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Need to know all about Kauai

I would like any and all possible information on and about Kauai. Where's the best place to stay? The best "side" to stay (North, South, etc)? Best tours? ALL information needed! Thanks in advance!

I would suggest you stay on the South Shore (Poipu) if you have never been to Kauai before. The weather is much more dependable. However, the North Shore, i.e., Princeville, Hanalei are beautiful spots where time stood still. It is much as it was decades ago. Kauai does not offer as much in the way of night life as Oahu or Maui, but it is our favorite. The hiking on the island is incredible. Most trails are ranked and the views and vistas are breathtaking - if you like that sort of thing. The snorkeling is quite good - again depending on where you will be. How long are you going to be there. If you have the time, I would stay on the North Shore for 3-5 days and the South Shore about 5-7. The kayaking is also great on Kauai because they have many rivers as well as ocean kayaking. We like Kauai because we can relax and get away from the crows on Maui and Oahu, but there is plenty of activity for us as well. There are some wonderful restaurants in all price ranges. As far as tours, we have done just about everything on our own. Renting a car is a must to get around the island. The Hyatt Regency at Poipu is the hotel I would recommend, however, there are many condos and B&Bs. Again, your tastes dictate what you want to do, where you want to stay, and how much you want to spend. Good luck. Let me know if I can help in any way.

j... go to your local bookstore and look for a book called "Ultimate Kauai" in the travel section. Written by locals who started out as travelers and decided to live there. The best book on Kauai. They also have a web site www.wizardpub.com

I second the advice to buy the book "Ultimate Kauai". We followed this advice (given to us on this forum), and the book was very helpful. As for where to stay on Kauai, the time of year is a big factor. Some people warned us that the north shore of Kauai would be rainy (even in the summer), but it is a different story in the summer. We loved staying on the north shore in early August. There was a wide array of beaches, including Tunnels which was great for snorkeling. And the Princeville golf course was a big hit with my husband and three sons. The north shore might be a bit quiet for some people, but we loved it.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a serial rapist/killer on the loose in Kauai now. You can read about it here: http://honoluluadvertiser.com/910localnews13.html

Kauai is a great place to visit - especially spring through fall - winter can be too wet sometimes. But the wetness brings the beauty! I consider the following activities must do's on Kauai: 1. See the Na Pali Coast, either by boat or by helicopter - by air the views are spectacular, but the ride is shorter than by boat - which also stops and lets you do some snorkeling. Another way to see it is a hike along the Kalalau Trail, though long and sometimes strenuous, it's a fabulous day trip. 2. See the Kalalau Valley from the view above the canyon, and then take the Pihea Trail at the end of the road which goes along the valley rim - breathtaking views! 3. Visit / swim in Queen's Bath, a beautiful and fun lava rock tide pool just below the Princeville area. 4. Take a jeep ride up the back roads beyond Keahua Arboretum (west of Wailua) into the tropical jungle areas near Waialeale. 5. Visit Wailua Falls and Kipu Falls - the second is much less visited, but has a fun rope to swing into the pool below the falls. 6. If you like gardens, arrange a Monday morning tour of the McBryde NTBG Gardens in Lawai - Hundreds of acres of tropical beauty shared by only a few people. 7. Take a drive up the beautiful Hanalei Valley a little way. 8. Great beaches: Poipu, Polihale, Pali Ke Kua, Hanalei Bay, Ke'e - sunset at Ke'e can be great! There's so much more that's worthwhile - check it out in the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - well worth it's low price! Rent a car, unless your idea of seeing Hawaii is laying by the pool and walking on one beach. (Not a bad relaxing vacation - but why come all the way to Hawaii to do what you can do anywhere?) Kauai is for the nature lover - get out and see it! There's all kinds of accomodations, from cheap to posh. I tend to look for the best deal for the money - in other words, in a lot of cases you can pay a lot more for only a little bit more! Good medium range hotels are all over - the Coconut Beach Hotel is a good one, as well as the Outrigger (soon to be Radisson) Kauai Beach Hotel. Both have a good mid-point location between the south and north shore areas. The Hanalei Bay Resort, though a little pricier, offers what the Princeville Resort can offer, but costs less. I haven't stayed in the Poipu area, but understand there are several good ones there, too. Above all, have fun!

