Very good choice and research. What month are you going?

No idea about the airport tax as we just walk across the street and rent our cars right there at the airport. If the savings is worth it - you might take a taxi into Lihue - but again, not sure of the net savings doing that.

And no current ideas on Luau's but will check for you. Mid-island probably has more choices, except for some local ones you might find out about in Tahiti Nui in Hanalei town.
http://www.thenui.com/

Anyhow - here is a page for a starting point. http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/plan-a-trip/activities/luau

You might also check the tourist mags at the airport when you arrive - as sometimes - they offer a free breakfast to review the various tour options - which even for those of us who have been going to Kauai for 30 years - gives an up to date review of the current "deals". We got a good deal on a trimarin cruise out of Port Allen doing that.

BTW - one of our long time choices remains the Dolphin - on the Hanalei river in Hanalei. It has very good fresh fish and other offerings - and is a local hangout as well.

We also like to go to the shopping center in Hanalei town and buy fresh fish - and have a sauted mahi mahi sandwich for lunch - or whatever else they have. My wife even makes sushi (also buy some fresh fish for that -ahi etc) - and all you really need to do is know how to make sticky rice (hint- rice vinegar I believe is the secret - but what do I know?).

Actally - before you leave - if you find the little bamboo rollers to help roll it tight - (here is a good picture - http://www.amazon.com/Helen-Chens-Kitchen-Bamboo-Paddle/dp/B000UEYXK4 ) it makes it much easier than the long trial and error you will experience trying to do it by hand as the pros do in these videos:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-sushi-rice

http://makemysushi.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPMaid87Es0

Fiddely foo: Forgot to post for the Hanalei Dolphin (which I think used to be called the Blue Dolphin?)

http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm

Tom,

Thanks so much for all of the info.

We will arrive on May 20 and spend 12 nights !

We have a rental car reserved but noticed the final price was nowhere near the initial rate.

What do you usually pay for your rental car ?

I'm going to start reading your links right now.

thanks again,
susan

Susan - that should be a great time. Hey - if you get a little rain, enjoy the great waterfalls that will be running down the hills.

I honestly can't remember our last rental car rate - but it seemed in line with the other islands. Think we had a multi-island rate/deal so maybe we got a break?

And/or - maybe they have tacked some new charges on and it's worth checking out what they are doing in town. We do that at some other airports here in the states, but usually since the rental car agencies are so close to the airports in the outer islands, we just use those.

And if you try making sushi - and it doesn't look all that great the first time you roll it, don't be discouraged, as it will still taste great.

I think it's a fun thing to do/learn while you have a nice time appreciating Bali Hai.

What's most important is to prepare a good sticky rice - along with getting the fresh ingredients (especially the fish - and just "julienne" it).

Then arrange some rice (a row of rice spread out/along the bamboo roller - on top of the sheet of Nori (seaweed paper http://www.makemysushi.com/index.php/Basic-sushi-essentials/nori.html )

Press the ingredients into the middle of the row of rice, roll it (have a little finger bowl with warm water to keep the fingers from getting too sticky/stuck with rice) and then cut it. Again, it will taste great even if not sushi-chef-uniform style.

BTW - have you seen the Rogers and Hammerstein 1958 movie/musical/WWII love story - South Pacific? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/ Filmed right there - in Hanalei Harbor - and one of our favorite beaches is "Nurses Beach" - Lumahai (you have to hike down a little bit) - where Mitzi Gaynor "washes that man right out of her hair". http://tinyurl.com/7lflcq4

I have yet to see the newest (after The Thornbirds, Jurassic Park) - Kauai movie - The Descendants - with George Clooney - but that also is supposed to have a lot of great shots of Kauai.

Susan, tripadvisor has a very active Kauai forum. You can get so much information from those who live there and those who actually travel there.

As far as a rental car, you will be able to get people on trip advisor to share discount codes with you. We normally rent from Alamo thru Costco, but have also used Thrifty. I do believe that Kal normally is successful with priceline.

