makai1

Blooming Princeville

While I’ve read in other reports that Princeville is kind of stepfordish (glou) and really, IT IS!! I still enjoyed the drive up Ka Haku Road to the villa every single time. There is not one thing about it I did’nt like except maybe the speed bumps.

The landscaping is beautiful. The trees were breathtaking… African Tulip trees were abundant. EVERYTHING was in FULL BLOOM! I was constantly saying, breathe deep and SMELL!... especially on the stretch along the golf course... oohhhhhh the fragrance... it was amazing. We always had fresh flowers in our hair… mainly hibiscus and plumeria. Sis manages a floral shop, and so we called her our flower girl as she would often be the one out gathering the flowers. We would pick them right outside our door at the villa and at Pali Ke Kua. There was never a shortage of blooms. We also would put them in vases or floating in bowls with candles in the villa, pretty much in every room. If you’re in a condo or hotel room, just use your water glasses for vases. Nothing perks up a room like fresh flowers.

Does anyone know the timing of turning the fountain at the entrance to Princeville on? This baffled me. It was 11:00am and the fountain would be turned off… curious. :-?

Foodland is the only grocery store in Princeville. We stocked up our first day, and honestly I think we made pit stops in there just about daily. I had a Maika’i card from previous trips to Kauai which I made sure not to forget. Apply for one for those extra savings. I never added up what we spent there, but considering that we made about half of our dinners, and most of our breakfast and lunches, Im sure we spent a bundle there. We also stocked up with beer for the beach, wine for special times, and rum for mai tais & highballs for AuntM & Mom. The lei selection in the cooler as you walk in the door is very nice and very reasonable prices. Foodland made out on us!

There are a few little souvie shops here too. One of our favorites is the kiosk outside the Foodland for Hawaiian CDs. They have pretty much anything you’re looking for and will play it before you buy. My fav purchase here this trip was Makana Ki HoAlu, Journey of Hawaiian Slack Key. I love this CD…it plays consistently at my computer now.

There’s also a great little shop here of photography artwork by Brad Dawber called Nani Kauai Gallery. www.braddawber.com I ordered a beautiful 14 x 30 aerial shot of Manawaipuna Falls in a koa wood frame that I had shipped home. It hangs in my bedroom and I can hear the falls every time I look at it.

There’s a nice little cut back to the villa on Hanalei Plantation Rd. by the Police/Fire Station. Turn right and go past the Makai Golf Course (you’ll see the gate). This bypasses a bunch of speed bumps on Ka Haku Road. This cut and the cut over by the Foodland are gated and close at 8:00pm-ish every night.

makai1

Hanalei by the Bay

We spent a lot of time in Hanalei. Love, love, love it here. Honestly I dream Hanalei! AuntM does too now! The town is quaint, relaxed, filled with surfers, beautiful local residents, and lots of tourists passing through on their way to Kee Beach. Mom, AuntM and sis were all enamored with the Hanalei bridge… a fav familiar heartwarming sight for me.

We enjoyed brousing around the shops and the small kiosks in town. Tropical Tantrum in Hanalei's restored old school house is one my favorite shops for funky dresses… the fabrics are very flirty, and sis and I had fun trying on all the new styles. The sales gals were going all out trying to get us to buy shoes, scarves, shawls, jewelry. We would come out of the dressing room with a dress on and they’d start draping all this other stuff on us. What a hoot! \/ Their sales tactics were a little much for Mom and AuntM, but sis and I took it all in stride and had a blast. We each bought a new dress and met back up with Mom and AuntM at the Hanalei Gourmet for coffee and pie.

We also kept returning to the surf shop and Yellowfish Trading Co., a shop that carries wonderful vintage Hawaiiana clothing and trinkets. In the kiosk right in front of the Hanalei Gourmet, Mystic Island Creations, was a lovely gal named Hilda, pronounced Ilda, that beads exquisite jewelry. Her work is stunning. I had a bunch of questions about her techniques and supplies (I love to bead too!) and she was very gracious to share her secrets. She also made me promise not to tell. We bought a few pieces from her and enjoyed talking story with her during our frequent stops in Hanalei.

Across the street in Ching Young Village, I used Bali Hai Photo to copy to disk the memory cards for my camera… funny how those cards filled up so quick. They were extremely helpful and I found them to be much more convenient than trecking all the way down to Walmart for this service just to save a few bucks. My camera is a digital SLR with 6.3 megapixels, so the files are huge. I left the cards with them and they were ready to pick up within 2 hours. The manager was a gem to take care of copying these so quickly and efficiently and the prices were very reasonable. I highly recommend using them.