I have been to Kauai 3 times, the most recent in June of this year. The first year we stayed at the Coco Palms, which unfortunately is no longer operational. The last two visits, we have stayed at Poipu at the Nihi Kai Villas. I rented from the owner and had a fantastic unit at a wonderful price this year. We drove up to the North Shore on every trip. I found it to be beautiful, but Hanalei was very congested with lines everywhere we went and traffic as well. Poipu was not as crowded as Hanalei. Let me know if you would like to know the name of the owner at the Nihi Kai. Vicki in TN

I must take exception to Vicki's comment on Poipu vs. Hanalei. We have been to Kauai over a dozen times and stay in both the Poipu and Hanalei areas, and Hanalei has never been as crowded as Poipu. People go to the North Shore to relax, unwind, get away from the crowds and see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. While Poipu offers a dryer climate, the North Shore is the jewel of Kauai. It just doesn't get any better up North if you want the best beaches, hiking, spectacular scenery and to be lost in time. If you have the luxury of time, do both the North and the South, however, if this is your first visit, you may want to make the South Shore your base and go North when the weather permits. We go to Kauai each February and March and have had our share of rain up North, but my husband says the beauty of the North shore is almost as stunning in the rain. However, I cannot imagine the North Shore to be more crowded than the South. "It just ain't so."

Planning on a week in the spring. I want golf wife wants spa and relaz. We want to see the sites but not big on hiking. Food and fun are our priorities. I ordered the Kauai Guide, but interested in thoughts on some day trips ...thanks in advance

We have a time share at the Marriott in Lihue. Our favorite "restaurant" is the Hamura saiman noodle stand. Fantastic and inexpensive. We love hiking the sleeping giant and the peace and quiet of the island. Other favorite eating places are Pacific Cafe and Roys. Have fun.

Duger, Ditto on Hamura's. Probably the cheapest eats on the island. Local hangout. Kind of like an old 40s diner where you sit at counters on low stools. Took us 2 trips to Kauai just to find the darn place. Down an "alley" off Rice St and Kress, I believe. Great saimin and get a few orders of teriyaki chicken or beef sticks. Golf on Kauai is excellent. Public course in Wailua is nice. I think they refurbished it last year. The Prince course in P'ville is absolutely gorgeous! In fact, after 4 p.m., for the cost of a cart rental, you can just go out and cruise the course. Take your camera and a lot of film. Poipu has 2 nice courses. The Poipu Bay is where they have the Master Card challenge each Nov. Usually Tiger Woods vs. 3 other golfers. Near the Hyatt. Roy's, Keoki's,The Beach House (get a sunset table reservation)and Brenneke's have good eats. A few miles away is the Kiahuna Golf Club. Good, challenging course but last year it was a bit beaten up. Great little restaurant/bar there. Joe's. Great breakfast and lunch and nice views. The Kukuiolono Golf Club (public, 9 hole-cheapest on the island) probably has the next best view. Overlooks Poipu and you can see the start of the Waimea Canyon, Mt. Waialeale, et al. It's left at the light in Kalaheo. On the way back, have a pizza at Brick Oven pizza, steak at Klaheo Steak House or Italian at Pomodoro's. The 2 courses at the Marriott are nice, too. Spend the extra $$ and do the ocean course. Afterwards go to the end of the road and have a few pupu platters and some fresh brewed beer at The Whaler Brew Pub while you overlook Kalapaki. My favorite golf course is The Grove at Puukea. It's located behind the Kukui Grove shopping center. It bills itself as the best 10 hole course in the world. They had 10 holes completed when I think Iniki interrupted the completion of the course and surrounding housing development. If you can hit a driver 4-500 yds on on of the last holes, you'd drive your ball into the area where Speilberg filmed Jurassic Park. Afterwards, take the back road back up the The Whaler! As for being a "Foodie" you may wish to find a central location so you can get to most of the restaurants without having to drive all over. The Marriott or something along the Coconut Coast is pretty central to the airport and 30 mins to P'ville/Hanalei,Poipu and 45-1hr to the west side (Waimea Brewing Co. has some good roasted pork nachos!) The "Coco-Coast" has Pacific Cafe, Noe's, Cafe Coco, Mema's, Hong Kong Cafe, The Bull Shed, El Norberto's and Kintaro's. All have good grub. I can't wait to have another Triple Bubba's burger with chili-cheese fries with onions in Hanalei! Hope this is enough of a start for you.!!! Mahalo, Kal