Kauai Chat

[Rosebud]

Here's a new thread to discuss travel to Kauai, Hawaii!

You can also reference these old threads for more information on Kauai:

Hawaii Chat (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3924)

Kauai (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298)

Kauai Trip Review & Photos (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11974)

[Rosebud]

(Holding space for future TOC)

[Rosebud]

Was just over on the Fodors.com boards and a poster there had linked their trip review from Kauai. It's a really good one, with lots of feedback and photos too. Thought someone who's heading to Kauai soon might find it useful!

Kauai Photoessay (http://www.jarredandrachel.com/kauai.html)

[monkey]

We are having our babymoon in Kauai at the end of April. One of my favorite things to do in traveling is visiting local places.... I am looking for a good, fun, and happening local farmermarket/marketplace where I could find local foods, local handycrafts, etc. .... Is there any suggestion/recommendation out there?

[c'est la vie]

When we were in Kauai we went to a marketplace that was located at the main street (don't recall the name) on north shore, by the "coconut grove". They had crafts, food, smoothies and I believe you could buy pineapples there, too. But I don't know if that place is seasonal or if it's open year-round. (we were there in April 05)

[HeatherFL]

The most popular one that we went to was Kapaa New Town Park. I think it was on a Wednesday. I remember there was one we passed near Koloa Ball Park. I am sorry I don't know the name of it, though.

Try this link too:

http://www.trykauai.com/Kauai_Farmers_Markets.htm

HTH!

~H.

[Akemi]

I made it over to Kauai for a little two-day trip this weekend... didn't do a whole lot besides eat, so these are mostly food reviews:

Roy's Poipu: really good food. Standard Roy's atmosphere, and it doesn't have any awesome views or anything, but the food was stellar. For appetizers we had a seafood gumbo and a little sampler plate with blackened ahi, a chicken spring roll, and a rib... all were good, the gumbo was excellent. For the entree we had opah over a corn chowder-type sauce, and the boneless short rib... both were very, very yummy. Dessert was the always sublime Roy's molten chocolate cake, and the warm pineapple upside down cake. Both highly recommended, but you've gotta at least have the chocolate one.

Tip Top restaurant in Lihue... this is mostly a local place, and the service left a lot to be desired, although it was a Sunday late morning when we went. The waitress was borderline surly, and they had run out of banana pancakes, which was the whole reason we went. But the local food is good (especially the loco moco), and I've had better experiences there before.

For dinner that night we were supposed to go to Beach House in Poipu for a sunset dinner, but there was some major accident on Kaumualii Highway, and we were stuck on that road for about an hour before we gave up and headed back towards Kapaa.

Hukilau Terrace at the Kauai Coast in Kapaa was a nice surprise... we called ahead from the car for reservations, and we got a really nice table at the edge of the restaurant. The lobster curry bisque was delicious, and we also had the mushroom quesadilla. Entrees were the Hukilau pasta (shrimp, sausage, and chicken in a tasty tomato-ey sauce), and a really nice thick cut of prime rib. (both recommended) Dessert was a warm chocolate cake... not at the level of Roy's but still good.

Eggbert's in Kapaa (Coconut Marketplace)... we just got the banana pancakes, take-out, as I was craving them from the day before. Very good... light and fluffy and lots of banana.

Hamura's Saimin in Lihue... bare-bones saimin place, but it's good. I like the won ton min, and I've been getting a side of shrimp tempura instead of the teri chicken sticks, since those sometimes come undercooked. The lilikoi chiffon cake here is great.

Jo-Jo's Shave Ice in Waimea is as highly recommended as ever. I always get the plain strawberry (gotta be a purist), but the fancier flavors are good, too.

Jo-Jo's Anuenue Shave Ice, around the corner from Jo-Jo's in Waimea. Don't do it. It's supposed to be the "Original Jo-Jo" but the ice is coarse and it's more expensive. Stick to the original.

Kintaro's in Kapaa... we had the teppanyaki-style Filet Mignon, which was nice and tender and buttery, with a side of salmon, which was also yummy. I've heard good things about the sushi here, although I'm not a sushi person myself. The place packed in pretty quickly after it opened at 5:30. I recommend this one, too.


We stayed at the ResortQuest Islander on the Beach in Kapaa... the rooms were renovated pretty recently, and it's close to the beach (which is swimmable), so I liked it a lot. We got upgraded to an oceanview room on the second floor (no elevators). Good deal for the money.

[brightskies]

There's something called the Sunshine Markets in various places on Kauai. Here's the local government link that provides locations and schedules:
http://www.kauai.gov/Visiting/tabid/53/Default.aspx
http://www.kauai.gov/Kamaaina/SunshineMarkets/tabid/214/Default.aspx

And a resource for Kauai-made products:
http://www.kauaimade.net/

[summerbride2005]

I am on my way to Kauai! We will be going for our anniversary August 3-13th. I can't wait!

