OCT 14
2016
The Diamond Head Cove Health Bar is always serving awa, also called kava in English, about 45 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Awa is made from the root of the Piper methysticum plant, which is harvested, ground, pounded, mixed with water, and strained. The resulting drink is full of kavalactones, which basically slow the body down; it’s the opposite effect of a caffeine high. The drink will tingle/numb your tongue, reduce anxiety, and create a relaxed feeling. Drink it and you may achieve the experience your Hawaiian vacation promised, relaxation.
At the Cove, you can walk in and for $5 get a coconut shell full of awa. On the heels of a native cultural renaissance, heading to the awa house has become another way to live like a Hawaiian.
For more information, visit http://www.diamondheadcove.com/kava.htm.
SEP 28
2016
The Hale ‘Aina Awards are the state’s most prestigious dining honor. The 2017 Restaurant of the Year, The Pig & the Lady, is operating at the highest level of quality and offering Hawai‘i’s most delicious and innovative dishes – about one hour from Ko Olina Beach Villas.
The Pig and the Lady started as a pop-up restaurant, and then spun off into a wildly popular farmers market stand selling Vietnamese sandwiches and noodles far beyond the usual banh mi and pho. Next, it opened on King Street in Chinatown, and the crowds followed.
Building on the success of its farmer’s market stands and pop-up dinners, this culinary collaboration between chef-owner Andrew Le and his mother, Loan “Mama” Le, melds formal technique and homespun skill to create contemporary Vietnamese cuisine with global accents.
For more information or to consult a menu, visit http://thepigandthelady.com/.
SEP 12
2016
Learn about Hawaii’s sea life at the Education Center Alcove of the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, about one hour from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. All seminars are free and begin at 3 p.m. Please arrive by 2:45 p.m.
October 9, 2016:“60° North: A Monk Seal Biologist’s Journey to Study Arctic Ice Seals,” will be led by Charles Littnan of the NOAA Monk Seal Research Program.
October 16, 2016: “Underwater Eavesdropping: Listening to the Whales and Dolphins in Hawaii,” will be led by Yvonne Barkley of the NOAA Cetacean Research Program.
Patrons attending only the seminar will be given a special red “Hawaii Sea Grant” hand stamp that will allow access into the education alcove for the lecture, but no access to the beach itself. Anyone who wishes to go to the beach before the lecture, will be processed through the regular admission line and shall pay the admission fee of $7.50 (if you are not a Hawaii resident). There is a $1 parking fee per vehicle.
For more information, visit http://hbep.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/community-events-calendar.
AUG 28
2016
The Puʻu Maʻeliʻeli trail is a short and easy hike (1.5 miles round trip) with spectacular views of the Windward coast, about 35 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
The trail head isn’t too difficult to find. Just park by the Temple Valley Shopping Center in Kanehoe and walk along the guard rails against the direction of traffic. It is on the right side of Kahekili Highway (heading away from town) and is marked by a bright yellow indicator post.
Along the way, you may wonder if you are going the “right” direction. Just stay on the main trail (the widest and most walked-on path). The trail is mostly shaded, but can get muddy in some parts, so walk with caution.
A few helpful hiking tips before starting this hike:
Bring tons of bug repellent and apply liberally and always bring water to stay hydrated.
Wear shoes with enough traction to avoid slipping, and be ready to get them muddy. If it has rained recently, you may want to wait for a sunny day to avoid too much mud along the way. To keep your car from getting dirty, bring a plastic bag to put your shoes in after the hike.
A walking stick will be helpful, especially if it is muddy.
AUG 8
2016
The Okinawan Festival celebrates the Okinawan experience in the Aloha State at Kapiolani Park on September 3 and 4, about 45 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. Guests can taste authentic cuisine and enjoy numerous live performances, such as taiko demonstrations, Okinawan performers, and contemporary Okinawan line dances.
