5 “Yellow Flags” To Be Aware of When Visiting Kona

By Julie Z

Apr

14

My friend Jeff is here this week and being a long time friend, I shared this blog with him so he could get a lay of the land before he got here. He enjoyed the blog, but he had a few things happen during his stay that I think would be good to share with my readers and others considering coming to Kona.

I am saying “Yellow Flags” because I don’t want to use the word AVOID due to people thinking I am trying to dissuade tourists altogether from doing any of these things, however forewarned is for armed. Get it?

Alli Drive view in Kona, HI1. Lodging on All’i Drive: Jeff stayed right on All’i across from White Sands. The view was great, but the road noise and the boom boxes from the young people hanging at the beach were annoying. The pictures from the condo web site told a different story to what he actually experienced and he ended up leaving and staying at a hotel up the coast where it’s more quiet. We stayed at the Kona Bali Kai when we first got here and we, too, were surprised by the road noise from All’i. I just want to let you know ahead of time.

2. Snagging waves from the locals: There are very few really good surf spots in Kona. The training beach is at Kaaluhu and the experts and enthusiasts have ceded control over that area unless its just an awesome wave day. Boarders and surfers who are local do not like it when tourists snag their waves. Don’t surf off of Banyan’s (near the Kona Bali Kai) if there are a group of locals there. That’s kind of known as a local beach. Enough said. Sometimes people get a bit testy at White Sands..they will let you know if you need to be aware of this.

3. Hanging on the beach at night: Some people have romantic notions of watching the moon rise over the ocean at night on a beach while on vacation here in Hawaii. Or, like we did, start a BBQ at 5:30 and think you can just stay there drinking some wine with your friends until after sunset. There ARE some beaches you can do this like Kiholo Beach while you are camping, but for the most part, the Park Rangers close the public beaches at 6:30 or 7 pm. We tried to do a group beach BBQ at Holoholokai Beach near the Fairmont, but it closed at 6:30..and YES, they really do kick you out and lock the gate. We moved our party to 69 Beach and we were asked to leave by 7:30. And yes, he escorted us out and locked the gate. This keeps crazy things from happening on the beaches, I am sure, but wanted you to know. Also, the beaches near downtown Kona are not places you want to sit with your honey after 8, either. Just sayin’.

Kua Bay Hawaii 4. White Sand and Kua Bay waves. Here’s one from my body surfing husband: Be careful of the waves at these two popular beaches. The waves can be bigger than you think and they can crush you right into the sand. There are rocks near the wavebreak at White Sands that are buried deep and make for a terrible surprise when you find yourself going face first into them. A man who was body surfing at White Sands a few weeks ago, hit his head here and almost drowned. Another hint: Don’t go in without fins on big wave days. The lifeguards are pretty tough on ANYONE trying to get in without fins, but the lifeguards are not always there. If you are not too sure how to deal with the waves, watch others for awhile. Most of us RUN towards the waves and duck into them before they crash. Standing there, facing the wave, right when the wave breaks on you is a recipe for disaster. DUCK!   On a calm day, both White Sands and Kua are such beautiful and idyllic beaches..but I have now seen three ambulances come and get unlucky tourists off the beach.

5. Lava, Lava Everywhere: They having a saying here, “Lava bites”. This is what you get when you are not paying attention and slip and fall on the lava. It digs in and tears up your skin. Since we have so much fresh lava here, it’s used in landscaping, as paving and wall material, and it’s on every path in every park and going down to almost every beach. We had a 10 year old friend running behind our truck coming back from Makalewena recently and we told her to be careful..she slipped on the dust covering the rocks, tripped and landed on the lava. Her leg was a mess. So when I saw my friend, Jeff, bounding over the exact same area last Sunday, I kept yelling to be careful and wincing about either him tripping and cutting himself or the next thing that gets you here, is Kaewi tree thorns, that are so sharp and long they puncture your thongs and shoes. Lava bites are also found on the back bumpers of many vehicles here, as the lava walls are built EXACTLY to the height you can not see them when you are backing up and they literally tear a hole in your bumper. Advice: Wear good shoes, never run over lava, and watch your shorts when you sit on it, too. I spent a small fortune on Tommy Bahama linen shorts a few weeks ago, sat down on a lava wall and tore my pants. Goes right with my torn bumper. Damn that lava!