[sportyj]

I have a BAZILLION pics of Kauai, I go every summer and have done just about every adventure (save for hiking the Kalalau trail) I will be doing that this summer. If you want pics of anything I have HUNDREDS! Just PM me and I will be happy to send you stuff!

[sportyj]

Monkey - Hanelei!!!

FWIW - That photoessay above has terrible pics...just bad quality and really does not look like Kauai...weird. Poor tumor turtle though! AWWW!

[lawyergirl25]

I'm traveling to Kauai in early December. Just booked my airfare and accommodations last week! :)

[justHB]

MonkeyFWIW - That photoessay above has terrible pics...just bad quality and really does not look like Kauai...weird. Poor tumor turtle though! AWWW!I didn't like the overall tone of the essay, but the pictures (while not exactly great) were pretty remiscent of what we saw there in 2005. Is there something in particular you think didn't look like Kauai that others should know about? Since you're there so frequently, it'd be great to get your opinion.

[wendalah]

I didn't think the photoessay was that bad, either.

[HeatherFL]

I love you, Jen but I am kinda wondering too...The photos seemed to be pretty indicative of what we saw there too. What are we missing? You have to tell me for next time I'm there!

~H.

[jenji]

DH and I are leaving for Kauai on Thursday. It'll be our first time in Hawaii and it's also an anniversary trip/Babymoon.
Any packing suggestions or "Must See" places you have to recommend? We will be there for a week and staying on the East Coast.

[JFlo]

For those of you who have been to Kauai....would you recommend a helicopter ride or a catamaran/snorkel boat trip to view Na Pali?

[Rosebud]

jenji- Looks like you're leaving today. Have a wonderful time!
Be sure to come back and tell us all about it.

JFlo- I would recommend a helicopter ride. Kauai's weather is unpredictable, and a boat ride to NaPali isn't always possible. Our boat tour got canceled at the last minute due to choppy seas. They took us around Poipu instead and we all got horribly sick. Really bad experience. But we had the most amazing views of NaPali from the helicopter. There are photos HERE (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=11974) in my trip review. Good luck!

[Anna]

JFlo:
I've done the NaPali Coast boat tour twice (May '05 and July '06). The first experience was on a pretty big catamaran on a beautiful, sunny day. We saw the coast and then found a spot to have lunch/snorkle. It was an amazing trip!

I went back on a much much smaller boat the second time, and it was slightly raining and the waters were choppy. My DH got extremely sea sick (and I got pretty sick myself--we were hitting some really large swells). The only advantage of this small boat to me was being able to actually go into some of the caves to see some waterfalls (can't do this in the larger boats).

I would definitely recommend seeing the coast because it is amazing! The boat trip is a great way to see it; I'm sure you can get another perspective by helicopter although I have never tried. Have fun--I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[summerbride2005]

We are going to do a boat tour when we go in August. The recent helicopter crashes in Kauai have made my husband refuse to go on one. Either way, I am excited to see the NaPali coast.

[JFlo]

Thanks for the replies! You all have mentioned the things that have been causing us to go back and forth between the helicopter and the catamaran/boat...the helicopter crashes and rough waters that can cause sea sickness. ugh! Such a hard decision!

[c'est la vie]

We did both and we enjoyed the catamaran/boat better b/c it was in a beautiful day, we saw dolphins, sea turtles, we snorkeled off the boat and had lunch; while the day we went on the helicopter ride was drizzling and cloudy. It was beautiful too, but the weather didn't cooperate. Both are great options, but your enjoyment will depend a lot on the weather.

[AHammer]

We did the snorkel trip up the na pali coat -- we loved it. I'm terrified of helicopters so that's why we chose it. It was really beautiful and we only got a little seasick.

I think we went w/ the captain andy company.

eta -- we're probably going back in December and we'd probably do the larger boat just to avoid the sea sickness.

[justHB]

We did a helicopter tour in February 2005 and while I loved it, reading about the recent crashes has convinced me it was my last.

We tried to take a zodiac boat ride of the Na pali coast but the waters were too choppy so instead, we went around Poipu and other places (the beach from 6 Days and 7 Nights was a stop). Truthfully, I was disappointed we didn't get to see the North Shore, but the zodiak was one of the highlights of our trip. I definitely recommend Captain Andy's.

[EmilyBronte]

We are going to be in Kauai for 2 days in May and I was wondering if anyone has any hiking recommendations. We are hoping to find something that would take us about 5 hours.

Any ideas?

