and please write a report!!

Oh dear, in just a few hours poor martym is going to be hit with a full forced tradewind of that horrendous stench of plumeria and ocean breezes. Oh the humanity! Not to even mention the fact that when they land, they will think they were on the space shuttle and somehow got diverted to the moon.

I live only 5 miles from SFO and it's pretty torrential here right now.

Wooohooo, in only 89 days I will be boarding the plane for Kona. 1st trip to Hawaii Island and then one week later will be boarding the plane from Kona to Kauai and then two weeks later will be boarding the plane to come home...boohoooo
This will be our 8th time to Hawaii, 7th time to Kauai and 1st time to The Big Island.

32 days to go and 22 yrs. (Could have been 23 but damn you Iniki )

1st trip was 4 days on Kauai, 3 on Molokai and 3 on Oahu.
Next trip 10 on Kauai then 4 on Molokai.
The rest...allllll Kauai except a few years ago when we had to party with some Oahu Wicked Wahines...and Ken.

We have a standing invite from an old high school/college (not law school ) buddy of mine who owns a place on The Big Island near Naalehu.
Told him we'll stay with the Kauai Magic till it quits working for us.

Only a 20 minute delay in SFO and we arrived in Kona about 1pm yesterday. It's wonderful to be back. And I will write a report when I return home.

I was on a Panama Canal Cruise and we got rained out on our day transiting the Gatun Locks. All we saw was rain drops Being bored I got on the internet and found a fantastic air fare from LAX. I am going to Kauai and then Maui, total of 9 days. I will be leaving on Jan 15th. Now I am home and trying to put together accommodations, which I am finding not easy this close. UGH!

"We have a standing invite from an old high school/college (not law school ) buddy of mine who owns a place on The Big Island near Naalehu."

To be a real humble bragger you have to have stayed in Doris Duke's guest house at Shangri-La and post about it here.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if someone in a drunken stupor camped out at Elvis' sweet suite at the Coco post the big wind and surf, running nekid singing viva las vegas. They wouldn't be the first to squat and camp.

centonovantanove giorni = 199 days I think.

Headed to Kauai on April 26th. This will be my 10th trip to Hawaii but my first trip to Kauai.
I am very excited!!!!

I have made 8 trip to Oahu and 1 to The Big Island.
I'm ready to fall in love!!!

Kona, You will hate Kauai. It is the most dreadful island of them all.

WW, I really like Kauai

iceeu2: I know you do. So do I.

Waiting until December 24th!

30 long days between me & paradise (aka Kauai). But who's counting???

I was just on my 2nd fave island and hometown yesterday back here in The Pitt. Sat there and watched the Ohio River flow on by.

24 more days till my FIRST fave island.

...and a few hours till a mini-gtg with one of my fave Steelers fans, steelersfan.

Hello Hello? How ye doing over in Paradise?

Well I know da kine I won't be saying howzit to, under the great aloha kaumahana

sassy: Maui in Feb. for us too. I'm already digging out travel bags, shorts and flip-flops.

iowagirl, if you haven't been to Star Noodle on your previous February trips, try it -- it's a really fun place, with good and unusual food.

12 more days! Actually 11.

WARNING: This may be traumatic to look at.

The countdown for the pier has begun in Kauai. Demolition isn't easy. Let's hope the project goes well and restores what is one of the most important parts of Hanalei that is so much a part of the community.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/hanalei-pier-shed-removal-triggers-restoration-efforts/article_7f5f8670-44ed-11e2-aeac-0019bb2963f4.html


http://www.balihai.com/Blog/kauai-hd-webcam/

Aloha

Although i don't have the spare $500 for a plaque at Hanalei Pier, it gives me comfort to donate and know I have a a brick at the lighthouse with two remarkable people.

http://hanaleirotary.org/making_a_donation.html

I hope it is done by the time we arrive in...CXCV days.

sf7307: thanks, we might check it out. Unfortunately, DH and I need to be VERY careful where we eat, because I'm allergic to seafood - bone fish and shellfish. Makes eating on Maui difficult at times, believe me!

iowagirl, another pair of restaurants to check out if haven't yet would be Mala Ocean Terrace in Lahaina and the sister restaurant Mala Wailea. They offer lots of non-fish appetizers, salads and entrees. Worth checking out.