Make sure to check out all of the great murals painted throughout Ching Young Village.

My favorite surf shop was Kai Kane in the Halelea Building, next to Tropical Taco. Great tees for my boys back home and fun clothes for me. Hanalei is great for shopping and eating… I’ll get to the eats info later.

At this point I have to mention one of my fav shopping experiences in Hanalei… the farmers market. Hit the farmer's market in Hanalei on Saturday AM, 9:30 sharp, next to the church. One of the vendors had the sweetest pineapple I’ve ever tasted! Make sure to buy the apple bananas. You'll probably see auntiem there! The locals do shop for their weekly produce here, so be mindful and gracious… we are after all just visiting. Fresh leis, floral bouquets, potted orchids, woven hats, greens, and fruit.. this is the color and flavor of the north shore. Enjoy being here.
There is also a farmers market in Waipa on Tuesday mornings.

Also at the farmers market are crafters… mainly jewelry. There were a few gals there with Niihau shell leis, some of them combined with sunrise shells. Very nice pieces at affordable prices.


Haena

On the way to Haena is an honor system flower stand tucked mauka just before one of the bridges with the best mixed bunch you'll find for $10. You can always get flowers at either the Sat or Tues. farmers markets, too.

Everyone also loved all of the one lane bridges up here. The landscape is earthy, rugged, lush… words just cant describe it.

Theres a great little store up here, the Wainiha General Store as well as the End of the Rainbow shop where I bought some great beaded chokers for myself and a friend back home. I loved talking story with the locals.

makai1

Beaches & Snorkeling

Since Haena is on my mind lets talk about Makua Beach (Tunnels). Easy to miss and a parking space found is like gold, you either hit it or you don’t. It is a drop dead gorgeous beach. We were here twice… one rainy day, and we didnt stay… and another day that we didn’t stay too long… much to my dismay. Go with the flow. Next trip Ill be sure to spend many lazy days here. So I cant give a snorkel review, but Ive heard it is superb… just pull up iamqs latest report… hell hole something or other.

While many people love and rave about Kee Beach, I must admit that its just not one of my favorites. Maybe I just need to get here earlier in the day. The chickens are ruthless pushy beggars and I just found the sand to be, uh, well, dirty. If that makes sense. I did snorkel here and it was good… not great. The TOURISTS who insist on trecking (stepping, yes walking on) the coral at low tide (in ALL their stupidity) made me crazy!! OK, I'll calm down.

I hiked up to the hula platform while AuntM and Mom read on the beach. Its just beautiful up there. A very spiritual place. You cant help but start wiggling your hips up there. There was not another soul in sight, which maybe was'nt too smart to be up there alone, but I enjoyed the solitude. Sis and I had planned to hike the Kalalau Trail but just didnt get it in before she left.

My fav snorkeling beach and one not to miss is Hideaways Beach. Carry the bare minimum… a backpack with some water, a towel and most importantly your mask snorkel & fins. It is quite a hike back up. The water is crystal clear, especially in the morning and the fish are abundant. I enjoyed returning here many times. It’s beautiful, quiet and pristine.

My fondest memory… AuntMs first time in the ocean EVER was here. She and Mom heading out waist deep and bracing themselves against the waves was hilarious… we all laughed so hard. Here she has lived in northern cali most of her life and shes never been in the ocean!

She eventually put on the snorkel and mask, put her face in the water, jumping up 30 seconds later shouting, there are fish down here! I saw a really big fish. This was to be AuntMs favorite part of the trip. Snorkeling.

I gave one of my larimar earrings to a mermaid in the water here...

Coming back up the path was grueling for Mom & AuntM… don’t get me wrong, I was huffing & puffing too, but it was a pretty tough hike up for them. Carry the bare minimum.

Hanalei Bay is the winner of all around beach to go enjoy the day at doing nothing at all. Float on a noodle or boogie board… watch the kids playing everywhere… toast a brew… take a walk or run, have a picnic or grill out… youve just got to love Hanalei Bay. The backdrop for this lovely beach is the lush Pali… it really is pure heaven. ><

After the slack key concert just before sunset, sis and I headed over to Waioli Beach Park. I had packed a bottle of wine and we had a great talk while we enjoyed the wine and the relaxing atmosphere of the last bit of daylight at the beach. Well both remember that time for many years to come.

