Kauai 3 week trip report
 

HI to all fellow Fodorites and Kauainuts,
Kal, thanks for the email.

My wife and I got back last Saturday from our three week trip to Princeville on Kauai's North shore, 7/18 through 8/8. Needless to say, I was swamped with paperwork upon getting home and have just started to catch up, so apologies to all for this tardy report.

To all Kauai travelers, the Island has even gotten better since last year's trip if that is possible. we had the best weather we have ever had, a few evening showers, 75 to 85 during the days with those great trade winds keeping it cool.

We did have our first sighting of a Hawaiian Monk seal this year on tunnels beach, that was neat. It came on shore about 100 feet from our beach chairs and laid there for about two hours. Our friends saw one also on Kee beach and there were reports of a mother and a pup on Moloaa Beach.

We played golf 6 times while we were there, the Kaui Golf cjhallege, a round at each of the big 3, The Prince, Poipu Bay and Kiele at Kauia Lagoons. Also, played the new 18 holes at Puakae(old Grove Farm Course), all 27 holes at Makai and played the Mokihana couse at Kauai Lagoons for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with this couse. The new holes that complete Puakea are a wecome addition however now the rates have gone up. We paid $95 per round there because of an agreement with our location at the Cliffs in Princeville. Normal rounds are $125.

Not much has changed on Kauai in a year. It was a little more crowded than last year. I really hate to see more people on the island, but it is nice to see the local businesses thriving.

A few notes on some changes: Chuck's Steak house up at Princeville has now become C. J.'s steak house. Same menu with a few welcome additions and some welcome dressing up of the interior.

we ate at The Polynisia(sp) Cafe at Ching Young village in Hanalei for the first time. Gourmet food on paper plates. The dishes we had, both chicken, were very very good and total bill was something like $ per platter. Their most expensive dish was somewhere around $15, well worth the try.

Gaylord's at Kilohana has opened up a sister restaurant, The Hukilau Lani, behind the Coconut Market Place. I believe it is in the old Coconut Kauai Beachboy Hotel. Menu is toned down from Galord's, not quite as pricy, but excellent dishes and good service.

There is also a new Burger, sports bar joint called, The Shack, in the old Kapaa Fish and Chowder House. They have a great Happy our and dollar off specials on certain days, great Burgers in the $4 to $5 range, some fish dishes and a nice sporty, clean atmosphere, noisy, but hey, it's a bar.

I heard while we were there that they have added the North shore roads and bridges from Princeville and North as historic roads or landmarks or something like that. So, delevopemant and those giant tour buses will be kept to a minimium for a long time. I think everyone wants to keep this lovely place a pristine as possible.

Parking at Tunnels beach has become even more difficult as absolutley no roadside parking is available, and rightly so. The two acces roads get filled early and trust me, the police are ticketing cars that do not obey. Best bet is to park up at Heana Beach Park and walk back.

Well, that should be enough to chew on a whet a few Kauai appetites for a while.

Anyone, feel free to email me for any specific questions.

11 months till next trip and counting.

I forgot a note on Zelo's in Hanalei. We wnet there the first week we were there and the menu had completely changed. It was all Southwestern/Mexican dishes. The place was near empty whis is a rarity for this restaurant. The dishes we had were both excellent. The waitress said they had changed to this menu in May, but were going back to their old menu with more Pacific Rim dishes the next week. We went in two more times during our trip and indeed the seafood dishes were fantastic and the palce was packed.

((r)) Aloha and welcome back, Rich -

Great trip report, sounds like you enjoyed your return to our beloved paradise and wonderful as we did ours. Question --- what was the buzz re: the tragic helicopter crash, i.e. what were people saying, did heli tour business fall off, etc.??? I know we are al relieved that you are safe and sound, as we were concerned once we heard about the crash. Mahalo again for your report!

Mahalo for your trip report! ((r)) If you happened to do any snorkelling at Tunnels beach, how was it? :?

