Katherine Nichols is one of my favorite local writers. Due to the dearth of quality writing gigs in Hawaii, the local in-flights often get top-notch scribes and the quality of the pubs is quite high. In fact, often the in-flights are better than the nationals, as most of the bigs fly in writers for one-week rush junkets that are so scheduled and pre-planned that spontaneity takes a back seat. Here Nichols takes on Pure Kauai, an outfit that customizes vacations with accomodations, food, and fitness/spa plans for wealthy clients including lots of the Glitterati. Pure Kauai has an on staff surfing instructor, kayaking guide and psychic channel! Impressive roll of press mentions, to boot. Not in my fiscal comfort zone but for those in the dot-com millionaire and the Wall Street mogul set...

—Alex, 08/22/06