Another gem of a beach is Secret Beach also known as Kaupea. It’s about a 10-15 minute hike down a red dirt path. The view from the path opens up at the bottom to reveal golden sand and turquoise ink blue water. This beach is gorgeous. Sis and I came early one morning and enjoyed the shelling so much that we never even pulled our snorkels out of the backpack. The Kilauea lighthouse is visible from the beach and at the far east end were some great pools in the rocks for relaxing and cooling off. Don’t miss this one.

Anini Beach was active with kite surfers the days we were there. It was facinating watching them put in at the east end of the park. This beach is a wonderful spot for chillin out. Very calm waters because to the protective reef, and its just a great place to take a swim and relax. We didn’t snorkel here either.

makai1

Activities

Sis and I went to the Slack Key Concert in Hanalei by Doug and Sandy McMaster. Afterward sis told me that it put everything about Kauai into context for her… to learn the history of this traditional old style ki hoalu (slack key) changed the way she experienced Kauai... it was very moving for both of us. You can actually hear the palm trees rustling, and the ocean waves, the spray of a waterfall in the music if you listen for it. Go to this early in your visit if you can. Concerts are held Fridays, 4:00 pm and Sundays, 3:00 pm in the Hanalei Community Center, $10 $8 Keiki-Kupuna.

www.hawaiianslackkeyguitar.com

Mom and AuntM weren’t sure what to expect… a rock concert, I think. There were probably about 10-12 people total at the concert… very laid back and relaxing. A massage would’ve been perfect with this music!

I loved the Hula Performance held on Sunday nights at 6:30pm in the Living Room at the Princeville Hotel. This show is wonderful authentic hula and very well done with a chanter. Sit in the sofas nearest the big windows facing into the center of the room. It's very difficult to see her from the other sofas because of the glare of the sun. Some people sat on the ramp ledge in front of the windows. This is the perfect place to have some pu pu's and enjoy the aloha. AuntM and Mom loved the lava flows here. Arrive early... we got there at 6:20pm and most sofas were taken.

I didnt go to Smiths Family Luau but Mom and AuntM did and they really enjoyed themselves. Great show, good food… this was AuntMs first trip to Hawaii and she just had to experience the luau. They loved the gardens. Mom said she liked this luau better than Maui's Old Lahaina Luau.

makai1

Wow, I need to sign off for tonight. It's "date night" and DH has just surprised me with an beautiful ahi dinner... ahi of all things as I'm posting this! I'll share about Kauai exploring and eating tomorrow!

Aloha for now ...

iamq

Makai,

I'm drooling on the keyboard.

We have similar tastes in beaches alright. Makua is the best and Hanalei Bay is just the most relazyxing spot on the earth. We've not been to Secret Beach yet. Did it look calm enough to snorkel at? Next time!

Thanks for the all the aloha you spread around. You must make you mom proud.

-Bill

Mary2Go

Thank you for the beautiful report. I think your trip sounds like one of those special times that you and your sister Mom and Aunts will always cherish. To share the magic with special people is wonderful. I looked at you trip photos (again)and I was once again was transported. I have to say that I got a big kick out of the pictures of your Mom and Aunt in their tropical wear, cruising in the convertible and hitting the surf. It may sound wierd but it made me have more resolve to not worry about how my shorts fit or how I look in my swimsuit, life is to be enjoyed at every age. I hope that makes sense and doesn't sound like an insult, I just realized all I saw in the pictures were four lovely ladies enjoying each other and the beauty of their surroundings. I will put to good use your report and my lesson on my trip ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

makai1

Exploring

The biggest disappointment of the trip for me was the boat tour up the NA PALI COAST that we were not able to take with Captain Sundown. Overbooked boat, busted motor one excuse after another, darn it… they just couldn’t get us out. It was nothing to do with the weather, just an inability to work us in once they realized their mistake of overbooking. :-s It wouldn’t have bothered me so much if I would have booked late, but I had made our reservation 3 months prior. Well, now I have another reason to go back (like I need one).

The day we decided to head down to WAIMEA CANYON was crisp and clear… perfect for the views. We really didn’t get off to an early start, which was fine. We moseyed along from the north shore stopping first at the KILAUEA LIGHTHOUSE and NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE LOOKOUT. The beauty here is indescribable. You could pack a chair in the trunk and hang out here watching the birds for hours.

Crashing surf in the bay contains the most brilliant shades of aqua to indigo blue you’ll ever see. The birds circle the lighthouse… they’re just everywhere! Don’t miss this. I also LOVED the drive up Kilauea Rd… go slow and breathe deep… you can see Secret Beach and all the way to Bali Hai from here.