Breakfast at the Gazebo in Napili and at Kihei Caffe in Kihei (both have delicious pancakes/French toast - no fish in sight!)

Back from the island of Hawaii 5 days ago--it was soooo relaxing. Now beginning the countdown til Feb. 13 when we go to our favorite island for three weeks.

Welcome back martym, and such a short countdown to the next trip makes it so much more bearable doesn't it!?

iowagirl, same time same place as last year for us as well. It's becoming a habit and I love it!
I'm looking forward to packing those flip flops on a cold day in January!

7 more days. I can find a respite.

Happy travels Kurosawa. Your week will fly by and before you know it, you'll be there.

wekewoody: Mala Ocean Terrace looks good. I don't think we've eaten there before. My problem is that I can't eat anything that's even been cooked on the same surface as seafood. Makes me a troublesome date for my hubby! But I've found over the years that most of the restaurants on Maui are very accommodating to people with food allergies. I always feel bad about being a "picky" customer, but most wait staff are very understanding. More so than around here!

sassy: same place for us too, but then we own a one-week timeshare, so that's a given! For the last few years, however, we've been able to eke out a couple extra days of vacation and stay at a different hotel for those nights.

Can't wait! And we have a blizzard coming on Thursday, so I'm especially enjoying looking up things to do on Maui.

I actually have a signed cookbook from Mark Elman of Mala, and just the other day my husband left the house wearing his Mala T=shirt

"Practice Aloha"

I am sure if you call ahead they will take due care and treat you with the warmest aloha.

....15.....
Can't wait to try a pie from The Right Slice...and a slice of Da Brick's combo, whole wheat, garlic butter crust, well done.

Oh and see our local ohana, too.

Mele Kalikimaka !!!!!!

...and a Hau'oli Makahiki Hou to you, too!

Woohooo, it's only 73 days away for us!!

Hubby and I leave in 40 days for 2 glorious weeks on Kauai. We've been to Oahu and Maui. This is our first trip to Kauai and we hope to see the Big Island some day too.

The Hawaiian islands are the best!!

I can picture you and the real icee on a bicycle built for two tearing it up on the newish and ever expanding bike path!

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/bicycle-built-for-two-jeannie-atwater-jordan-allen.jpg

http://image1.masterfile.com/em_w/02/79/19/846-02791928w.jpg

Two months from yesterday, 62 days, until I dip my toes into warm Pacific waters! As the snow is flying and the winds are freezing outside my office window, it cannot come soon enough!

80 days to go! Three weeks at an oceanfront condo on the south end of Kona, then a week on Hilo for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival with its hula competitions, great entertainment, great Hawaiian crafts show, and fun with hula friends. Some snorkeling at the tide pools south of Hilo, too.

Less than 24 hours and I get to meet Honolulu. I've been through the airport on the way to the Big Island, have also been to Kauai and Maui, but not Oahu. I cannot wait. The upside of being on the West Coast is that we can get a direct flight. One more sleep and we will be in a hot (OK, around 70F and humid environment of the lovely Hawaii). Mahalo!

Daytime temps in Honolulu are hovering around 80F. Have a great time.

In Hawaii right now, dipping in the ocean and enjoying the sunshine. Already got Swinburne on the right thigh.

I'm green with envy especially as it's snowing here! Enjoy

A week from today I will be awakened by the sunrise shining in thru the lanai, the sound of the waves from the close ocean shore and the smell of Kauai Coffee Co coffee......and craving a Bloody Mary from "The OC".

Bring a sweater. My weather widget says it was 62 degrees in Hanalei this morning!

100 + 70 + 8 = 178

Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r....
Only 32 this a.m. in my neck of the woods.

32? That's freezing!

