We'll be in Kauai from Jan 11th for 11 nights, I have heard that the helicopter tours should not be missed. It sounds horrifically expensive, but is it a must do? recommended companies?

I have another question, and this one is going to sound out there, but I am a photographer, and one of my passions is photographing old industrial sites, many of the sugar processing plants have been shut down on Kauai, is anyone who lives on Kauai aware if any of these are still there and possible to visit? (dont worry, I wont spend to much of my time in paradise at an old rusty ruin)!

If you are OK with the safety risk it is worthwhile IMHO, because much of Kaua`i is inaccessible by other means.
Here is a link to a previous similar discussion:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34393088

I recall an inoperative sugar processing plant in an unmissable location between Lihue and KuKui Grove shopping center (Where Kmart, Sears, and ~o)Starbucks) are. I think there is an active one you can visit on Maui.

If you don't get airsick, if you're not concerned about the safety issue, and if the cost isn't prohibitive, it really is a must. It's a shame that it is so costly because the helicopter ride was the highlight of our trip to Kauai. Despite that my wife uses the barf bag on every helicopter ride, she would do it again without thinking twice were it not for the cost issue.

Since you're a photographer, try to contact organizations in advance. Some companies use helicopters with windows that open and will work with you about placing you in the seat that is next to the one and only open window. I gather from something I saw here at Fodors that some companies also use helicopters with no doors.

soboyle:

Aloha from the north shore of Kaua`i...

Only 15% of this garden island is visible to the average tourist; the helitour will leave you wanting to sign up for another tour. 8-) I haven't had an urge to do the open-door tour out of Pt. Allen, but lots of folks seem to enjoy it. We've flown Air Kaua`i repeatedly, and our photos were worthy of enlarging to 8x10, framing, and hanging in our house.

As for the sugar mills, the one in downtown Lihu`e is very accessible -- and the growth of foliage through the rusting machinery now, is luring a steady stream of photographers. You can also access the mill in Kekaha -- still in operation (complete with our famous red dirt & dust!), so the trucks and all the commotion can be part of the photos also.

If you don't have a digital camera, bring plenny film!

Many thanks for all the replies, even though we are on a somewhat tight budget I think we should spring for the helicopter ride, sounds like it shouldn't be missed.
And thanks for th tips on the old sugar mills, I will look into the one in Lihue. I understand that there is one just north of Poipu as well that is no longer used, any info regarding that mill? That would be convenient to where I am staying.

The helicopter tour was the highlight of our time on Kauai. The views are breathtaking. It was a long time ago but I still remember the beauty of the rocky shoreline and being up close and personal to many waterfalls.

soboyle:

The mill near Po`ipu is fenced and gated...no closeups, but you'd only be a few yards away and a zoom lens would capture some good shots, I'm sure. There's also a closed sugar mill out toward Ele`ele -- beyond the coffee fields.

Hi

This past October my husband and I did the helicopter and waterfall landing with Inter-Island and it was the absolute highlight of the whole trip to Hawaiil. Now it is expensive but worth every penny. We apid $500 total. The grea thing is that the helicopter only holds 4 passengers and the pilot (JOhn in our case) and it has NO DOORS WOW!!! it was exciting and exhilerating. We got fantastic pictures with no doors. It is a little chilly so we wore windbreakers and jeans over our swimsuites. Inter-island was a excellent company to go with and we really enjoyed talking with our pilot John. The waterfall and picnic was very special and private but the water is cold so be prepared

Definitely go for it. We took our 4 kids ages 3, 9, 13 and 15 at the time and it was the highlight of their trip. We flew Jack Hartner (sp) Co. who were excellant but did have the crash I believe last year. Yes, it cost $1,000 almost 2 years ago, which was a huge chunk, but when I was planning our trip, one poster said, "It's like going to the Sistine Chapel and not looking up." That comment totally convinced me.

We just returned fom kauai 3 days ago. We flew the no doors option with interisland. The cost was $189 per person, but she reduced it 10% because we booked last minute and filled a spot. The winds were howling that day, so it was a bit bumpy( very exciting) but the trip was incredible. It was worth the money even on a cloudy windy day, but I'd like to try it again on a warm sunny calm day. Cheers, Al

Isn't there part of an old sugar mill in the little town square in Koloa town? Help me out here, Fodorites. The town is nr Poipu, where you say you're staying.
A few yrs ago there was an old sugar processing plant near the Waimea Plantation cottages. They used to give tours from the hotel, which were very interesting. The woman who gave the tour was the daughter of the sugar mill owner, if i recall correctly. Don't know if the old processing plant is still there, but it would be nr the turn-off to go up to Waimea canyon. Maybe if you call the hotel (Waimea Plantation Cottages?) they will know.
Now, as for the heli tours, I think it depends VERY much on how many other passengers are in it. If you are in the back seat, sandwiched between two or three other people, your vision and enjoyment will be limited. I realize this is almost sacrilege to suggest Please, be VERY careful of which company you go with and where they will position you within the "bird."
You can't necessarily generalize about companies. We flew on Air Kauai 6 yrs ago, and while my kids were up front with the pilot, I was squeezed in the back with THREE other people, one of whom weighed about 250 pounds and whose beer bellly ovelapped my knees. Yuck!! Thank God the kids took some photos from the front so i could tell later what I missed . It cost a small fortune, and in two more trips to Kauai, I've not retaken a helicopter ride. If I did, it would be in one of the open door ones. I've since returned twice to Kauai with friends and family, and spoken with other friends who went, and we all loved Kauai WITHOUT taking helicopter rides. Sure it can be absolutely fantastic, but i don't think you should feel like you're missing some incredible event if you don't do it .Maybe you would be, maybe you wouldn't. What I WOULD recommend, is if you are on a limited budget (which many of us are) is a boat trip instead, if the waters in January are calm enough.
Actually, I'm glad to see you mentioned "horrifically expensive." I've often thought that people are way too quick to non-chalantly recommend hotels, tours, etc that cost an awful lot of money, and somehow create the impression that you NEED a l ot of money to have a great time in Hawaii (or anywhere) when in fact, you can have a great time there on a limited budget!! Aloha!!

Soboyle, here's the site
http://waimea-plantation.com/
Well, they don't mention the old factory, so guess it is gone But the site has lots about the history of the sugar mill. These cottages were once the homes of sugar workers.

CaliNurse:

No sugar mill remains in Koloa -- maybe you're remembering the statues there which represent the various ethnic groups who worked the mill.

The mill tour you mention is Kaumakani -- on the highway between Hanapepe and Waimea:
http://www.gandrtours-kauai.com/

Here is info. on the Koloa sugar mill.

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/...ugar_mill.html.

Also see:

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/...ugar_mill.html

Thanks for the info about the sugar mill, exploring ruins tells a lot about a places history, and I'm always interested in doing that when I go someplace. I found this link with a few photos about the Lihue sugar mill, I think I will check that one out at least, and others if I get a chance. Of course I don't want to get hauled off to jail for trespassing while on vacation, so will have to tread lightly.
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/hi/...lantation.html

cawhite:

Re:
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/...ugar_mill.html
This is the Po`ipu mill I described in my 12/9 post. It's now closed, and behind locked gates (just off the bypass road between Koloa town and Po`ipu).

I don't miss the smoke from the burning cane fields, but I do miss the smell of molasses that always surrounded the Lihu`e mill...

Oh, OK. I have seen the Koloa Mill a couple of times and thought the first URL I listed was it!

Thanks for the correction Auntiemaria!

... or I guess it may have been the Poipu Mill I was thinking of all along!