2008-07-25T00:47:21-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/ Kauai Vacation Rentals || Hanalei Vacation Rentals http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/07/16_Zip_Line_Fly_like_a_bird_over_Kauais_Rain_For.asp

Imagine the thrill of soaring and flying like a bird over a pristine rain forest! At Kauai Backcountry Adventures, you can get high on this exhilarating experience! Fly across seven ziplines which descend a mountain side. Feel the rush as you glide over lush tropical forests and deep valleys below. With exclusive access to over 17,000 acres of former plantation lands, Kauai Backcountry can offer you a truly one-of-a-kind experience.You will begin with a fun and informative scenic ride in the our wheel-drive adventure vehicle. Along the way, your certified guide will share interesting information on island history, culture, flora and fauna.When you arrive at the first zipline, you'll receive a thorough briefing, preparing you to soar over tropical forests, streams and jungles rich with magnificent scenery! You'll zoom down the mountain-side, sailing along on a series of seven ziplines, as you make your way to the valley floor below. End your zip with a delicious picnic lunch in a bamboo grove and a refreshing swim. Relax, bask in the sun, or just soak in our natural swimming pool. Take one last dip in the water before heading back to home base! Truly an incredible journey which will leave you with vacation memories of a lifetime.Provided by Kauai Backcountry

2008-07-16T16:37:28-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/07/16_Poipus_Best_The_Beach_House_Restaurant.asp

The Beach House restaurant is one that cannot be skipped while visiting the island.  A casual yet high-end pacific rim style restaraunt that has become one of my families favorites!  The awesome presence of the ocean is a constant at this lovely restaurant which features a multi-level dining room with doors thrown open to the vista and the breezes. The menu boasts a contemporary island flair, thanks to a focus on local seafood and an Asian culinary sensibility.  Kiawe-grilled entrees include fire-roasted ahi, lamb marinated in mintand coriander, and Cajun-spiced ono. Crab-stuffed pork medallions are succulent, as are Chinese-style roasted duck and delicate sea scallops.  Local Boy Paella, tinged with saffron and savory Chinese sausage, is a perennial favorite, and Molten Chocolate Desire is a foray into gooey decadence that can't be side-stepped!While dining, right around dusk, if you look around suddenly the dining room  will look almost empty... Everyone goes out looking at the sunset and having their pictures taken by the waiters!  Directly in front of the restaurant the sun sets and this is priceless.  The waiters usually come over to the tables and offer their assistance with taking photos, in my opinion above the call of duty and another reason the restaurant stands out!  There is also normally a professional photographer too that will take your picture at sunset for a fee.   The sunset/ocean views from this restaurant and great food truly make it a special evening surely that will have you returning year after year (if not nigth after night on your current vacation!).Happy Feasting!!Shelah Jean Abubo

2008-07-16T16:14:30-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/07/15_Featured_Property_Pueone_Haena_at_Tunnels_Bea.asp

Welcome to Pueone, a Kauai vacation rental located at Tunnels Beach on the lush northern shore of Kauai. "Pueone" is a historic Hawaiian vacation home with a premium beachfront location.   This Haena Kauai vacation home has private beach access to Makua (Tunnels) beach, which is one of the finest seasonal snorkel and surf locations in the state of Hawaii.   Pueone is surrounded by raw north shore beauty from  the mountains to the sea.  Beautiful white sand beaches extend in both directions surrounded by a backdrop of lush mountains, waterfalls and "Bali Hai" .  This casual plantation-style home has an Island elegance and is perfectly suited for a nature-loving family looking for a great location close to ocean and scenic adventures.   The ideal home for watching whales (in season), dolphins, and sea turtles right from the lanai, Pueone is warmed by the tropical sun, cooled by the local trade winds and shaded by coconut palms.   Click here for more information on this fabulous Haena Vacation Rental.

