Kauai June 2005
 

I just booked our family vacation for Kauai this June. We are staying at Waimea Plantaion Cottages http://www.waimea-plantation.com/ for the first few nights (for touring Waimea Canyon), and renting a beach house called "Hale Aloha Kauai" in Haena for a week http://www.kauai-beachrental.com/ . This will be our first vacation in Hawaii, and our son will be 15 and our daughter 12. I have been combing through the posts, but would like more comments/advice on the following (especially if you have first-hand experience), keeping in mind the ages of our children, and where we'll be (I know it's a small island, but I want to limit the driving, and we plan to go back and visit areas that are not near where we'll be staying):

1. Waimea Plantaion Cottages (plus their on-site Spa)

2. Waimea Canyon Hikes (1-3 hrs. total)

3. Best Beaches for Swimming

4. Most Beautiful Beaches (even if not good for swimming)

5. Best place to be groceries for picnics and home cooked meals

6. Best restaurants for families

7. Best hikes for families (1-3 hours; we are all in moderately good shape)

8. Haena and other north shore villages.

9. "Hale Aloha Kauai": have you actually stayed there and/or seen the house?

10. Sightseeing by AIRPLANE (i.e. not the usual helicopter ride....it's much less expensive for our family of four)

11. Boat excursions to Na Pali Coast

12. Horseback riding on the north shore

Thanks!

Michelle

P.S. I forgot to ask: I've read a lot about the north shore having rough waters in the winter. Are they usually calmer in June? How about the rain? IS it the same year round?

we stayed at Poipu, and there is a great beach for the kids called Keiki Beach at Poipu Beach. Right across the street from Brennecke's Beach House restaurant. It's pretty good snorkeling there as well, in between the beach and the "little island' that's there. You'll see different fish if you go further west, on the same beach. There is a grocery store in Koloa, and get some portugese sausage there if you've never had it!

tommyd: Thanks! We bought snorkel gear in the FLoriday Keys a couple of years ago, so I guess we'll pack it for this trip! Thanks for the grocery store recommendation too!

Michelle

I can give you some info.

I've never stayed at the Waimea Plantation Cottages but I've been to their restaurant Waimea Brewing Co and seen the grounds. The restaurant is terrific and the grounds look very nice (what little I saw near the restaurant).

There are a lot of hikes in the Canyon. I can comment on 2 of them. The Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls is pretty cool (takes about 2-3 hours roundtrip) and not that difficult. You get amazing canyon views along cliffs and end up a the TOP of a waterfall looking down. I also tried the Pihea Trail (top of Canyon). I only did the first 3/4 mile of it because it started raining hard and the trail got EXTREMELY difficult the farther along we went. BUT the views on the coast are not to be missed so I would at least walk along the beginning of it for 10 minutes or so.

I think the views around Tunnels and Kee Beach are spectacular. Swimming here is dependent upon the waves, etc each day though.

A hike that I think should not be missed is the Kalalau Trail on the north side of the island. The views along this trail are really spectacular. I did a trip report on this one - try to look up my posts.

We are also going to Kauai in June 2005! This will be the first trip for our kids (ages 21, 18 and 16), and the second trip for my husband and me. We're staying at the Kauai Marriott (free with points).

The last time we were in Kauai, we went on Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures and had a BLAST! We went snorkeling (that was my first time snorkeling). The ride back was a little rough but very exciting.

We can't wait to get back to Kauai -- I think it's the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands.

I forgot to say that on Captain Andy's, we got to see the Napali Coast -- I'm not sure if their tours still go that way or not.

This past summer was our third trip to Kauai with our children who are now 17 girl and boy 13. Plenty to do for children. Snorkel cruise on the Na Pali coast highly recommended. HoloHolo charters was great. Helicopter ride was also fun. We did that our first time. I recommended buying the Ultimate kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty & Harriett Friedman. Get the current edition. Great reviews on beaches, restaurants and activities. Rent a car and check out the whole island. North shore beaches are beautiful. Go to Princeville for the sunset. Have a drink or dessert at the Princeville Hotel. When we stay in Kauai we stay at our timeshare in Princeville and then a couple of days on the south side of the island. really loved the Hyatt. Have a great trip.

