Here is my KAUAI trip report- thanks for all of the great info I got from this site...

Visited Kauai April 15 - April 24

Stayed at Kapaa Sands-www.kapaasands.com phone 1-800-222-4901 condos- clean, quiet and when we opened our sliding glass door about 30 feet or so to a small slope down to our own beach! Loved it- the bathrooms weren't luxurious and we had a murphy bed but we loved it.

Dining:
Kintaro 808-822-3341- within walking distance of the Kapaa Sands- right on main highway- no view of ocean but... japanese, sushi bar, teppan tables and more. We sat at the sushi bar- glad we got there early place fills up- very popular.

Tip Top Cafe- 808-245-2333- in Lihue-great banana and macadamia nut pancakes, very local little place- no view but good service, clean, not overpriced

Beach House 808-742-1424- on Lawai road in Poipu-- glad we had reservations- top spot for sunset- wonderful bar area and we had a perfect table for sunset- we could walk right outside from our table and take pictures of the sunset- very romantic- did not feel like we were in a restaurant full of people- great service--

Bubba's Burgers-808-823-0069- right on highway in northern Kapaa- the S.O.B. burger is the best!! Kind of small but very tasty with chili on it-- quite a treat after ATV riding. Nice patio- no view of the ocean but nice to sit outside !Priced right and good burgers!

The Point at the Sheraton - Poipu-great place for drinks and appetizers at sunset--
4-5 pm on weekend nights they had live music, hula dancing and free mai tais. Get there early for the best tables- right near the water!! Went there twice- Banana drink was amazing- didn't even taste the alcohol- maybe there wasn't that much in it. Food was good- service a little slow so just relax and enjoy the view and the music.

Keoki's Paradise-808-742-7534- Poipu Shopping Village in Poipu-- waterfalls, thatched roof huts-a lot of ambiance-- fun place to eat-- lunch we had was actually one of our better meals.

Luau at Smiths- 808-821-6895- my first luau we have ever been to- wish I had worn more "hawaiaan attire" by this I mean- either a tropical dress or a wild tropical shirt or something. Make sure to take the tram so you can see all the gardens, peacocks and get an idea of what is going to happen. The show was pretting entertaining- loved all the dancing- not much for the music-- wish there was more live music but the performances and costumes were very well done including a guy that danced with fire.
Would definitely recommend the LUAU to anyone visiting the island.

The Terrace at the Hyatt-808-742-1234 incredibly beautiful- waterfalls- swans, koi pond- large open airy- attentive staff/service- food enjoyable, ahi appetizer perfect- not crowded.

Tidepools at the Hyatt -808-742-1234-
Reservations a must! Very romantic for a dinner after sunset. No view of the office that we could tell- Very quiet- can hear the ocean- had dinner there after we got married so for that it was perfect.

Dukes Canoe Club-808-246-9599- parking next to Anchor Cove at the beach- near Kalapaki Bay- We were downstairs with a table with a view of the sidewalk, the beach and the water- good drinks- service a little slow. BUt overall we enjoyed it here- we just had drinks, some appetizers- that was our dinner.. Really enjoyed the drinks!

Hanama'ulu Cafe Tea House and Sushi Bar-- 808-245-2511- on hwy 56 just outside of Lihue in Hanama'ulu -- from the outside it doesn't look like much but inside it is an oasis-- the sushi bar is next to an almost indoor koi pond with bonsai trees and very intimate. Our sushi chef also owns a fish market in Hanamaulu-- he would only serve us the freshest fish and served us some traditional dishes also. No view here but a world in itself. Would definitely go back here.

Hanapepe Cafe- 808-335-5011 -- either we were too early in the season or something- we drove here to Hanapepe on Thursday and everything was closed. We came back and had lunch on a friday. All vegetarian entrees at lunch- had an open faced sandwich with veggies like tomatoes cucumbers squash, and salad. Green Garden restaurant was closed at lunch on Friday and closed Thursday.

Cafe Coco-808-822-7990- tucked away from the highway across from Kintaro's- a great place on Friday night- live hawaiian music and hula dancing and wonderful food!! Fresh fish dishes created in unique and flavorful ways.
Desserts were a treat also!! Go on Friday for the live entertainment- outside under the trees-!!

