Hanalei Bay consists of nearly two miles of beach, surrounded by mountains. In the summer, the bay is like glass, offering excellent mooring for sailboats, stand up paddle boarding and swimming. The Princeville community overlooks from the northeast entrance to the bay of Hanalei river, 22°12′52″N 159°29′52″W / 22.21444°N 159.49778°W / 22.21444; -159.49778Coordinates: 22°12′52″N 159°29′52″W / 22.21444°N 159.49778°W / 22.21444; -159.49778. During the winter the surf becomes large and is a favorite surf location.

The Hanalei Pier was first built in 1892 to help Hanalei farmers move their taro crops to market. The covered pier’s location near the mouth of the Hanalei River and Black Pot beach has long been a favorite family gathering place for fishing, picnicking, swimming, and playing. 

On April 5, 1824, King Kamehameha II’s royal yacht, Pride of Hawaii, sank near the mouth of the Waiʻoli River, 22°12′14″N 159°30′37″W / 22.20389°N 159.51028°W / 22.20389; -159.51028 (Waioli River mouth), on the southwest corner of the bay after its crew struck a five-foot deep reef a hundred yards offshore. It is believed the captain and crew were drunk at the time. A large section of the ship’s hull washed ashore in 1844 in a winter storm surge, but most of this historic wreck remains buried in silt in the bay. In 1995-2000, archaeologists from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History excavated the wreck and recovered more than 1,200 artifacts. During this excavation, a 40 foot section of the stern was discovered, documented, and then re-buried where it was discovered.^[1]

Japanese author Haruki Murakami wrote a short story entitled “Hanalei Bay” set in the area. The story is included in the collection Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.

This is why Hanalei vacation rentals have become so popular over the years.  You’ll find a variety of accommodations in Kauai at price ranges that fit every budget.  So whether you come alone for business, with family, or friends Allure Kauai Vacation Rentals have a perfect place for you.

About the Festival 

As new technology moves into the classroom, community stations, and home computers, oung people are finding their voice, expressing their creativitiy, and building their academic skills at the same time.To nurture youth’s interpretation of their commitment to preserving our coral reefs, beaches, fish populations, and to show the solutions to protect and restore our ocean resources for future generations. 

Hawaii Ocean Film Festival begins Saturday, August 29, 2009

Featuring films about marine resources, ocean recreation and cultural connections to the sea.  Independent filmmakers from around the world have contributed to this event.Each year Kauai filmmakers showcase their works.  A dear friend, Brady Cushway is a favorite local filmmaker that the festival seeks to embrace. Brady’s self taught talent, love for the ocean, and his life in Wainiha is explained only through music to tell the story.  This year his film ‘Brady’s Wrrld – Respect’ encompasses some of the dangers ocean users encounter. There will be many other local filmmakers at the festival.  So we encourage you to be there after sunset in Waipa, one mile past Hanalei.  The entry cost is $5.  For those especially who love Hawaii and the ocean – this is a one of a kind event that is worth a visit.  

Choose to stay in a nearby Kauai vacation rental for convenience to this years Ocean Film Festival in Waipa.  Hanalei Bay rentals are ideal and located just about 5 minutes away from the event.  Maybe you opt for a condo rental in Princeville or a Haena vacation home rental.  These are perfect Kauai accommodation options available.  Discounted rates apply to select rentals.  

Romantic Wedding IdeasThe most common wedding idea would be to exchange vows, have the ceremony with a beautiful oceanview backdrop, and stay in a romantic cottage.   You get to have the best venue preparation complete with tropical plants and flowers, attractive leis and original hula and Hawaiian music. Other excellent sites and venues include mountain views, cliff side, tropical rainforests and ancient architectural wonders. Some unique activities that can be incorporated into your wedding are a horse-drawn carriage or limousine, conch shell blowing, tiki torch lighting and special presentations by local performers.

If you want to get married in more isolated zones, you may try Kalihiwai Beach or the “Secret Beach” as well as Lumahai Beach. Hanalei and Haena also has marvelous beaches that take you away from the crowded areas so you can have all the serenity and quietness you’ve always wanted. The south shore of Kauai has Mahaulepu beach accessible via a well-protected cane road.

Professionals allow you to choose from a variety of themes with special additions that cater to your personal preferences.  Kauai Wedding Packages include beautiful Kauai accommodations.  Wedding photographers and videographers are also available so ask for a list from your Kauai agent.

A number of Kauai Vacation Rentals and hotels are also located conveniently near the ocean and coast so you get to have a magnificent view as well as luxurious accommodation and reception. Kauai wedding planners and event organizers are located throughout the different towns and cities so you can conveniently apply and acquire your marriage license.

To obtain a marriage license, the couple needs to be at least 18 years of age with certified proof. The groom and bride should appear together in person before a marriage license agent and prepare and file the official application. A fee will be asked upon approval and the license is valid for 30 days throughout Hawaii.

A Hearty HoneymoonSeveral great places are located throughout the island for your grand Kauai wedding and honeymoon. Na Aina Kai and the Limahuli Gardens feature a tropical garden with unique Hawaiian plants and flowers for a great photography background.

The Coco Palms is a popular place where Elvis was married to Joan Blackman in the movie Blue Hawaii. You can also checkout other natural treasures like the Waimea Canyon, Wailua Falls, Fern Grotto on the Wailua River and Opaekaa Falls. Several lagoons are found all around the island where you can have a very romantic canoe ride or quick dip.>

Some of the best hotels to stay in are the Princeville Resort, Grand Hyatt and Marriott featuring several unique amenities like an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, 18-hole golf course, Jacuzzi, spa, fine dining areas with a wonderful view of the ocean, clubs and bars and special events occasionally.

Go to the beach and downtown to experience the night life for your Kauai honeymoon. Luaus are held frequently so check with the hotel front desk to make reservations and avail of special buffets and treats for newlyweds.

Barack Obama recently vacationed in Hawaii, just outside the island’s capital of Honolulu.  Obama was born on O’ahu and spent the first fourteen years of his life on the island.  It was also the home of his late grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who raised Obama through much of his youth. Dunham passed away only two days before her grandson’s historic election.

Obama and his family enjoyed the beauty of Oahu’s Kailua area, a place well-known for windsurfing and white sand beaches.  The small-town feeling of Kailua, with a population of about 50,000 residents, seems a fitting choice for a holiday reprieve for the Obama family after a long campaign in the public eye. With the majority of Hawaiians showing their support for Obama in the presidential election, it may have been difficult for locals to give the family the privacy and space they deserved. However, most residents of this mellow enclave are used to public figures and celebrities coming to Kailua for a little anonymity in paradise. Most likely the greatest attention Obama received from the locals were a few shakas in the aloha spirit.

Only a 20 minute flight from the island of Kauai, known as the ‘Garden Isle’.  Kauai, aka the ‘Island of Discovery’ boasts white sand beaches have been voted some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Obama mentions his own past connection with Kailua in his memoir, “Dreams From My Father”, in which he recalls a boyhood spearfishing trip there with his grandfather. Obama continues to foster his relationship to Kailua.  Every president has his place of choice for respite from the toughest job in the world. It looks as though this Hawaiian native may choose Kailua as his place to rejuvenate and rest throughout his presidency.  Understandably so. Kailua’s beauty is some of the most picturesque in all the islands and the land there holds the history of great chiefs.

Should the nation’s new President continue to return to the Hawaiian Islands for some R&R,  Hawaiians would welcome it with plenty of aloha.