Mahalo Margot and Johnd for the kind words on my return and report.

I can't believe I forgot about that Heli Crash. It was very strange, we heard about it from two local police officers we played golf with the day after it happened. John and Sean......Great guys on Kauai if anyone knows them. The reporting was very quiet on the crash. It was four people, plus the Pilot of Jack Harter helicopters and they all died in the crash. We never got any names or locations of any of the victims. The Pilot was one of their most experienced and last word I heard before leaving was they were looking at mechanical failure. All Helicopters voluntarily grounded themselves for at least a day maye more out of respect for the victims, but by the time we left, the skies were again full of heli tours.

John, we spent 4 or 5 days on Tunnels, snorkeling and relaxing. I actually read 5 paperbacks on this trip, the only time I get to read. The day we saw the seal at Tunnels, the sightings of fish were few and far between. I'm sure he had them running scared dining on their cousins. The last two times we were there everything was back to normal, great snorkeling, clear water, lot's of fish. Didn't see any turtles there this year, but we went up later in the day than we usually had. With the tougher parking, the beach was never really crowded at all., Plus we walk and sit on the lower end of tunnels aways from the easy access.

I used a new digiatl camera I purchased this year and took 262 pics. Now I have to sort through them and print some out. Digital is great, just shoot till you drop, or batteried go dead.

Thanks again to all for their thoughts.

I hate my wife..........she made me come home. hehe.

Rich, thanks for your reply, just wondering if you have any thoughts about how snorkelling at Tunnels compares with Kee. We missed checking out Tunnels this past March and we didn't see any turtles at Kee (nor seals) this year, but we did snorkel with a turtle in 2002. :S-

Actually, Rich, from what I read, one of the couples in the crash was from PA, the other (celebrating their 25th anniversary) from CO. Very sad and sobering indeed...

Hi Rich
Welcome home...and just a note...I bet your wife is telling everyone that she hates you.....cause you made her come home!!
So glad you all are safe...If you get a chance to go thru some of the recent posts....you will see just how many fodorites were concerned about you and yours.
Is Zelo's right there on the corner beside the shopping center???

Thanks for the tips. I'm trying to remember if I ever went to Tunnels. Is that on the north shore?

Islandmom thanks for thinking, it is indeed on the north shore of Kauai, opposite that large dry cave you can easily walk into just after the road crosses the stream ((R)).

Hi again and I have looked at some of the posts and thanks to all who thought of me after that accident. It is a very sad thought indeed to think you are enjoying one of the happiest times of your life only to have it cut short. Let's all enjoy what we have while we have it.

John, I prefer Tunnels as it doesn't get quite as crowded as Kee. There is a fairly wide shallow reef that strechs out from shore maybe 100 ft and then it drops off to 25 / 30 ft. It is nice just to snorkel along that drop off and sneak back into some of the sandy channels along the reef. Actually, the beach across frm the cave is Haena State Park beac, tunnels starts just slightly south of there.

iceeu2, Zelo's in indeed in Hanalei, it used to be the old Shell House Restaurant before Iniki, it is across from the shops in the old school house.

Hey Rich, was that you on Kee Beach getting the $1 per minute massage??? (HAHA) I don't know if you saw it or not, but a woman had "set up shop" there the week of August 3rd!!! (She was doing some pretty good business, too). We wandered around Princeville (we stayed in Lihue) and I remembered that you were staying up in that area....now I know why!!! I told my hubby, we MUST reserve a few days to stay on the north shore next visit (The Princeville Hotel is NOT TOO SHABBY!!). Sounds like you had a great time - After our first trip to Kauai, I understand why everyone wants to return (kinda like Bermuda trips). Thanks for the report! Wasn't the Lagoons course super (I pared the par 3 hole that hit over the ocean - was it hole #16?)...MY husband hit at least 6 balls into the canyon on the "gorilla" hole before he made one over (HAHAHA).