2008-07-15T18:14:55-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/07/11_Light_House_Bistro_Kilauea_Favorite.asp

Lighthouse Bistro is one of Kauai's well known restaurants located onthe north shore of Kauai in the heart of Kilauea. Lighthouse Bistrofeatures a unique menu with incredibly innovative dinner specialtiesand fresh local produce.  Enjoy Pacific Cuisine with European Fusion in a open air plantationatmosphere. They have live music 4 nights a week with local entertainers which is always a blast... call ahead to make sure you go visit on one of these nights.Even if you're not on your way to the legendary Kilauea Lighthouse,this bistro is so good it's worth a special trip. The charminggreen-and-white wooden building has open sides,old-fashioned plantation architecture, open-air seating, trellises, andhigh ceilings. The ambience is wonderful, with a retro feeling. Thefood is excellent, an eclectic selection that highlights localingredients in everything from fresh fish tacos and fresh fish burgersto macadamia nut crusted ahi and four preparations of fresh catch. Themango-cherry chicken in light lilikoi sauce is a tropical delight. Theahi quesadilla comes beautifully presented with rice, black beans, andspicy condiments on a plate painted with purple cabbage shavings andherbs -- much more elegant than the usual lunchtime fare.   This Restaurant serves both Lunch and Dinner, both are divine.  The area around LightHouse Bistro is also very fun to explore.  Stylish boutique stores,  a unique island soap and candle shop, a delictable bakery and coffee shop... an area difinately worth a few hours of your vacation time!Shelah Abubo

2008-07-11T11:18:52-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/06/17_Restaurant_Favorite_North_Shore_Pick.asp

Aloha!  I wanted to take a moment to write about a few of my favorite restaurants on the island... so after enjoying some fun in the sun on the north shore, take your crew to check out one of the bests in my opinion, Postcards Cafe.Set in a charming plantation cottage in Hanalei, Postcards Cafe is noted for its gourmet seafood & natural cuisine with the emphasis on fresh, mostly organic ingredients and a deliciously creative menu. The restaurant has been praised in Travel & Leisure, In Style Magazine, and Brides Magazine, as well as in travel sections of the country's top newspapers. The lanai has lovely mountain views, and the vintage dining room features white washed-walls, beamed ceilings, and framed articles depicting by-gone days on Kauai's magical north shore. First taste: 'Pupus' (aka: appetizers), featuring:  taro fritters with pineapple chutney; seafood rockets (amelange of fish, shrimp and coconut in a crispy shell); porcini-crusted scallops; seared Cajun-crusted ahi with chipolte chile sauce; crab quesadillas, vegan Thai summer rolls and many more creative and tasty starters.Entrees include grilled or blackened fresh fish; the Sombrero, achile/com/black bean/tomato treat; the  Shanghai, with sauteed tofu, crisp vegetables and roasted cashews in tamari sauce; the Seafood Sorrento, a divine seafood pasta with fish and shrimp, Kalamata olives, mushrooms, onions and capers in a garlic white wine sauce; The Francesca, a puttanesca pasta with a sherry marinara; and wasabi-crusted ahi with a mirin shoyu ginger sauce. There are outsanding specials every evening, luscious desserts, and organic coffee , teas and juices. Open nightly from six o'clock.  Reservations highly recommended!  My family and I visit Postcards frequently, the staff is always so warm and helpful, the food always fresh and tasty and the ambiance very cozy and comforting.  I rate the overall experiance A+! 

2008-06-17T10:32:13-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/06/12_Kauai_Hiking_Trails.asp

