Kila Kila Villa: Area
About Princeville
The North Shore of Kauai may be the most magical destination on earth. There are sheer cliffs that lead to the clouds, all laced with ever present waterfalls and all visible from the Princeville Resort area. Near the Northern most point in the Hawaii Islands the destination is a favorite for golf, ocean activities and first class accommodations.Just west of the sublime Hanalei Bay, and all it has to offer, Sunspot Princeville rentals are some of the best in all the islands. The tropical setting is situated among lush green cliffs that tower about the Bay. Further west visitors can sample boat or helicopter rides to the world-famous Napali Coast. This is not just hyperbole, but the Napali is like no where else on earth. Stunning, gorgeous and awe inspiring is what guests say.
The resort itself is exquisitely designed with unparalleled natural beautiful but with activities that include two Championship Golf Courses designed by Robert Trent Jones. Plus there are other activities from horse back riding to day spas. In fact, you might need to sample one after enjoying the other. And from Princeville you can journey to other parts of the island.
About Kauai
It is called a Garden Isle for a reason. Oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai has soaring peaks, dark green mountains and valleys and more beaches than all the other islands combined. You can swim in a mountain pool, ride a helicopter around spires and peaks, eat dinner on a sunset sail, learn to Kayak and scuba with fluorescent reef fish - and that's all just the first day.An ancient island, Kaua‘i was born of fire and sculpted by Pele legendary goddess of the volcano. It is filled with mana, an elemental energy manifested by the cliffs, surf and waterfalls of this hard to imagine landscape. It is srounded in mists. It is a natural Island, shrouded in mists, ringed by rainbows and gentled by ocean breezes. It is an abundant Island, lush with tropical fruits, rare orchids and life-giving taro.
If you don't want to spend every waking hour on the go, Kauai weather can lull you into a state of tropical paralysis reading a book or listening to your ipod on the beach. The sun is warm but not scorching. You can find busy beach front activities or isolated beaches where you may be the only person within sight.
Kauai is not Waikiki or Oahu. There aren't a lot of all night shows and clubs. But there is entertainment, luaus and fabulous dining. All with a little more laid back feeling. But you can get equally fabulous dining experiences. There are fancy visitor oriented restaurants, highly prized hotel dining rooms and many "local style" cafes and eateries that will make your mouth say, "Aloha" in delight.
Plus Kauai has shopping to at the Coconut Market Place in the town Kapa'a, at the Harbor Mall near Nawiliwili Harbor and Kalapaki bay. On the South side don't miss old Koloa town and the Poipu Beach shopping village. Waimea to the West has some funky island style shops. To the North, Princeville resort features name brand boutiques and is close to the village of Hanalei and its Ching Young shopping village.
About Hawaii
As the most isolated major land mass in the world, Hawaii has flora, fauna and a culture like no where else in the world. Formed over 8 million years ago by still active volcanoes the geography is sheer and magical. Set near the equator but blessed with ever present slight trade winds, the islands have a near perfect climate that averages 80 degrees year round.Comprised of seven major islands and hundreds of seldom seen small islands scattered to the North and West, Hawaii is a diverse and stunning place. Oahu is the primary economic center of the state and home to the state capital of Honolulu and well known Waikiki beach.
LODGING:
There are a great many kinds of accommodations in the islands, from giant villas in destination resorts to hotel room budget units in higher traffic spots like Waikiki. At Sunspots we have a nice range and specialize in vacation rental condos and homes.
CULTURE:
Hawaii has a culture that many appreciate for its emphasis on the "Aloha," a true life style that embraces sensitivity for others, a love of the "aina" the land and respect for everything that surrounds us. The word itself can mean love, compassion and harmony and may be used as a casual greeting or as one of profound respect. Hawaiian's don't use Aloha as tourist slogan - although you will be greeted by it repeatedly - but instead as a genuine reminder of how people in Hawaii expect to live their lives.
In Hawaii cultural thoughts are interrelated. For example the Hula is a dance seen often at hotels, concerts and festivals. But it is also a genuine art form and a righteous craft taken very seriously by its practitioners. Adherence to Hula principals requires one to be "pono" to live and do right.
While most have heard some forms of Hawaiian music, in fact there is no single such thing. Slack key guitar playing is one skill as is "leo ki`eki`e" a kind of Hawaiian falsetto and one of its greatest contributions to culture. The list of well known Hawaiian songs is long and decades ago hapa-houle (part Hawaiian part non-Hawaiian) songs were all the rage on Broadway and in films.
But Hawaiian music is always growing. Today, contemporary artists are just as apt to take a Beatles song and make it Hawaiian as they are to incorporate other world music and especially Jamaican in their repertoire.
If you visit Hawaii, be sure to check for a listing of local concerts and events. Or keep an eye out at the beach or parks for adlib music get together. The level of musicianship is astounding because it stars early. Drive by any elementary school as it gets out for the day and I'll see every other child with an Ukulele over their shoulder. Music is way of life in Hawaii.
Hawaii is also rich in traditional hand arts such as weaving and chants.
ACTIVITIES:
There may be no place in the world that can compare with the variety of activities as in Hawaii. On the sea you can go whale watching, scuba diving or deep sea fishing. From shore you can swim, scuba or kit or wind surf. And don't forget just lounging in the sun, but be careful it burns quicker than you think due to the state's proximity to the equator.
In most areas you can rent bikes or long rides through the country side or, better yet, take an all down hill ride from the summit of a mountain to the beach. Due to the precipitous peaks and valleys, hiking is a favored activity and be sure to do some birding along the way. Hawaii is home to a dazzling array of bird life found no where else in the world.
From the air Hawaii is even more spectacular so consider a helicopter extravaganza to see what most folkswill miss. There are also small aircraft flights and even ultra light aircraft. Para-shooting too for the adventurous.
In recent years zip-lining and irrigation ditch float trips have become the rage because you can get back into ranch lands usually off limits for visitors. There you'll see pristine mountain rivers and deep jungle like locations.
Oh - and don't worry too much about pests - Hawaii has no snakes and fewer pesky bugs than other tropical climates. We do have, however, the ever present Geckos, a kind of small lizard that brings good luck because they eat bugs. You'll often find them perched next to the light outside your front door.
DINING:
You can get most any kind of great food in Hawaii from Asian Fusion to European and Continental. But you'll definitely want to experience Hawaiian cuisine at one of the many visitor oriented restaurants and cafes. And be sure to spend an evening at one of the many sumptuous luaus. The food will be great as will the authentic entertainment.
LODGING:
Over seven million people visit Hawaii each year. And who can blame them. And they all have to stay somewhere. The majority arrives in Honolulu and stay in one of the many large and impressive resorts and hotels on Oahu especially in the Waikiki Beach area. Visitor to neighbor islands is growing even faster. Today, Maui is a hub of activity. The Big Island (Hawaii) and Kauai are also growing.
On each island you will find small lodges, bed and breakfast operations and a wide variety of private vacation homes for rent. These range from small budget oriented condos to expansive villas for the rich and famous. Picking a vacation rental home takes a bit of work. You must pick the island you prefer, the town or resort area, the management company to work with and the specific home you want to occupy. Finding your perfect place will be worth the effort.
SOVERNTY MOVEMENT:
Most visitors are surprised that Hawaii was a Monarch until 1893 when a group of haoule (those of European origin) entered the place and deposed Queen Lili`uokalani who stepped aside in a bloodless coup to avoid violence. Today certain Hawaiians are working to regain their independence and to preserve Hawaiian culture. Only time will tell the outcome of this struggle but it is being waged in a Pono manner which is sure to produce a viable and peaceful result.