Dining Outside the Home: Kukui’s Poolside Restaurant and Bar at the Marriott Beach Resort in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Kukui’s Poolside Restaurant and Bar at the Marriott Beach Resort in Lihue, Kauai!  Relax poolside with first-class service of American or Polynesian food and unsurpassed tiki cocktails. There’s no need to leave the comfort of a covered cabana under rustling palms or the shade of an umbrella chaise lounge. The soothing fountains of the magnificent pool offer tranquility that soothes the soul. Nibble on ethnic finger foods and garden salads made from island organic ingredients. Need to cool off? No worries. Take a dip into the pool, towel off, and order another round of Mai Tai Chi cocktails. No parasol needed. 

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza & Burgers in Poipu, Kauai!  When you know the fish is caught fresh that day, it’s easy to choose the chef’s choice, especially when it comes highly recommended. There was a time I could not imagine ordering a fish taco, let alone eating one, but those days are gone. I now seem addicted to them. Perhaps it was the flaky striped marlin, or the fire roasted tomato salsa, the incredibly fresh avocado, and sliced jalapeño peppers. No matter how you serve it up, which happened to be in a crispy corn tortilla shell, the results were astounding! That’s perfection, in my opinion. I appreciate the farm-to-table concept Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers holds true. It rules. 

Dining Outside the Home: Duke’s Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Duke’s Kauai!  You won’t want to miss the Aloha Hour at this beachfront bar located a few footsteps from Kalapaki Bay. Live music is sure to entertain with classic tunes and old favorites. These guys know what they’re doing. The beach drinks, like Duke’s featured Mai Tai, is the perfect blend of local rum and Hawaiian fruit juices. The dark rum floater balances out the orange curaçao nicely. Pair it with a pupu order of Breaded Coconut Shrimp. The spicy lilikoi sauce will have you practically licking your fingers. Don’t forget to look around and enjoy the view. This is Kauai, after all. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Restaurant-Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Restaurant-Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai!  Step inside this shaded cantina setting to discover a place that has been serving south-of-the-border favorites in the Hawaiian Islands for just barely over ten years. But don’t let that stop you. The tried and true family recipes make up signature dishes that survived the test of time in Guerrero Mexico. Experience the bold flavors, the icy cold lime margaritas, the tender meats, spicy rice, and an entire menu of outstanding choices. Go crazy. Don a sombrero, celebrate the day, and check out the Happy Hour specials. Olé!

Shortest Day of the Year

Sunlight is so important to a person’s well-being. It can make the difference in a bad mood, one that’s barely tolerable, and an optimistic attitude, in my opinion. Take a moment to think about it. For instance, when you’re away at the beach and the sun is shining in a clear sky, it feels as though there isn’t a care in the world. Even if it’s mid-December and noted as the winter solstice, for those (like me) who live in the Northern Hemisphere. Grown-ups laugh into the ocean breeze. Children frolic in the waves. Co-eds pick up a friendly game of beach volleyball. Others just relax under striped umbrellas and wiggle their toes in the sand. And no one seems to mind wearing a bathing suit, even if you wouldn’t be caught dead doing the same thing back home. No worries. Take a deep breath. Bask in the fleeting sunlight. Sit back and sip on a tropical cocktail or a glass of freshly squeezed lemon-lime iced water. The day will be over before you know it. 

No Pig-Latin Required 

A Kalua pig roast is as common in the Hawaiian Islands as an American hot dog is at a baseball game. A big difference on the islands is the time-consuming preparation required using an underground oven, or imu, for the pig roast. Patience is key. Slow cooking is the secret to rich, moist, tender pork with just the right amount of smoky taste that cannot be duplicated. To be fortunate enough to watch the ceremonial process is a privilege few tourists afford. After two hours the lava rocks are hot enough for the entire pig, which is wrapped in chicken wire, to be placed in the imu by two sturdy men. Taro, sweet potatoes, and ulu breadfruit are tucked around the pig before banana leaves and wet burlap completely encase it. A canvas tarp becomes the next covering. Last, but not least, dirt is used like the lid on a pot. Set the timer. The pig will roast underground for eight hours, saturating all the flavors. Once the multiple layers are removed, the tender pork is shredded and the luau begins. Aloha!

Catch a Glimpse of Ancient Hawaiian Culture in Torch Lighting Ceremony 

The muscular native Kauaiian, dressed in traditional garb, slowly raised a scalloped conch shell to his lips as the audience at the Marriott Beach Resort held their breath in silent anticipation. A trumpet-like fanfare filled the air at the natural beachfront stage where ocean waves rushed to meet the sandy shore. An attractive female native, in a flowing Polynesian skirt, green leafy leis, and Kukui nut shell necklace, sat nearby on the grassy knoll. Gentle drum beats engaged melodic songs swaying the beautiful sinuous hula dancer to her feet. Rhythmic hip movements, accompanied by floating hand gestures, matched the drumming performance. Together they seemed to cast a magical flow that touched each heart. As the history unfolded, the contemporary hula dance of Kahiko (ancient) told a story that left an imprint on all who caught a glimpse of this exceptional dance form.