Avocado Festival Kicks Off With “Medicine For the People” Fundraiser

By Julie Z

Feb

6

A PARTY IS BEING PLANNED AND YOU ARE INVITED!

The 6th Annual Avocado Festival kicks off on Thursday, February 16 at the Keauhou Beach Resort Kalanikai Beach Bar & Grill from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., with a Silent Auction Fundraiser for Kona Pacific Public Charter School! This will be an exciting evening of music, dancing, tasty avocado pupu’s & a silent auction showcasing local businesses.

Kumu Kahikina and the Kona Pacific students will start things off with their talented ukulele playing, followed by Stephanie Bolton and her belly dance troupe, “Incense” and then the main entertainment: Nahko and Medicine for the People, a band that brings heartfelt joy to their audiences and makes you get up on your feet!

Tickets are now available at the Kona Pacific Public Charter School or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225864. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The event ticket also includes Kona Brewery lager, avocado pupu’s and fun and memorable entertainment.
I am co-chairing this fundraiser for my children’s school, Kona Pacific Public Charter School and am excited to have the event at the newly opened Kalanikai Beach Bar located at the Keauhou Beach Resort.  Proceeds will benefit both the school and to underwrite the Avocado Festival, a free community event being held on Saturday, February 18th from 10-5 pm at the Keauhou Beach Resort grounds. On Friday night, there will be an avocado themed “Farm to Fork” dinner at the Kealekekua Bed and Breakfast.

More information can be found at www.avocadofestival.org.

The Big Island is prime avocado-growing country.  Some 200 varieties flourish here and many will be available for tasting at the Festival. The avocados being used to create delicious pupu’s for the fundraiser were harvested from event organizer, Randyl Rupar’s own 15 acre organic avocado farm. SO, drink some local brew, eat some local avo’s, hear some inspirational, soul touching music and support a school that teaches the children about Hawaiian culture, how to care for the land and respect the people. Its ALL SO GOOD!

Sam Choy’s Is Open and My Life Has Been Altered

By Julie Z

Sep

10

I know, I know..a restaurant opens and my life is altered..I know that sounds far fetched, but this is the story:

We moved to Kona in 2005 when the location, which is now the new Sam Choy’s, was occupied by a dumpy Wendy’s. A Wendy’s with a sweeping 250 degree view of the ocean. Everyone called it the only Wendy’s in the country with a million dollar view. It did not fit.

Then it went out of business and sat there…for years. It was a blight every time I drove down Kam III Road to our house. When we heard that Sam Choy, a famous local chef, was going to make it a Hawaiian fusion restaurant and really take advantage of that 800 foot view, I was thrilled. Not just because it’s great to be able to walk to a restaurant with the local star power of Sam Choy, but that someone would finally take full advantage of a space that has such a sweeping view of the ocean, the sun set, and the palm trees. And I can finally have a place to enjoy a cocktail with my friends and watch our famous red Kona sunsets without having to go to downtown Kona.

Did I tell you they have fire pits?

Fire pits looking out over a body of water so you can share some laughs with friends with a fire…I don’t know if it gets better than that for me. They have fire pits at Incline Village in Lake Tahoe and you snuggle there with your friends and watch the boats out on the lake. “Snuggling” near a fire in Kona seems kind of crazy, since it never drops below 70 degrees here, but sitting by a fire in shorts, sipping tropical cocktails is fine by me, too!

