My Secret Spot

Maui vs Kauai:  Where To Go and Where To Stay. 

This week I have finally tracked down the elusive Carol for a discussion comparing the islands of Kauai and Maui.  When planning a trip to Hawaii, choosing which island is right for you is an important one.  Maui has a saying “Maui is the best” and a lot of people agree with that.  I’m not one of them.

Still, I thought it would be good to bring Carol on the show because her position differs from mine, and discuss the two islands as vacation destinations, comparing and contrasting them.  We also discuss what we feel are the best places to stay on each island, and I decide to give up my secret… my favorite place where I always stay on Kauai.

Since we were unable to hook up with her last week for the “Top 10 List” show, we spend a little time at the end of the show asking her what she had listed on her personal “must do” list.

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Kayaking into the Open Ceiling Cave on the Na Pali coast

Top 10 Must Do’s… and a Couple of “Skip Its”.
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If you only had one day on the island of Kauai, and you’d never been there before, where  should you go and what should you do?  This episode tackles that question, counting down the Top 10 things you must do on Kauai… and throws in a couple of “skip its”.

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Nan (center) and Friends

Respecting and Loving Hawaii
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This week we are going to focus on the single most important thing you need to take with you on any trip to Hawaii… the right mindset and the proper education.  Through an informative interview with my friend Nanene, we will discuss how many Hawaiians view  the massive changes to the islands as well as the threat to their islands and culture through huge population increases and tourism.   We will also discuss many faux pas travelers make when dealing with locals, what you need to know to avoid unknowingly harming certain threatened species and ocean life, and how you can take the most from your Hawaiian vacation.

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Ke'e Beach from the Kalalau Trail

A Virtual Tour of the Island of Kauai
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For those who have never been before and for those who want to “relive” the island, this episode takes you on a virtual tour of Kauai. From the lush north shore beaches and town of Hanalei, to the dry west side with the Waimea Canyon, to the steep, rugged cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, this episode covers it all. While traveling the island, I offer up my opinions on some favorite spots and things to do.

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Bali Hai from Tunnels Beach

Kauai:  The Gem of Hawaii
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Thanks for coming along with me on my “Escape to Kauai”.  During the course of this show we will explore the island of Kauai in an in depth and personal way.  In this inaugural episode of the Kauai Podcast, I introduce myself, Ty Whitman, to you and talk about my passion for the Hawaiian Islands.  I give some background about my trips to the Islands before stating why I think Kauai is better than Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. In talking about Maui I tell the story about my horrible attempt to spend the night in Hana.  After that, I explain the scope of upcoming episodes, which will include several “planning for the trip to Kauai” shows, just like planning a real vacation.  Topics will include an island tour, things to know about Hawaiian culture before you go, “Is Kauai the island for you?”, vacation planning, 10 best activities, and 10 must eats.  After that, we will arrive on Kauai with a “your first day” show.  Then the show will move into individual episodes that explore the island by focusing on specific subjects, such as individual activities which we will go on together (kayaking the Na Pali coast), interviews with locals about island history (Hurricane Iniki, Hanapepe), and Hawaiian culture.   I end the show by giving much thanks to Jayme Kelly Curtis for allowing me to use her original song “Swept Away” as the music for this podcast, and playing a clip of her song.  The entire song can be found at her website below or in iTunes. I’m totally excited about this journey, and look forward to having you along with me.

Podcast opening song: Swept Away, by Jayme Kelly Curtis (personal website)

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