Hiking and Trail Info Kauai is home to literally the wettest place on earth. With an average ofover 472 inches or 39 feet (12 meters) of precipitation each year, Mt.Waialeale  gets enough rain and constant precipitation to give it such a remarkable title. But not all of Kauai is wet and rainy. Hiking in the Waimea Canyon is arid and in some ways  resembles Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Depending on where you decide to go hiking (Waimea is one of my personal favorites) you will encounter fantastic versatility to the land and plant life. Kauai is the oldest of all the Hawaiian islands and has a reputation for being much greener than some of it's neighboring islands. This in part, is due to the towering lush mountains that catch more of the clouds containing precipitation. This means that hiking on Kauais brilliant mountains is second to none! Local Secret - Exploring the North Shore of Kauai can be quite an adventure. One of my favorite secrets to share with visitors is the Blue Room.   This is a great option if you are looking for an easier but great activity.  As you drive towards the end of the Kuhio Highway (going north) the road starts to seem thinner as the jungle encroaches more and more over the pavement. On the left side of the road you will notice people exploring some caves, most of which are visible from the road. If you come to the part of the road where the stream flows over the street: then you have gone too far. There is a tinny trail in that if you travel only about 30 yards up you will find a little cave that is full of water. If you take muster the bravery to endure the cold water you can swim to the right and find a little room that once inside makes the water around you seem bright blue. If you listen carefully you can hear the sound of the water level slowly rising and falling against other tiny rooms in the cave.The Napali or "Na Pali" coastOne of the most amazing and at least in my opinion life changing things that Kauai has to offer is its bountiful "Napali Coast" (Pali comes from the Hawaiian word for cliffs). The Kuhio Hwy. wraps around almost all of the island except instead of making a complete loop there is a stretch of coastline that is home to the legendary Kalalau Trail. The trail spans roughly 11 miles. The last time I kayaked down the Napali coast I saw easily over 20 sea turtles,breaching whales (which is rare in the summer), spinner dolphins, and of coarse the heavenly Kalalau Valley. There are several ways that you can go about experiencing the coast and the easiest is through a guided boat tour. But if you are up for it and are in decent shape, then I recommend hiking as much of the trail as you can. Keep in mind though it is a very steep, and somewhat perilous trail (depending on the weather). If you want to try and make it all the way to the KalalauValley and want to camp there you will need to get a permit it advance.   Keep in mind you will want to start very early as to leave yourself enough time to get there.  The seclusion and magisty of the trail are the same thing that make it dangerous.  If you arent going to hike the whole thing it is still worth it to go and hike what you can.  Even in the first mile there is a lot to take in.Should you decide on an easier day activity I also recommend taking the Kalalau trail starting at Kee and going roughly 2 miles to Hanakapiai.  This is also an option if you want to make it all the way to Kalalau but want to stop and camp after traveling the first 2 miles.  Once in the Hanakapi'ai Valley there is a great waterfall.  The beach is also beautiful, however the state government warns that it is not recommended that you swim as the current is very strong and drownings occur regularly.  Also check weather conditions from the last few days to find out the condition of the trail.  Heavy rain can cause erosion and slick terrain.HAPPY HIKING!

2008-06-12T11:31:55-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/05/01_Golfing_on_the_Garden_Isle....asp

