Our family is planning a trip to Hawaii in November. We will be in Oahu first for a few days and then in Kauai for a week followed by Maui for the last week. We have been to Lanai and Maui before, but first timers in Oahu and Kauai. I desperately need some recommendations for off the beaten path adventures and unique places that are often overlooked. Any recommendations for a B&B in Oahu would be great or a small boutique hotel.

My son went on a horseback trail ride on Kauai and loved it. Went to an area where they filmed Jurassic Park. Go to http://www.keapana.com to check it out. We also liked Polihale beach but you must be careful not to get car stuck in the sand on the way.

Kauai is the most "natural" and untamed of the islands. I grew up there and can tell you it's just beautiful.

Having said that however, many of these wonderful areas do have some risk involved in reaching them. Mainly, the terrain. Count on the hiking paths being worn and muddy/slippery if it rained (which it probably did on Kauai). Any drive off the paved roads should be taken with caution. The beaches are also wonderful, but again, many are open and not protected by reef, so the currents can be strong.

Again, if you want to get "off the beaten path," just make sure you take necessary precautions.

Staying ON the beaten path is just as fun though!

Enjoy!

Ke'e Beach - Kauai; located at the end of the road on the North shore, at the foot of the Na Pali Coast Trail. I don't know how "over-looked" this beach is but it is my favorite on the island. Great for snorkeling/swimming, inside the reef.

Suggest you pick up a copy of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - Kauai Revealed. It is a good guidebook. Good maps, descriptions of beaches and directions to get to places. Take their restaurant reviews worth a grain of salt though.
-Bill

Aloha dcgc,

Love O'ahu & would highly recommend Richard Sullivan's, "Driving & Discovering Hawaii, O'ahu"... great pics and a wealth of info including maps.

You might also want to check out this recent thread titled, "Why I Love O'ahu, Too"... http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34515901

Aloha and happy planning.

I also like the Ultimate Kauai Guide for "adventures". The book has great maps (but their restaurant reviews stink.)

There are several blurbs and or directions that allude to trespassing. Skip those; these guide books have created a lot of animosity on the islands but responsible vacationers (like Fodorites) will undoubtably respect private property signs.