Ferns can be immensely lovely with their green lush leaves forming a natural umbrella over the land. However, lovely they may be too many of them can cause disaster as they can choke out other natural wildlife and endanger fragile watersheds. Such is the case with the Australian tree fern on Kauai and Kauai is fighting back against this invasive species.

The Kauai Watershed Alliance a consortium of forest landowners and the Kauai Water Department is coordinated a response to the growing number of the Australian tree ferns by contracting the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.

Kauai’s riverboat tours along the Wailua River are famous, not only for the unsurpassed beauty you see while lazily cruising on a long flat bottom riverboat, but also for Fern Grotto: a cavern of immense beauty, where many have chosen to marry and a place that used to have Hawaiian musicians playing traditional, local songs serenading as one came upon this natural amphitheater.

Well, for the last year this most famous landmark, Fern Grotto, has been closed causing the riverboat tours to lose most of their business. “During the closure, we took 70,000 less people than the year before, so that hurt, “, said Kamika Smith of Smith’s Motor Boats.

The island of Kauai is home to a variety of bird species, two of which may be in grave danger of extinction. The Akekee (a small yellow and green bird), and the Akikiki (a small bi-colored bird) have had a major reduction in sightings propelling the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct population surveys of the two species.

David Kuhn, Doug Pratt and Alvaro Jararillo, who lead bird tours alerted the authorities about the drop in sightings. They say the Akekee used to be spotted often, while the Akikiki sightings were already rare.

Aegis means shield, and the aptly named Navy’s latest surface combat system does just that. It is a system capable of engaging in simultaneous warfare on several fronts: air, surface, sub-surface and strike – for example shooting down two missiles, fired from different locations, at the same time. Tomorrow, in an attempt to recreate a failed test performed last December, the Navy will again test its sea-based Aegis system off the island of Kauai, on the west side.

This will be the tenth such test performed on Aegis off Kauai. Seven of the previous nine attempts have proven successful. The test last December failed when the interceptor missiles aboard USS Lake Erie proved faulty and the missiles refused to launch.

Tucked away in the northernmost point of the astonishingly beautiful island of Kauai is a landmark going back almost a full century. Rising 52 feet and sitting at the cliffs edge lies the Kilauea Point Lighthouse, built in 1913.

In describing the lighting ceremony the May 6, 1913 edition of the Garden Island said this, “The Kilauea Point Lighthouse, like the Cyclops of old, which swept the sea with their one fierce eye, burst forth its shining eye of warning to the mariner … while hundreds of country people who had gathered to witness the wonderful sight made the shores and hills ring with astonished delight.”

Wishing you could roll down the highway, hop on a plane and wake up in a luxurious home in Hawaii – but only have enough money for a $100 a night. I know, bummer! After all where can you stay on Kauai for a $100 a night! Well you can if instead of a hotel you get yourself a private luxury home.

It is spring - flowers are blooming, birds are singing and love really is in the air. Springtime is made for weddings and also for honeymoons, for there is nothing more special than to have a memory of a time of perfect love to carry into the beginning of life together.

Planning the honeymoon is planning a time free of the stress involved in planning the wedding. It is a time for fun, a time for just the two of you and the Luxury Plantation on Kauai is the perfect place to let go, relax, and enjoy the whales frolicking outside your bedroom window!

You say the name Bruce Irons anywhere on the beautiful island of Kauai and everyone will know just who you are talking about. Born in 1979 weighing only three and a half pounds Bruce has grown into one of the best surfers in the world and is now being honored by being inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, the world’s first imprint collection of legendary surfers.

When we are young we often wonder where we will go, where we will end up, what road to take when we come to that famous fork. Always and no matter what road we take, we choose it to follow a dream, a dream we hope will take us to a place that will keep our hearts alive and our spirits singing. Casey Watabu had such a dream and his is one, that at the young age of only 23, has come true.

Nick Mortell resides in Kapaa on the elegant Island of Discovery – the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Nick has a passion for the game of football, so much so that he wrote in to McDonlald’s submitting his photo and essay for their “I’m lovin’ it” campaign and contest and has been one of a dozen selected in their global casting call.

The contest had over 13,000 entrants from all over the world and a dozen were picked to be the faces of McDonalds. Nicks face will be seen on the McDonald’s cups and bags beginning this summer.