There is no secret to Kauai's spectacular golf offerings. Take the islands lush beauty-- it isn't called the Garden Isle for nothing and add challenging courses designed by some of the sports finest architects. Its a winning combination that adds up to a true golfer's paradise.Poipu Resort located at Kauai's southern tip, is home to the Poipu Bay Golf Course, rated by Golf Magazine as one of the top 18 courses in America. The championship course is nestled along the contours of scenic Poipu Bay. The signature hole here is the 501-yard, par-4 16th, which poses a variety of challenges-- A small lake and two fairway bunkers are positioned on the right; a sheercliff drops to the ocean on the left; and a dog-leg left is created by an ancient rock wall and heiau (ancient place of worship).  Poipu Bay Golf Course has been the home of the PGA GrandSlam of Golf since 1994. This prestigious event brings together the winners of the years of the four major PGA tournaments--the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championshipfor for two days of thrilling golf competition. In nearby Koloa is the Kiahuna Golf Club, a 6,400-yard, par-70 course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Kiahuna is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, with an abundance of water hazards and the ever-present trade winds making for a challenging play.The Puakea Golf Course plays around deep ravines and streams fed by fresh mountain rainwater. Set at the foot of Mount Haupu in Lihue, Puakea is one of Hawaii's newest courses. Designed as an 18-hole course, it actually opened over a decade ago as a 9-hole course after a snag in it's development. Architect Robin Nelson finally got the green light to complete the project, and the full 18-hole course made it's official debut in 2004.Kauai Lagoons Golf Club in Lihue features two 18-hole courses. The Kiele course weaves along imposing ocean cliffs, lush valleys and 40 acres of freshwater lagoons. The course is demanding and requires several shots over ravines. The Mokihana Course is a Scottish-style links course that offers open fairways and well-guarded greens.On Kauai's North Shore, the luxurious Princeville Resort also offers a pair of courses-- Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the Prince Course has been rated as the top course in Hawaii by Golf Digest. The Makai Course is considered three courses in one, with the Ocean Nine being closest to the ocean; the Lakes Nine winding around serene lakes; and the Woods Nine cutting through native woodlands.Some of the world's best golf courses are on Kauai. Each of Kauai's golf courses has something to offer the avid golfer. The island has a great selection of courses with greens fees ranging from discount to resort, but even the more expensive courses offer some specials when you purchase multiple rounds. There are courses scattered all around the island, so no matter where you're staying (or where your wife is shopping), there will always be somewhere near by to hit a few balls!

2008-05-01T18:08:37-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/04/30_Making_Every_Day_Earth_Day_Reduce_Reuse_and_R.asp

Our Kauai landfill is full and we need your help to reduce waste. There are recycling locations located on every side of this land. Please use them!WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?       #1 and #2 PlasticsAluminum cans (no tin cans)CardboardGlassJunk Mail (brochures, maps, magazines, etc.)Newspapers  (PLEASE REMEMBER TO RINSE CONTAINERS AND REMOVE LIDS)      WHERE CAN I DROP OFF MY STUFF:North Side:Hanalei at the Hanalei Transfer Station (located across from the Princeville Health Club/Spa and the Prince Golf Course.East Side:Kapa'aat the end of Kahau Road (on the way to the bypass road)Lihu'e in the back of the K-Mart parking lot on the pavilion side of the storeSouth Side:Po'ipu in the Brenneke's Parking LotLawai Post OfficeEle'ele at the Ele'ele Shopping CenterWest Side:Waimea at the Waimea Canyon ParkKekaha at the Kekaha LandfillI WANT MY 5 CENTS BACK:Approximately75,000 beverage containers are thrown into the trash or littered everyhour in the state. The bottle bill (HI 5) was created to increase the recovery of beverage containers. Retailers charge a nickel deposit. You can redeem your deposit at the following redemption centers:North Shore:Hanalei - Kauai Community Recycling Services5-5299 Kuhio Hwy (next to Waioli Park)Tuesday 8am - 2pmEast Shore:Kaphi - Reynolds Recycling (behind Menehune food mart)5675B Kawaihau RoadTuesday - Saturday 9am- 5pmLihue - Garden Isle Disposal2666 Niumalu Road (near sugar cane bldg)Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm, Sat 8am -noonNawiliwili Harbor - Reynolds RecyclingCorner of Wilcox and Kanoa StTues thru. Sat 9am - 5 pmSouth Shore:Lawai - Reynolds RecyclingLawai Post Office Parking LotWed & Sat 8am - Noon West Shore:Kekaha - Kekaha LandfillWed & Sat 8am - 3 pmThank you for helping protect and preserve our environment so we all can enjoy our beautiful island for many, many years to come.

