Miconia is a fast-growing weedy tree from South and Central America. The Miconia has leaves that are purple underneath, deep green on top and can reach up to three feet. Along with producing 3 million or more seeds a year, it can grow 20-50 feet in height whether in full sunlight or complete shade, and it is currently invading Hawaii.

Infestations of the Miconia are currently threatening forests in the East Mauai watershed, and on the Big Island. Kauai and Oahu have small populations of the invasive tree, but with 3 million seeds for one tree it’s rapid population growth must be kept under control and quickly.

“The words are to Gershwin’s “Summertime,” but the music is Gregg Allman’s “Whipping Post… Naylor has the chops and sensitivity to pull it off,” wrote the NY Magazine.

“This young jazz singer captivates with confidence and playfulness,” the Seattle Times

These are just a couple of the reviews given to Jacqui Naylor for her new album “The Color Five” and she is bringing her sumptuous voice, her new album and her eclectic jazz style of music to the KCC Performing Arts Center in Kauai, on Saturday, March 24, 2007.

When you vacation on Kauai you get to experience a special place, a place haled by kings, a place with tradition, life and spirit. One of those traditions is in surfing, where there seems to be a unique and standard code, and that is to help one another.

It is made mandatory amongst the surfers for all the older and more accomplished surfers to help the younger generation. They do this by surfing with them, giving tips and pointers as they inspire and encourage a new group of surfers to rise up and be the best.

On March 3rd, the Kauai Chinese Heritage Society will open the doors of the Jasmine Ballroom, in the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, to celebrate the 2007 Chinese New Year: the Year of the Boar.

The evening will begin with no-host cocktails at 5:30, followed by a traditional lion dance at 6:30. A seven course traditional Chinese buffet dinner will then be served at 7:00, followed by a special program.

Drew Barrymore spent her 32nd birthday hanging out in Kauai, with Cameron Diaz and friends at her Hawaiian home.

Drew and Cameron have been close friends since Cameron was a sixteen-year-old model and Drew was 14. Cameron told Harper’s Bazzar magazine: “I first met Drew when she stuck up for me in a Beverly Hills magazine shop when this guy was being aggressive. I knew who she was. I wasn’t really star-struck, but I felt like I knew her in a different way, as we all do when we watch people on television.’

Looking to spend the summer in Kauai and want a little extra money? Well, if you’re going to college or are in high school (16 or older), than you may be able to get a summer job with the county for the 2007 Summer Youth Employment Program.

Applications are currently being accepted and forms are available at the mayor’s office, any neighborhood center, the Department of Personnel Services in the Lihu’e Civic Center or can be downloaded at www.kuai.gov.

The application deadline is April 20th and the program typically runs from June 18th to July 31st .

Sanjaya Malakar, is the youngest male left competing for the “American Idol” crown at just 17. He was also a resident of Kauai for four years.

Support for Sanjaya, who now lives in Federal Way, Washington, has been coming in from across the country, but especially from the Island School in Puhi, where junior class members remember Sanjaya well and are giving him their full support.

Speeding is a problem throughout Kauai and all of Hawaii, and pedestrian accidents have been on the rise. AIG insurance company has identified 40 “speed problem” areas across the state, and has released five of their school zone hotspots for the island of Kauai.

The five hotspots are Wilcox Elementary, Kapaa Elementary, Koloa Elementary, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and Hanalei Elementary. Following the announcement, parents and students came out in force at Wilcox Elementary errecting signs and banners, trying to get the message out – “slow down”.

In the aftermath of 9/11, there have been a number of laws passed and changed in view of security. One such law will now require returning U.S. citizens to the country by air to show a passport. In a survey conducted by Hawaiian Beach Rentals, a marked increase in domestic travel, is the projected result of the new passport legislation.

In the survey, more than half the customers questioned said they intend to make domestic arrangements as opposed to scheduling international travel. One customer said that “as long as her favorite Kauai condo is available, there’s really no need to leave the US.”

Bethany Hamilton always loved surfing and entered her first competition at the tender age of 11. In two short years she was well respected in the surfing world and then on October 31, 2003 her dreams were almost destroyed by a shark attack on Kauai, in which the shark took her left arm.

The shark could take her arm, but it could not take her belief, her courage or her relationship with Jesus Christ. Instead of being afraid of the ocean her dream grew stronger and she became an inspiration for the world.