Andy Irons Wins Tahiti
Andy Irons won the Billabong Pro Tahiti in an explosive final with four foot waves at Teahupoo. The victory marks Andy’s 20th at the elite level of competition, and the surfer from Kauai was emotional when regarding his first win in over three years. “I feel like I’m back,” Andy said. “My whole dream was to come back and just win one contest, and I’ve done that now. I want more. And to win at Teahupoo, it’s my favorite wave in the world. It’s a very special win.”
En route to the final, Irons bested reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning, Patrick Gudauskas, and nine-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater. Andy opened up with a massive, freefall wipeout before utilizing his unparalleled backhand tube-riding skills to net a 14.67 out of a possible 20 and collect the win. “I did it!” Irons said. “I dedicate this win 100 percent to my wife, Lindy. She is everything to me and without her, I’d be nothing. I really, really like competing because I love to win and I feel on top of the world today. I surf because I love to win. I love this feeling.”
Hobgood, one of the premiere tuberiders in the world, was unable to find his way out of multiple barrels in the final bout against Irons. “I had good waves that I could have got the score on and I tried a little harder than I had to,” Hobgood said. “My highest score was only an eight through every heat leading up to this one and I hadn’t had a breakout performance. No one to blame but myself. I’m stoked all the same though. After the win, I told Andy there’s a lot of people pulling for you, including myself.” With the victory, Irons moves from No. 18 to No. 7 on the ASP World Title Race rankings. Photo by Robertson / ASP.
Billabong Pro Tahiti final results:
1: Andy Irons 14.67
2: C.J. Hobgood 8.33
Semifinal results:
1: C.J. Hobgood 15.00 def. Jeremy Flores 12.93
2: Andy Irons 13.57 def. Kelly Slater 10.26
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.
Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair 2010
The Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair is an annual four day event celebrating the agricultural community “From the Ground Up”. This is the event of the year for many kama’aina – with rides, games, entertainment, every kind of local food you can imagine, agricultural displays, floral displays, cooking demonstrations, petting zoo, 4-H displays, and fantastic island fun.
Thursday, August 26, 6:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight
Local food, 4H Lamb and Goat Shows, Agricultural Exhibit Tent, Blackout BINGO, 4-H Petting Zoo, Growing Orchids, Tsunami Taiko Drumming, Growing Your Own Anthuriums, Wallis & Shana Punua Live Polynesian Show, Hypnotist.
Friday, August 27, 6:00 pm to 12:00 Midnight
Local food, 4-H Beef Steer & Hog SHOWS, Blackout BINGO, Tropical Flower Arranging & Design Show, Hypnotist, Kauai Cattlemen’s Association Beef Promotion, 4-H Petting Zoo, Smokey the Bear & Sparky the Fire Dog, Magician, US Air Force Band of the Pacific.
Saturday, August 28, 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Midnight
Local food, KGEFCU’s Keiki Talent Competition, Kauai Grown Chef Cookoff, Farmers Market Promotion, Pie baking contest, Watermelon eating, Taro eating contest, Aloha Dance Studio Performance, 4-H Petting Zoo, Healthy Baby Contest, Growing Bonsai, Livestock Awards, 4-H Beef Steer, Lamb, Hog & Goat Auction, Smokey the Bear & Sparky the Fire Dog, Magician, Fruit & Vegetable Auction, Hypnotist, Live Music with The Quake.
Sunday, August 29, 12:00 Noon to 11:00 pm
Local food, 4-H Petting Zoo, Blackout BINGO, Hypnotist.
Kauai Monk Seal Watch Program
Hawaiian monk seals are among the most ancient species of pinnipeds in the world, and they have lived only in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian islands for millions of years. They predominately live and breed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with the largest population around the French Frigate Shoals, hundreds of miles from civilization. These remote islands and atolls, mostly uninhabited by humans, provide the privacy the monk seals need to survive. However, their numbers are dwindling.