Okay, first of all, get a copy of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed. This will answer a lot of your original questions, and I have found it to be invaluable for plannig our upcoming trip. It includes information on hikes, beaches, attractions, etc. (http://tinyurl.com/5wh5j)

We almost stayed at Hale Aloha, because we thought it looked fantastic -- If you want to read what happened, read my previous message entitled "Help! Need 3 BR Rental..." I'm over what happened, and it may actually be for the best since we are going in February and it would be much more rainy. We booked another rental in Poipu. You should enjoy yourself there, though!

Another person on this board is staying there, Ashley24. I know that she did a great deal of research into the house, so you may want to search for some of her older messages. I think you should be fine in that location in June. Kee Beach is right down the street from there, and there is a hiking trail there.

I do have the Aloha Kauai house rented for a week this summer. You can't tell by looking at any of the photos but there is another house in front of this one, blocking about half of the house's view of the ocean. I was curious since all of the views look kinda slanted in the pictures (on a diagonal, not straight on). The owner confirmed that there is a house in front that blocks the view in front of one of the master bedrooms. Just wanted you to know so you won't be disappointed upon arrival. The house itself looks wonderful to me!

Hey Slo...

1. No comment

2. Did part of the Kukui trail in Waimea Canyon, trying to get to the bottom and see the river. Dreadful, rocky, dusty, hothothot hike. See trip report for the full horrorshow. Also in the TR is our hike through the Alakai Swamp, which was very misty and surreal and way awesome.

3. Anini was good for swimming, with its long protective reef. My favorites are Tunnels and Ke'e, both backed by trees and drop dead gorgeous green mountain spires...they're like God's swimming pools. All were very calm and super turquoise when we were there in June, and Anini is famous for being calm because of the reef. We also swam at Poipu beach park, which was calm in the kids' protected area.

4. For beauty, Tunnels and Ke'e, just heart-meltingly gorgeous. We also visited Moloa'a Bay, which was very pretty and quiet and secluded. A morning walk along Hanalei Bay, with its views around the coast, was very peaceful.

5. We shopped at I think the Safeway in Kapa'a when we first arrived and then used the Foodland in Princeville later on. Both were good, and there's sandwiches from the deli along with pasta salads, sushi, etc for picnics. Stop at as many roadside fruit stands as you can, at the very least you'll walk out with a bag of juicy cut pineapple and a lei, and you'll discover something new every time.

6. Duke's at the Marriott in Lihue had lots of families and couples...good for a "nice" place that's not super fancy, but great laid back Hawaiian atmosphere, and right on the beach. Tropical Taco on the north shore was expensive but the food was good. You can sit outside or inside, very casual. Don't forget shave ice! We loved Wishing Well on the north shore and JoJo's in Waimea after a hot hike!

7. Kalalau trail was easy if a little muddy and offers tremendous views after only a few minutes. Another easy hike was up the dirt road past the arboretum near Wailua to get incredible views of the crater (filled with up to seven helicopters at a time), and you reach a rocky river/pool area at the end (the intrepid could hike through the muddy bamboo to a bigger pool/falls upstream; we went partway, a bit dangerous). Ultimate Kauai tells you precisely how to get there and the area at the end might be a nice spot to sit on the boulders and have a picnic.

8. Hanalei was fun, if tiny. It had a charming little bustle about it, and Ching Young Center was the place to be at night.

9. No comment.

10. We took a powered hanglider ride, which was OUTSTANDING, you really feel like you're flying, although you can only go one at at time (you and the pilot).

11. We did the all day kayak trip up the Na Pali coast, which was a wonderful way to see it. It's a long hot strenuous day, and now that I think about it, I don't think they take anyone under 16. Ohh, what a way to experience it though, to actually kayak under waterfalls cascading into the sea and to paddle into dark caves! You won't believe the color of the water out there, it's like electric turquoise jello!

12. No horsies for Roxy.

My TR is at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34508517. It's very long and has got TONS of info, and gives lots of details about what certain beaches, hikes, etc, are really like.

You will love staying near Waimea Canyon, not having to schlep out over 2 hours in the morning or back home in the evening.

