PlumeriaTattoo - was the pizza place you're speaking of possibly named Paradise Pizza, right next to Wrangler's in Waimea? We discovered this place on our trip in February and loved it - great pizza at reasonable prices!

Yes, I think it was Paradise Pizza where we ate lunch on the way to the canyon! Thanks! We had some concoction with zucchini, pineapple and a bunch of other stuff that was out of this world! Ate outside and watched the chickens. I'd kill for another slice of that stuff.

PlumeriaTattoo -just don't kill the chickens for another slice of that pizza!~gt;

LOL margot55! No actual killing for the pizza, but I'm thinking I need some POG juice also! I hate cravings for things I can't have. Boy I miss Kauai.

#39;( I'm with ya on those sentiments, PT!

Now wouldn't that be a hoot!!! Our newly named KKK putting that other &^%$@)*&%KKK out of business. Good times!!! Like auntie said, do that trip everyone will enjoy at the stables. Pull that blue thing out of the trash, and make your way to Polihale/BarkingSands beach, making your way to Queen's bath if the surf is up....add that to your visit to Waimea. Good times!

...As Groucho Marx said, "I wouldn't join any Klub that would have me as a member!"

lvk
1)Are you aware that the walk to the beach takes 8 minutes from your hotel? May not be good for someone 70+ yo or for anyone with chairs, bags, refreshments etc. I think this resort sits atop the bluff and the climb is steep. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
2) IMO you can see plenty of Kauai without a helicopter but if your heart is set on it - enjoy!
3) Waimea canyon drive will take you the better part of a day. Once you get to the town of Waimea from Princeville then you'll be winding up a steep grade for quite a while. And what goes up must come down. ; ) Again if your heart is set on it go ahead. It's lovely but a very scaled down version of the Grand Canyon. Absolutely don't go if it's raining and cloudy. There probably won't be much visibility up there.
4) I'm not a big fan of the Fern Grotto, v. touristy.

Thanks, all, for the additional replies. The Fern Grotto has now been crossed off the list in favor of the NTBG.

I am aware of the walk down to the beach from the HBR. I am also aware that the chairs and hammocks there are for Princeville Hotel guests only. (For $450/nt, they can have them!) I refuse to let any of this dampen my Aloha spirit.

Also, MIL walks her dogs a couple of kilometers a day through all kinds of miserable Bavarian weather. She also trekked through the Costa Rican rainforest with us last year. She should be fine (I swear, she'll outlive us all.)

Our plan is to get the kids and Oma all worn out, so they crash at night in the condo, while we escape to the Happy Talk or Living Room.

We had a great experience on the Air Kauai helicopter ride. Huge windows, seats 6, and the intelligent pilot has a nice balance of informative discussion and QUIET, i.e. doesn't feel the need to constantly chatter. This company also gives a nice tour of Waimea Canyon, which might be a better option than driving to the Canyon and second-guessing that the weather holds.

The downside for you is that Air Kauai is HQ'd at Lihue airport. Still, it is not THAT far from Hanelei Bay Resort (we stayed there, as well as the Hyatt Poipu, a few days each.) You might want to book a late morning/ early afternoon flight.

'By the way, believe anything Auntie Maria tells you. She is an excellent source of good, hospitable information.

Bill,
A Democrat!!!! Who knew?

lvk, Just remember "Plan B".

One of our fave "hikes" is to park at the big tree at the first big right turns on the road to Polihale, a few "washboard miles" in...go up over the big sand dune and walk all the way to the NaPali Cliffs.

Find out what time the sunset is and try and time you walk to be coming back at sunset.

I finally got our personal computer up and running and got the chance to down load all the '04/05 Kauai pics....Got some good 'uns of Happy Talk Lounge.

233 mo' days!!! \/

I have disavowed the KKK =D>, am showing up and am ready to be useful!

The other beach that is great for snorkeling is Hideaway. Park just before the Princeville Hotel and in between the tennis courts and the condos is a path that takes you DOWN to a cute little beach with nice water, few people and great snorkeling if the surge is down.