Opening Night

As I have been watching the final touches being applied to the restaurant, my excitement level has been rising. I see that there is plenty of outdoor seating. There are air walls so the entire restaurant is totally open to take advantage of the view. I drove by last night and the parking lot was full and people were holding glasses as they mingled on the patio. To me, it’s finally turning into the place that I had hoped for that space. I guess as I have been waiting for the recession to end, and the re-creation of that  space is kind of a like a bellwether for everything else. Maybe getting a drink at a fancy  new restaurant makes me feel that the worst is behind me. Maybe envisioning friends around a fire makes me feel that people can have some fun without always worrying about money. I don’t know, but it symbolizes hope for good times ahead.

Pictures this morning.

My friend Delania says I have been stalking this restaurant. This morning, I sure felt like a stalker! I went in on the first morning they are officially open and they are serving breakfast! ($2 pancakes and $2.50 for coffee!)  I took pictures of the famous cobalt blue bathroom sinks, the boat bar and yes, of course, the fire pits. I knew I would love it and I was not disappointed.

As an event planner, I just love cool spaces. This is going to be a place that I will want to hold events. My first one will be our upcoming Kona TweetUp on September 29th at 6 pm. I look forward to sharing drinks, Hawaiian fusion pupu’s, knowledge, fun and a glorious sunset over Keauhou on that night.

Thanks Sam for believing in Keauhou and that little beautiful spot up on the hill! Good luck in your endeavors!

(Side note: Dinner entrees are around $25. The cool thing is that you can get six different wines for $5 a glass. Sam hit the “enjoy what you can afford” nail on the head.)

Sam Choy's Kai Lanai on Urbanspoon

Why the Big Island Is A Terrible Place To Live

By Julie Z

Jun

28

When my family and I decided to move here a year ago, we thought we would only be here for one year. However, due to the fact that we love it here, we have found deep friendships and have made business contacts so we can find employment, we have decided to stay. So, you ask, why the title of this post? Mixing it up. Watch:

The Big Island is a terrible place to live because:

1. You send pictures of what you did on the weekend to your friends on the mainland and they write things like, “I used to like you”, “Stop, you’re killing me!” “Can’t you please keep it down?”

2. Once you stay here for any length of time, you feel the energy of the land and the people. When you leave the island, you can’t shake the feeling that you are missing a part of yourself.

3. You can’t imagine going back to a major city center. I used to love going to big, fancy shopping areas, watching movies in big theaters with hundreds of fellow movie goers, and watching people wearing the latest fashions. Now, I can’t imagine dealing with the traffic anymore. I can now show up 5 minutes late to a first run movie and get a good seat. Fashion does not own me anymore. I used to work to afford expensive shoes, the latest seasonal dress, and new suits. I wear sandals and flip flops, shorts, tank tops and on occasion a sun dress. I don’t spend much on clothes anymore, and with the extra time I have not working to afford it, I sit on a beach with my kids.

4. You have to drive slow. And let people in. You actually have to relax on the highway, because since many residents practice the Aloha Spirit while driving, there is very little, if any honking. Most people who ride people’s bumpers, are from California on their way back to the airport.

5. You can’t rest when it’s a blue day. Since you always feel like you are on vacation, its VERY difficult to look outside from your computer and not have the feeling that you should be out swimming. Or running. Or surfing. You feel the same way about laying around in your house with a book. You feel guilty that you are not out enjoying another day in paradise.

6. You can’t get anything done when people come to visit. If someone came to visit us in the Bay Area, they usually had other family members or friends to visit. Or they would come for dinner and go about their trip. Here, they live next door to us for a week. And since we are the consummate lovers of adventure and travel on this island, we can’t say no to taking friends and family to the best snorkeling spots, dining with a sunset view and sharing umbrella drinks, coffee farm tours or 4 Wheeling to remote beaches. Nope, your days are shot.