Also, as I said before, we found the water to be quite calm pretty much all over the north shore last June. We stayed in Princeville and there were a few mornings that rained a lot, but usually cleared up by late morning. It did rain a lot at night. You'll hit passing showers too, but don't worry too much about that. When we were at Ke'e, you could see the weather rolling in...sun, then rain, then sun...no one got out of the water, just let it pass!

love
roxy

WOW! Talk about "Ask and ye shall recieve.....!" I love how I can always rely on this forum for enthuiastic and helpful comments. I will make a printout..... Yes, I've purchased the latest "Ultimate Kauai Guidebook." It's seems so good, I feel sorry for the locals! Hey Roxy, are the "No comments" because you really don't have a comment, or because your mama always taught you not to say anything if you didn't have somethin'ice to say....?! Thanks Ashley_24 for the "Heads up" on the Haena beach house.....I guess "That" room will go to my 11 year old daughter! I'll also make sure well ahead of time that no one is booked along with us! Thanks again everyone for everything, and keep the comments coming.... If you want to email me something that you don't feel appropriate to publicly post (some people might not be able to bring themselves to a scathing public review), please feel free to email me at [email protected]

I'll do some continued research and get back to you in about 42 more days.;)

But, I can't wait to have a big platter of nui nachos at the Waimea Brew Co right next door to The Cottages. =P~

Oh, I forgot to mention that I promised Ashley24 that I would do some reconnaissance on the Hale Aloha house while I'm on Kauai in late Feb. (If for no other reason than to shake my fist at the other party staying there!) Look for my trip report in mid-March and reply with your email -- I'll fill you in on what I found out. :)

Jen

RE: no comment

No, I just really have no information to provide!

love
roxy

SloPugs,

Lots of great advice here, but I'll throw in my two cents worth.

1.Never been, so I can't comment.

2.The Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls in Waimea Canyon was a very gratifying hike that I would suggest. Great views except the falls were posted for lepto, so we could not frolic in the water.

3.Makua (Tunnels) and Ke'e for swimming and snorkeling. I personally love Makua. It is so serene and lovely.
We also actually liked swimming in Hanalei Bay. It was as calm as a pool. Sandy bottom, so not much too see, but it was a great place to swim laps and float around.

4. Makua.

8. Haena is a rural residential area and I would not really call it a village. Hanalei is a the nearest town to Haena.

11. We took Holoholo to NaPali and Nihau. It was a great trip. We were out for 7 hours and spent about an hour snorkeling in the clearest water I've ever seen off of Nihau. Too bad I got sick on the way back. ROUGH!

Kaua`i is simply the best of the islands.

Have a great trip.

-Bill

Hopefully you are still checking this post! I recently stayed at Hale Aloha Kauai and plan to do so again in 2005 (already booked!). It is set back from the ocean front by an empty lot, maybe a 30 second walk to the water (75'?). Standing on the back lanai if you look to the left side there is another open lot that runs the entire length of the property. To the right there is a house that partially blocks the ocean view from one of the master bedrooms, so you can put the kids in there! There is another back bedroom with twin beds (no ocean view). Overall, the view is still great, and you will hear the waves all night. The house itself is awesome. The internet site does not do it justice. It is a large pole house with a long stair case in front and back. The interior was clean, beautiful, bright, new, with tile floors throughout and granite counters in the kitchen. The main body of the house consisted of a living area with widescreen tv and awesome sound system, next to that a "reading" area or sitting area, next to that is the formal dining area and kitchen. This whole area was really one giant open impressive spot with high ceilings. It is a block from the main highway so it is very quiet. The beach was completely empty - no tourists as there is no real road access. I did not care for the sand much - it was shell sand and hard to walk on (as in I used too many muscles during my strolls). I heard you can snorkel during the summer right in front of the house, or walk to Tunnels. I can't wait to return this fall!

Thanks Lokelani~

sounds good to me! Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you enjoyed the house. When are you going back?

Michelle (a.k.a. Slo Pugs)

Lokelani:

P.S. So, how was the rest of the trip? Anything you particularly liked or didn't like?