Did I mention that I have to wait just under six months to go to hell?

Some people never learn....as my research into the phenomenon continues....

We will be on The Big Island in 64 more days and we're going to hell in only 71 days.

Well, my very first trip to Hawaii is not happening before 199 days...

Wouldn't it be fun to have a trip report gtg update between Songdock and Kal from the Sand Bar at the Islander?!?!

5 more...tick tick tick.

Had dinner last night with a family who spent T'giving on the Hellhole. First time seeing them since they got back. They brought us some veryyyy fiiine Kauai Chocolate Co turtles back as a thank you for some recs we gave them.

They are ready to go back. Rented house from Kauai Vacation Rentals and spoke highly of them and the property.

Another friend of mine was delayed yesterday at SMF almost 10 hrs since Hawaiian Airlines failed to get a part to SMF from LAX facility.

He finally arrived on Kauai this a.m.

On the flight from HON to LIH he ran into a mutual buddy also on his way to Kauai. They will all be there when the lovely Mrs Kal and I get there. They are also staying on the "ugly" Coconut Coast.
This could be fun....

I'll bring the Chance family to a Sand Bar GTG. Slim, Fat and their little sister Nada.

One more day in paradise. flying out tomorrow. I am soaking up all the sun and ocean salt water.

Hey! Save some for us!

Ben deer don dat

no nightlife in the hellhole. . . and only the roosters to keep you up. . . .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIr0jBgY7W8

Kal, will you and Mrs Kal be there the whole month of Jan? We will arrive the 28th, drinks together would be great!

Poop! Drinks would be "ono" with you guys but we are there the 3rd thru the 18th.
Unless we hit the Lotto, of course.

Anyone on Maui May 11-12? This might be a nice hit to check out for a few.

https://www.olukai.com/Hoolaulea/about?utm_source=OluKai+Newsletter&utm_campaign=bbd30f9da8-TEDxMaui+E-Blast&utm_medium=email

Leave for Maui on Feb 10 to celebrate our 32th wedding anniversary (Feb. 14). Then on to the Big Island for a week. We have rented a four bedroom house on the ocean in Kapoho (a block from the tide pools). Friends from Ohio, So. Cal and Sydney, Australia will be flying in to join us on the Big Island. Can't wait.

-6 days and counting.

We may put off a NaPali hike this trip: http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/kalalau-trail-reopened/article_29254b0c-5a2b-11e2-91ee-0019bb2963f4.html

348 days till we come back.

I'm leaving Jan 16 for a week on the Big Island.......

Somewhere in the high 140s.

Less than a month til we go!

mms, I hate you.

wekewoody--So I probably shouldn't rub it in that someone else is paying for it too huh?

No free lunch, mms.

Leaving on a jet plane in 40 days!! mms, have fun!

icee:

40 days?

how biblical, you do the boston missionaries proud

Mango-lilikoi pie from The Right Slice.....

Just 4 months and I will be back on Kauai...May 25!!!!!!!

Sealodge condo is booked and right now I'm keeping a watch on flights. Right now, from Austin to Lihue, the price is $1089! I hope it goes down some in the next month.

My countdown clock is always visible on my screen. Right now, 23 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes and 43, 42, 41... seconds!
But who's counting??

Pssttt... seriously considering Maui in 4 months. Get ready for my questions as I am clueless (will be separate threads, not hijacking this one)

One month and 4 days to go until we're back in Honolulu! I've been busy creating lists of all the places I must eat at...it'll be another foodie adventure. I can't wait!

18 days til we're back on the island of Hawaii (21st time)-- tekwriter--see you in south Kona for mai tais and pupus!

We are leaving soon for Hawaii. Please tell me how to learn to pronounce their words, like towns and food.

Ka-pah-a.

Lay-hue-y

Hana-mah-ulu

Prince-ville.

weke = veh-keh

ye = yey

Vowels are the romance language sounds (ah, a, e, o, oo like in Spanish), and every vowel is a separate syllable except some diphthongs, e.g., au is ow (kau kau is food), ei is a (lei is lay). It's really pretty simple, but when you look at some of the long street names it won't seem so--just keep pronouncing; there are only 13 letters.