7. You meet people who make you re-evaluate your diet. There are MANY organic farmers on the Big Island. They talk about pesticides, genetically modified seeds, and commercial farming and livestock handling and how that affects your health and your spirit. You don’t realize it all at once, but you find yourself touring local farmers markets and giving tropical foods a try. You purchase island grass fed beef, no GMO dairy products from island dairy farmers, and you think about planting a garden yourself and growing vegetables. You find yourself blessing your food and really understanding where it came from. Isn’t that crazy?

8. Sunscreen? Hats? Swim shirts? You better have plenty because you find yourself walking on sunny trails, strolling through bright outdoor markets, swimming in tide pools, reading on a beach, driving in a convertible, exploring a Volcano or heaven forbid, hiking down into a sacred valley.

9. You can’t wear big, fat, heavy coats. Or thick scarves. Or shovel snow out of your driveway. Or have your car skid on black ice. (caveat..unless you go up to Mauna Kea above the 9,000 foot visitors center. Then all bets are off on the above complaint)

10. You can NOT commiserate with your friends on Facebook or Twitter when they say things like, “It’s going to be 114 degrees today in Scottsdale” and another says, “It’s 112 here in Tucson” and then finally from Phoenix, “My car thermometer says it’s 120. Please, kill me now”. Nope, you can not jump in there with a knowing statement. Conversely, you can only offer condolences when your friends send pictures of the four foot snow drifts left by a recent blizzard.

11. And the last thing I have to say about why this island is a terrible place to live…you see people standing on the walk way outside of the hotels and resorts with their bags packed waiting to go home. And you feel sorry for them.

Kona Tsunami A Wake Up Call for Perspective

By Julie Z

Mar

15

Have you ever been fortunate enough to experience a natural disaster first hand? An earthquake, forest fire, tsunami?  I say “fortunate” because only by actually experiencing the loss, the sadness and the knowing that something that was there yesterday, is no longer there today, can you feel compassion towards others who go through it.

I was in the Bay Area for the Loma Prieta Earthquake in October 1989. However, besides losing a water heater in our garage and cleaning up some broken dishes, it was not that bad. (although the sense of disaster was in the air for days after that as everyone existed in a shared state of shock).  I also have a family home in Lake Tahoe that was less than a 1/4 of a mile from being burned by the Lily Lake fire in 2007. Seeing the neighborhoods decimated by that fire and the mountain sides that still have acres of burned forest made us feel like we missed a bullet.

Now, we came within 50 feet of losing our home to the tsunami that hit Keauhou/Kona on March 11th. Again, I missed the bullet, but again, we still live in an area that saw its share of overall devastation. Our beaches are ruined and businesses demolished.

The feeling of shock is just now starting to dissipate as the Kona businesses block off Alii Drive in downtown and get to work fixing the street, mucking out the sand and debris that swirled around inside their stores for hours and get ready for a public event on Sunday to show everyone “Kona Is Open For Business”. The county has poured mounds of sand down at the Keauhou Bay beach and the Keauhou Canoe Club members are working down there today to get the place cleaned up.

It is seeing this level of determination by the business owners, the county workers and the residents to move on that makes me have hope for those in Japan. They have suffered far worse than Hawaii, both ins property destruction and loss of life. However, when I saw the pictures of people looking for their homes in what was left of their neighborhoods in Japan, I have a clearer sense of compassion after seeing our beach get swept away last week along with the buildings we walk past each week on our way to get some coffee at the Sheraton.

I went down to “H” Bay this morning, located right next to Keauhou Bay. The little hidden Hawaiian village we recently discovered down there when they cleared out the foliage a few months ago is ruined..(if you can say that about ruins being ruined.)  The fresh water springs that were carefully constructed with lava rock walls by the ancient Hawaiians were filled in with rocks, coral, sand and debris.

Gone. Only when you have been in a disaster do you truly understand that feeling of  ”GONE”. And not just “Gone, let’s rebuild it again” like we did in the Bay Area. Gone are things that you can’t rebuild. Like the huge tree near that beach we created memories on with our six year old and now that tree is in pieces 50 feet away from the water with coral crushing it.

