Never having been to Kauai before, I did what everyone does: I bought a guide book.  I then read the whole two hundred and some-odd pages. But, as always, there is lots of “stuff” but it is hard to put context around it, to know what you really should do. Enter Kim.  I have never met her, but my mental image of her has her wearing a cape and a big “S” on her shirt. She is just amazing, a force of nature. I sent her this preposterously long numbered email with like 20 questions/ideas.  Some were really vague, like “My daughter is into Marine Biology, what should we do” to specific ones like “Helicopters: Go or no go?” I kind of expected 20 really brief answers.  But no, Kim gave me all the detail I wanted, but – and here is the good part – she then told me exactly what she would suggest.  Best of both worlds: All the info I want, but then specific advice. (BTW - I always went with her advice.  She never steered me wrong.)  

Most of the things I asked her about were certainly not commissionable to her.  Getting gluten free bread in Hanalei, for instance.  You would think she would just gloss over that. But no – Kim is a super professional and gave me as much info as I needed with EVERYTHING on my list.  I feel like I we had an Aunt or something living in Kauai who was watching our back. So yeah, Kim rocks, especially if you are heading there as a first timer.  Her patience, expertise, resourcefulness and professionalism set her apart.  Plus, I kind of suspect she is super cool as well.

March 2015 Byron R...