Have fun....Kauai is the most beautiful place on this earth.

oh, and btw....there's too many good places that serve sushi to waste your time making it!!!!

The sushi at the Dolphin fish market around back is excellent. A few ahi rolls and some poke and you're all set!

The Foodland in Princeville is your best bet for shopping in that area. They also have very good sushi that is made fresh all day long. They have a good selection of Roselani ice cream in the freezer section. The Haupia flavor will induce orgasm.

Geesh: Some people just don't understand. Making sushi is not a waste of time but a lot of fun and can become an art form. And yes, the Foodland is what I was thinking of in the little shopping center. You can buy your sushi fresh and/or also make it yourself. We also like making sashimi and sometimes poke to go along with the sushi. Need to find some sesame seed for the poke.

And on the other end of the little center is a good place to rent stuff - for kayaking, snorkeling, etc. Pedal and Paddle - although the founder I knew has passed on. He was an attorney in Orange County who just one day - gave it up and moved to Paradise. http://www.pedalnpaddle.com/main-frame.html

There is also a great little plate lunch/sandwich shop/bakery there, which also makes some sushi. Village Snack and Bakery shop: http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-snack-and-bakery-shop-hanalei And there was a good Chinese restaurant on the 2nd floor.

A few miles away - the Kilauea Bakery/Pizza place is also pretty good: http://kilaueabakery.wordpress.com/ Be sure to get out and see the lighthouse.

Also - don't miss checking out Anini Beach. I took a windsurfing lesson there - and years ago saw Sylvester Stallone ("Rocky/Rambo") playing polo there, and Bette Midler also had a house there, among other celebs. http://tinyurl.com/7f6w68x

Do agree Trip Advisor is a good travel forum/blog site - but I wouldn't necessary promote it here on Fodors?

BTW - on your way to Princeville - when passing through Kapaa, there are several good fruit stands where you can pick some fruit up. Hmmmm - does it sound like I have been on a diet?

And as for rental cars - I always start with www.carrentals.com, but it never hurts to call some of the car rental companies directly and do a little negotiating.

Fyi - I just tried www.carrentals.com, May 20th for 10 days at the Kauai airport - which also brings up Hotline - and they had this - for several of the major car rental companies. Were you getting something like this rate?


$38.95per day


Total price
$490.23
includes all applicable tax recovery charges and fees

I've never used Priceline or rented outside the airport, so don't know if there's a way to avoid that fee. If you check on the TripAdviser forums, you'll probably end up at Discount Hawaii Car Rental, which is who I'm using for two trips to the islands later this year. http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/

Besides the luau at Mediterranean Gourmet, I suspect there's one somewhere around Princeville. The most popular on the island, I think, is Smith's Tropical Paradise, but that's in Kapaa, which is at least 45 minutes from where you'll be staying. Don't know if I'd want to make that drive after a few mai-tais. If you decide on the one at Med Gourmet, make reservations soon. It's only done once/week, on Tuesdays.

I agree that Foodland in Princeville is the best bet for groceries, but we found that the Big Save in Hanalei was okay too. And it'll save you a couple bucks in gas over driving the extra miles to Princeville.

Why all the talk about sushi? Did I miss something in the OP?

Oh, and BTW Tom, the Foodland is in the shopping center at Princeville. The Pedal and Paddle is just down from Big Save, in the Ching Young Village center in Hanalei.

Last summer, I found great rates for both Kauai & Maui through HotWire.com.

They offered the best, one-week rates that I could find.

Last trip I used discounthawaiicarrental.com and got a very good rate through Avis for a midsize car. Read on TA that car rentals are up a bit this year over last year.

Haven't eaten at the Dolphin yet, have to try it, really liked Hanalei Gourmet in the schoolhouse shopping center in Hanalei. I think the only luau on the North Shore is the one at Med Gourmet, St Regis puts on something but it is more like a dinner show and bound to be pricey like everything else there is.