[jenji]

We just got back from a week in Kauai. I was at the very end of my first trimester and a little worried about the helicopter as I'm more prone to motion sickness right now and had heard the 360 spins they do can be rough, so we skipped it. We did take the Capt. Andy's sunset/dinner sailing adventure in the catamaran around the na pali coast. it was nice. the captain was entertaining and the crew was friendly. I took Dramamine before and was ok, but DH got seasick as did a few other people. It was really choppy.
The views were stunning.
another not to miss is the drive up waimea canyon and then going all the way to the last lookout (either hiking or drigving if the road's open) where you can see the na pali coast from above. It was absolutely beautiful!
The other thing I'm glad we didn't miss was seeing Ke'e beach. we walked along the beach a while, then turned around and you can see the northern part of the na pali coast and it was gorgeous.
We didn't have any great food while there. The pancakes at Eggberts were good. Dinner at the beach house was also good. The only other good food we had was at the Luau we went to (Smith's Family Luau). We also took the Smith's riverboat cruise up to the fern grotto, but it wasn't really worth it.
Not too much else to say. there was lots of nice stuff to see, but we were both sick for about half the trip so we didn't do or enjoy as much as we wish we had.

[JenInAZ]

subscribing for ideas for my early october honeymoon :D

Jenji, how was the Smith's Luau overall? cheesey or decent? I'm partial to going to that one since that will be my new last name (corny, I know :rolleyes: ). All the Travel Channel shows and such say the only really decently authentic tourist one is on an island we won't be visiting, but I figure you can't go to Hawaii and not do a luau, even if it is a bit cheesey, right? :D

[TracieB]

Question for all of you who have visited Kauai... if given the opportunity, would you move there? There's a job open that my hubby is considering. We currently live in Guam, where the population is about 165,000... Kauai is around 65,000 and that freaks me out a bit. What do you think?

[summerbride2005]

TracieB - if there was a good job opportunity there, I would move in a second! I love Kauai! I actually have 1 friend that lives there now, and 1 friend that is moving there next May. It's paradise!

[jesseybell]

I absolutely love Kauai and I would love to go visit there in a second. Live there? That's a different story. I don't know anything about Guam and I don't have a good sense of what 165,000 people is like or what your personality is like. I personally couldn't do it, but if you are already accustomed to living somewhere small, then maybe you won't notice the 100,000 less people. If it was short term, I probably could live there. The rest of my life, no. It really is the most beautiful place I have ever visited.

[wendalah]

I could live in Kauai. It's easy and relatively inexpensive to go to the other islands (Oahu, especially, if you are in need of some urban stimulation). It's the United States and has all the regular American amenities I'm used to. And I love hot weather, beach communities, and arts scenes.

[TracieB]

Thanks for the input, ladies. We're still weighing the options. Decisions, decisions!!

[justHB]

I didn't really enjoy our visit to Kauai a couple of years ago, but I could live there. Wierd, hu? I actually want someday to live in Hawaii, pretty much Oahu, Maui, Big Island, or Kauai will do.

[HeatherFL]

Question for all of you who have visited Kauai... if given the opportunity, would you move there? There's a job open that my hubby is considering. We currently live in Guam, where the population is about 165,000... Kauai is around 65,000 and that freaks me out a bit. What do you think?

I'm a big city girl, and while I love it to visit I personally couldn't live there (it was a shock moving from Miami to Tampa!) But if you're used to a small population, Kauai is beautiful and has a lot to offer. I would recommend it certainly to live for a person who doesn't need the hustle and bustle of city life.

~H.

[TracieB]

Well, we discussed it a bunch this weekend and decided that he's going to throw his name in the hat for the job!! I don't know what to think... the reasons I don't like Guam are that it's a) so far away from that mainland, b) not the best in terms of shopping, and c) corrupt (the government, that is). So, Kauai is looking pretty good... they even have a Costco! :p

I'll keep you all updated on how things progress.

[basketcase]

Has anyone ever been to a wedding in Kauai?

My best friend wants to plan her destination wedding there (and specifically Kauai; she's not really interested in the other islands). I was wondering if anyone had any tips, advice, or location recommendations?

I suppose I should probably post this question in the Destination Wedding section too, but I'm really interested in any and all perspectives (not just a bride's).

Thank you!

[Parrothead]

Hi there-

DH and I are going to be staying at the Princeville Resort in Kauai in August. We are taking our DD who will be 16 months old at that point. We just learned that the rooms don't have balconies (we had intended to retreat there when she was asleep).

So....

Have any of you been to the Princeville? What are the rooms like? Are they pretty spacious? Is there a good place to stick a crib that would get it somewhat away from us in the room (i.e., a long corridor to the front door, etc.)?