Okole = a$$le

LOL, Lookin_Glass..........you're on a roll today!

onehundredthirtydays

FINALLY I can join you, HI groupies

102.

25 days!!

Careful icee...heart palpitations are common when one gets below 30 days.

108 days!!!

....and sometimes common at 320 days....

23 days for me...bring on those heart palpitations! Woohoo!

I can't join..I don't have a countdown yet!! gotta bat my eyelashes at DH and see what we can figure out. I won't last waiting another year!

gmac: Start batting...!! You may get palpitations if you have to wait too long.
How long has it been since your last fix?

A little this and a lotta goes a long way!

Kal, did you see my picture at the Sand Bar? Met some lovely people there and saw whales off shore!

49 days for us!

I am batting away here! Last fix was 11 days in June. DH had 2 trips last year 3 weeks apart...he owes me

Leaving in three days for three weeks on the Big Island (Kapoho-Honoka'a-Ke'ei)- woo hoo! And since I like to plan ahead--291 days til we're back again in south Kona.

How far from Kona is Kapoho? I'm assuming it's north?

Kapoho is on the east coast of the island of Hawaii in the Puna district--it is about 125 miles from Kona by either the northern or southern route.

What do you enjoy there? We plan on driving there for a day to see the falls and botanical gardens, anything else you recommend?

In Kapoho, we enjoy hanging out at the house we rent www.lagoonhouse.com, snorkeling in the lagoon behind the house and swimming in the Champagne Pond that is between the house and the open ocean, having dinner at Paolo's Bistro in Pahoa and just relaxing. Kapoho is about 45 minutes south-east of Hilo and it sounds like the area you are exploring is northwest of Hilo (Akaka Falls, Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Gardens??), don’t know if you’d have time to drive on down there. If you do, you might enjoy swimming in the volcanically-heated pool at Ahalanui Park on highway 137 or snorkeling in the tide pools in Vacationland—the Wai’opae Tide Pools http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/mlcd_waiopae.html (go close to high tide—DH says best coral on the island).

I would enjoy the heated pools but you are right, we probably will not have time. Thanks!

Oh well-you have to save something for next time!

3 months and 2 weeks!!! The tickets have been over a $1000 per person but last Thursday morning I checked and the tickets dropped to $883 so I did the fare lock and we bought them Saturday night!

Supposed to leave for Maui tomorrow but in the process of cancelling everything.

I'm too sick to travel and now I'm adding to the pain by not going to Hawaii. Sometimes life sucks.

Oh no sassy! I hope you get better quickly and then are able to re-book your trip.

Thanks wekewoody.. hoping to get through this and book same place, same dates for next year but really disappointed. Maui would have been the perfect place to recuperate!

daaaaaang sassy_cat
get well soon.
When you're feeling mo bettah, perhaps you could get some tuna and make poke (New Deal), order some tropical flowers or a couple of leis on line, make banana mac pancakes - or email me for my famous top secret "Auntie's Roadside Island Banana Bread" recipe which is way mo bettah den anyting you can get on da island.

Thanks Lookin_Glass... A friend recommended a trip to Home Depot and I was completely nonplussed until he explained that I needed a truckload of sand to turn my living room into a beach!

I like the tropical flowers and leis suggestions a whole lot more
No tuna or poke or pancakes just yet as I have gastritis

Today is exactly...3 months...until I'm back on Kauai soil!!! May 25 can't get here quick enough!!!!!

Today is exactly 5 days until we set foot on The Big Island! And, exactly 12 DAYS until I'm back on Kaua'i soil!!!

13 days!!!! When hubby asked where I wanted to go for much needed vacation of course it was Hawaii. Spending 1 week on the northshore of Kauai, 1 week at our timeshare near Kona and soaking up as much aloha spirit as we can in 2 weeks! This is our 7th trip to the islands but we havent been for many years. I'm "home sick"!

