Hi. I am insanely excited to be going on a giant trip with my extended family to Kauai this winter, from December 20 - January 3. We'll all be staying at the Hyatt Regency at Poipu.

Questions for all (especially you, Kal, as you seem to be familiar with this area at this time of year):
1) We're looking to do 3 or 4 big group activities with everyone (about 25 of us). The youngest child is about 10, the oldest adult is about 80 (but very young-at-heart and active), and we'll have the whole gamut of middle-agers, teens, etc. What are some activities/road trips that we absolutely should not miss?
2) My wife and I are 28 & 26. We'd like to get away from the pack for a day or two for experiencing the beauty of the island on our own. Any suggestions for some romantic daytrips?
3) The smaller kids especially are going to need to be entertained. Suggestions?
4) Food! Should probably have listed this first, since we're all foodies. What are the best restaraunts on the island, especially near Poipu?

Basically, I'm asking for feedback of any sort to satisfy:
My greater family's desire to do memorable things as a group
and
My desire to experience Kauai as a local - to find "diamonds in the rough" and explore things (and restaurants) off the beaten path.

Aloohaaaa,
About the only thing that you may rule out in doing over Dec/Jan is the raft trip of the NaPali since the surf conditions aren't too reliable that time of year..I did say "may" tho, so...

ATV tours, hiking (let it dry out iof a big rain goes thru or else you'll get a case of the "red-muds"), movie tour, kayaking, all should be able to accomodate a large group.

Any of you golf?
The Kiahuna course in Poipu is nice and cheaper than the Poipu Bay. If you get a lot of people, call the ProShop and see if they'll give you a group discount? Worth a shot.
Kukuilono is the public courswe up in Kalaheo. 9 holer, cheap and beautiful views of the Poipu/Westend/Waimea Canyon area.
I bet some helicopter tours would give you a group discount, too.

As for restaurants, just type "Kauai retaurants" in the text search.
I start salivating just thinkin' about them!

The Hyatt should have all sorts of suggestions for your keikis activities.
That's one thing we dunno 'bout!
there are several movie theaters that show first run movies.

And since you're be there about 27 days before us, don't ruin our string of good weather that we always seem to get over the past upmteen years. ;-)
Drop me a line if you want. Never too busy to "talk story" about Kauai.
Mucho mahalos!
Kal

We did almost the same time frame at the Hyatt Kauai 2 years ago Christmas. It was a great hotel and a wonderful vacation. The pool is amazing and has spoiled my family into expecting such a wonderful lagoon type pool every where we go. One thing I would recommend is making dinner reservations for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day well in advance (weeks). Even if you don't celebrate christmas religiously, it is a time when the restaurants are packed. We were fortunate to enjoy a fabulous Christmas dinner at Roy's (highly recommend a meal or two there!)There is a nice italian restaurant at Kiahuna Plantation in the old plantation house. We found the restaurant "Tidepools" at the Hyatt a little disapointing food wise but nice tropical atmosphere. Brenneke's Beach Broiler is great for informal dining, especially good for fish. As far as activities go, I would recommend the lighthouse sanctuary park on the way to Princeville. It might be boring for teens, but nice for all others. We have amazing cam corder footage of the whales jumping, splashing and playing there. Last but not least I would expect a large group such as yours would have a fantastic time at a Luau. We don't usually frequent them (In my opinion, once or twice is plenty)but I can see how a large group might really be able to make the best of the situation! Have a great time, wish we were part of your family!

Look for shells for crafts with the kids at Barking Sands Beach.
You gotta go to Dali Deli.
Don't they still have the luau in Lihue?
I would pack a picnic and go out to the beach just past the Hyatt down the dirt road.
You have to take a family group beach photo too!! Maybe have everyone dress in blue colors.
A real small hole in the wall that we like for Mexican food is La Bamba.
You can just go shopping at the square and sit to watch hula entertainment.

I second the suggestion to make dinner reservations for those holiday dates waaaaaaaaaay in advance, especially for a group your size. (We had T-Giving dinner at the Hyatt's Ilima Terrace and enjoyed it.)

The smaller kids can be entertained in the pool all day, they will never want to leave.

I have always enjoyed the National Tropical Botanical Gardens tour, office located near the Spouting Horn in Poipu. The adults and teens would enjoy the tour as there are loads of tropical plants, outdoor garden fountains and sculputures. And....they show you some areas that were scenes from Jurassic Park. Remember the huge tree with the dinosaur eggs in the roots? It's in this garden. Tours are by reservation and cost $30/person, but I felt well worth it. Easy slow walking tour for the elders too.