There are also demonstrations of flower arranging, calligraphy, special activities for kids, and various cultural booths showcasing Okinawan, Japanese, and Hawaiian culture. Saturday night features a Bon Dance from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
For more information, visit http://www.okinawanfestival.com.
JUL 28
2016
Come out to Waikiki Beachwalk for the 34th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, about 50 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar (ki-ho’alu) is one of the major acoustic guitar traditions in the world. Ki-ho’alu, which translates to “loosen the key,” is the Hawaiian name for the solo finger picked style.
Expect a relaxed, family-friendly celebration featuring a full line-up of slack key guitarists, food concessions, and other festivities. The festival is free and open to the public. It runs from noon to 6:00 PM on Sunday, August 14, 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.slackkeyfestival.com/
JUL 14
2016
The Makapu‘u Point trail, within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, offers outstanding views of O‘ahu’s southeastern coastline, about one hour from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
Here’s why this trail holds such a draw. It’s not the lighthouse, because you only see the picturesque structure crowned in red and the white fence leading up to it from a distance. The hike actually winds its way to the top of a hill, bypassing and rising above the off-limits path to the lighthouse itself. What’s most attractive about the hike is it’s short ascent, just under a mile, and the view at the top is breathtaking. You can see the scenic shoreline of Makapu’u beach stretching toward the North Shore, southeastern Oahu including the inside of Koko Crater with its distinctly eroded lip, offshore islands, crystal tide pools, and waves breaking dramatically against the base of the cliff far below.
The paved trail is exposed and is usually sunny and hot. It can be very windy at the summit. A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water are recommended. Give yourself about 2 hours to enjoy this hike and it’s wonderful views.
For more information, visit http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/oahu/makapuu-point-lighthouse-trail/.
JUN 27
2016
It’s upbeat, infectious, and bouncy music about surf and sunny days. It embraces everyone who hears it. That’s the irresistible charm of the ukulele. If you want to experience the magic of the ukulele yourself, you can celebrate the Ukulele Festival’s 46th anniversary at Kapiolani Park on July 17th from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, about 50 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas.
There will be many performances including Ohta-san, Paula Fuga, and Kalei Gamiao. In addition to the entertainment, there will be food booths, ukulele displays, complimentary ukulele lessons, and souvenirs to purchase. Admission is free and so is the parking and shuttle service from Kapiolani Community College.
For more information, visit http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/oahu/index.htm.
JUN 12
2016
Ala Moana Beach Park features a free 4th of July fireworks show, about 40 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. 2016 marks the 25th year that Ala Moana Center has presented their Fourth of July Spectacular and the Center is pulling out all the stops to present its longest and largest fireworks show to date.
The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and includes fireworks launched from three separate platforms at Ala Moana Beach Park. Spectators can even tune in to FM 92.3 KSSK for a live soundtrack that accompanies the show.
Ala Moana Building (Bank of Hawaii entrance) and Ala Moana Pacific Center (Shokudo Building entrance) will offer free parking after 1 p.m.
For more information, visit http://alamoanacenter.com/Events/4th-of-July-Celebration.
MAY 20
2016
Celebrate the 100th Annual King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade on June 11, 2016, about 55 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the historic ‘Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu.
The parade will be a display of Old Hawaii pageantry. Plumeria flowers. The strum of the ukulele. Falsetto voices wafting through the air. This is the Hawaii the world fell in love with. Everything is symbolic; colors, flowers, and presentation order all have meaning.
The King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade has the longest parade route in the nation, from ʻIolani Palace to Kapiʻolani Park, the parade stretches just over 4 miles long.
There will be over 15 different review stands along the parade route. No matter where you are on the route, you will be able to hear the parade narrative.
The 100th parade will culminate with a large party at Kapiʻolani Park scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Expect to see fine Hawaiian arts and crafts, hear live music from top performing artists, and submerse yourself in Hawaiian cultural practices.
For more information, visit https://www.hawaii.com/kamehamehaday/.