I am glad it was not my home that was taken from me. But walking around looking at tires hanging from trees and the smell of the rotting debris, fish and coral is something that newspaper pictures just don’t and can not capture. I think about our “island brothers” in Japan and I mourn for them. The folks in Kona are coping by doing the only thing you can do:  start picking up, sweeping, and hauling. The landscape has changed, but you move on. And you have a lot more compassion for those faces in the paper.

Here is the video we took when we walked down to Keauhou Bay the morning after the 12 foot wave hit the beach. We were surprised that the ocean was continuing to surge in and out for a few hours…causing even more damage as the walls and structures were undermined by sand and rocks.

Keauhou Tsunami

Aloha Moment

By Julie Z

Jan

25

“The aerial artistry of the universe” is how I think about the beautiful sunsets we have here in Kona/Keauhou. Wanted to share.

IronMan Triathletes Bring Out the Aloha Spirit

By Julie Z

Oct

5

I was running yesterday near my home in Keauhou and started being passed by professional cyclists and runners and it occurred to me that they must be training for the Kona IronMan being held here this weekend. So, this morning I drove near downtown Kona and parked my car and started running on the road towards downtown. (I can do three miles, not 26!) I was running amidst some of the best athletes in the world! I even tried to keep up with a group of three seniors who were training, as well. Having my butt whooped by people nearing 60 was humbling. (although, being here for the LavaMan race last month, I have seen seniors that are in amazing shape and have no goal of stopping anytime soon!)

What was cool this morning was a smile. I was running up a hill and a triathlete was running down and we were both in the middle of the shoulder. Since he is a visitor, I made it clear that I would move out of the way for him. He seemed to understand this gesture and gave me the brightest grin I can remember. It felt good to know that I showed the Aloha Spirit that many of my fellow residents show to these athletes and to out of town guests. We feel so lucky to be here that it just comes out in a sense of joy, which then emanates to those around us.

I wish the world could share in this feeling and outpouring of the Aloha Spirit. It is felt everywhere! At the airport when you first arrive, to all the people you meet along the way to your hotel, and even when standing looking at the surfers and people enjoying the ocean. Then it extends to you as you drive and see people watching the scenery instead looking for the break in the road that they can push into. When people need to get into traffic, they are good naturedly waved into the roadway by a shaka and a smile. The smiles are prevalent in the shops and restaurants, too. And how can you NOT smile when you are treated to a sunset every night into the ocean?

When you sit still long enough to just relax, count your blessings that you are here and listen..that’s when you hear the Aloha Spirit, too. Yes, to those who are open to it, you can feel and hear spirit/Pele around you like a warm blanket. I traveled to Kauai last weekend and realized that was not the case on that island! It’s here in Kona, though!

So, as we welcome hundreds of athletes who appreciate and need our well wishes and Aloha Spirit this week, we greet and welcome them with a smile and hope they take some of that Aloha Spirit home with them.

Interesting Hawaiian History To Be Found at Keauhou Resorts

By Julie Z

Aug

30

There are interesting secrets to be found on the grounds of many of the hotels in Kona (and in Kohala, too). At the Sheraton Keauhou Resort, they recently have built a “history board” on the back of the property explaining where the ancient sites are on the grounds and their historical significance. My friend, Dawn, while staying there, was able to get a tour of the property and learned of the history of this special area. We just discovered this story board about the property and were amazed that we had walked over a canoe house, a livestock pen, and a heiau for YEARS and not known what the cultural and historical significance were of the area near the ocean.

I also just found out that the Outrigger Keauhou Resort is offering paid tours with lunch or dinner. For $60, a tour guide takes you through the property including the Queen’s baths, the newly constructed heiau’s and wraps it up with dinner over the Hawaiian fishing ponds.