Thanks!

[justHB]

Has anyone ever been to a wedding in Kauai?

My best friend wants to plan her destination wedding there (and specifically Kauai; she's not really interested in the other islands). I was wondering if anyone had any tips, advice, or location recommendations?

I suppose I should probably post this question in the Destination Wedding section too, but I'm really interested in any and all perspectives (not just a bride's).

Thank you!Initially we were going to get married in Kauai, but I had a really hard time finding a wedding coordinator and photographer that would work with me on my terms. So many of the photographers were really bad and cheesy, and many of the coordinators didn't seem like they could handle someone who wanted to be involved in the choices. I had one lady who operates in Hanalei tell me not to worry about a thing, when we got to Kauai she'd have everything lined up. Seriously. She was going to take care of everything, without asking me my opinion on anything. Now, this was 5+ years ago, so it could have changed since then, but that was my experience.

[Rosebud]

DH and I are going to be staying at the Princeville Resort in Kauai in August. We are taking our DD who will be 16 months old at that point. We just learned that the rooms don't have balconies (we had intended to retreat there when she was asleep).

So....

Have any of you been to the Princeville? What are the rooms like? Are they pretty spacious? Is there a good place to stick a crib that would get it somewhat away from us in the room (i.e., a long corridor to the front door, etc.)?

I visited a friend's room at the Princeville, and while it wasn't particularly large, I wouldn't have called it small either. There was a decent sized hallway from the entry to the main room, but it was too narrow to put a crib in, IMO. However, I think if this is really important to you, you might want to look at their junior suites. They have separate living spaces which would really give you more privacy. If you're not locked into the Princeville, you might consider switching to the Hyatt-- I know that some of their rooms have balconies.


Has anyone ever been to a wedding in Kauai?

My best friend wants to plan her destination wedding there (and specifically Kauai; she's not really interested in the other islands). I was wondering if anyone had any tips, advice, or location recommendations?

We attended a wedding on Kauai (for two of our best friends) over Thanksgiving of 2005. They were married at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, which was a gorgeous, gorgeous spot. A shuttle takes you from the garden center down to the private beach and the ceremony was held in a little green area right next to the beach. The reception was tented just up the road from the ceremony site-- really elegant and lovely. However, it was not an easy process for them to plan. They had to fire their first coordinator 4 months before the wedding because she'd literally done nothing and wasn't returning their calls. Their second coordinator was really on island time and had no sense of urgency, and she kept trying to force them to use a photographer they thought was really cheesy and trying to overrule their floral decisions.

So, while the wedding turned out wonderfully, my friends had to fight for their vision every last step of the way and they spent a lot of time agonizing and waiting for someone to call them back. If your friends are really hands off and don't mind handing their wedding over to someone who'll attend to it on their own schedule and will make decor and vendor decisions for them, then I don't think a Kauai wedding will be a problem for them at all. But if they want to be more involved in the process and have a specific vision for the event, it could be problematic.

[wendalah]

Parrothead: If you want a room with space to "retreat" to when the baby is asleep--I agree with the Hyatt suggestion; in particular, they have garden-view rooms on the first level with nice patio areas. (Caveat: The garden wing rooms are a bit of a walk from the main building and pool.) I have stayed in a balcony room there too, and they're nice as well, but the patio gives a bit more room to strech out.

[pixiecat]

I had one lady who operates in Hanalei tell me not to worry about a thing, when we got to Kauai she'd have everything lined up. Seriously. She was going to take care of everything, without asking me my opinion on anything. Now, this was 5+ years ago, so it could have changed since then, but that was my experience.

Ha! I think that this was my wedding coordinator! She thought I was very type A b/c I had ideas of how I wanted my flowers, colors, etc. I second everything justHB said, but it was still a beautiful wedding & I am so SO happy we did it on Kauai. FWIW, there are new coordinators at the Hanalei Bay Resort (my SIL is planning her wedding there right now) and things seem to be more "bride-friendly."

:)

[basketcase]

justHB, Rosebud, and pixiecat~ Thank you so much for your input! My BF actually said a lot of the same things during her research, re: cheesy photographers and pushy coordinators. Fortunately, she thinks (and hopes) she has found a coordinator that is top notch. She still doesn't have a location, but she's looking at some of the recommendations her coordinator gave her. I'll pass on your recommendations, too. Thank you!

I know she wants to have the ceremony right on the sand, and one beach she's considering is Shipwreck Beach. For the reception, I have no idea. Maybe outdoors at a hotel nearby.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing your experiences! :)

[Parrothead]

Thanks for the input. We can't switch to the Hyatt. We are locked in at the Princeville. I know that some rooms have lanais and we have a request in for one -- let's hope we get it!!!!

