None of Hawaii’s beaches were cited by Fodor’s travel guide among the list of "7 Best Family Friendly Beaches in the U.S." in the days leading up to Independence Day.
Huh?
Under the story online, a poster named mewp also noticed the isles’ glaring absence with a "Where is Hawaii?" query.
The poster received no answer but TheBuzz did.
"It is always hard to narrow down our favorites, and there are always more places that can’t all make it into a given story," said Blog Editor Nicole Campoy, at Fodor’s.
The focus for that pre-Fourth of July coverage was quick trips for the bulk of Americans, which is why the islands got left out, she said.
However — and here’s the juicy part — Hawaii is about to get more laser-focused attention from Fodor’s.
"In our opinion, Hawaii’s best family beaches is a separate story, and is one that we are currently researching," Campoy said.
Your columnist will keep you posted.
One needn’t delve too deeply into the Fodor’s site to find Hawaii showcased on various lists and features.
The Kalalau Trail on Kauai is included on a list of Fodor’s "7 Best Hikes in the U.S.," and very responsibly, the guide said right upfront that the hike is "intermediate to difficult (depending on the weather)." Further, it warned readers that at the areas where hikers can swim, "strong tides and currents have caused many drownings over the years," adding that "these areas are best for experienced ocean swimmers."
Another Fodor’s list of "16 Best Beach Bars in the World" includes not any Oahu bars, but the Lava Lava Beach Club at Anaehoomalu Bay on Hawaii island.
The rest of the list comprised unusual beach bars in far-flung locales around the globe, as one might expect.
Completely unexpected, however, was the listing for an oceanside watering hole in Hvar, Croatia, which cashes in on the cachet of Hawaii with its name — Hula Hula Beach Bar. Evidently it’s quite the hot spot for 20-somethings on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Whodathunk?
But let’s get back to the actual home of hula.
On behalf of both Fodor’s and herself, Campoy said, "We love Hawaii and write about it all the time! I was just there myself in December and am planning to return as soon as possible."
New show and chapeau
Not only has longtime Hawaii broadcaster Phil Abbot moved to mornings on KKOL-FM 107.9 from mornings at country radio KHCM-FM 97.5, a sister station, he’s added a program director hat for the oldies station atop his program director Stetson for "Country 97.5."
His start on mornings at "Kool Gold 107.9" was sort of on the down-low — well, as much as you can be on the down-low on the air.
He started as the "unknown disc jockey" in June after the departure of Ed Kanoi, and then was able to identify himself once all the necessary pieces were in place.
Abbot, who has worked on just about every imaginable radio format, said leaving the country music morning show was "difficult" because he’d developed a passion for the show, but there’s no question he’s just as familiar as your columnist is with the music younger people call oldies.
Succeeding Abbot for wake-ups on the country station is Makani Tabura.
The stations are owned by Salem Media of Hawaii, which also owns and operates Christian music-formatted KAIM-FM 95.5, Christian talk-formatted KGU-FM 99.5, news-talker KHNR-AM 690 and KGU-AM 760, which carries the Wall Street Business Network.
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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
