Hello,

My fiance and I are staying at the Hyatt-Kauai for 2 weeks.

Besides taking a helicopter tour, what are 5-10 things we must see/do/experience before we leave?

Also, are there any places on Kauai or Oahu where you can swim with dolphins? My fiance REALLY, REALLY wants to experience this!!

Thanks to all your time and help!!!

S

Have you bought "The Ultimate Kauai Guide"?(Often referred to as UKG) It is an absolute must! It is filled with info you will use. Have you stayed at the Hyatt before? It is a WONDERFUL resort! My husband and myself were at LAX (going to Hyatt on Kauai) on the morning of 9/11/01. What a bummer! But we won't let those evil people keep us down!
We rescheduled for 10/28/01~11/3/01 and we can not wait.

Congratulations and have a wonderful time!

God Bless America!
Aloha,
KAren

Hello Karen,

Thanks for the info. I do have the UKG 4th Edition. I have never stayed at the Hyatt nor have I been to Hawaii.

Thanks again!!

S

We honeymooned in Kauai last March! It was so wonderful. We stayed at Sheraton Poipu (which is on the south shore like the Hyatt).
Here are things that we really enjoyed:
1. Snorkeling at Poipu beach was pretty good. We spotted one of the Monk Seals on that beach too.
2. Dining at Sunset at Princeville. We went to the Friday buffet at the Princeville hotel. It overlooks the water and it is the most beautiful place at sunset. A little pricy, but it was one of our splurges on the trip. Make reservations for when they open up for dinner to ensure you get a table on the terrace.
3. Drive by Waimea Canyon. We drove up in the mountains one day and it was really beautiful.
4. Luau: Coconut Beach Resort was nice with really good food.
5. Napali coast: You can only check this out by boat or helicopter. My husband gets motion sickness, so we could do neither, but I heard it was really neat.

That's all I can think of that is a "must" in my book. Have a wonderful time! Congrats!

You can and MUST see the Napali coast from the land! There is a hike, the Kalalau (sp?) Trail that starts at Kee Beach. It's a pretty vigorous hike - bring lots of water, snacks, sunblock and sturdy shoes. You'll sweat, but the views are amazing! After 2 miles, you get to this goreous beach with HUGE waves. But don't even try to go in the water - way to strong of an undertow. From the beach you can continue along the coast, or hike "inland" along the river up to a HUGE waterfall. There are places along the river where you can dunk if you're really hot. If you go to Kauai, you can't not do the hike! Just be careful though, the trail, although well marked, can get slippery. I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed by the Waimea Canyon. We didn't stay at the Hyatt but have heard rave reviews from many of our friends who have stayed there. We had a good meal at the Bullshed. Congratulations!

follow the advise re the Ultimate Kauai guide. Excellent info. The Hyatt is gorgeous although kind of on the end of the line of things. We stayed at the Marriott and found it easier to go North and South but not a big deal. We went with Air Kauai for the helicopter and had a great trip. Many others are also recommended. For meals, we had a great dinner at the Beach House. Its close by the Hyatt. Reserve for around sunset and bring a camera. The food was great and what a view. On the road to Princeville make sure to stop and get a burger at Duane's ONO Burger. Not the prettiest location, but turn around look at sleeping giant from your convertible and enjoy the cheeseburger and onion rings. Make extensive use of the guide, we found it a great help and since the Island is pretty easy to get around, the sites mentioned were not out of the way. Try some shaved Ice. We tried it at the place in Hanalai (sP)
and with the macadamian nut ice scream...awesome. Sushi at Kitaro's. ABC stores. take time to relax and enjoy!!!!

Hi, Sean,
We were in Kauai last year, also stayed at the Hyatt. You will love the resort - beautiful grounds and pools. Have breakfasts at the Ilima Terrace (get a table by the water). We took Liko Kauai Cruise to see the NaPali Coast. Would highly recommend them. Also took Jack Harter Helicopter Tour. It was incredible. You must see Waimea Canyon. Definitely drive up north - have lunch at the Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Resort. You might even want to stay a couple of days on the north shore, if possible (at the Princeville). Eat at the Beach House Restaurant - go early and get a table facing the ocean. Hike, snorkel. "The Ultimate Kauai Guide" was really helpful to us. You will love Kauai. Congratulations and have a wonderful time there!