This is such a interesting time in Keauhou history. There is energy and effort towards showing the tourists the history of this area and encouraging them to love the ‘aina (the land) and the culture so that the history of the Hawaiians can continue, in spite of the commercial development of these sacred lands.

“Tell my story”–Am I hearing voices?

By Julie Z

Aug

8

Part of the allure of the Big Island for us when we decided to move here, was the spiritual calling. I would almost be embarrassed sharing this with you, but for three things.

1. I have spoken to many people who have lived on this island for an extended amount of time and they all say that Hawaii island is a very powerful island in terms of spirit. Call it “Pele” or what have you, there is something here and those that live here, know it.

2. I have a personal story to share that happened to me when I was here in 2006 that made me a believer. (and I don’t mean the kind that makes you  chant, “I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks, I do, I do!”)

I was sitting at a light at Queen K highway and Henry Road, near Barnes and Noble, with my two young children in the van with me. All of a sudden I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a large truck (like an 18 wheeler type of truck) coming down the hill at me and I could tell the driver had lost control of his vehicle. He was frantically trying to stop the truck and it was starting to slide sideways. All I could do was think, “He is going to crash into me and pancake me and my family into the car in front of me”. Then, I heard a voice, “Move the car”.  A voice. I did not know what to think and continued to hesitate as I was watching the frantic driver careening behind me. Then it came again..but this time it yelled, “MOVE THE CAR, NOW!” (I am getting goosebumps telling this to you and my eyes are welling with tears..it was a very powerful experience).

With that voice breaking me out of my paralysis, I realized that I could drive my car to the side of the median and scrunch next to the signal pole..and I did it..just as the truck ended up stopping where my van had just been. I looked at the driver and he looked at me and we both did the “Oh my god, did that just happen? Did we just avoid a tragedy?” looks. Then the light turned green, and I drove on. I needed to go into a parking lot, stop the car and start sobbing. Since then, I have been more aware of these voices who have given me the most helpful advice. Spirit guides? I don’t know, but I know it’s real. And the voices are extra loud on the Big Island.

3. I was pondering what I wanted to say in this blog, when I met Dawn Love, the tourist who was running near the bottom of Alii and I came up with the idea not to just make this blog about things to do on the island. The place where I met Dawn overlooks a huge ancient Hawaiian battlefield and it is now a graveyard of the warriors who perished there. I found myself there last week, and on the behest of a spiritual healer, who told me to ask the universe for direction and listen to the answer, I heard this, “Tell my story”.  This was not the “yelling” I heard at the intersection. It was a soft male voice, and it was almost as if he said, “Talk story”..which is what the Hawaiians call it when they gather to just chat about life and the world.

I am a student of this island. I have been called here for some reason. I take photographs. I write. I am a connector. I will tell this story. The story of the people who want me to bring their stories from this island to the internet, to the people who want to listen.

Aloha! Kona Awaits!

By Julie Z

Jul

23

I was standing above the ocean, at the top of a hill, over looking a golf course and a lava field. Then a tourist ran up to me and said, “What are these hills!? Someone told me Alli Drive was flat!” And after talking to her for over an hour about where to run, where to snorkel, where to watch the volcano, if it was safe to run alone, how come there are wild goats on the golf course and when the sun rose, I knew that I had ALOT of knowledge to impart on people who wanted to discover Kona, Keauhou, and the Big Island. And, so this blog will follow my journey for the year that I live here, in finding new places, new deals, and new experiences. These will be intertwined with my experiences and thoughts about what I have learned from living on the Big Island for a year in 2005-06 and coming back for numerous visits in 2007-2008, and now living here until 2011.

I will fill these pages with photography, my hobby, and video clips, my newfound way to truly show what I mean, and lace it together with my natural enthusiasm for showing people things I get excited about living on this island. Join me on a tropical and fun adventure!

Lava + Ocean = Kona