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Aloha from all of us at GVR!
We hope that everyone is enjoying the summer and taking some time off to relax!
Whether you travel to Kauai in the summer or the winter, you won't have to worry too much about the temperature. The average temperature in Kauai is a comfortable 78°. In the hottest and coldest months it usually only moves about 5° or 6°. The water temperatures are also very comfortable ranging between 74° and 80° .... which basically means everyday feels like a summer-day on Kauai! Our local keiki "children" and visitors to the island are certainly making the most of the sunshine and tropical beaches! We are so lucky to be here!  
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Kauai... the garden isle!
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 Tropical flowers on Kauai are always abundant! Shopping center parking lots, resort grounds and local gardens are landscaped with a vibrant display of a variety of heliconias, torch gingers, antheriums, orchids, hibiscus, plumeria and an array of flowering trees. In the summer the Royal Poinciana trees are draped in flame-red flowers along Poipu Road and the Golden shower trees and Rainbow shower trees that line the by-pass road in Poipu are in full bloom! Plumeria trees are draped in white, yellow, pink, red or multiple pastels and their fragrant blossoms scent the air. In several Pacific islands, such as Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, and the Cook Islands, Plumeria species are used for making flower leis. It is common on Kauai to harvest the fragrant blooms of Plumeria, Tuberose, Pikake or Stephanotis ( pua male in Hawaiian literally meaning wedding-flower) from the side of the road or from a friendly neighbor's yard to make homemade lei for visiting guests or family to the island and for special occasions.  |
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Now offering Club Memberships to our guests!
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 EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS ONLY FITNESS CLUB NOW AVAILABLE FOR OUR GUESTS!!! We are excited to announce that Great Vacation Retreats is now offering exclusive access for our guests at the new Poipu Beach Athletic Club. The first of its kind in Poipu, offering an 82,000 gallon resort style pool, 1,600 gallon, sand bottom children's area, waterslide, weight and cardio rooms, fitness classes and tennis courts. Give us a call at (808) 742-9202 or email info@greatvacationretreats.com to add the club membership to your next visit to Poipu. We can also assist you in booking fitness classes or reserve your tennis court! We offer the best selection of vacation rentals on Kauai! Book your next Vacation! |
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During the "Boat Days" of the early 1900s, lei vendors lined the pier at Aloha Tower to welcome malihini (visitors) to the islands and kama'aina (locals) back home. It is said that departing visitors would throw their lei into the sea as the ship passed Diamond Head, in the hopes that, like the lei, they too would return to the islands again someday!
Today, visitors are often welcomed to the
 islands with a warm "aloha" and are adorned with beautiful fresh flower leis. It's a wonderful way to begin a Hawaiian vacation. Lei giving is a regular part of any special occasion such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, luaus and graduations.
It is not uncommon for a graduating senior to have so many leis around their neck that they can no longer see!
 | Linda Sylvester, Owner Liaison for Great Vacation Retreats
shares a pic of Sarah draped in flower lei at her graduation! |
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Share the Aloha spirit! Shop. Share. Aloha!
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 Save a Monk Seal! 100% of the proceeds from the local products in the Aloha Gift Section offered on our website Aloha Share support local non-profits dedicated to preserving the reef, wildlife, beaches and precious keiki of Kauai. |
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Vacation Rentals vs/ Hotel which one do you choose?
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Between the annoying hidden fees, exorbitant food costs, and suspect cleanliness, staying in a hotel can be a real pain. Instead, choose a vacation rental to ease some of that heartache. Take a look below at some key areas where a vacation rental would be a smart, preferred alternative to a hotel.
Costs to Large Groups! Compare cost of a vacation rental that comfortable sleeps 4-8 compared to renting 3 hotel rooms and sleeping on a trundle bed!
Germs! OurVacation rentals are professionally cleaned and typically do not have as many guests per year as a hotel room! You've heard the horror stories of germs in hotel rooms and the backlight exposes! We take great pride in the cleanliness of our vacation rentals!
Late night Snacks! You don't have to worry about a 300% mark up of products in a mini-bar! You can enjoy stocking fresh local produce and preparing cost effective meals for your family in your own fully stocked kitchen!
Hidden Costs of a Hotel! Nothing worse than assuming your hotel stay will cost one price, but when you add in all the extra fees of wi-fi, valet-parking, coin-operated laundry etc. your stay ends up costing you a whole lot more!
Compare our oceanfront vacation rental special packages that offer car rentals, athletic club memberships, resort amenities and more before you book your next hotel on Kauai!
Visit alohagvr.com to make the most of you vacation experience!
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Last minute travel deals for Summer
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We have some fabulous last minute deals to vacation on Kauai this summer!
"puka" in Hawaii means gap or little hole such as the ones found in the puka shell...
Find Puka Discounts on select vacation properties. We offer discounted rates to fill a "puka" or calendar gap i.e. last minute open calendar dates remaining for their vacation properties. If your vacation time is flexible see if you can fill a "puka" and qualify for a special Discount!
Find a Puka Discount!
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Hanalei Pier is located at the mouth of the Hanalei River. This section of beach fronts Black Pot Beach Park, a popular camping area for local families. There is a small boat ramp where you can launch kayaks to paddle the Hanalei River.
Hanalei Pier has been used in numerous films including Bird of Paradise (1950) and The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960). The beach on either side of the pier was the principal filming location for most of the beach scenes in South Pacific (1957). The Hanalei Pier was originally built of wood in 1892 and used to unload goods that arrived in Hanalei Bay by ship. In 1921 the wooden deck was replaced with concrete and the pier was extended. A shed roof was first built at the end of Hanalei Pier in the 1940s.
Today Hanalei Pier is a popular gathering place for local fisherman. Tourists and locals gather to watch the surf and the sunset and the keiki "children" take great pleasure using the pier as a launching pad into Hanalei Bay!
 | | Presley, daughter of Scott and Amy Grant, leaps from the Pier! |
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Mangoes are in Season! Hawaii Inspired Recipe!
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 Spoon Mango salsa over some fresh grilled Mahi Mahi..
- 1 pound fresh or frozen mahi mahi
The Mango Salsa
- 1 fresh mango*
- 1 medium tomato
- 4 green onions
- ½ lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Experiment! Add red onion, jalepeno
Prepare the salsa first. Peel fresh mango and dice into small pieces. Chop tomato and thinly slice the green onions. Mix together with the mango and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the cilantro and stir. Chill. On a nonstick griddle or barbecue grill, cook the mahi mahi over medium high heat Serve on dishes with mango salsa spooned over the top. |
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Summer Treat - Mango Sorbet!
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 2 Large, Ripe Mangoes (2 lbs, 1 kg), peeled and pitted 2/3 Cup (130 g) Sugar
2/3 Cup (160 ml) Water
4 tsp Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice, plus more to taste
1 Tbsp Dark Rum, plus more to taste
Pinch of Salt
Method
Cut the mangoes into chunks and put them in a blender with the sugar, water, lime juice, rum, and salt. Squeeze the mango pits hard over the blender to extract as much of the pulp and juice as possible.
Puree the mixture until smooth. Taste, then add more lime juice or rum if desired. Allow the mixture to chill thoroughly, then freeze it in an ice cream maker. |
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Dreaming of owning property on Kauai?
View our Real Estate Listings and Kauai MLS at www.kauailistings.com
We welcome you to call us with all your real estate needs and questions.
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