The entire population of Hawaiian monk seals is currently 1,100 seals, with the number declining by four percent every year. The good news is that a smaller population of seals on the main Hawaiian islands is growing and thriving. Over the past few years, there have been twenty or more seals born in the main Hawaiian islands every year. Even though the main Hawaiian islands have a much larger human population, the seals are doing better there because it seems they don’t have as much competition for food, or as many predators.
The Kaua‘i Monk Seal Watch Program is a nonprofit organization whose funding is entirely used to heighten monk seal awareness. They educate visitors in resorts, as well as more than 10,000 students on Kaua‘i and Moloka‘i. The presentations are approximately 50 minutes long and illustrate the important role the marine mammals play in Hawai‘i’s natural ecosystem, with a particular emphasis on marine debris issues. Their bottom line is that education instills knowledge, and knowledge is the key to preserving Hawaiian monk seals.
- Stay well behind barricades or signs placed around a basking seal, and at least 150 feet from seals in unmarked areas.
- Maintain a much greater distance from a mother and pup, or any seal that appears disturbed or agitated.
- Pass outside barricades, or above an unbarricaded seal, not between the seal and the shoreline.
- Never approach or attempt to feed a seal – on the beach, while swimming, or from a boat.
- View quietly. Do not throw sand, stones, objects, or make noise to induce movement and create photo ops.
- All marine wildlife. Seals, sea turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales require distance, quiet, and respect for proper viewing.
- Photograph seals from the proper distance and never use flash photography in their presence.
- Advise children of proper behavior. An agitated 400 to 600 pound animal could bite or cause other serious injury.
- Report any seal harassment at the beach, in the water, or from a boat operator to the Kaua`i Marine Conservation Coordinator at 651-7668.
- State and federal laws for harassment or disturbance of a Hawaiian Monk Seal can incur fines exceeding $25,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment.
Paradise Ride Kauai 2010
Paradise Ride Kauai is an amazing 2-day bicycle ride through breathtaking scenery on the island of Kauai. It’s a fully supported ride (not a race) along the ocean, through valleys, local neighborhoods, and open countryside of the Garden Island. Each day the route averages 55 miles, but new this year will be the option to choose your own distance to accommodate all types of cyclists.
This fundraising ride is hosted by non-profit Malama Pono Health Services to educate and support those dealing with HIV, AIDS, STDs, and infectious Hepatitis. Paradise Ride Kauai is an important source of funding and helps provide services and programs for clients and families.
One of the many things that makes this ride such a unique and special ride is the incredible beauty, breathtaking views, and culturally significant destinations you will experience on this island. The route has been designed to be challenging but achievable, and rest stops are placed along the route that are stocked with food, water, energy bars, restrooms, all staffed by our incredible rest stop volunteers. The entire route is supported by bike mechanics, medical assistants, and route angels who provide additional awareness for you and others sharing the route and guiding you along the way.
Kauai Open Space
Your opinion will be heard by participating in an survey of the Open Space Commission asking which lands you would like to see the county acquire for public use. In 2002, Kauai voters approved an amendment that established the “Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund” and stipulated that each year a minimum of one half of one percent of the County’s certified real property taxes would be deposited into the fund.
Kauai residents can visit Open Space to take the online survey and share their list of public accesses and special places that should be protected or acquired. Surveys can also be picked up at the Planning Department, 4444 Rice St., suite 473, Lihu‘e, or at public libraries, and county recreation centers. The commission then analyzes each suggestion, reviews past suggestions, and formulates a list of priority projects.
Lands that qualify for purchase, acquisition or property entitlement must meet at least one of these purposes:
- Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains
- Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites
- Protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones
- Preserving forests, beaches, coastal areas, and agricultural lands
- Protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply
- Conserving land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff
- Acquiring or improving disabled and public access to, and enjoyment of, public land and open space
The council recently approved the acquisition of a piece of land to expand Black Pot Park in Hanalei, using $1.85 million from the Open Space fund. The state Legacy Lands Acquisition Fund gave an extra $800,000, and a special trust fund for parks and playgrounds gave $350,000 to go toward the land purchase.