Have a great time.

islandaze: You're right - and thank you very much. Yes, we have frequented both of the food stores and like them both. The Big Save (in the Ching Young Village) is more local flavor (and has some great local shortbread cookies - forget the brand at the moment - Kauai something - Cookie?), but the Foodland is larger and has more selection. http://www.princevillecenter.com/

In the Princeville center - we also liked Lappert's Ice Cream shop - and CJ's for steak/seafood - and there used to be a fun hamburger place with Bison burgers toward the back. Think this is the one - Paradise Bar and Grill. http://paradisebarandgrillkauai.com/ They also had a shop with good deals on women's accessories - and I bought a few things there for gifts - but forget the name. In the front row.

And we used to love to get a morning cup of coffee at the coffee shop at the St. Regis (and maybe a pastry)- at the end of the road in Princeville and go sit out on their deck to admire the incredible Bali Hai view. http://exclusives.stregis.com/St-Regis-Princeville-Resort-189/SO.htm?PS=PS_aa_Hawaii_Google_st_+regis_princeville_kauai_Broad_021511_NAD_FM&gclid=CN37ntKqj68CFSoGRQodXRQe0A

That reminds me: "Next door" - the Hanalei Colony Resort - if they have finished their refurbishment - had a great restaurant (once called Bali Hai) with an incredible view - and they may also have a Luau? http://www.hcr.com/restaurant

Hey - I even had outpatient surgery there (don't know if the medical clinic is still there) - when I caught a strep infection - on a cut on my leg. Fortunately - it wasn't a raging type, but the Dr. did send a swatch to the Hospital for a culture. Warning - don't go wading in the Hanalei river with even a small open cut. Lot's of microscopic bugs there.

And the Chinese restaurant on the 2nd floor (Ching Young center in Hanalei town) - Bamboo ? - has changed ownership over the years I think - but the last time we went it was still pretty good.

Have you gone there lately?

The restaurant tomsd mentions at the Hanalei Colony Resort is the one referenced other times above called the Mediterrean Gourmet. It has been that for at least 5 or 6 years. Before that it was empty. Before that is was Charo's.

Tomsd, man, come on....give it a break....take a deep breath!!! When was the last time you went to some of these places you are talking about???

Thank you succulent. Am getting some names mixed up again. We actually stayed out at the Hanalei Colony Resort during our Honeymoon in '86 - and it was indeed Charo's restaurant and we enjoyed dining there - and even meeting Charo at a private party back then. cucci cucci: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRmZzekrpDA

There was also good snorkeling in front of the HCR - and I even did a little spear fishing with some locals there (getting to know how to use the fabled Hawaiian Sling) - but they took the fish.

The place I am thinking of with the currently closed? Bali Hai restaurant is in the Hanalei Bay Resort - next to the St. Regis. http://hanaleibayresort.net/hanalei-bay-resort-amenities.php

And the reason for discussing sushi/sashimi/cooking fish at "home" is that when you stay out beyond Hanalei town - at a beautiful place right on the beach - you may not feel like dressing up and driving into town for dinner, but rather dining in. That also allows you to have a few libations without worrying about drinking and driving.

icee: I pretty much went to all of them (or drove by - such as the Hanalei Colony Resort) - when we last spent about 10 days on Kauai - a couple of years ago - staying at our timeshare at the Cliffs club. et tu?

Over the years - I have probably been to Princeville/Hanalei about 20? times with an average stay of usually a week - and was an advisor to the HOA Board.

We also have good 3rd generation Kauai friends down in Waimea (atayed at their Mauka cabin up in Kokee) - and have been all over the island quite a number of times. Don't know if I mentioned it here - but my wife was scuba certified right there in Hanalei harbor.

Oops. Thought I cut and pasted this Cliffs Club page:

Some of the units have incredible views. http://www.cliffsatprinceville.com/about.php

mea culpa, Tomsd!!

No problemo.

Tom,

You're Great. Wish we could bring you with us as our guide.

Although we are thinking of hiring a man servant, you know, bring us Mai Tais, peel our grapes, fan us with palm fronds and maybe a nice pedicure !

I might be just ok on the pedicure, but think I could excel in the other functions. And also - go spear fishing for some fresh fish!!!