SHAVE ICE-- we had shave ice from 4 different places- in our order of favorites
top choice... Hawaiianblizzard.com-- shave ice stand in front of the BIG SAVE in Kapaa--finest shave ice, best price for the size cup and most flavorful!!! No set hours but we kept looking for him and his cart-- the best on the island!!!
2. Wishing Well SHave Ice- in a white truck in Hanalei-- good flavors- pretty good size and nice places to sit..

3. Jo JO's Clubhouse in Waimea- the kid who made ours made it mishapen or maybe since he did the ice part first for 10 people it had started to melt before he put the flavor in.. yes the most flavors but the longest wait and most disappointing. But when you want shave ice it is worth the wait.

4. across from Kapaa Arts Fair in a green building near where they sell Red Dirt shirts.. He also takes kayak tours to Bali and sells beautiful sarongs that are designed and made locally. Again when you are craving shave ice it will do but it is not the best and he had few flavors..

Activities:
Air Kauai Helicopters-808-246-4666 Byron was our pilot and he was very attentive to the photographers on board making sure everyone got a shot of what he was showing us. Felt very safe. nice mix of talking and music- large windows and the pilot would turn the helicopter so everyone got an opportunity to take a good photograph.

Kipu Ranch Adventures 808-246-9288, www.kiputours.com, very friendly group works here and they all love their jobs. Even when I called late at night for directions to get there they were very cheery and gave me very detailed directions on finding them. Provided all the gear and since I was a first timer, trained me on riding and maneuvering my own ATV. We definitely would go there again and it rivaled the helicopter!! Tours are 3 hours and longer- and you do get to swing on a rope in the same place off the same tree that Indiana Jones used in the movie.

Snorkel -Seafun Kauai 808-245-6400- small group excellent for beginners like myself- the guide is very knowledgable and sensitive to the groups needs. Saw wonderful fish and some went out and swam with the sea turtles.
They provide wet suits lunch goggles everything you need.

Wedding:
We used Lori at COconut Coast Weddings and Photography to help coordinate everything.

Coconut Coast - 1-800-585-5595 or www.kauaiwedding.com

Flowers- Flowers Forever 2979 Kalena Street, Lihue, Kauai 1-800-646-7579, Alan Tada owner
cascade bouquet in all whites/creams- catalaya orchids, dendrobium orchids, stephanotis tuberose very fragerent with tropical greens and ivy. One masculine lei,KUKUI NUT LEI, WITH MOCK ORANGE LEAVES, & SHELLS. MASCULINE LOOKING. VERY LONG LASTING.

Cake- www.suzidatebar.com, 1-808-822-9040
triple chocolate cake decorated with tropical flowers.

Dress= destinations by Mon Cheri- www.moncheribridal.com -can order with not a lot of lead time style 15157

Photography- Chastain Studio-- www.chastainstudio.com

Pastor: Harold Kilborn- Old Koloa Church
808-742-9956 phone - ceremony combined jewish and christian elements.

I think that about does it-- hope it is helpful to someone. More info email me
[email protected]


Well I think that pretty much

First of all, congratulations and best wishes on you nuptials! Sounds like your trip was everything you wanted it to be, and your excellent and detailed trip report is most appreciated. Good luck and many more happy travels to both of you!

Congratulations on your recent nups aprilmay. And, thanks for the great trip report.

Where is Seafun Kauai located?

Aloha April!

Many congratulations to you and your DH... would love to see some photos, esp. your wedding day as you have described your dress and flowers... I hope to renew our vows in Hawaii on our 25th anniversary.

Mahalo for the wonderful report... many years of joy in your marriage.

thanks for a wonderful trip report and congratulations to both of you~

Congratulations on you marriage. And thank you for the very helpful posting. I, too, would love to see pictures- even of that cake with tropical flowers, I'll bet everything was gorgeous, but not as gorgeous as the bride!

thanks for all of your wonderful wishes-- what a great group here!!! And my husband and I look forward to planning our next vacation with help from fodorites like all of you!! THANKS

Congrats, what a wonderful way to begin your married life. Thank you for the wonderful trip report. I love reading Kauai TR's, they bring back such wonderful memories.

I have a question regarding Kipu Ranch ATV. I also loved this tour, were either of your guides named Tom or Alfred? Just wondering if they were still working their.

I honestly don't remember the name of our guide- he was kinda young-- we lucked out tho' it was just my husband and I on the trip!!

I would definitely go back and do the ATV-- we went in the morning and it was so beautiful!! I will definitely post pictures as soon as I get some posted-- aprilmay