Kauai Beach – Anini
Anini Beach is one of the safest and most protected places to swim on the North Shore of Kauai. A fringed reef runs the entire length of the beach and creates a beautiful and calm blue lagoon. This reef is one of the longest and widest reefs in Hawaii measuring 1,600 feet at its widest point. The beach itself stretches for about two miles.
The flat waves and shallow, sandy shore make Anini the ideal beach to visit if you have children. The reef ensures Anini beach has calm ocean conditions, and is one of the few beaches that can offer swimming during large winter waves. Anini’s consistent breeze also allows great windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Because of its calm waves and rich underwater life, many consider Anini Beach Park one of the best snorkeling spots on Kauai. The lagoon is home to numerous trigger fish (humuhumunukunukuapuaa), parrot fish (uhu), unicorn fish (kala), boxer fish, damsel fish and other tropical fish. On the northwestern part of the beach near the reef, there is also a sudden 60-foot drop diving spot.
Great swimming
Snorkeling
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
Sandy bottom near shore
Shade Trees
No lifeguard
Restrooms
Showers
Picnic pavilions
Campsites
Boat ramp
Directions: Driving North on Kuhio Hwy 56, pass the town of Kilauea, then down into Kalihiwai Valley, over the bridge at mile marker 25, and up the other side. Turn right on to Kalihiwai Road, and then left on Anini Road. It is 1 mile to Anini Beach Park, and more of the beach continues further down the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
iPod Nano 2010
Apple’s iPod nano
Carbon Footprint
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Hawaiian Monk Seal Support
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Kauai Marathon 2010
Poipu Beach provides a gorgeous backdrop for the Kauai Marathon. The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon both begin in Poipu and run the first 11 miles together. The courses follow the scenic coastline, provide views of beaches, volcanic peaks, and green tropical rain forests. Both courses are considered walker-friendly, and walkers are welcome to compete in either race.
On Sunday, September 5th, runners will experience lush green vistas and the century old Tree Tunnel. The course then winds through misty Omao where the half marathon enters Kukui’ula Resort offering spectacular ocean views for the last few miles. The full marathon heads out to Lawai before climbing to reveal stunning ocean views at the top of Kalaheo. The remaining miles are a gradual descent back to Poipu Beach.
On the eve of the event will be a carbo feast of pastas, salads, seasonal tropical fruits, dessert. Entertainment will be provided by Halau Hula O Kaohikukapulani showcasing traditional and modern dances of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. A highlight of the show is the exciting fire knife dancer who amazes audiences with his daring dance of flaming torches to the rhythmic pounding of drums.
Canoe Plants and Olona
One of the plants possibly stowed in the voyaging canoes of Polynesian settlers was Olona. It being endemic to the Hawaii Islands makes one wonder if Olona was introduced or already here when they arrived. Either way, this wood shrub was a blessing to their way of life. Early Hawaiians grew Olona for cordage, and it was considered one of the finest grades of fibers anywhere.
Olona (Touchardia latifolia) grew in mesic interior valleys near streams, and gullies of low elevation forests between 250 and 3,000 feet. Similar to many Hawaiian plants that never produced defense mechanisms, the Olona does not have stinging needles even though it is a member of the nettle family. The leaves are large, 10 to 15 inches long and 5 to 10 inches wide, and green on both sides. The flowers are 3 to 5 inches long, less than 1 inch in diameter, and in dense clusters. The fruit is orange and fleshy.
Hawaiians grew it in patches where they could encourage it to grow straight and tall and reduce branching. In a year to eighteen months the plants were 5 to 10 feet tall and mature enough to harvest and strip the bark. The bark of olona slips off easily, revealing the inner bark or bast, which is made up of fine quality fibers that are durable and many times stronger than other fibers.
The outer bark was carefully stripped off with opihi (limpet) shells, soaked, hung to dry, bleached in the sunlight, and then twisted into cordage of varying thicknesses. The whitish cordage was soft, pliable, strong, light weight, did not kink or stretch, and resisted breaking down from exposure to sea water. To prolong its life, it was often treated with kukui oil.
Olona was used for fishing nets and carrying baskets (koko). It provided the backing for royal feather cloaks (ahu`ula), feather helmets (mahiole), and for ti leaf capes (ahu la`i). The cordage was used for tying adz heads to the handles, and fashioning weapons. It was used for stitching, stringing, wrapping, and to tie off the umbilical cord after a birth. Its usefulness made it an important bartering chip in the Hawaiian community, and in a civilization without metal it was a true blessing in their lives.