[Rosebud]

Kauai article from Travel + Leisure (via CNN):

Five ways to discover Kauai (http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaways/09/20/kauai.five.ways/index.html)

Story Highlights:
-The Kahuna Valley retreat draws healing masters from around the globe
-Pure Kauai specializes in lavish private house rentals on the North Shore
-Since 1980, Capt. Andy's Sailing has been navigating Napali's waters

1. Eco
Go on a guided hike through Kokee State Park (808/335-9975; kokee.org), which borders 3,587-foot-deep Waimea Canyon, and see why its twisting dales and rock formations inspired Mark Twain to call it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. For a more subdued encounter with nature, try Allerton Gardens (808/742-2623; ntbg.org), with 100 sea-cliff acres and 268 species of rare native plants.

2. Wellness
The six-acre Kahuna Valley (808/822-4268; kahunavalley.org; doubles from $159) retreat draws healing masters from around the globe to teach Qigong, Taoism, Reiki and Hawaiian Kahuna healing. At the spa, choose from hot-stone therapy, deep-tissue massage, or a starlit watsu session with mineral-rich waters from the nearby Makaleha Mountains.

(continued at link)

[basketcase]

Just wanted to give this a *bump* since we booked our tickets to Kauai for May!

I am going to be MOH in a wedding, so we'll be staying at the Poipu Kai Resort along with the rest of the bridal party. Has anyone stayed here before?

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Just wanted to give this a *bump* since we booked our tickets to Kauai for May!

I am going to be MOH in a wedding, so we'll be staying at the Poipu Kai Resort along with the rest of the bridal party. Has anyone stayed here before?

Hey - I'm going to be in Kauai for a wedding in May too! We aren't staying at a hotel though. We rented a vacation home in Poipu for the week. I've never been to Hawaii before so I am very excited!!

[justHB]

Narrowing down my birthday/Labor Day vacation ideas for this year and Kauai is at the top of the list. If we go, we'll use our timeshare to stay in Kapaa likely. I'd love to stay in Poipu or Hanalei but when you've got free lodging - especially in Hawaii - you take it where you can get it.

When we were there in 2006 (?) we did a Captain Andy zodiak trip and a zip line adventure. I'd love to do another zodiak trip, this time along the Napali coast. Anything else we should be thinking about?

[Lucy Van Pelt]

We are doing a helicopter tour. It's looks so amazing! We are also looking at maybe doing the ziplining, but haven't made up our mind. Since we have a 15 month old, we have to make sure my parents can watch her while we go out and play!

[justHB]

The helicopter trip we took was soooo much fun!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc06b3127cce902328cb105000000025108KcuWjdo0w

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc06b3127cce90232ccf105600000025108KcuWjdo0w

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc06b3127cce9023203f10a000000025108KcuWjdo0w

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dc06b3127cce90233911501a00000026108KcuWjdo0w

[Rosebud]

Here's my trip report from our Kauai trip in 2005. It's full of restaurant reviews & tips on what to see and do on the island. Maybe this will be helpful to you. :)

Rosebud's Kauai Trip Review with Photos (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11974)

The helicopter tour was definitely amazing. We mostly just enjoyed driving around the island seeing the sights. Don't miss JoJo's Shave Ice (yummmm) and Waimea Canyon. A sunset cruise is a great idea-- don't forget the Dramamine!

[justHB]

Okay, we're definitely going to Kauai 8/29 - 9/2.

I wanted to get your feedback about some of the following activities:
- hike in Waimea Canyon
- Visiting the lighthouse
- kayaking down the Wailua River
- Zodiak the Napali Coast

Anything else - besides zip line and helicopter tour (since we've already done those) - that is a must see?

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Not a must see...but a *must eat* is Duane's Ono Char Burgers in Anahola. We've been back for a couple of weeks, and I still can't stop craving the burgers and marionberry milkshakes.

[JenInAZ]

The Zodiac tour of the NaPali coastline was the coolest thing EVER!! We did it through Captain Andy's and really enjoyed it, however the ride back was exhausting, so be prepared. It is not an activity for the faint of heart, but it is an absolute blast! :D


ETA: Ok, read back in the thread a bit and saw you've used them before for another Zodiac trip, so you already know they're fun. The NaPali one was great. About 6 hours, a good two of them holding on for dear life (I sat in the very front out and back. I'm pretty sure farther back was a much smoother, and more boring :cool:, ride). :D

[hokiegirl]

We are going to be in Kauai from July 4 - July 9, then off to see family in Oahu for 3 days and then Maui for another 5 days. We're flying with points and staying in hotels on points, so it'll be nice just spending money on food and entertainment. Off to read through the threads to see what the "can't miss" are. I feel so overwhelmed with the great outdoor options to be had on this island!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

My husband put together a map of the places we ate at and other misc. thing. You can see it here and let me know if you have any questions...:)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100948542975726170308.00044eda7dfbb30901a12

[summerbride2005]

hokiegirl- I would definitely do one of the hikes on the north side of the island. We did that last time we were there and it was our favorite part of the trip. They have some really good restaurants on the island too. Dondero's and Tidepools are our favorites located at the Hyatt.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Go get the book "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - Kauai Revealed". It's wonderful and I found most of their reviews to be spot on!