We stopped in KILAUEA to buy some candles and soap at Island Soap and Candle Works. They have a 10% off coupon in the “101 Things to Do” book that you can pick up pretty much anywhere. I love their candles. I’ve been ordering them online since my first visit here. Great smells www.kauaisoap.com

Back on the 56 highway we headed south through Kapa’a to 580, destination ‘OPAEKA’A FALLS. This lookout is easy to get to and the falls are great.

We talked with a few artists up here that were painting. One of them, Fred Tangalin, was a gem to talk story with. Sis is an artist and he was a great encouragement to her, challenging her to follow her dreams. His work, which is just beautiful, is represented by Kinipopo Fine Arts Gallery in Wailua and Kaua’i Products Store at Kukui Grove Shopping Center in Lihu’e. I quietly bought one of his pieces and am going to surprise Sis with it for Christmas.

Across the street we checked out the KAMOKILA HAWAIIAN VILLAGE and WAILUA RIVER LOOKOUT. It made for some great photos of the village and some kayakers on the river from above.

We made a quick stop at KILOHANA MUSEUM… we just drove through and took some photos… the grounds were gorgeous. We skipped Koloa & Po’ipu altogether this trip and headed on down toward Waimea. It was very cool to watch the landscape change.

We stopped in WAIMEA town at the Shrimp Station for a late lunch… this place is the BOMB! Mahalos to Budman(?) for this tip. What a gem of a place for shrimp any style you can desire. Coconut style for me!! mmmm! After filling our bellies we were off to WAIMEA CANYON via Waimea Canyon Dr.

Ok, all I can say is WOW! We hit the weather perfect for this. The colors were amazing… from the lushest green to the softest dusty clay to the most vivid red dirt! It truly was a feast for the eyes.

I was trekking down to the farthest lookout and as I was walking up to the railing I thought I recognized a friend from IL. Nnnnoo! Look again… there’s her husband! I shouted “OH MY GOODNESS!” and they turned toward me and shrieked. This was too much. Here I was, on the edge of the earth, and we bump into each other. Freaky. Everyone at the lookout had a big smile on their face… it was like they were sharing in our joy… very cool.

We all headed to the parking lot afterward and shared a beer out of the cooler before heading up to the KALALAU LOOKOUT.

Kalalau was a big highlight for all of us. BREATHTAKING! The depth… the colors… awwww. It just can’t be more beautiful than this. One woman walked up and said that this was one of the clearest days of the year for viewing the valley. “Thank you God!” It really took my breath away when I walked up for the first look. After awhile a cruise ship came into view… it looked like it was flying in the sky out from behind the jagged peaks of NaPali. I think I could just look at this view forever.

After we said our goodbyes to our friends we headed down to the KOKE’E LODGE AND MUSEUM. The museum was closed, so we just checked out the shop at the Lodge and then headed back down Koke’e Road.

We stopped in HANAPEPE on the way back to the north shore, hoping to stop into the shop with the gal who does the “chicks” and handmade clothing. Of course we were too late, it was probably about 5:30pm and the whole town was closed up. The swinging bridge was cool.

By this time we were all exhausted and ready to chill… off we were back to the north shore. This was a great day.
><

lvk

makai1,

Your trip report is as beautiful as your photos are! =D>

You brought back many great memories. I bought some jewelry from Pam Dawber at the Nani Kaua`i gallery. We also liked Kai Kane for surfwear.

Mahalo for sharing.

makai1

Mary2go,

Have a wonderful time... "don't worry bout a ting" as BobM would sing. That's the spirit of Kaua'i. Yah. No worries about what others think... just enjoy & live aloha.

ALOHA Bill! Yes, Secret Beach is calm enough in the summer. Gorgeous spot. I could've spent the day there. We talked story with one of the locals shelling for sunrises there... it really is a nice shelling beach. Aloha for now.

makai1

Excellent Eats:

Ok, I’m gonna wimp out at this point in the report… since there’s so much info on eats in trip reports and I’m just ready to get this finished up… you understand … this will be short & sweet. I’ll sort this by area…

HANALEI

Polynesian Cafe`/ Ching Young Village – Great gourmet food on paper plates… byob… great prices

Hanalei Wake Up Café / Great breakfast... popular with locals

Hanalei Gourmet Cafe / Old Schoolhouse – Good food – the burgers were superb! Caught live music here… can’t remember which night. It was a little noisy for Mom, but a very fun time.

Tropical Taco / Loved their fish taco… it was a meal in itself… walked next door to the liquor store and grabbed some Hinano beers to enjoy with them. Nummy!

Hanalei Dolphin / We didn’t eat dinner here, but purchased fresh ahi and other fish at the market in the back to cook at our villa… great fish!