Tom

You're the perfect guy for us..

thanks,
susan

Wanted to provide a link to the lovely house that we have rented:

http://www.vrbo.com/118478#comments

BTW - just happened to think. If you do buy some lovely fresh fish (which costs a lot more than it used to in Paradise) - and don't cook/prepare it all the first day - rinse if off with water and pat it dry with paper towels. Then wrap it in paper towels - and then in saran wrap or a plastic bag, etc and put it in the fridge.

And then if you don't use it the next day - do it again - rinse it off/pat it dry - and you can keep it amazingly fresh for days. I did that with some absolutely wonderful Bluefin tuna I caught here (well - south of San Diego a day and a half on a boat - in Mexican waters) - and it kept it so nice.

This comes from a noted seafood/sushi chef who talked about doing this - at a seafood cooking seminar and he said that this rinsing/patting the fish dry with paper towels takes away the moisture on the surface that helps age the fish.

BTW Dos: So what is your daughter going to do? Her Internship - and then private practice, or more advanced education, just chill for a while?

I agree with susiedq - I'd love to have tomsd as a guide and we've been there before! My young nephew loves making sushi. That seafood cooking seminar sounds interesting.

TOMsd- Bali Hai at the Hanalei Bay Resort is unfortunately still closed, as is the Happy Talk Lounge. There was a fire there in the restaurant a few months ago and since Happy Talk was planning on using the restaurant kitchen to cook their bar food, that is also now closed. They are in the permitting stage last I read. Too bad, as that was always a chill place to stop for a drink.

Mahalo susiedq and starrs and jamie99. Was at a fishing seminar this morning/afternoon - and now watching the final four.

Re fishing - it's great to use Kayaks here (with the new Hobie Cats - you can peddle and keep your hands free to cast) - to get to the Kelp beds off La Jolla - and catch big White Sea Bass, Yellowtail (more of a Jack Cravelle/Amberjack than a Yellowtin type tuna - very delicate and tasty - called Hamachi in Sushi bars http://www.fishsniffer.com/recipes/sushi2.html ) - and also the occasional California Halibut.

Shame about the Bali Hai restaurant in the Hanaley Bay Resort. I loved to sit in the bar- with the incredible view -and drink Chi Chi's - about the only time of the year I did that. And they also had good dinners with the same incredible view.

If I didn't note Chi-Chis earlier - as this says - it's a lighter version of Pina Coladas - made with Vodka v. Rum. And soooooooooooooooooo good in Paradise.

http://www.food.com/recipe/chi-chi-or-chichi-alcoholic-mixed-drink-104374

And what a great place to stay Susieq: A quiet side street - within an easy stroll to the beach. We loved to snorkel at Ke beach (very safe - reef protected - but just don't swim out too far at very high tide - or toward the left (facing the ocean/by the hill(- where there is an outlet to the open ocean.

That reminds me - I was snorkeling over there by the outlet (I wear fins so no worry if I get caught in a Rip tide, whatever) - and saw some big Barracuda - maybe 10 footers - on the bottm (not a threat to humans). When I got back to the beach - I told some local guys who just come out to spearfish - about those big critters - and they were stoked/big anticipatory smiles all around. No idea if they nailed any.

It's also fun to watch the sunset from Ke Beach (or maybe from the beach close to your place) and see if you can see the legendary "Green Flash". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTvIenot5ck

Thanks for all of your help Tom. We'll be thinking of you when we visit Kauai next month !

Hope you have a great time and maybe even "go native" a bit.

Love to hear a post trip report - or hey - even a semi-daily update?

The OP also asked about the best luau on Kauai.

My DH & I are getting ready for a trip to Kauai (our first, as well) and I'd be interested in some info on that as well to help us decide.

My March 30 reply may have been buried in the avalanche, halfapair. Where are you staying?

I think at the North Shore - the Hanalei Colony Resort (the one about halfway beyond Hanalei - toward the end of the road at Ke Beach - not to be confused namewise as I did - with the Hanalei Bay Resort next to the St. Regis up on the cliff at Princeville) ) has a well regarded luau - and mid-island - trying to remember the name of the resort that has pretty good quality offerings.