Thanks again Rich, the lifeguard told us that the all the beach we could see in front of their rescue hut was "Tunnels beach" but it looked too wavy for snorkeling and what you are describing sounds more consistent with an area where some of the snorkel boat tours may stop. I guess I will have to wait until next year and hope for calm conditions. :S-

Hey Rich, good to hear you're back in one piece. Sorry our stays didn't overlap to share a couple drinks.

You mentioned "the Cliffs", Did you you stay at the Shearwater condo? They have the best views, but their pool is ridiculously small.

I guess we won't be seeing Kauai for awhile. We have to go to Europe next year, and after that my wife wants to try Mexico instead of Hawaii, so that puts our Kalcount into the thousands. :((

Welcome back, Bragh!

I heard from my local friends Puakea is pretty nice but mucho $$$ now. How'd you like the "Golf Package"? An old buddy of mine will be joining us this trip and we both like to golf, sooooo.

We ate at HukiLau a couple of times last year. Nice to know the service has gotten better. Very spotty when we went but it had only been open for maybe 2-3 weeks when we were there?

Agree food was great, tho. Nice setting too.
One night we went and bought a bag o' macadamian nuts and drank Zin and munched macs on the little porch in the lobby right by the entrance to the restaurant. Good wine selection.

Loved The Shack too. Could sit out back and smoke a stogie <one of the few places left on Kauai> or indside. Still pretty inexpensive compared to other restaurants? Good portions,too. Guinness on tap. ((Y))

137 mo' days for us. ((B)) ~:>((R))((B)) ~:>((R))

DB, I don't EVEN wanna tell you Mrs Kal's plans for next year but here's a hint: Were are celebrating her first non-40-something birthday, our 25th wedding anniv and the 30th year we've been dating. Can you say "home equity loan-work 2 jobs"? $-)


But I can guarantee it will include a stop in Kauai in about 501 mo' days!
Especially after she reads Rich's TR.:-O

Hi Rich,

Great report, I took a few notes, my plane leaves for HI around 1 tomorrow (as long as the power comes back). Glad to hear you had a great time.


Scott

Hi again fellow Kauainuts,
Just topping this to answer a few questions I missed yesterday.

KAL: I assume the "golf package" you are asking about is the Kauai Challenge, playing the big 3 courses? It gets more expensive every year, but what doesn't. It was $360 per person for the three rounds this year.

To all golfers, the Prince Course, which i still my favorite with the toughest holes and great views was in the very worst shape I have ever seen it. The greens were a mess as were the fairways. They claimed to be trying to get rid of the Poa Annua grass but I talked with some people who said they had some personnel changes and were haviing some problems. I did notice all the staff was new this year.

DB: No, we do not stay at Shearwater, though I know the location. THE CLIFFS is a separate entity a little further down the road into Princeville off Pepelani Loop.

Dolciani: No, we never got up to Kee this year, but I would have taken that lady up on the $1 / minute massage on the beach. I also had a par on that great par 3 on Kiele, but tell your hubby I birdied the Gorilla hole.

To all: I also didn't mention that they are planning a timeshare facility on the ocen fron property just north of the Bull Shed below Kapaa. That will just make that conjested area that much busier.

Also, we alsways stayed away from Hilo Hattie's thinking the stuff sold there was a little tacky, but we heard they upgraded and went in. They have and I got a great Tori Richard shirt there for 1/2 price. The quality has been upgraded. They still have the touristy tacky Hawaiina stuff, but you can find some nice items there also. PLus you get some coupons for free stuff on the island. We got a buy ob get one free breakfast at the Terrace Restaurant at the Kauai Lagoons Golf Course and the Spanish Omellete's were to die for.

I'll keep topping this off as long as people are willing to discuss, or email if you wish.

Rich, the DH managed to keep me away from Hilo Hattie's until near the end of our stay.