PRINCEVILLE

Living Room at the Princeville Hotel / Pu Pu's on the sofas were fun… pricey but fun… go for the hula performance on Sunday night.

Sabella’s (at Pali Ke Kua) / We ordered take out from here the night we arrived on Kauai… good food… small portions… no rolls with take out entres… pricey.

CJ’s Steak & Seafood / Good good good... prices were ok.

KILAUEA

Lighthouse Bistro / Sis & I stopped here one afternoon, sat at the bar and enjoyed beers and tasty pu pus… never made it back for dinner. The menu looks great.

KAPA'A

Scotty's Beachside BBQ / Awesome place…great views from every table… the bbq was fabulous and it was fun to watch people making s’mores for desert at their tables.

Coconut's / Excellent food… the lobster raviolis were great! Mahalo Kal!

WAIMEA

Shrimp Station / Scrumptous shrimp! Every flavor… the garlic scampi is tasty… they have a big outdoor wash sink with soap for clean up… this was a great feature especially since we were on our way to Waimea Canyon.

makai1

RANDOM INFO

Regarding the WEATHER on the north shore… YES it rains… no rain, no rainbows. I find staying on the north shore worth the trade off for a few showers. We did hit “winter” here one March vacation and it rained A LOT. We would just trek down to Poipu or wherever the sun was shining. We did put on some miles during that vacation.

I felt very comfortable booking our lodging in Princeville for July this trip. The weather was perfect… a morning shower would bring out the fragrance of all the blooming trees, and then the sun would jump out and we’d be off. I would book here in the summer months again in a heartbeat. Nothing beats hanging out on the north shore… something that’s made much more difficult if you’re staying in Kapa’a or Poipu. In the winter months I’d probably choose Kapa’a, though.

CONDO VS. RESORT… to each his own. >- I’d rather have space and privacy than pampering and service. Just being in Hawaii is pampering for me. I also enjoy the convenience and savings of having a kitchen for those times when we feel like cooking or fixing a quick sammie for the cooler.

Mom had only been to Maui before this trip, and described it as a “glorified Florida”. I was determined to change her mind about Hawaii. The north shore of Kaua’i did it for sure. Everyone LOVED it here… especially Hanalei... no surprise to me.

AuntM described this trip as healing for her and a new beginning. Sis regularly vacations in Mexico and thought nothing would compare… not even Hawaii. “Indescribable”, she says... “Nani”. All I have to do is mention Kaua’i and she gets tears in her eyes. She’s on the brink of some career changes and it was a perfect time and place for her to make some major decisions. It was good for all of us just to be together and share it.

TO ALL THE KKK’S… I’m so sorry, I just couldn’t help myself! We do have AuntM, Mom and Sis all describing Kaua’i to others, saying “it rains all the time”… “nothing to do”… “no nightlife”… “bugs everywhere”… “too expensive”… :-" hope that helps a bit. Forgive me for letting the rest of the ~gt; out of the bag.

My photo album is stuck right now, so come back to it later… hopefully it’ll be working soon.

Aloha nui loa… for now.

iamq

mahalo sistah!



-Bill

daydreamin

makai1 - thank you for the beautiful pictures and trip report!! You really capture for me what makes Kauai so special and unique...I mean miserable and unbearable!

carlmont

Yeah, Lisa you did it! Imagine my joy when I checked, hoping you'd posted your report and began to read. After seeing your photos I knew this would be good. If I was excited to be going before, now I am insane. Leaving on Monday for 5 days at Secret Beach Hideways (getting married on Thurs.) and 7 days at a TH in Poipu.

I ran a roll of 24 exposures through my Rebel to test it (I hadn't used it in quite a while) will be picking those photos up this afternoon.

Seeing Kauai through your eyes has made this place I have never visted come alive for me. I'll try to post as well when I get back. Aloha to all of you!!!

Love, Lisa too.

iceeu2

I'm with ya carlmont, our sistah makai1's stories and photos just gives ya da goose bumps...oops, I mean da chicken skin!

Sistah Lisa, you be da best!

Aloha and mahalo....
i'2

iceeu2

OH and carlmont...congrats on the upcoming nups!

makai1

Aloha Lisa, Bill, Daydrmn & icee !!!

Lisa (carlmont) & Gge God bless you both BIG! Have a beautiful wedding.. what a lovely place to make memories for a lifetime. Savor it all!

Enjoy taking the pics and do post upon return... although you might be a little busy being a newlywed and all...

Aloha nui loa…

makai1

ttt for m...

sistahlou

Good readin'!