Another beach that we have yet to try, but is on our list for July is Larsens. Kaua`i revealed mentions it and it sounds like it can have great snokeling if the conditions are right.
It is a research opportunity!

I would find a spot on Hanalei Bay, plop yourself down and soak it in. There will be waterfalls, rainbows, sunshowers and fluffy clouds and it is all for free! Less is definetly more in Kaua`i.

-Bill

Allerton (NTBG) is a wonderful garden; my wife and I have visited it on all three of our trips to Kauai. (Try to get Al for your tour--he's a great guide.) Another option closer to where you're staying is the astonishing Na Aina Kai in Kilauea; check out their web site for information. The views at Limihuli are spectacular; if you decide to visit it,however, you should definitely take a guided tour. My wife and I also love the Moir Cactus and Orchid Garden at Kihuana Plantation in Poipu and the charming gem of a Japanese garden at the Kikuioloni Golf Course--yes, the golf course-in the Kalaheo area on the western side of hte island.

Plumeria,

I make my own POG in L.A.! My boyfriend says they used to have it when he was little in northern California, but I've never seen it. I buy each ingredient separately and mix!

love
roxy

Don't forget the bug repellent at the NTBG - if you're like me, you'll need it (but I didn't use it and spent three days in itchy agony). Dear Hubby got 2 bites that disappeared in hours.

Bag the Fern Grotto unless you're going to kayak the Wailua and do the Secret Falls hike (which is probably too long for kids & MIL). It's not a garden, just a cave covered in ferns. Big whoop.

I've stayed in Princeville a couple of times (with kids, younger than yours) and here's some suggestions for you.

We had a great hike in Waimea - amazing views and its relatively easy. My 5 year old did it. Do check on the weather. A great way to get some views of Na Pali w/out having to actually hike it.

Another thing we did w/kids (and they loved) was kayak the Hanalei River.

No need to get a guide for snorkling, although you'd probably learn a lot if you did. Just get some decent gear and take it to every beach you go to. Some of the best snorkling on the north side is Kee and Tunnels - just be careful and don't step on the reefs! I saw several people do this and it drove me crazy.

Spend as much time as possible on the beach at Hanalei Bay. The best beach ever for just swimming and enjoying unreal scenery, w/a great town right there. You could also take surfing lessons too, which most of my family did, and loved it.

The catamaran trips are not what they used to be, since they can no longer leave from the north side. So you'd have to drive all the way around the island and then the boats don't get you to the really great parts of Na Pali - they don't have time. Locals have told me this, but confirm this when you get there.

Never did the helicopter thing, although I would like to. There's so much to do we never have enough time, despite spending 2 weeks there each time.

You should hike at least a small part of Na Pali (maybe not the 70 year old.)

Have fun in paradise....

I'm pretty sure there are a couple of companies that can still leave from the north shore to cruise Na Pali, but I'm too lazy to figure out what they are right now. Anyone remember which ones?

love
roxy

roxy,

Howz'bout the Northshore Napali Cruise Co?
Hey....you can be lazy I can be, too!

Can't recall if I have our E-mail addy but I got a Kauai Pic for you. Finally d'loaded all my pics from Dec'04 /Jan '05 pics and started laffin' when I saw the one I took esp 4U!

Trust me...I'm a Fodorite!!!

If MIL has a difficult time walking down to the beach, hop in the car and drive over to the Princeville Hotel. They have an elevator that goes down to their pool/bar area down at the beach. If you order a nice drink from their bar, you don't feel quilty for using their elevator down! The views are unbelivable from that beach. You might try a meal at the Princeville restaurants, or on the outside patio of the Library bar. I think your MIL would enjoy the canyon and there are places you can walk up to, but as others have said, don't bother going if the weather is bad there. We liked snorkeling at Ke'e and Tunnels beach. If the kids are uncomfortable being out in the ocean, or aren't strong swimmers, there is a beach (Lydgate? something like that, it's in the book) where they are an area closed off from the ocean that kids can snorkle. We didn't like it, too crowded, but we might be tempted to go there if we were taking kids.