I'm reactivating my old post. We didn't watch any surfers at sunrise on the May 28-June 4 trip.
Our next trip is a month away...September 22-28. I still like the idea of getting up early one morning with the intent of watching locals surf as the sun is rising.

Has anyone seen surfers at sunrise such as on your way to Kountry Kitchen for an early breakfast?
Songdoc, have you seen surfers at Hanalei Bay? Do you go out for a walk on Hanalei Bay in the early morning hours?

Just thought it would be a memorable experience. DH & I will give it a try on this trip and report back.

Forget the surfers - head straight for the macadamia nut pancakes (P.S. They were OUT of macadamia nuts last time I was there...how is that even possible in Hawaii?????)

I couldn't agree more with sf7307. I'd surf my way over to Kountry Kitchen and get one of those macadamia pancakes combined with banana! (Can't wait! 5-1/2 more weeks!)

I've never been out walking at sunrise. My morning walks tend to start more around 9AM. But whenever I've been there, there have been surfers at Kealia Beach and at Hanalei Bay.

FYI, the area with the good surf at Hanalei is not near the pier. Park at the pavilion (not the pier -- unless you want a nice, long walk), and facing the ocean, walk to your left (away from the pier).

FYI, my favorite time to walk at Hanalei Bay is at sunset. Hope you have an awesome trip!

On Maui we have seen surfers around the Honolua and Kapalua areas in the early mornings and evenings. We have seen more in the evenings as I think the surf is higher at that time, but we have seen them in the mornings too. If you're anywhere near Paia, you can see them all day long in that area.

We will be Kauai in Jan. Where is the Kountry Kitchen?

Kountry Kitchen is in Kapa'a but I'll let others give you details because I've never been.

Songdoc, DH & I just can't wait for our trip! I'll be thinking of you when I'm at the Sealodge . We need to have our trips coincide so we can meet! You go every Jan/Feb; June/July; and October?

Kountry Kitchen is on the main drag in Kapaa. It's just a typical coffee shop, but the food (I've only been for breakfast) is great. Usually, I don't go out of my way for breakfast, because there's not much than can go wrong with an egg over medium and toast, but their pancakes and omelets are really really good!

the sun rises in the east

<You go every Jan/Feb; June/July; and October?>

Typically, but it depends on my schedule. Next summer I'll be in Australia in May, and New Zealand in June. So I might do Kauai in July/August. The Kauai Music Festival is July 10 - 13th -- but I haven't been officially invited back yet.

Kountry Kitchen warning: the pancakes are amazing and addictive -- but they're so enormous that I only eat one (and I do NOT have a small appetite!). I usually order a fabulous fresh fruit bowl & 1 banana/macadamia pancake. I waddle out stuffed. DP gets their luau omelet (kalua pork, spinach & cheese stuffed into lord knows how many eggs) which is served with fantastic cornbread & potatoes. My cholesterol goes up just thinking about it! My sister does a chocolate chip/banana pancake. We sit there moaning about how good it is .

I ate lunch there once. It was nothing special. Should've gotten a pancake and called it "brunch."

Thanks sf and Songdoc, I am looking forward to the banana/macadamia pancake! I hope with coconut sryup!

And Louistraveler5!

Let me help you. Surfers don't hang out at certain "surf" places. Surfers go where ever the waves are. So to see them in action, you have to know where the waves are. And that can change on a daily basis. So watch the TV news the night before and the weatherman will tell you where the waves will be the next day.

TIP: You can also call any surf shop and ask where the waves are that day.

Aloha,
A Hawaii Resident

I used a couple of websites to check wave heights on my last trip

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/ocean_report/

http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v/2.0/index.asp?i=kauai&shid=9&bch=hanalei1

Dewd gave you the advice that my husband (a surfer) suggested.

Aloha from Kauai...yup, Kealia is fun to watch the gang in the water! my family goes there for surf and a cold beer and pupus to enjoy the evening. Depends on what side of the island you're on- south shore by the Beachside restaurant on the grass is nice too...just sitting on the pier in Hanalei or on the sand by "pine trees" or "grandpas" parks is killer! To be fancy, St Regis hotel has a killer overlook to see the entire Hanalei bay during the sunset YET is extremely expensive drinks and food...just a quiet warning! Go to the Dolphin fish market, grab some sushi rolls and drinks and go just sit quietly still wherever....glad to point in the right direction if you need specifics...local born and raised priviledged to kokua"gracious service" for all guests seeking assistance! have fun!!

Amen. You go where the surf is up to see surfers.