PUHI — A morning shooting some of the gourmet cuisine at Gaylord’s at the Kilohana Estates wrapped up a week of photographs and data collection for the team from “Chikyu No Arukikata,” or World Globetrotter. Kazuhisa Takahashi, assistant editor of
PUHI — A morning shooting some of the gourmet cuisine at Gaylord’s at the Kilohana Estates wrapped up a week of photographs and data collection for the team from “Chikyu No Arukikata,” or World Globetrotter.
Kazuhisa Takahashi, assistant editor of the guidebook, and Takeshi Saito, photographer for Resort Kaua‘i, have been working out of the Aston Islander on the Beach to update the 240-page guidebook that is scheduled to be hitting stands in October.
Since its first publication by Diamond Big Co. of Tokyo, Japan, in 1989, a new updated edition is produced every two and a half years.
Art Umezu, the Kaua‘i Film commissioner, said the guidebook does not accept advertising and, in Japan, is considered the “bible” for free and independent travelers.
The guidebook features cover-to-cover color photos and is crammed with information about hotels, condominiums, airlines, car rentals, island activities, shopping, Kaua‘i products, maps, movies, music and cultural arts, including a schedule of festivals.
During the week’s tour, Umezu said some of the destinations visited by the team included Neide’s, Hanalei Dolphin and BarAcuda, Hanalei Colony Resort centering around its hula show, Mediterranean Gourmet, Kilauea Fish Market, Healthy Hut, The Eastside restaurant, Wrangler’s, Waimea Plantation Cottages with emphasis on its brewpub, JoJo’s Shave Ice, The Shrimp Station, Thrifty Mart Bakery, Kaua‘i Bakery, the newly formed Jam Room at Kukui Grove Center, Larry’s Music & Ukulele, Auntie Lilikoi products, Mokulele Airlines, Port Allen Sunset Grille and Bar, Smiley’s and more.
The team wrapped up its trip with some of Kaua‘i’s new products including Salty Wahine gourmet Hawaiian salt, Koloa Rum Company, Caffe Coco, Duane’s Ono Char Burger, Hamura Saimin, the Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Course and Gaylord’s.
Umezu said the team also took advantage of events happening during their stay and was able to get information on the Hokule‘a while it was docked at Nawiliwili, the bon dance at the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission and an update on the Hula Tree and other trees planted by visiting Japanese dignitaries over the years at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
George Costa, director of the county Office of Economic Development, Bailey Caberto of Lihu‘e, and Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. were also subjects for Saito’s camera — Caberto having the distinction of promoting the Kaua‘i Made program by donning a cap.
Umezu said 50,000 copies are planned for the initial release in October.
Diamond Big Co. publishes guidebooks for hundreds of visitor destinations around the world, including the Hawaiian Islands.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com