Hi all. My husband informed me last week that we are going on a (business) trip to Hawaii! WooHoo! We are staying at the Four Seasons in Maui and I really want to take an extra day and see Kauai. I know this is a short amount of time, but we have babysitting issues and I HAVE to see some of Kauai.

Re: Maui: I have heard that the best beach on Maui is Kaanapali Beach. Agree/disagree? How far is it from the Four Seasons, and from the Four Seasons, will we have to rent a car if we want to visit? (I imagine I'll have a few afternoons to myself while my husband is at meetings. I'd like to explore and not just stay at the hotel).

Re: Kauai. I see there are flights between OGG and Kauai, but the earliest non-stop I can find leaves at 9:30ish and arrives 10:30ish. I wish we could catch an earlier flight. Should I book this now - do these "commuter" flights sell out earlier - or can I wait a few more months?

How long is the drive from Waimea Canyon all the way around the island to the trailhead for the hike along the Kalalau Trail?

Thanks for your insights, Karen

Karen, you didn't tell us when you are going to Hawaii.

We were on both of these islands in September and we stayed at the 4 Seasons. I loved the beaches right there in Wailea. It's beautiful. You can snorkel or float or sit and relax and watch the day go by. There is nice shopping there too.

We stayed on Kauai for 7 days and had planned to do a lot of driving to see the island but on the day after we arrived we took a helicopter trip (many leave right from the airport in Lihue) and we saw so much from the air that we didn't drive around the island but spent the time on the water and beach. You can hardly believe how beautiful it is in the canyon or the Napali coast - something you can't see from a car ride and You just CAN'T miss the Bali Hai Mountains. There is nothing more beautiful than those green cliffs and waterfalls - you can't see them from a car - only a boat or from the air.

I agree- Kaanapali is the best! It took us about 2 hours to go from OGG to LIH. I'm not sure if you would have enough time to "see" Kauai, depending on the latest return flight to OGG. From LIH, to Waimea Canyon will take you close to an hour, then another 30-40 minutes to get to the top viewing area. I hope it all works out. I would stay on Kauai for the night if possible. Less of a time crunch!! It was raining off and on (real heavy at times!) last week. We just got home Saturday and it was raining again when we left!

karens:

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

You can get to Kaua`i on an earlier flight -- the stop is in Honolulu, and you just stay seated while the plane reloads. Book ASAP if you decide on an earlier flight (some island residents air-commute to jobs on other islands).

The drive from Kokee Park to Ke`e Beach, if done non-stop, will take you nearly 2 hours. But to make that drive without stopping, is pointless.

So if you only have one day on this Garden Island, and your time is shortened by flight arrangements, yet you want to see as much of the island as possible, why not just take a helicopter tour instead? Most of them depart from the Lihu`e Airport -- it would be the easiest way to "have it all". Just a thought...

I agree with auntiemaria--do the helicopter thing. Jack Harter Tours is right outside the airport on your left!

Didn't notice and answer to this question, but you should definitly rent a car on Maui. I actually think Napili is the nicest beach but the FOur Seasons is the nicest hotel-you're fortunate. The drive from Wailea to Kaanapali is about 1-1/12 hours.. depending on traffic. It's another 15 mins to Napili. Look for "Driving and Discovering Maui". It's a great book to help you find your way around.

The drive from Wailea to Kaanapali is one and a half hours? I thought the drive from Wailea to Lahaina was only about 35 minutes and Kaanapali was only 5-10 more minutes from Lahaina?

I love Kauai but since you're going to Maui, I recommend you skip Kauai and concentrate on enjoying Maui. If you try to go to Kauai for the day, you'll be spending most of your time just traveling...you'll be losing that beautiful, laid-back tropical island pace...

I've been to Kauai and I'm now planning our trip to Maui. If you're staying at the Four seasons and want to go somewhere, why don't you drive to the other side of the Maui island, the lush, tropical side, and see Hana and waterfalls?

I awlays allow myself an hour to get from Wailea to Lahaina. Sometimes it takes less, but I have no control over traffic. Lahaina to Napili is about 15 minutes.

Best beach on the island is relative. Some like Ka`anapali; I personally prefer the south beaches better, unless we are surfing, then that I have a whole different list of priorities by which I judge a beach. Some of the best beaches on Maui are quite close to the 4S. I suggest you visit a variety of our beaches, as each of them have their own charm.

Ka`anapali is a long, sometimes reed thin beach "improved" by high-rise condos and hotels. Napili is beautiful, though every square inch is "improved" with well worn low-rise condos and a "resort."
The Four Seasons, near universally regarded as the best hotel on the island, is set along the Wailea coast, a very lovely string of crescent shaped beaches. Ask yourself why. I would not leave [voluntarily] Wailea for any reason to see Ka`anapali, having seen the latter (though on our last trip we blew by it on the way to Kapalua). Sort of like choosing Denny's over Spago because Denny's has the "best" fried fish. Doubtless to some.
Ka`anapali is about an hour from Wailea, depending on traffic.

Hi all. Many thanks for your replies - I am reading them with great interest.

We are going in mid-May - any thoughts about this time of year?

Re: Helicopter tours. I've seen videos from a friend and they look amazing. Have heard concerns about safety, though. Are there operators with spotless safety records? I wonder if calling and asking would result in truthful responses.

Re: choosing a helicopter company

Yes, their safety record should be a factor. But I was told long ago that the safest flight will always be with the _owner_ of the helicopter company as pilot. All pilots are alert to weather conditions and aircraft maintenance, but the company's owner is the one with the $$$ investment.

I always recommend Air Kaua`i -- and only if Chuck (the owner) is piloting.

Good remark I heard recently, regarding "should I take a heli ride?":
Not taking a helicopter flight on Kaua`i, is like touring the Sistine Chapel, and not looking up!!

Karens, we were there in mid-may of this year (we got married and honeymooned in Maui). We stayed at the FS and is the best and we liked Kaanapali Beach. We also liked the beaches right in Wailea, specifically Big Beach and Maluaka Beach. Make sure you buy the Maui Revealed book. My husband really wanted to do a helicopter tour, but I like keeping my feet on the ground whenever possible. I really regret it now as he still misses not doing one. There were two operators that are very highly regarded. I think one is Blue Hawaiian.