A ha: The classic - Kilohana Plantation is the one I am thinking of - and here is their webpage and also a webpage listing other Luau's on Kauai. But they cost a whole lot more than when I went years ago, to the good ones back then: The King Kam Hotel at Kona, the Polynesian Culture Center also had a good one with good entertainment.

http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/lihue/kilohana-estate

http://tinyurl.com/76l2a93

The mid-island luau Tomsd is referring to is Smith's Tropical Paradise, and probably the largest and most popular on the island. The one at the Hanalei Colony Resort is at its restaurant, Mediterranean Gourmet. My wife and I went last September and plan to again when we're there this August. It's a very small, intimate, literally family affair: mom, dad, daughters, and a couple cousins and/or inlaws. The evening ended with everyone forming a circle, joining hands, and singing Aloha 'Oe. Yeah, I know it sounds kind of hokey reading that, but it felt more like ohana than most other luaus you'll have the opportunity to attend.

islandaze, was the luau at the Mediterranean Gourmet outdoors? Thanks for the great information on this thread btw.

Unfortunately no, Susan. I believe Smith's and the 1 or 2 on the south shore may be outdoors, but weather in the north isn't as reliably good.

BTW, nice house!! And very close to where we've stayed/will be staying again. If you zoom in the VRBO location map, you'll see double lines separating some beachfront lots. Those indicate public beach access. Tunnels is west from where you'll be, and can be accessed from that little spur marked with "P" right above Hawaii 560. The P designates parking, but you need to be there early or get lucky. Ke'e Beach is at the end of the road. If it's of interest, there are some beautiful botanical gardens near there too.

Have a great trip!

Sorry, I should have addressed that to you, succulent! At least the 1st sentence anyway.

Island: I think the one I went to was at the Kilohona Plantation - which may have been a Smiths - but now is this one - Luau Kalamaku? http://www.gohawaii.com/listing/Activity/98559630_LuauKalamaku

For our stay on Kauai we are staying in the Poipu area in a condo. We will have a car and plan on seeing the whole island, or as much as we can during our week there.

We are also staying on Hawaii for a week, staying at the Fairmont Orchid.

Islandaze,

Yes, the house and location look great. This trip was very spur of the moment but I have been wanting to visit Hawaii for 20 years. So, it's about time.

Good luau info, maybe we'll go to two !!

I hope we have some hot/warm weather. I was reading the other thread and I guess the weather is unpredictable as it often is here in the SF Bay Area. Please only rain at night...

Thanks again and if I have time Tom, I will post a trip review as it happens.

I just love when it rains in Paradise. It's usually not a cold, driving rain - and afterwards - everything is so fresh. Plus - I really like listening to it rattle on the roof - all the while sitting inside in one's own little cocoon. Heck - even slide open the patio doors to get a better "experience" - assuming of course, the rain is not blowing in

BTW - that's a great time to practice your Sushi skills.

And ask around to see if there are any Church/local luau's - as they are also a lot of fun. Tahiti Nui could be your "Cheers" bar. Double

This is our 8th trip back to the north shore of Kauai so you can tell we absolutely love it there. Snorkeling at Tunnels and Ke'e are wonderful. Be very careful about where you park by paying attention to signs so you don't get ticketed. Feel free to tell any knuckle heads walking on the reef to get off the reef!!! We normally stay away from the beaches on the weekend so that the local residents can enjoy time with their families and not get cluttered up with tourists.

In Hanalei, places to eat that we enjoy are Tahiti Nui and Hanalei Gourmet for lunch. For dinner, Bouchon (formerly Sushi Blues) for sushi, BarAcuda for tapas. One splurge I would do is go to the St. Regis bar for their sunset views while sipping on the best mai tai (albeit expensive) on the island!! Kilauea Bakery is also great for pizza and coconut eclairs.

Enjoy your trip...Kauai is a very special place.