A sad day for Jack Thompson

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We were absolutely heartbroken to see that Jack Thompson, the original lava renegade, lost his home to Pele.

To get a first hand account of this story, click here.

We send our heartfelt aloha out to Jack at this time of loss.  I’m sure while Jack is down, he is certainly not out.  I’m only sad we didn’t make our bucket list item to visit him on his land come true in a few months.

Hawaii in danger of snake invasion?

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I just read an article about a 9-foot boa constrictor and 7-foot albino Burmese python were captured this month.  If you didn’t already know, snakes entering this eco-system would be devastating as snakes have no natural predators in Hawaii.  They point to Guam’s infestation as an example of what could happen if snakes were to find their way into the wild.

To read more about this, click here to read the article.

Ocean Safety

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The ocean can be an alluring temptress beckoning you to come closer but there are dangers.  If you are not on a beach with other people and are along a rocky point, a wave can easily come in when you least expect it and pull you in.  This has sadly been demonstrated not once but twice this week as two visitors on two different islands have been killed by rogue waves as they were on rocky shores.

Man dies on Big Island after wave pulls him in

Man falls in Maui blowhole

If you’re going to go exploring, please go with someone and stay a minimum of 100 yds inland if you are not on a beach.  We can learn something from the deaths of these people so they were not lost in vain.

Baby Lyssa of Dog the Bounty Hunter arrested

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Dog the Bounty Hunter’s daughter “Baby” Lyssa Chapman has been arrested on misdemeanor counts of property damage, harrassment and allegedly knocked a cell phone out of an officer’s hand.  Dog did not bail her out of jail.  She has also apparently had several fights with her estranged husband and filed for divorce last month.  To read more on this story, click here.

Tsunami expected in islands around 3am HST

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In case you haven’t heard yet, Japan has suffered an 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.  A 6 1/2 foot tsunami is expected in the islands.  Evacuations have been going on the past few hours and residents have been urged to move to higher ground or moved above the 3rd floor in their hotels if they’re visiting.  Tsunami’s are never just one wave but a series of waves so the effects could go on for hours.  We’re keeping our Hawaii ohana in our thoughts and prayers and hoping everyone cooperates and stays safe.

To follow the story locally, go to the Honolulu Star Advertiser or Hawaii News Now.

Daughtry coming to Maui

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A great Valentine’s Day gift for your kuu’ipo would be a pair of tickets to see multi-platinum rock group Daughtry on February 18th at the Castle Theater.  

Tickets are from $33-$83 and went on sale to MACC Members January 29.  Sale to the general public begins Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10 a.m.  Tickets will be available at www.mauiarts.org and at www.bampproject.com.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

The humpbacks are back

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The first humpback whale has been spotted off of Maui!  If you’re interested in seeing one of these beautiful creatures up close in the wild, official whale watching season is typically December through April with a few hanging around until the beginning of May.  So plan your trip accordingly if whale watching is on your itinerary!

To read more about the humpback’s arrival, click here.

Eat Local

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Kanu Hawai‘i’s “Eat Local” Challenge is a week long campaign showcasing locally grown and raised ingredients in markets, farms, stores and restaurants across the state started Sunday.  To learn how you can participate in this challenge, click here.

Tsunami warning issued for Hawaiian Islands

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The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile has triggered a tsunami warning for the Pacific.
 **Tsunami has arrived in Hilo Bay.**  (Click here for KITV coverage)

Visitors please check to make sure if you have any activities booked that they are still taking place.  IE- This is from Old Lahaina Luau’s Facebook page:  “Quick schedule update, gang…. Mahalo to our Engineering crew for securing our luau grounds in preparation of what may come. In the slight off chance our island home perseveres and no tsunami hits, we will resume operations and host the luau this evening. People may need something to do after this exciting morning. Please stay tuned!”

From KPOA’s Facebook page: “Lahaina Safeway closed; Honokawai Times & Napili Mkt open, pkg lots packed, long lines @ gas stations also. Effective at 10:00 a.m. February 27,2010 the following road closures will occur: Lahaina/Kihei: Honoapiilani Hwy from Puamana to Maalaea, North Kihei Rd from Maalaea, South Kihei Rd (Traffic will be directed Mauka to Piilani Hwy to Mokulele Hwy and Makena Road.)   Tune to KPOA 93.5 FM or get them on Facebook for updates.”  This is applying to other islands as well.  Kauai’s highways are closed.

Update:  “the State is asking that no one run any water nor flush any toilets from now until after tsunami hits. The wastewater system needs to be cleared so it takes as much wave water as possible.”  

You can also keep updated on the tsunami by clicking here or the Honolulu Advertiser.  The Advertiser’s servers were getting slammed at last check so if you can’t get through there, go over to The Star Bulletin.

Big Island’s Kauhola Lighthouse to be torn down

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The Big Island will be losing a piece of history by the end of the year.  The Kauhola Lighthouse, which was built in 1933, is sitting on a peninsula that is eroding.  The lighthouse is in danger of falling down the face of the pali if nothing is done.  The year it was built the lighthouse was 85 feet away from the cliff face and now it is 20 feet.  In October 2006, the Big Island earthquake took another 6 feet off of the cliff face.  The lighthouse is no longer operational. 

I remember doing a geocache at that location a few years back called Windy Bluff which is now archived.  It certainly was windy enough that you didn’t dare stand within 5′ of the edge.  The waves were constantly pounding so it’s easy to see how so much erosion could occur at that location.  It was a beautiful vista though and the lighthouse will be missed.

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