Kauai has some of the best whale watching in the world.  On Feb. 2nd the Garden Island reported one of the best counts in 10 years when "more than 160 volunteers viewed and counted an average of eight whales per 15-minute count period at 15 viewing sites from Lumahai through Mana at the Pacific Missile Range Facility." Humpback whales visit Hawaii in the months of December through May and can easily be seen by residents and visitors from land or water.  On Kauai, a popular spot to see the whales breach is at Kealia beach on the east side.  You can also hope on one of the many charter boats in Port Allen and get a closer view of our majestic visitors from the water.  Whale watching is just one of the many rarities we enjoy living on Kauai.

The Coconut Palms Plantation Resort is up for auction.  The property is nestled between the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach and the Mokihana Lodge and is on 11.78-acres of vacant land in the heart of Waipoili. The properties ownership has changed several hands in recent years and is now up for auction.

Officials from the Lihue-based Niu Pia Land Company, Ltd. sold the property for $11.4 million in 2005 to a Delaware-based landholding company called Coconut Plantation Holdings, LLC, according to state Bureau of Conveyances documents. 

The current Los Angeles-based owners, Coconut Plantation Owners, LLC, later purchased the property from Coconut Plantation Holdings, LLC officials in a foreclosure sale for $3 million in 2009. 

The property is available for touring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 9-16. 

The live auction is set for Thursday, March 19 and will be held at the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach, 650 Aleka Loop in Waipouli. 

Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the auction will start at 1 p.m.

photo: kilauea lighthouse village website

Hunt Companies is teaming up with Foodland operator, The Sullivan Family of Companies, to develop a supermarket in Kilauea.  Known as "The Market at Kilauea," it will feature 10,000 sq ft of retail space which is roughly half the size of Princeville's Foodland.  The market will a part of the larger town center development planned for Kilauea, "The Kilauea Lighthouse Village."

Pacific Business News recently reported that the permits for redevelopment of the Coco Palms has been delayed.  According to PBN, a meeting between the developer, Coco Palms Hui LLC, and the Kauai Planning Commission "simply ran out of time... and that more public testimony and planning commission questions will be posed at the next meeting in two weeks." When the project moves forward, the cost is estimated to be $100M.

Click here to view our previous article detailing the redevelopment.

Ulupono Intiative, a Honolulu company funded by ebay's Pierre Omidyar, has submitted it's environmental impact statement (EIS) preparation notice to the Hawaii State Department of Health for the creation of a dairy farm at Mahaulepu.  The EIS is a key component in moving forward with the development of Hawaii Dairy Farm, which received building permit approvals last November. The farm will be the State's first grass-fed dairy.

Photo of Chris Hemmeter from Honolulu Star-Bulletin taken in 2003

Ed Bushor's interest in making Chris Hemmeter's dream come true for Kauai Lagoons is a major incentive for Bushor. Chris Hemmeter was a famous developer in Hawai'i who is known for creating luxury resorts and revolutionizing the hotel industry. Some of his most well known developments include the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa on the Big Island (now the Hilton Waikoloa Village), the Westin Maui Resort, the Westin Kauai Resort, and the Hyatt Regency Maui.  After passing in 2003, Hemmeter's dream for Kauai Lagoons was left unrealized.

Click here to to view previous article on Ed Bushor's acquisition of Kauai Lagoons from Mariott.

The Kilauea Neighborhood Association will host a Department of Transportation meeting on Feb. 3rd at 7 P.M. to consider a solution to the traffic at the Kalamania/Kolo Road intersection. Safety is a major concern for the intersection where turning onto the Highway 50 can be dangerous when the traffic is high. Traffic devices on the table include a traffic light, 4-way Stop, and a roundabout. Residents have a diverse opinion on what device, if any, should be used.