First off - let me thank everyone on this forum for all their great advice.
Okay – here is our itinerary but let me say a few things about us first. Our first week will be spent on Maui. We are visiting Kauai for the first time for a week. We are staying in Poipu Sands. We are both very active people and not big on laying at a beach for hours. I know some may think we are doing too much – but we like to keep busy – so here it goes.

Saturday – Arrive mid afternoon. Get groceries and acquainted with our condo and new surroundings. Maybe see the torchlighting ceremony at the Hyatt in the evening.

Sunday – Head to the North Shore exploring all the sights along the way, Wailua Falls, Lighthouse, Tunnels Beach, Ha’ena Beach, Ke’e Beach, do some swimming and/or snorkeling.

Monday – Head to the East Shore. Hike Kuilua Ridge Trail or the West Side of the Sleeping Giant Trail – have lunch on the trail and explore east short sights and return to Poipu.

Tuesday – Visit South Shore sights – Brenneches Beach, Poipu Beach, Prince Kuhio Park, Botantical Garden (not sure which one yet – possible Allerton), Spouting Horn, and hike Heritage Trail and/or hike from Shipwreck beach to Mahaulepu beach along the coast.

Wednesday – Waimea Canyon day – do some hiking – Canyon Trail, Pihea Trail, Kukui Trail and visit lookouts. Stop on the Waimea Brewery on the way back to Poipu.

Thursday – Head North again to hike Kalalau Trail, possibly go to the Sheraton Luau or Beach House Restaurant for dinner.

Friday – Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Adventure with Outfitter Kauai on the Hule’ia River (this is not booked yet as our days could change depending on the weather). Go to the Sheraton Luau or Beach House for dinner if we weren’t able to the night before.

Saturday – Sad day – we have to pack up and leave to go back to Michigan!!

Thanks for any input on this – we will be leaving in a few weeks.

Girardin - you and I like to vacation the same way.

On Sunday, make sure to check out the town of Hanalei. Also, the Livingroom at the Princeville Hotel is a great place to view the sunset and have a drink.

Do you have any interest in doing a helicopter tour or a sunset boat tour of the Na Pali Coast? Those were our favorite things that we did on Kauai - it's really breathtaking.

Girardin - you have given me some great ideas. I am going to Kauai in February - I am so excited! I would also like to do a helicopter tour. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

hi giradin -
why not save wailua falls til monday on your way back from kuilau or sg trail (btw good choice, the westside of sg is faster/steeper and more scenic than makai side) and head straight to northshore. also parking at kee beach is a bear, especially on weekends. wednesday, if you can get on pmrf, head to shenanigans and relax on the open deck, the ocean view is spectacular and the sunset is the best. good choice on trails. thursday get to kee early, you’re set for parking and enjoy the breathtaking views off kalalau trail. saturday, can’t do much for you there except hope for your safe return home.

kauai-aka
Thanks for the suggestions - I aadjusted my itinerary with your ideas but excuse my ignorance - what is pmrf?

You need to be able to adjust your itinerary based on the weather and other conditions (for example I got a bad head cold and had to cancel Na Pali boat trip).

I agree, do the North Shore on a weekday, but pick a date when the weather looks good (if your condo has cable, check out the Weather Channel, they have the local weather for Kauai at 5 minutes before the hour and give a 5 day forecast).

Have a great time!

Pacific Missile Range Facility, navy military base.

http://www.pmrf.navy.mil/

psst, don't forget to eat at puka dog in poipu marketplace, too

I definetely will try puka dogs but I don't think I can get in pmrf - we are not in the service.

Thanks again everyone for the ideas.

Any other ideas/changes would be appreciated.

I also noted the idea of checking the weather and I will definetely do that and go to the North Shore when it is dry!! Will adjust my days according to the weather.

Any other changes?

We took the guided tour at Allerton a few years ago and liked it a lot. Limuhuli Garden in Haena would be another garden suggestion. It is in a small valley just below Makana Peak. It is devoted to native plants. Very cool place.

I think your itinerary looks great. On the days you go to the north shore, you probably should get an early start. At Ke'e Beach, where you can go snorkeling and also the beginning of the Kalulua trail, the parking lot fills up fast. We got there about 8 a.m., and after a couple of hours of hiking, we came back to the car, and the parking lot was full.

We had our snorkeling gear with us, and so after hiking we snorkeled at the beach. It was a great day.