112 until I do the malasada dance.

Malasadas...........mmmmmmmmmmmm!

WW, I didn't know you can dance!!

Wave a malasada in front of me and watch me boogie!

4 more days until Oahu! We leave on Friday morning!! 6 nights in Waikiki and 3 on the North Shore. Can't wait!

Hmmm, I think it IS called the Malasada Shuffle!!! Will send pics! Did I mention we are only 4 days away???

You southerners do the shuffle. We Californians do the boogie. Definitely send pics!

Hey, Mauna Kea got about a foot and a half of snow this weekend. You ganna go skiing?

tifa2276...3 days
iceeu2...4 days
eamc...12 days
louistraveler5......but I'm getting there...87 days!

tifa2276- I hope you do a trip report...I love your reports!

After too many malasadas, I'd be doing a Waddle!!

LOL tenthumbs. There is no such thing as TOO many malasadas. Ask the folks at the Village Snack Shop in Hanalei.

80 days for us. Somebody went around the world in 80 days?

icee should be on the BI right about now!

Drooling on my keyboard at her FB pix already.

Travelzoo has a good deal on an Oahu/Kauai and Kauai stay.

http://www.travelzoo.com/vacations/hawaii/

While I'm not a big fan of the Poipu area, this place looks nice and a decent deal.

2 months and 3 weeks!

67 days til I step foot on that red dirt!!!!!!!

Gosh...I am sooo jealous of these upcoming trips. What is it about Hawaii that makes you want to get back the minute you leave?? I think it is everything!!

I have no trips planned as of now...sniff. I will live vicariously through you all.

We just got back 10 days ago and already I'm counting the 9 months and two days til we're back in south Kona. Too long!

86 days until the hell-hole. 330 something until Maui.

57 days!!!

18 days!!! AND ... 73 days ... with Australia and New Zealand in between! Haven't started counting the minutes ... yet .

Just rub it in Songdoc......!

Just bought a ticket this morning, for a week at the end of next month for Waikiki/Honolulu/Oahu. Hurray for me!!!!!

Suze, have a long john for me at St. Germaine's.

Will do carolyn! (actually i don't know what a "long john" is but I KNOW St Germaine's is a GREAT bakery!)

28 days until Kauai.

Not to get all mushy ... but all of us posting are very, very fortunate.

Suze, Long Johns are doughnut-like long pastries filled with custard (and theirs is real, not flavored squish) and iced with chocolate. St. G's are especially good.

46 days...this is the fastest time has gone while waiting for a trip! I really can't believe that in only 46 days I will be on Kauai!

Songdoc:
I have taken time to reflect on how fortunate I am, as we all are, to be able to visit this beautiful island, as well as other places.
How did all your planning come together to fit in Kauai before AUS/NZ?

39 days...I'm in the thirties!!!!!

Songdoc: How soon do you leave?

32 days! What am I doing here, the bags are not packed

5!

The big 60 for Kauai.
Maui in the low 300's

WW:

11 days until Kauai!!!

ZERO!!! Arrived in paradise last night! This morning was bliss.

Songdoc, I'm burning a hole into my countdown clock and you are there...!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh...!!!!!!! Can you tell how envious I am???

I'll be expecting a new trip report to get me through these next 38 days...pretty please with a mac nut pancake on top...!

I'm in the twenties...29 to be exact!!!!!!!

louistraveler5 - I am sooo jealous! Have a great trip and looking forward to reading the trip report!

20 days!!! YAY!!!!!!

Maui, Kaanapali.

forty eight mo...

WW: because I can't remember how to make the green jealous guy!!

We have an extra bedroom. You and the real icee should come and you could be our housekeepers. You know, do the cleaning, sweep the sand off my feet and fan me with palm fronds.

WW:

14 days...I can't believe it...it's almost here!!!! Looking at pictures from last year...can't wait to step foot on that Kauai red dirt!!!!

TWENTY NINE!

