Robert Courtney, RA, CDPE, MCRE, CIAS ( CENTURY 21 ALL ISLANDS )

Living Foods Market

My wife and I had some errands to do today. When we were finished we drove down to the southern part of Kauai to Poipu. Poipu is just south of Old Koloa Town. When we got to the new round-a-bout we went ahead and went to the new shopping center, Kukuiula.

Being around lunchtime there were not many people. We strolled the center and found a fantastic grocery store. It is called Living Foods. That intrigued us so of course we had to check it out. Once inside we found Kauai made products. Soap, baskets, spices, tea, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. All priced pretty competitive for a local grocer. They cannot compete with a Costco, but most locals will still go to a locally owned store more often than a big box store. Other products were wine, cheese, fresh bread and at one end a deli/barista's with Hawaii grown coffee. They had a breakfast menu we will have to go and check out. They had a fantastic sandwich selection. All of this in a little store in our newest shopping center.

So, if you are coming to Kauai be sure to go to our southern communities, drive through our Tree Tunnel heading south and experience Kauai Made and Grown at some of its finest at "Living Foods' located in our newest shopping center Kukuiula.

Aloha!

Fantastic Meals - At the Grocery Store?

Was out and about on Monday this week. (Memorial Day) All of a sudden the smell of barbeque teri steak and huli huli chicken filled the air. I thought to myself, someone is grilling and it is very close. I was on Nawilwili St. and knew the food court was near in Kukui Grove Market. So I decided to drive through the shopping center. There are good restaurants at Kukui Grove! The smell was coming from Times Market. A Grocery Store!!

I went up to the cook and was given directions on how I could get some of the grilled steak and huli huli chicken. Get this the styrofoam plate was piled with steak and chicken. Two scoops of rice and a huge green salad and a drink. $7.99!!

Today - the smell was steak and shrimp!

Aloha!

Island Leader Motivates Islanders to Exercise

If you are coming to Kauai in late June here is a fun way to rub shoulders with the local people!

Three years ago our Mayor Bernard Carvalho began an island wide exercise Walk-A-Thon. This is a free event for the entire family and for those accomplished exercisers. The event will be held this year on June 25. The walk is from Kapaa Beach Park to Ahihi Point. (See map from Kauai Path website-the gold line is the route) The event allows entrants to walk or run anywhere from two miles up to eight. There are various prizes for the entrants. The first 500 that sign up will get a free T-shirt! Again, there is no charge to sign-up just a promise of a lot of fun with our Mayor leading the way.

Sign in is at 6:00 am with the Walk-A-Thon starting at 7:00 am.

The registration for this event is online. Just go to www.getfitkauai.com . Entrants can walk, jog, run or bike so everyone can participate. Registration will close June 22nd. When you register you will find out how you can win a prize for decorating a bike, a baby stroller and the best dressed participant.

The deadline to sign up is June 22.

Come and play the games, win a door prize, and listen to live music.

If you have questions Bev Brody can be reached at 808-212-2765.

Wailua Bridge Opens

The new Wailua Bridge going into and out of Kapaa opened to day. Original opening was supposed to be last April, but building a bridge on an island is not as easy as the mainland.

For those traveling on the east side traffic should flow better thus helping relieve some of the long lines that has a tendency to build at certain times during the day. Contra flow starting Thursday will have two lanes on the new bridge going north and the old Wailua Bridge will handle two lanes of traffic going south.

The bridge has a nice side walk for pedestrians to cross safely. Getting to Smith's Family Paradise is still tricky. All in all Kauai will be a little easier to travel on the east side.

Aloha!

The Day is Over - The Memories Live On

I visited the Veterans Cemetery today. Each marker was decorated with the American Flag.

I thought back to my coming home from Vietnam. I thought about the first time seeing the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. I thought about my friends that I served with and those that I lost. I reminisced about the Marines I served with in VMGR-152 and VMGR-252. I remembered how at the time I was serving getting the mission accomplished was my focus, so there was not time to think about all that could have happened, but didn't. I remembered talking with the family of a close buddy that asked me to deliver a letter to his mother. I remember the tears and sadness of that moment.

Today, we have new young people that are serving us. We have some that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and we have the families that are coping. The Day is over. I would hope the memories will stay alive until the last combatant is home and our military families are made whole for a long time to come. That we would find a way to live in peace and allow our military to serve with honor without bloodshed. I know my memories will always humble me to where I am unashamed to kneel and say a prayer for our soldiers serving and especially for those in harms way.

God Bless them and their families beyond measure!

Aloha!