[hokiegirl]

Lucy - awesome - thanks for the map of ideas! Would you recommend Blue Hawaii Helicopters? I got the Kauai Revealed this past weekend (Tripadvisor forum members RAVED about this book) and haven't gotten a chance to flip through. Good to know they are spot on though.
Summer - do you have a favorite hike on the north side that we shouldn't miss? I'll be sure to jot down those restaurants. Thanks!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

We really enjoyed the helicopter tour. Our pilot was really nice and very knowledgeable. While flying over the Na Pali coastline, we circled some dolphins jumping in the water which was pretty cool. Oh - book the helicopter tour online and you get an additional discount! I think it was $186 a piece if you book online.

Where in Kauai are you staying?

[hokiegirl]

Lucy - Thanks for the helicopter info. I'll definately look into them! We're staying on points at the Marriot, which I've heard was really nice.

[summerbride2005]

hokiegirl- The hike up north is the Kalalau Trail. We only made it to Hanakapi'ai beach, but I hear the falls (which are farther) are beautiful. If you have the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook it's on page 186. We took some beautiful pictures of the Na Pali coast on the hike.

[JenInAZ]

Lucy - Thanks for the helicopter info. I'll definately look into them! We're staying on points at the Marriot, which I've heard was really nice.

We stayed there on points for our honeymoon and LOVED it! We ended up paying for an upgrade to a suite and it was worth every penny. It had a wrap around patio that was beach front on one side and pool view on the other. If they offer it and you can swing it, I highly reccommend going for it :D It's a huge resort so it was nice to end up right by the beach and the pool.

[justHB]

We leave in 3 days and I am SOOOO excited.

I'm trying not to process the fact that the weather calls for rain.

Since we're only going for a quick trip, we only have a couple of things planned - a rafting trip on the Napali coast through Napali Explorer and a kayak ride down the Wailua River paired with a quick hike to a waterfall/swimming hole.

We have a full day where nothing is planned so I'm thinking we'll head up to Hanalei and maybe do some snorkeling/relaxing at Ke'e Beach.

For food, we're going to play it by ear. Last time we were there we ate at Tidepools and it was good, but it wasn't the best meal I've ever had. When we were in Oahu last year at this time we ate at Roy's so maybe we'll give that a shot.

[hokiegirl]

The Roy's in Kauai is a bar and grill one so it's a little more informal than the one in Oahu. I got the 3 course pre-fixe and my DH got the 4 course pre-fixe meal and it was yummy! Have fun justHB - I'm so jealous!!!

[summerbride2005]

Try Dondero's at the Hyatt. They have great food!

[justHB]

We had an amazing trip this time and I'm so happy we decided to revisit Kauai in the summer - I finally get what everyone was talking about when they say how much they love it!

It was a really quick trip - we landed on Friday afternoon and left on Tuesday morning - but we packed in a lot of activity.

I figure everyone's recommendations have been so helpful to me that I'll list what we did, where we ate, and where we stayed and give it all a grade and then you can decide to do with the information what you will.

Dollar - Grade: A
We rented a Sebring convertible from them. They were about $40 cheaper than Alamo, Hertz or any of the others. Check in and return were easy peasy and I can't really blame Dollar that I didn't like the Sebring.

Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy - Grade: A
We cashed in some of our timeshare points and stayed at this smallish condo resort in the Coconut Coast area. In the past I've been all about big lush resorts, but lately we've been enjoying having a condo while in the islands. This was the best of both worlds - we had an amazing onsite restaurant that was the best meal we had on the island, a great pool, beachfront location and the size and amenities associated with a condo. The condo itself was beautiful - so much so in fact that if I had to live there, I could happily do so.

Hukilau Lanai - Grade: A
This was our first dinner on the island and it was simply amazing. We did the food/wine pairing during happy hour and everything with the exception of one sorbet that I didn't care for was so well thought-out and executed. I'm still thinking about the sweet potato ravioli in a lemongrass cream sauce. At $40/person with wine it was A LOT of food and a great deal compared to some other meals.

