hawaii

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. 

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. 

Dining Outside the Home: Tortilla Republic in Poipu, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Tortilla Republic in Poipu, Kauai!  There’s something about a cantina-like patio setting where sea breezes and warm sunshine are as therapeutic as the bartender’s handcrafted jalapeño margarita on the rocks. The salty corn tortilla chips compliment the salsa de mesa, for starters. The menu is spot on with organic produce and fresh ingredients. It’s easy to choose the bold favorites of pork carnitas in a bowl of kale, black beans, and rice. The tropical atmosphere partners well with Mexican classics. Hola Aloha!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Dining Outside the Home: Marriott Beach Resort on Kauai, Hawaii. Dinner and a Movie was a festive holiday experience from the wood-fired outdoor pig roast complete with traditional Hawaiian menu to the indoor feature presentation of the “Miracle on 34th Street” at the indoor theater. What an exciting holiday twist with refreshing tropical flavor. Mele Kalikimaka means Merry Christmas…..to you!