Sorry Michelle, my computer decided to rid itself of the internet for a few days. I'm only now back up (12/21). I am going back to Kauai in late August. It will be my 3rd trip to Kauai in 3 years, and my 7th to Hawaii. We usually stay 1 week in Poipu and a week on the north shore. We were at the beach house in October. I love the north shore so much, but I have a major problem getting bit by insects on the north shore only, any time of year, even covered with spray. Ke'e Beach at the end of the road was so stunningly beautiful. The prettiest beach in the world, but I must have been bitten 30 times by sand dwelling insects? Arrive early (before 10) and you can park easily. There are a few caves to check out on the way, and Tunnels Beach. There is also good hiking at Ke'e. The drive to Ke'e from the house is less than 10 minutes. I suggest grocery shopping on the way to Haena at Safeway in Kapa'a or Star Market in Lihue, and for dry goods (mac nuts, cereal, soda, cookies, best prices on milk, butter,eggs)at Wal-Mart in Lihue. The selection isn't the greatest when you go north, it is expensive, and it is a long drive back to Kapa'a. The house has basic spices and is very well equipped with pots/pans/dishes. They have a BBQ grill on the lanai, too. They also have a lot of beach chairs, mats, sand toys down in a first floor closet. I really liked the warm outside shower and the very good washer/dryer. It rains a lot on the north shore, and did so every night and part of the day while we were there, but it is a warm rain. I did get bit at night on the lanai at the house. In terms of north shore food, we like Hanalei Mixed Plate - casual, variety, and you eat outside. The Princeville Hotel has good food, evening snack entertainment (like hula) and a view to die for. Hanalei town is the "happening" spot on the north shore, with shops and a nice beach.

I have 2 young children so we are always on the hunt for child-friendly places. We love Poipu Beach. It has something for everyone, and the smoothest snorkling/swimming around. You can get shave ice across the street at Brennecke's deli. There is a beautiful, wild beach called Maha'ulepu not too far from Poipu. You drive through cane fields and come to a fantastic abandoned beach. CJM Stables has horses there, and our friends had a great time riding along the ocean. Not sure if the north shore stables are on the ocean. Good food on south shore-Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo, Keoki's Paradise in Poipu (more upscale), Koloa Fish Market (take away only), Grinds near Hanapepe (breakfast was good, but service is SLOW), and the Hawaiian food place in Hanapepe is excellent (there is only one). I hope I've helped you. If you want me to email you pics of the house, let me know. I have some good ones of the view from the lanai. I also suggest the book, The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman. A very good guide book!

I would love to see pictures of the house! My email is: [email protected]

Thanks Lokelani!

You may email the pix to [email protected]

I would love that.

Thanks Lokelani!

You may email the pix to [email protected]

I would love that.

I will e-mail pics shortly. You will see there has been some clearing of the lot in front of the house in order to sell it/make it more appealing. I think the asking price is over $ 3 million, and not expected to sell soon at that price.

Waimea Plantation Cottages - drove up to them on my last trip Sept 04 but was not impressed. You will notice that the web site does not show the inside. The area around them is rather funky.

Poipu beach is a good swimming beach and Nurses Beach (can't think of the real name) on the north shore is the most beautiful.

Have done Capt Andy's for snorkeling excursions 4 times and although we have tried others, his is the best but not cheap.

There is a new thing in Kauai Tubing but it sells out quickly so make your reservation as soon as you get there. There are brochures at the airport.

Restaurants:

Camp House Grill around Hanapepe I think is a funky small good restaurant They have another one in the shopping center in Kapaa but I prefer the original (I hope the origianl is still there - havent been in a few years. Keoki's Paradise in Poipu Village Shopping center has fabulous atmosphere that your kids might enjoy - very tropical. Roy's in the same shopping center is fabulous but very expensive and perhaps something that you and your husband should do for a special dinner together.

Many people like the Beach House but I don't think the food is that great anymore but the view is wonderful at sunset. There are some great parks on the beach where you can have a picnic supper or bar-b-que.

I've been 10 times to Kauai and I never get tired of it. Aloha

We were in Kauai in Feb and stayed at the Hyatt, however, we did tour the cottages because we were curious. They are very old,outdated and didn't smell very good but were amply sized. The kitchen appeared to be fully-equipped. The grounds are beautiful and there is a small pool down by the water. The canyon is a paradise in itself. There are many wonderful beaches. There is a restaurant by the cottages called "Wranglers". Wonderful steaks and vegetables.