I don't know if you heard (pun intended)  but, Kauai's got a few chickens roaming about! 13 chicks here!

And some goats. These guys were just cruising a back country road enjoying a snack. I'm sure they made it back home...they looked like they knew where they were going and had been this way before!

We've seen a family of wild boar. They were in a residential neighborhood making themselves at home in someones front yard. The babies were too cute! The mom was HUGE...nothing cute about her. Not something I'd want  hanging out at my house! She looked like she could do plenty of damage to me and my garden! 

Kauai has beautiful waterfalls.  To see Kalihiwai falls you don't even need to get out of your car. In fact, I took this photo as were were driving past it at about 50 mph! You have to look quick or you'll miss it! Kalihiwai falls is a double fall located between mile marker 24 and 25 on highway 56.  There used to be a turnout where you could stop and walk over to the falls but, it was closed a few years ago. It really wasn't safe to be walking along the narrow strip of road as cars were zooming by. So, in this case the lazy way is the best (and safest) way!

Are we friends on Facebook? Check out the condo's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coconut-Coast-Condo/307524479272369?ref=hl

Aloha Readers!

Isn't this a beautiful double rainbow? It was pouring rain, then all of a sudden the rain stopped and this incredible rainbow appeared. The colors were so vivid. We all were in awe.

Kauai gets a good amount of rain. In fact one of the wettest places on Earth, Mount Waialeale is in the middle of it! Averaging about 36 feet of rain per year! That's right, 36 feet! All that rain makes for spectacular rainbows, waterfalls and very happy flowers!

All that being said, I remember at times being afraid that the rain may ruin my vacation. But, it never has.  The reason for this is because most of the rain falls at night and daytime showers tend to be brief. Heck, we don't even leave the beach if it starts to sprinkle. It almost always stops within minutes.

The coastal areas of Kauai tend to get much less rain than the mountainous areas. Kapaa, where the Coconut Coast Condo is located averages 49 inches per year, Hanalei receives about 78 inches and Poipu only 35 inches.

Kauai does have a rainy season which is December through March. And that is our absolutely busiest time of year! 

If you do find yourself on vacation in your condo during a downpour that won't let up, spend some time on the covered lanai outside. Enjoy the rain and when it stops, you too may be greeted with a beautiful double rainbow!

Aloha! Thanks for reading the Coconut Diaries! 

A special Aloha to all the mothers on this Mother's Day!

Hola Readers!

Today is Cino de Mayo! How about a Mexican-Hawaiian recipe to celebrate? Here's a recipe for poke tacos. I made these when on vacation in Kauai. They tasted great and looked pretty enough to photograph. 

Poke Tacos
Ahi Poke - We usually get ours at Fish Express in Lihue, but Foodland has good poke as well.
Shredded Lettuce
Chopped Cilantro
Won Ton Wrappers - The uncooked packaged ones you find in the refrigerated section.

Fry the won ton wrappers in a couple inches of oil, using tongs to hold the wrapper in a taco shape. Fry until crispy. In each wrapper place some poke, lettuce and cilantro. Garnish with Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy!

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii!

Lei Day was first celebrated in 1927. It was a day to honor the art of lei making and the custom of wearing lei. Lei Day became an official holiday in 1929 and is still celebrated today with lei making contests, music, food booths and hula performances.

The tradition of lei was started long ago. They can be made of flowers, shells, seeds, leaves, nuts, or feathers.  A lei is a gift that can be given for a welcoming home or farewell, birthdays, anniversary, graduation, weddings or any special day.  What a beautiful and fragrant symbol of aloha the lei has become!

Happy Lei Day!