Kayak Wailua - Grade: C
On my 31st birthday we decided we'd go a bit outdoorsy which is kind of funny for anyone who knows me IRL. I'm not really that type. But I love to try new things and go on adventures while vacationing, so we decided to do this kayak/hike tour that included a couple of hours on the river and a hike to a "secret" waterfall. This was an adventure, to be sure! I learned that DH and I are not a good match when it comes to kayaking. We are slow and have steering problems. While I don't regret doing this activity, I have some issues with the company.

First, they advertise as being the cheapest tour you'll get with no hidden costs or extra fees. Except if you want a better back rest on your kayak. That'll be an extra $5 please. Oh, and we charge you gratuity so even if your guide sucks, s/he is getting a tip. Normally I don't have a problem with this but I really didn't like our guide. She seemed like she wanted to be anywhere but there - in fact, she stopped to make calls on her cell phone while on the river! - and she seemed annoyed when anyone asked her how to paddle correctly. I realize this is a "proceed at your own risk" type of activity, but she couldn't have cared less than DH and I were clearly behind the pack by a good margin. I don't think she even noticed, is the problem. She also made a remark to us that I interpreted as being snide and condescending. I'm not sure if she meant it that way, but that's how it came out and if she didn't, there was so many other things she could have said instead. I'm not one of those people who expects a guide to be fawning over me the whole tour. In fact, I'd rather you not. But where safety is concerned, I'd at least like to know that if I were to capsize and sink to the bottom of the river, you might notice and try to do something about it.

Going back to their advertising ... several websites list this particular hike as being a scenic 25 minute walk to a secret waterfall. I don't know in what world 60 minutes is 25 minutes, but it's not in this one. That was a full hour of what was sometimes a strenuous trek, made more difficult by the fact that it had rained and the path was very muddy and slippery. I didn't ever fall, but there were several times that I was worried I was going to. One lady did as we were climbing down an embankment to reach the other part of the trail. Given that it was advertised as a 25 minute walk, I felt like they had misrepresented what people were really in for. I had seen Flickr photos beforehand so I knew to expect a river crossing up to my waist but I could imagine some people thinking they were going to do the same walk found at the Waimea Audobon Society in Oahu might be VERY upset. THAT is a pleasant 25 minute walk to the falls - this was definitely a HIKE. And we've been hiking a lot lately, so it's not like I was like, "oh my god, I'm on a trail!" This 1.25 mile hike felt a lot worse than some of the 4 mile ones we've done here simply because of all the crawling and balancing that had to be done. At one point we were all literally using the roots of a tree as steps and handles to make it down a hill.

Finally, the waterfall is hardly a secret. There were at least 4 other tours there. Which is fine, but call a spade a spade. Just say what waterfall you're taking us too. I don't think it matters.

Roy's Poipu Bar & Grill - Grade: B
It's Roy's so it's good. Not as good as the one we ate at in Waikiki last year this time, but still better than several seafood restaurants you'll visit. We started off with a fish appetizer that was melt in your mouth good. The shrimp skewers were just okay. The drinks - while not as extensive as the ones available in Waikiki - were tasty and fun. Our meal - grilled fish, naturally - was good, but not great. I ate everything and enjoyed it, but I kept feeling like our dinner at Hukilau Lanai was better and that I liked the other Roy's more. The pineapple upside down cake was DIVINE. Even DH, who doesn't like pineapple upside down cake, loved it.

Napali Explorer - Grade: B
I feel like if you're going to advertise that you go into seacaves - focus on the plural - that you should at least go into two. Admittedly, the one we did go into was simply amazing and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it. We departed from the Waimea Harbor a bit later than we were supposed to because someone had called off sick and one of the couples on our tour wanted to buy one of everything in the store before they actually left for the trip. Rather than go on the crazy Zodiak raft like we did last time we chose to go on the more comfortable raft that Napali Explorer offers - the Explorer II. It provides you with the opportunity to sit on the inflatable sides, but also has seats on the back and running down the middle underneath a shade canopy for those who are a bit more delicate. Our arms still reeling from the kayaking the day before, not having to hold on for dear life was a welcome respite.

Our captain was knowledgeable and well informed about the Napali coast and the various beaches and marine life. I don't think he was a marine biologist though which is something this company says to set itself apart from all the others. Maybe one of the captains is, but not this guy. Still, he wasn't dumb about the wildlife ... you could just tell it was information he knew, not as an expert or anything.

Our snorkeling location was great and I saw more fish than I'd ever seen on any other island snorkeling excursion before. I have a feeling the tours that go to this spot might routinely feed the fish though because they were aggressive little buggers. They would literally swim right up to you - I even got smacked in the face with a fishtail.