Rebooked our Maui Feb trip that we cancelled for Feb 2014 and now have to wait 273 days!

24. I'm seeing some beautiful beaches on Australia's Sunshine Coast -- but nothing that makes me feel like Hanalei Bay, Tunnels, Haena, or Ke'e.

sassy, we're going to Maui in February too! The time will fly.

WW..when you go go Maui go to Fleetwood's for a meal! I just saw today that Mick Fleetwood has a restaurant there!

Thanks for that icee. Speaking of eats. Icee? You been to Mediterrean Gourmet recently? We didn't get there in August. Thinking about it for this trip in...TWENTY SEVEN days.

Have been to MG recently, but they still get very good reviews and they also have a vocalist on Friday and Saturday nights. Of course, it's early for the entertainment since they roll up the sidewalks on that hell hole very early in the evening

We stooped at Fleetwood's (Lahaina) for drinks one afternoon, and it was great. Nice rooftop bar with views of whales. We didn't stay for dinner, but looked at the menu and it all sounded yummy.

scdreamer, we just had friends go to Fleetwood's on Friday for dinner and they liked it very much.
Does the sc stand for South Carolina?

5 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey woody, keep an eye out for the opening of Tiki Iniki. Rundgren has a break in touring starting the 15th, so you might be a vip at the grande opening!

L_G, thanks for the heads up on Tiki Iniki! I can't wait to try it! Their story is so cute. I didn't realize that they have lived on island since just after Iniki.

Well not to be a humblebragger, Weke, I do have a bit of an insiders track when it comes to the US music industry. If they have a concrete date that I can confirm, I'll let you know. Melekalikimaka and all that jazz!

Good news, the pier is open for fishing and strolling and jumping and talking story!

We are back from Maui

because we didn't want to leave!

162 days until Kauai!!!! Yea

Dayenu, doing a trip report will ease your re-entry back into reality.

1 day!!! I finally made it...packed last night; at work today; leaving out of Austin tomorrow on a 6am flight!!!!!! This time tomorrow I'll be flying to San Francisco for a layover then onto Lihue!!! Tomorrow my feet will be on that red dirt!

I'll write up a trip report when I return...aloha!

safe journey louis

deyanu - waiting patiently for a trip report and how you managed without a car? Did you do the Hana tour?

SIL/BIL on Kauai now for almost 2 weeks.
Texting me pix from The Sand Bar, Puka Dog, Oly Cafe Bloody Marys, etc....We hate them.

224 mo' and revenge is mine sayeth Da Kal.

Have fun LT5.

Two painful and excruciating weeks until the Hell Hole.

WW.....you are such a a a a.................

What you really meant to say was, "WW...you are such a wonderful person."

Yeah! That's exactly what I meant to say!!!!

Don't forget to pack your bug spray, your rain slicker, your rooster repellant and food and especially flashlights because it is really really really dark!

And lots of money! Don't forget...everything in Kaua'i is overpriced.

Milk is very expensive, so do consider freezing half gallons and packing them in ziploc bags in your checked luggage! Then you can use the bags to store your dirty laundry and wet bathing suits!

L_G, practicality is your middle name!

I love your suggestions. Anything else that I can do to save money?

Remember. The island natives eat weird food, like red raw tuna with soy sauce and other strange ingredients. The two finger poi tastes like glue, don't even get me started on the three finger poi ----eww! I mean really, who eats glue with their fingers? If you're a tuna fan like me, you'd be wise to pack a few can's of chicken of the sea or starrkist and some mayo packets from your local subway!

And remember, there is No Night Life, unless you have a fetish for roosters and chickens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPftVQwyPs0

Put this in your pipe and smoke it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQSPivbWwuY

Doing the pony now.

Goofy, WW, you don't do the pony in Hawaii!!!

Wheels up in 24 hours.

Yeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

wheels down today! the mingling of scents, the airplane fuel, the heat off the tarmac, the gentle breeze of plumeria, the earthy scent of the red dirt, salt and sand.....