I would go to North Shore of Kauai for at least one week of your stay. As for the dolphin question you can swim in the wild with dolphins at surprise surprise an eco outfit on West Side of Oahu do a search you should find. I think you will be disappointed with the hotel swims. Word of waring, reports of accidents in wild swims in florida, go at your own risk. BUY ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KAUAI for great tips. Last you can also swim with dolphins at sealife park. I think you will be disappointed once you do. You probably have some affection for these creatures, seeing the actual pony show they do with them will put you in another mind. This was my experience after $110.

About island hopping limit if you can.... went this summer week Oahu week Kauai very very sorry we did not spend all time on Kauai. We were on the North shore though, I go every year and I would not take two weeks in Poi pu. North shore is so fantastic you will not want to do the drive more than once on the south side. Winter does bring considerable rain starting with November but those waves also become magnificently high. Consider some time at Princeville Sheraton or rental in Hanalei my fav spot. Haeana is also nice but I have never rented there.

follow shave ice suggestions in Ultimate guide had great at Hanalei trailor also but my fav was something joes in Waimaea on the way up to the canyon. Loved the fresh coconut and icecream mixture...yum!!!

There's a wonderful "dolphin encounter" at the Kahala Mandarin-Oriental Hotel on Oahu!

for those who have taken helicopter tours on Kauai:
I've heard great things about Jack Harter, should I take the 60 minute or 90 minute? Is the longer one really so much better that it's worth the extra$. Also, I'm staying at Princeville, do these helicopter tours all take off from Lihue airport, or are some companies a little closer to the North Shore?

Try "birds of paradise" located near Port Allen on the South (sort of West) side of Kauai. They take you on an ultra-lite powered hang-glider trip. Unbelievalbe view, much better than a helicopter. You get up to about 4,000 feet at the heighest point and fly right over some peaks. Also can fly over the ocean, up along the Napili Coast etc. Well worth the price..

Heli USA Airways had/has a helicopter tour out of the princeville airport. Most others leave out of Lihue or near Hanapepe or port allen. They advertise that they use Bose haedsets and claim they are a family business.

I know I am being a we blanket but you want to remember that there are frequently discussions in the Hawaii legislature to outlaw helicopter tours for their accident frequency. I would make sure your choice has an excellent record.

I too am planning a trip to Kauai if we can find good deals. We're considering the Hyatt. Can I ask how much you got the room for?

Sean -

You have chosen the best location on the island to be your base. The sunny, south shore of Poipu will guarantee you the best weather you can have on Kauai. The North Shore is our favorite spot, however, oftentimes the weather can be quite rainy and prevent you from doing many of Kauai's wonderful activities. You will be quite happy with the Hyatt in Poipu. It is a spectacularly beautiful hotel filled with the beautiful Koa woods and is open air and exactly what you would expect of Hawaii in its decor. It has quite a few wonderful restaurants as well as being in a location with many other restaurants from which to choose. You can travel to Princeville/Hanalei in about an hour or so as well as drive to Waimea Canyan and Kokee in about the same amount of time. It is an excellent location to be. Don't miss the helicopter ride preferably with Jack Harter (he's the best IMHO), a boat trip up the NaPali coast, a Sunset Cruise with Captain Andy, dinner at sunset at the Hanalei Bay Resort or the Princeville Resort on the North Shore, or the Beach House on the South Shore, kayaking one of Kauai's many navigable rivers, snorkeling at Kee, Tunnels or Secret Beach, visiting one of the National Botanical Gardens on the island (yes, it is worth it), hiking in Kokee or the Kaalau (sp?) trail, as well as Sleeping Giant. There is so much to do on the island but mostly just relax and enjoy the remarkable beauty of this Garden Isle. It is truly magnificent.