We didn't have as much snorkel time as I would have liked and it started raining - not the company's fault by any stretch of the imagination - so we headed back and got in 30 minutes early. I would have liked a nice gesture of goodwill (10% off maybe?) seeing as how we left late and got back early but that was never mentioned.

Still, I'd recommend them for anyone who wants to go rafting and see the one cave without having to bruise their hands and arms in the process by taking the Zodiak.

Ke'e Beach - Grade: A
Quite possibly one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever had the pleasure of visiting - you really do feel like you're at the end of the world and completely removed from the world. The jungle literally ends at the ocean here, which is the beginning of the Napali coast and the starting point for the agonizing 11-mile hike on the Kalalau Trail. Beware though, there are chickens EVERYWHERE. And the snorkeling is amazing. I saw the same fish I'd seen the day before off the Napali Coast as well as others I had never seen. It was great snorkeling right off the beach.

Hanalei Bay - Grade: A
I think the next time we visit Kauai, we'll try to stay in Hanalei Bay. The beach rivals what I'd experienced at Lanikai on Oahu in the past. I could have hung out there all day if I wasn't turning into a rock lobster and needing to visit Ke'e Beach before calling it a day. The sand is powder fine, the waves minuscule (which is huge for me since I hate waves) and the scenery simply gorgeous. And it's within walking distance to shops, food and entertainment. What more could you ask for?

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2824505170_c4b6a167ec.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2824502886_1f65e46442.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2823667231_1412df9bda.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2823668109_4a79c017ba.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2823668377_84705ff56a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2823668553_21288bf4b5.jpg?v=0

[justHB]

a couple more ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2824504840_26036e31bd.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/2824504950_805781d28e.jpg?v=0
Anini Beach

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2823667769_4f8ddd56b0.jpg?v=0
Waimea Canyon

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2824505016_6a3c75278a.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2824505044_0a1bff6937.jpg?v=0
Hanalei Bay

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2823669717_c66cf2b2f9.jpg?v=0
Hanalei Valley taro

[summerbride2005]

justHB - great trip review. I love all the pictures too.

[elissa]

We are heading to Kauai in a couple of days, the main purpose just to relax. We will be traveling with our 15 month old, and had planned on checking out some of the restaurants listed in this thread, though now I am hearing many may not be kid friendly.

So, even if you don't have kids and have been to Kauai, what would you recommend that would be kid friendly? TIA!

[Rosebud]

Bubba's Burgers (in Kapa'a and Hanalei) and Polynesia Cafe (in Hanalei) are both very casual and kid-friendly. Both have excellent food. There are reviews in my Kauai review which is linked on the first page of this thread. Also, Poipu Tropical Burgers in Poipu (which we liked for breakfast, not the burgers) is totally kid-friendly.

Have fun!

[summerbride2005]

I think Keoki's in Poipu is kid friendly.

[wendalah]

Duke's at the Marriott is totally kid-friendly.

[kari]

Has anyone stayed at the Sheraton in Poipu?

[mpc863]

Has anyone stayed at the Sheraton in Poipu?

We stayed there in February. It's ok. The rooms are clean but fairly basic. The pool is nice, but nothing spectacular.

[summerbride2005]

DH and I have stayed at the Sheraton twice. We really enjoy staying there, but only in the ocean front rooms. You can hear the water crashing down when you are in your room. I would not stay in the garden view rooms again. We have upgraded the last 2 times once we got there. You can usually talk them down to a good price once you are there for the upgrade. I like the beach right in front of the Sheraton, and the one down the way in front of the Marriott.

[Rosebud]

There was a great article about Kauai travel in the L.A. Times this weekend. It features their 20 favorite restaurants for dining inexpensively on the island. Having been to many of these places on my last trip I can vouch for their quality! Hope this is helpful.

Hawaii: Meal deals in Kauai for under $20 (http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-kauai30-2008nov30)

High-end restaurants abound on the lush, tropical shores of Kauai, as do high-end meal prices. So here we go again, catching the aloha spirit as we dine our way through the Garden Isle, searching for great meal deals.

We teamed up with local food experts to bring you 20 Kauai meals for less than $20, just as we did in our recent surveys of Oahu and Maui.

Kauai presents a real challenge to travelers on a budget: Food costs are higher in the outer islands than on Oahu, so it's more difficult to stick to a $20 budget here. But our restaurant survey will help you do just that -- and you'll have a cultural experience as well.

Once again, we concentrated on the restaurants that locals patronize. Many offer inexpensive, traditional Hawaiian fare, others specialize in ethnic cuisines or American standards. Several are low-key diners or takeout stands. But we also included a couple of splurge restaurants where the ambience is pure tropical paradise and the prices still affordable. (Click link above to go to list of restaurants)