Press / Media

Print-Quality Poipu Photos Available to the Media
If you're a member of the professional media and would like access to print-quality photos of the Poipu Beach area for editorial use, please contact us by email or by calling 808.742.7444 for a username and password.

The Parrish Collection Kauai offers 50% off Special
The Parrish Collection Kauai, known for Kauai luxury vacation rentals, celebrates its anniversary with a "HI Five" 50% off promotion at Waikomo Stream Villas now through June 30, 2012.   Click here for more info.

   

   

Grand Hyatt Kauai introduces Respire by Hyatt 
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa recently changed their status to be a non-smoking hotel and also introduced 20 new hypo-allergenic "Respire" rooms, which are a healthy option for guests with asthma, allergies and other respiratory sensitivities. Click here for more info.

Poipu Bay Golf Course offers "2nd round" rates 
Golfers who want to experience the renowned south shore course twice within a ten-day period can do so for only $115 now through December 31.  In addition, the course offers its ongoing "Second Round/Same Day" rate of $55.  For more details, Click here for more info.

New Kauai eBook Travel Guide Available
The Explorer's Guide to Kauai, a 70-page Ebook guide, offers tips on how to have an island-style travel experience safely and with eco-awareness.  It features over 30 pages of original maps and highlights to island towns as well as an extensive Resource list to important Kauai websites.  Best of all, the guide, which was put together by the Hawaii Explorer team, all of whom are long-time island residents, is available for immediate download for only $15.  Proceeds from the guide go to support the www.kauaiexplorer.com project.  For more information and to purchase the paperless guide, go to www.kauaiexplorer.com/kauai_guide_books/.
 

 
Monk Seal Volunteers Wanted
More volunteers are needed to help track and monitor sightings of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, especially along the south shore. To volunteer, please call 651-7668 or e-mail hawaiianmonkseal@msn.com. Please also report all monk seal sightings to the same phone number.

   
Protecting Monk Seals and their Habitat
The Hawaiian monk seal is considered the most endangered seal in U.S. waters, with only about 1,200 left. Hawaiian monk seals, found in the northwest part of the Hawaiian Islands, spend a lot of time at sea, sometimes as long as a month. Every year, usually in May or June, females find sandy beaches and give birth to a single pup. Mothers take care of their pups for six weeks, and during that entire time, they do not leave the beach - even to eat. Human disturbance has been identified as the primary factor in the decline of the species. In fact, if humans come too near a mother seal too often, she will abandon her pup and go out to sea. Unfortunately, this usually means death for the pup. It is now against the law for people to come within 100 yards of a seal on a beach to prevent abandonment of pups. The following are some hints on what you should and should not do if you encounter a Monk seal:

Keep your distance. Use binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras with zoom lenses to get a closer look. If wildlife approaches you, stay calm and slowly back away. When closer encounters occur, do not make sudden moves or obstruct the travel path of the animals – let them have the unhindered right of way.
Hands off. Never attempt to approach, touch, ride or "play" with monk seals. Touching wildlife can injure the animal, put you at risk and is illegal. Monk seals may bite, body slam or even pull you underwater if startled or threatened. Cautiously move away if you observe any of the following behaviors: Rapid movement away from a disturbance and toward the water, sudden awakening from sleep on the beach, female attempting to shield a pup with her body or by her movements, vocalization or "growling" at a disturbance.
Wildlife and pets don't mix. Please remember to keep your pet on a leash at all times. Monk seals can injure and spread diseases to pets, and in turn, pets can harm and disturb monk seals.
Lend a hand with trash removal. Human garbage is one of the greatest threats to marine wildlife. Plastic bags, floating debris and monofilament line pose the greatest risk to wildlife. Clean your debris before leaving the beach and clean up any mess that could be a threat to marine life.
Help others to become responsible. Speak up if you notice other viewers or tour operators behaving in a way that disturbs the wildlife or impacts sensitive habitats. Be friendly, respectful and discrete when approaching others. Violations of the law should be reported to local authorities.