2008-04-30T19:17:33-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2008/04/29_Discovering_Kauai_Beaches....asp

Consider your interests and that will help a little when making the difficult decision of which Kauai beaches to visit, unless you're fortunate to have the time to visit them all! The island's beaches are idyllic for walking, sailing, surfing, sunbathing, fishing, picnicking, hiking, snorkeling, people-watching, swimming or snoozing -- and the list continues, as you will quickly discover.  While the many beaches offer their own distinct advantages, it is important when visiting Kauai to adhere to safety guidelines whenever you go to the beach. Kauai's central Pacific location provides some of the largest waves on the planet breaking on her shores, so we strongly recommend that you to swim only at beaches with lifeguards on duty. These beaches include Hanalei Beach Park, Waioli, Anahola, Wailua, Lydgate, Poipu, Salt Pond, and Kekaha. A great advantage to Kauai's beaches is that all of them are public; some hotels may have private areas that include some beach facilities for guests, but as long as you walk along the public access walkways, you are free to explore all of these special beaches.  Some of the fun choices you'll need to ask yourself are whether you want transparent or sapphire waters, rocky reefs or quiet sands, foamy waves or patient seas; regardless, you'll bask in glorious sunshine, fresh air, nearby mountain cliffs in some areas, and happy times. And when exploring Kauai's amazing beaches, be sure to exercise the following safety tips: 1. Swim at lifeguarded beaches ONLY ask lifeguards for safety and swimming tips. 2. Lifeguards post warning signs Dont ignore them! Read them and heed them! 3. Conditions constantly change daily and seasonal changes must be monitored closely. 4. Waves come in sets it can look calm for up to 20 minutes between dangerous sets of huge waves. 5. Hazards can exist in ANY coastal area - not just in the water. Be careful on wet sand and rocks. 6. Do not fight a rip current if caught in a current keep calm, float, breathe, dont panic, and wave for help. Go WITH the current and conserve energy. 7. Use the buddy system never swim alone & know your limits. 8. When in doubt don't go out! Please visit The Kauai Beach Explorer Project  for current surf conditions and important beach and ocean safety information.Have fun and always remember to be safe!

2008-04-29T20:53:38-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2006/10/31_Kauai_Vacation_Blog.asp

Aloha Guests, Clients, and Web-Site Browsers!Thank you for taking the time to preview our site, www.JeanandAbbott.com... I hope that it gives you all the information you would hope to find on a vacation rental site & much, much more!I, Shelah Jean Abubo, had an envision of developing a vacation rental company when I was pregnant with my son, Stone Maverick Abubo....who knows, maybe it was all the baby kicks & punches that sparked this idea in my head!! I had been previously working for a real estate & vacation rental business for about 6 years, so I had the knowledge & experiance it would take to start my own vacation company, now I just had to put it all to play... 6 months latter after many, many hours of developing ideas/content, ect... Jean & Abbott was launched! I have been very fortunate with the amount of homes I have been able to acquire, everything has really fallen into place... My goal as the owner of Jean & Abbott is to provide only the best of rentals to our guests (I'm very picky about my accomodations when I go on vacation... the home has to be perfect! I extend this same 'pickiness' & 'perfectionism' to Jean & Abbott's vacation homes), and to be here for you with exceptionally great service... we don't want to be the biggest, but we want to be the best!I thought it would be a great idea & helpful to our visitors to create an area on our site where guests and site browsers alike can communicate... ideas, suggestions, comments. For instance what resturaunts would you recommend on Kauai? What beaches are a MUST to visit? Where is the best place to have a romantic picnic? Where can we camp for the night? Was the 'Zip-Line' really worth doing? What tour boat company should we go with? Is Polihale beach worth the drive!?What places shouldn't we go to? ..... I don't know come up with some more, tell us whats on your mind about your vacation? What is the most important thing to you about traveling to Kauai? How did you pick out Kauai for your vacation destination? What has been your most memorable experiance on the island? We want to hear your stories... intrigue us!!HAPPY WRITINGS EVERYBODY!!Shelah Jean Abubo

2006-10-31T20:39:31-08:00 http://www.jeanandabbott.com/blog/2006/10/31_Jean_and_Abbot_Launches_Blog.asp

Jean & Abbott Luxury Kauai Hawaii Vacation Homes launches blog... <DIV

2006-10-31T18:19:59-08:00