Several suggestions:
-Hike down to Secret Beach, an absolutely glorious spot near Kilauea, backed by cliffs, with a wonderful view of the lighthouse, and a private guard near the beach blocking access to the path of who's estate? Directions are in the Ultimate Guide.
-Ke'e Beach at very end of the road past Hanalei with a great view of "Bali Hai." A beautiful spot to spend the day. Also the starting point for the Kahalau Trail.
-Shaved ice at the wagon in Hanalei, especially tasty over ice cream. Jojo's in Waimea is another spot for shaved ice and can be an interesting cultural experience as well.
-Polihale is really beautiful and remote. A good trip on an overcast day in Poipu. It's almost always sunny that far west.
_Maha'ulepu Beach, past the Hyatt, is really pretty and undeveloped. A nice morning beach. The sun really sparkles on the waves in the a.m.
-Dinner at the Beachhouse!
-Keiki hula at the Hyatt with a maitai.
-For a different but very Kauaian experience, eat at the Green Garden in Hanapepe.
-Believe it or not, Border's Books near Lihue can be a great spot for a latte and some pool side reading material. A great place to wile away a cloudy morning and a great section on Hawaii and Hawaii history.
-A long stroll through the Hyatt grounds in the moonlight-exquisite.

Did all the islands about 15 years ago in 1 months time. Kauai was first. It was the best! I visited the Hyatt you are staying at. It was just recently opened. Lots of glitz and eye candy and pricey. The best eye candy however is to be seen by just driving around! The Fantasy Island TV show opening credits where shot at a water fall in Kauai. You can drive to about 1/4 mi from it.See if you can find it. Watch out for Tsunami's!

We went to Hawaii last nov. In Lanai you can swim with the dolphins. Every morning 100's of dolphins were 50-100ft off the shore and we were free to swim with the them. You can take a flight to the island and stay for a couple days. It is a wonderful island.

DRIVE AS FAST AS YOU CAN TO THE NORTH SHORE, DON'T STOP!WE HAVE STAYED ALL OVER THE ISLAND AND FINALLY HAVE SETTLED ON HANALA COLONY RESORT. WE STARTED AT THE HYATT, THEM MOVED THE THE EAST COAST AND FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE NORTH. IT WASN'T HARD TO FIGURE WHEN WE WERE SPENDING ALL OUT TIME DRIVING NORTH. THAT'S WHERE THE REAL NATURAL KAUAI EXPERIENCE IS, NOT COUNTING WAIMAI CANYON. WE STAY NORTH AND WHEN WE TRAVEL WITH NEW PEOPLE WE SPEND ONE DAY AND DO THE SOUTH SHORE, WAIMAI CANYON AND THE HELICOPTER RIDE IN HANAPEPE. WE RIDE THE HELICOPTER WITHOUT DOORS. IT'S LIKE RIDING ON THE WINGS OF A DRAGONFLY. ALSO, THE AFOREMENTIONED GUIDE IS TERRIFIC. ONE COULD SPEND FOREVER ON THE N.SHORE AND STILL NOT GET ENOUGH. THE RAINS ARE WONDERFUL. IT HAS NEVER STOPPED US. ACTUALLY, IT MAKES THE TRAIL A LITTLE MORE EXCITING. HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME BUT PLEASE MOVE. YOU WILL BE BORED OUT OF YOUR SKULLS IF YOU STAY IN POIPU AND ALSO BE DOING A LOT OF UNNECESSARY DRIVING. I DON'T MEAN TO BE SO VOCAL, BUT, ITS IS LIKE TELLING YOUR KIDS SOMETHING, YOU ALWAYS THINK YOU KNOW MORE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. AGAIN, HAVE A GREAT TRIP. ONE MORE THING, PLEASE BUY YOUR NEW WIFE A LEI. THEY ARE SOLD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,USUALLY LEAVE YOUR MONEY IN THE COOLER AND HELP YOURSELF. THE HOMEMADE ONES SEEM TO BE SO MUCH NEATER.