He was glad we went in....there was a woman there with some beautiful jewelry she makes.....and there was also an author, Mary Syreen, having a book signing. The author is an island person...lives on Kauai and also on Ana Maria Island, Florida....Her books are mysteries and are so great to read. I recognized the places she writes about on Kauai.....and Florida....and Georgia.....

So...Hilo Hattie's can be a great place!!

I am oh so jealous....am having the Kauai jitters......we haven't set the exact dates yet, but will be the end of February or 1st of March.

My biggest problem is.....I really do want to go to the Big Island this time...and can't determine for how long, etc......

Ever been to the Big Island???

Iceeu2: I was only to the Big Island once for a day trip tour, but hear lot of good things about it. We went when the Volcano was flowing really good a few years ago and that was an awesome sight to see.

When we stopped at The Shack this last time, they were having a wet t-shirt contest in the back. It was something like $15-20 to watch (we didn't). The parking was so crowded, we had to park at the very rear and then walk by the back door where many of the girls were hanging out (pun intended) -- some people just can't appreciate that -- the fair next to the Shack is a shopping magnet for the wife.

We also visited Hilo Hattie's for the first time and found it reasonable. But for clothing, another place we like and have visited a few times is a small shop just down the road and next to McDonald's. The lady there is very nice (can never remember the name of the shop, but don't need to, since it's right next to McDonalds).

((r)) hey iceeu2, we'll be in Kauai 2/27-3/12 - perhaps a rendez-vous??? Where would you be staying?

Hi Margot
We will more than likely end up at The Pono Kai in Kapaa, unless we are fortunate enough to get an exhange at Alii Kai or The Cliffs both in Princeville.
Glad to hear that you weren't in the dark last evening. We have some Canadian friends...who are still without power.
Hang loose.

Hi everyone. I have read with great interest this thread on Kauai. Everyone seems to be quite enthusiastic about this island, so perhaps you can help. We have been to Maui twice and the Big Island once, and are now planning a trip for September 2004. We would like to include Kauai on this trip but I would like some opinions on why you like Kauai so much. Perhaps your comments will help us decide how to split up our trip of 16 days.

((r)) Aloha, pinnacle - you might want to first try doing a search on this board on Kauai to look at past threads along the lines of comparisons, i.e. "Mauai vs. Kauai" or "BI vs. Kauai" That being said, to put it as simply as I can, my husband and I have been to the 4 major Hawaiian islands, and the reason Kauai is so special to us is its pristine beauty and its relative lack of overdevelopment, which has tended to invade the other islands. The pace is most definitely slower with little active nightlife on Kauai, and the terrain is amazingly diverse gievn its relative size, i.e. you have desert conditions on the west side, while you also have Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth as the other extreme, with everything in between. The word I always use to describe my emotioanl experience of Kauai is "intoxicating" ((D))! ...Anyone else want to weigh in on pinnacle's subjective question?!

P.S. to iceuu2 - mahalo for your good wishes re: yesterday's blackout - we're fine in NJ, but outages are still spotty on Staten Island, i.e. traffic lights are out on major roads, making them even more dangerous than usual!!! ;) See you in Kauai???

Pinnacle:
Margot stated it the best. Kauai to me provides me with all I want in a vacation, beautiful scenery, great quiet beaches, fantastic golf and world class reataurants. I go on vacation to relax, do not look for adventure nor night life though there is some of that available but at a slower pace.

I do have a few pages of notes on Kauai. If you would like to see them, please drop me an email.

To Anyone: Kal had asked me if I was going to post any of my 262 pics I took this year on the web. Can anyone tell me where I would post them and how. Have never done that before. Is anyone interested in seeing any of them, first.

Rich, would love to see photos.. try webshots.com yahoo also lets you post them as does AOL (members). I'm sure there's others.

Rich, you can also try ofoto.com.

Thanks for the trip report :)
Did you like The Cliffs?

