The sugar mill tour is a treasure -- especially since cane production has been curtailed severely here in the islands. If you do this one, you can skip the GF Homestead Museum.

The Kaua`i Museum in Lihu`e is worth a visit, especially for their displays of historical photos and Ni`ihau shell lei.

Even though I'm not a movie buff, we totally enjoyed our movie tour. We did the all-day tour -- but I see that the new owner of the company has _really_ increased the tour prices. Now I'd only recommend it to ardent movie fans...

I recommend kayaking at Wailua river with no guide. It's easy to get around and very enjoyable. There are several renters in Kapaa. Also, the first 2 miles of the Kalalua trail may be closed and the beach may also be roped off. Enjoy whatever you decide.

Thanks auntiemaria! We're pretty much taking your advice on everything for this trip! So, we'll tour the sugar mill, and if rainy, we'll do the museum..Thanks too Eduardo..weather permitting, we'd like to kayak at least one river, so maybe it will be the Wailua..

Auntie Maria is a wise woman. We just got back from 7+ days on Kaua'i, and her advice is true. Also: my dear husband is enough of a micro-biologist to advise you to heed Auntie's warnings about staying out of the water.

While we were there, it truly poured both on the north and south shores around New Year's. 'Not a reason to cancel your trip, but having a plan B is a good option. Shopping is good, as is the little Museum in Lihu'e. Also consider a nice lounge in the evening. On the south Shore, if you want a change from the Sheraton, try Stevenson's bar at the Hyatt. Rather than a tiki-style open air place, it is an English club, wood-paneled style place with a lovely warm atmosphere, cool jazz in the evening, nicely stocked bar.

For the record: if you are on the North Shore when a rainy patch hits, the Princeville seems to be an ace in the hole. When we were there a day or so before New Year's, that area's power went out. This also means that many restaurant kitchens do not cook. However, the Princeville resort was humming right along as if there were no problems anywhere. Because we were somewhat casually dressed, we found refuge for a casual supper at the bar, and were pleased. (Note: when the power goes out, get thee to the deli counter at the market quickly, if you have not yet had supper, and do want to rely on the Princeville Resort.)

When the weather clears, I recommend Air Kaua'i's helicopter tours. After it rained so extensively, we still wanted to see the canyon and Na'Pali coast, and this seemed like a good Plan B rather than very muddy trails. Air Kaua'i's tours have intelligent commentary, large windows, comfy seats, and no cowboy pilots. Very smooth. It might be a better option than a boat cruise.

A nice trail we found begins at the end of Shipwreck Beach. At the eastern end of the Beach, look for the trail that will take you up the big hill for a lovely trail along the coast. Because much of the trail is volcanic rock and hard sand, it seems that it dries out more quickly than mud trails, and we had no problems with footing. There is a public beach and parking, but it may fill up quickly (we stayed at the Hyatt, which is adjacent to Shipwreck Beach, and could walk to the trail head.) I saw a few sea turtles from

I should mention that we did not book the Air Kaua'i tour until until the day of the trip. The weather had been iffy, so we assessed every day vs. driving the canyon. Also: my husband was not sure if he wanted to go on a helicopter, so we just let it ride until we got to Kaua'i.

Thanks for taking the time to post such wonderful info following your trip. I'm sorry you had so much rain!! But like you, we make our own fun, so..Do you have any further suggestions for lunches or dinners?? The ones here have been ample, but just wanted to know of any others..Thanks, Pam (only 10 days)