Kauai suggestions?

[Doryman]

Not a C-Dory adventure, but the Admiral and I are thinking of going to Kauai next month and would appreciate suggestions for where to stay & eat, things to do, etc. Emphasis on good value for the money...

Thanks,
Warren

[Patrout]

Warren,

In '06 we had a family reunion and stayed at the Waimea Plantation Cottages. http://royalhawaii.com/Waimea-Plantation.htm

If I ever go back the Kauai, I'll stay there again. It's about 1/2 hour drive from Lihue and fairly close to the Waimea Canyon.

Not a fancy condo on the beach, but well-kept cottages on a former sugar plantation. They have beach frontage there, but don't recommend swimming because of rip currents.

Restaurant was so-so, but with all the other good places to eat on the island, who cares?

We booked it through a booking agency, and I think the rates through the agency were cheaper than those on their website.

Pat

[Valkyrie]

Definitely go to the Tip Top Cafe for breakfast, a locals spot. Marcia and I would get the pancakes with macadamia nuts, pineapple and bananas with coconut syrup, smoked Portugese sauage and coffee for under $15 for two. Typical resort breakfast would be at least $50. We were there three years ago.

Nick
"Valkyrie"

[matt_unique]

Hey Warren,
The Admiral and I are going to Hawaii (Oahu) next month as well. We too would appreciate any recommends for our stay!

--Matt

[Wandering Sagebrush]

We stayed in a small condo at Poipu last time. I am not sure of the spelling, but here goes... Makehuena. For fun dining, Brenneke's is a great place. Good food and reasonable prices. Not so fancy, but I like it.

[JamesTXSD]

One of our more memorable activities on Kauai was a kayak and rain-forest hike. Kayaking through the mangroves, swimming in a pond after swinging on a rope swing - fun stuff! And for shear breath-taking beauty, a helicopter ride through the canyons and along the north coast is amazing. Poipu beach is the sunniest part of the island, but go north of Princeville and walk along the beach at Hanalei.

Part of the charm of Kauai is the laid back atmosphere. Enjoy!

Aloha,
Jim

[hardee]

Warren,

I just asked Deena where we should recommend and she said anywhere and everywhere. Well, with in reason at least. We stay close to Kapaa, and love the whole island. The "Bull Pen" was a locals favorite, and had superb Ahi, and Mahi mahi and for reasonable prices. We buy groceries at the farmers market, (fruit by the ton), and only eat one or two meals out for the week.

Recommend going to the Slack Key concert up at Honolai. Doug and Sandy McMaster. Music for the soul and the best $8 ticket on the island.

Doe you need anyone to go and carry your suitcases for you

Harvey
SleepyC

[islandlady]

Well, I have to say...stay in Princeville. The north shore is the most beautiful. check out Pali Ke Kua Condos on the bluff, reasonably priced and the most outstanding view. I just returned home last night...stayed in #105.

[kennharriet]

In early December we rented a cottage just outside Kapa'a in a nice rural area. It was less than $100/night and had a fully stocked kitchen, including enough fresh groceries until we had a chance to shop. It also included about everything else that was needed including surf boards, kayaks, snorkel/mask/fins, ice chests, beach mats, etc. Great hosts on the property with great local advice, yet privacy. Let us know if you would like the contact info.

[localboy]

Kapaa: centrally located w/ restaurants, some shopping, beaches can be sketchy dependening on weather/trade winds.
Poipu: more secluded but w/ nicer, calmer beaches, especially in the winter months when the swells run from the North. Restaurants etc within walking distance. Cool old town of Koloa is nearby with a few restraurants, shops etc. "Brenekies" (sp?) is a good casual place on the beach for an Ahi/Mahi Mahi sandwich and a beer.
Princeville: north shore & Hanalei Bay. Nearly the end of the road on the north side. Lots of shopping, restaurants etc. Condos are probably pretty inexpensive right now. If the swells are up, the ocean can be dangerous. The taro patches of Hanalei are a site not to miss and the drive across the old one lane bridges is fun and laid back. Grab a "shave ice" (aka snow cone) down in Hanalei and walk around.

I would HIGHLY recommend a rafting trip to the Na Pali Coast. My wife and I did it a few yrs ago and it was worth every penny. Slow trip up with a few stops for snorkeling & lunch; a little hike, some more sight seeing and a bouncy, wave jumping blast back to port. Zip lining if fun if you're into that sort of thing (but I'd do the raft trip over this, but Meredith loved it).

THe island has really slowed down even more after Iniki. Some hotels never rebuilt. There's a saying: they roll the roads up after 10 pm.

[hardee]

From the trampoline on a Captain Andy's sailing Cat.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Other-Things-Weve-Seen&id=old_chip_2_GB_043&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

And Deena getting to drive it:

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=SleepyC&id=IMGP0212&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Mark Said:

[El and Bill]

We led natural history trips to the islands, for Adult Education at the University of Nevada, LV for many years in the ol' days. We called our trips The Other Hawai'i. Folks would return from our trips, tell friends what they saw and their friends who knew the islands had never heard of most of the places we took folks. "What?," the friends would say, "You didn't see Waikiki? Or Pearl Harbor?" Of course, our purpose was to learn and teach about island geology and biology. We used to have native Hawai'ians join us with their kids - "we have learned more about our islands from you Nevadans than all our years on the islands."

One of our favorite places on Kauai for a glorious hike and beautiful views away from the tourists places: Koke'e State park. We would stay in their rustic cabins in the high country well away from most folks, surrounded by wild chickens and beautiful forest.

And our favorite hike in the Koke'e: Awa‘awapuhi Trail. The folks at the natural history museum (an excellent museum)will give you directions and current conditions.

The trail takes some energy since it descends steadily for about 1,500 feet. You walk through beautiful rain forest and then a dryland forest until reaching the scenic cliffs of the Na Pali, several thousand feet above the coast. The return is a steady uphill. The walk is on the sunny western slopes of Koke'e, so a morning start is suggested. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. If you (or others with you) are strong hikers, you can make it a loop walk. Begin on the Nu‘alolo Trail (the steeper descent of the two), join the Awa'awapuhi to walk to the Pali and return uphill on the Awa'awapuhi. The Loop is somewhat over 10 miles and the back and forth Awa'awapuhi (our recommendation for most folks) is a little over 6 miles. After you return from the hike, be sure to get a piece of lilikoi pie at the food stand near the visitor center - it was always our reward.

Another great walk we used to lead folks along in Koke'e is the Alaka’i Trail, into the Alaka'i Swamp. One of the wettest spots in the US, great birds (some native rarities - like the Iiwi), and marvelous rain forest. Mostly on board walks, when we last did it.

Have a great trip.

[hardee]

24
68
hike

Harvey
SleepyC

[Susan E]

tom and i are thinking about going in october. I see so much discussion of walks and hike. but i ama DIVER. any recommendations on that in Kauai?

[Chuckpacific]

Hanalei