Hi Rich,
Glad to hear you had such a great trip! We should have been there the same time as you but had to cancel because DH lost his job...a bummer in many ways. I'm keeping notes on all you're posts though, and am still hoping to get over there sometime soon!

As for your photos, I would suggest a website called EachDay.net. It's an excellent site, the best in my opinion. You post your pictures by date and scroll through the calender to view pictures. Plus you can make slideshows, add video and audio clips and make journal entries. And if you ever get a camera phone you can "phone in" your pictures each day and it'll post it on that day automatically. There is a free 3-month trial and then it's $7.50/month. I know that many of the photo posting sites are free but I think this one is so worth the money, especially if you have kids or pets and want to show their growth over time. From the main page if you go to the "Showcase" and look at "AZ Stachowskis", that is our site (the only vacation pictures are from our week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico in May, the rest is our dogs and bbq's!). Enjoy and let us all know where you end up posting your pics - can't wait to see them!
Sheri

First off thanks too all that seem to be close buds with RichinPA and RichinPA himself for all of the great advice that I've read about in the past 6 months. It seems like each of you have given me some kind of advice through all of the strings that I've read while planning my honeymoon to Kauai and Maui. Thanks

Question: My fiancee cannot stand bugs at all. The girl is afraid of small lizards for gods sake. I've heard bugs can be a real nuisance in Hawaii and was wondering what type of bug spray seems to repel the bugs the best? We'll be in Kauai and Maui during the first two weeks of Sept. How are the bug populations during these months?

((r)) Aloha dandrews42! Gosh, I can honestly say that in our many trips to Kauai, I've never found bugs, other than an occasional mosquito, to be a problem! We packed Deep Woods Off only to have on hand for our hiking for our last trip there last month, but other than that, we never used any bug repellant simply because bugs were never an issue. Don't know if that helps answer your question, but that's been our experience, just the same. Good luck!

Just a few more notes to answer and repley to:

Thanks to all for the notes on where to post pics. Imhave a busy week at work coming up, but will try to find some time to post ay least a few somewhere.

CRAZYLADYBUG: We love the Cliffs. Have owned timeshare there since 1987. Survived Iniki's wrath and continue to go back every year. It seemed to be in the best condition ever this year with a new on site manager we got. There are also permanent residents there, so you know the place is not going to fold like some timeshare places I've heard of.

DANDREWS42: There are mosquitoes in Hawaii. I don't get bothered by them, but my wife gets eaten alive unless she wears her DEET. Hawaii, being in the tropics also has roaches and some nasty looking centipedes that grow several inches long, but they are few and far between.

Skin So Soft by Avon is supposed to work. Don't eat bananas either. And I read it is good to bathe in Lavender or Eucalyptus. There will be critters and geckos everywhere you go. They don't hop on you though.

Rich, as a one year member of the "Kauai is heaven" club we are looking forward to going back next August, God willing. (My DH has recently developed a mysterious illness that has yet to be diagnosed.) Reading about Kauai and planning to go back are an escape for me and I eagerly read every word of your report. We are planning to rent a house directly on a secluded section of Anini Beach. Do you think that's a good beach to be based on? The owner says there is a calm lagoon directly in front of the house that is good for snorkeling and beginner kayaking. Welcome back, and now comes the hard part - getting your mind back from that island enchantment.

Maggi: Anini Beach is a fine beach to rent a house on. It is quiet, a very clam piece of water, views of the lighthouse and only about two miles off the main road, so not too far out of the way. Sounds like a great choice.

Glad to hear you had a wonderful time!!! Though I'm not surprised...;-)

Thanks for the report, Rich. How 'bout those pics?

aloha!

R'PA, Sorry I haven't gotten back to you but it looks like our FFFs <Fine Fodor Friends> have given you some good suggestions for posting you pics.
Let us know when/where.

Never really been bugged by bugs in all of our trips to the islands but we've always gone in the Nov thru Jan months.
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal

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