Kailua Beach Condo

Hawai'i's garden-variety spider & creepy-crawly tales

Having grown up in Texas, I've never been too daunted by the legendarily large bugs of Hawai'i -- cane spiders, scorpions, centipedes and cockroaches, among them -- and in fact have only had a personal encounter with the last, no doubt thanks to the vigilant housekeeping (and occasional pesticide overuse) at hotels, condos and B&Bs I've stayed in. (Tiny ants and mosquitoes -- now that's a different story.) So I was delighted to come across the colorful spider below outside our rental cottage on Moloka'i , making it the subject of my recent Sunday photo quiz. I asked readers to share their thoughts on the species and other creepy-crawlies they've encountered in the islands (feel free to add more stories in the comments below.)

Andre Pierce of Walnut Creek "bumped into one of these (literally) Hawaiian garden spiders on my first trip to Kaua'i," he recalled. "I was a Colorado native who was not expecting to run through an Indiana Jones-style web when straying from the path at our condominium. I frantically slapped and punched myself silly o escape what I thought would be the inevitable, fatal bite only to realize with much relief that the spider was still clinging to what was left of its web in the branches."

It was clearly a memorable encounter: "I started to see them everywhere, at least everywhere that was off the beaten path. We finally found a local who laughed at us when we tried to find out how poisonous they were. Now I stop to admire their handiwork (from a distance.)"

Steve Heard of Folsom, who identified the spider as Argiope appenza , noted, "A buddy of mine who grew up near Hilo said they are know locally as 'gold cadillacs,' because, as he put it, 'they are gold, and big as a car.' "

He -- or rather his daughter -- also had a memorable encounter in the insect world (she thinks): "I have to mention the Hawaiian cockroach and the cane spider as the creatures which gave my wife and daughters the creeps. In fact, one night on the beach on Maui, my then 7-year-old thought she felt one touch her foot and she screamed and jumped into my arms. I was carrying a bag in one hand so I couldn't support her and she slip down my body to the sand, in terror, as her older sister laughed and snapped pictures. She's now 18 and isn't as fond of those pictures as I am."

Laura Kaplan of Wailea, Maui, shared some other names for "the spider that is all over the yard right now," she noted. "It's called a banana spider, I think . . . or more like the 'somebody get rid of all these spiders' spider.

Vacation Yacht Rentals | CRUISE FLY CRUISE

Vacation Yacht Rentals

Author: admin

The perfect vacation is one in which all of your adventure dreams come true. You go where you want to go, do what you want to do, see what you want to see, experience what you want to experience, and do it all for a price you can afford. A vacation like that is sometimes hard to come by, but you can have the vacation of your dreams when you look into villa Bali rentals during the off season when prices hit rock bottom, but the vacation experiences are just as incredible as when the peak of the season hits.

During your awesome vacation to the island of Bali you will find that there is more to do on this small island than you first thought. When you visit villa rental websites to reserve your villa Bali rental you will be surprised by the incredible amenities offered, including: daily maid service, room service, butler services, en-suite bathrooms, in suite kitchens, private pools, 24/7 security, private beach access, satellite TV, DVD players, transportation services, spa services, private island tours, king sized beds, sun decks, balconies, private gardens, 5 star dining, access to world class shopping and entertainments, and the all important WiFi. Many Bali villas are world renown for their luxurious accommodations at affordable prices.

One of the most popular of the villa Bali rental amenities is access to private yacht rentals. That means that you can experience the beauty and magic of Bali from your private villa, or from the deck of a private luxury yacht anchored on the coast, surrounded by blue water, warm sun, and island breezes. Bali villas will provide you with mind blowing opulence on land, but chartering your own private yacht will boost your Bali vacation experience to a whole new level. You’ll never want to take a normal vacation again—not when Bali is a treasure with so many hidden gems.

On the sea, you can fish, lie in the sun, enjoy the ride, or explore other parts of the island. Your own private yacht is a magic carpet ride to other Bali beaches, other wonderful tourist attractions, and you can even wine and dine yourself or your partner under the stars, out to sea, without any interruptions, distractions, or prying eyes. When you charter a yacht you are guaranteeing yourself that you will have the most private and intimate of vacation spots outside of your own private villa Bali rental.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hawaii

Fodor's Oahu, 3rd Edition, With Honolulu, Waikiki, and the North Shore

Fodor's Oahu, 2nd Edition, With Honolulu, Waikiki, and the North Shore

Lonely Planet Oahu

Orange Coast Magazine