TRIP REPORT: APRIL IN KAUAI
 

Well, the aloha spirit started kickin in as we made it to Oakland to catch the plane.(Aloha Airlines).
Tours..The highlites of the trip were the kayak trip down the Hanalei river and out into the ocean where we ended up snorkeling. And the awesome Inter Island helicopter tour of the island. Limahuli Gardens was fabulous and all the snorkeling beaches are just what other posters say they are...great.
We stayed at Kuhio Shores (1st floor) which is a very nice condo complex in Poipu beach. I would stay there again. Its right on the water. If you step 10 feet off the lanai you cant hear the phone ring because the waves are RIGHT THERE. We saw whales even tho it was late April.
EATS: A few places stand out.."Hanalei Mixed Plate" was really good and cheap. "The Beach House" was, of course, very special,"Bubbas" was so-so, "Dali Deli" very good and "Joes on the Green" had a good breakfast. Did not care for TomKats at all. "Lihues BBQ Inn" made one person in our party, sick. "Taqueria Nortenos" is NOT mexican but, hey, they try.
A few notes..Walmart is the place to get the cheap beach chairs, gifts etc. Its worth it to make a stop there.
Alamo gave us a dirty car and we went across the street to Dollar and they gave us a big discount for no reason on anything we wanted so we choose a PT Cruiser with a sun roof. What a fun car.
I have to thank Kal and Ultimate Guide for wonderful tips.
I miss the chickens and roosters, the birds out the bedroom window early in the A.M. calling...sigh. I hope this info has helped someone with their trip...Aloha..Patty

Patty,
My husband & I will be spending a month on Kauai this summer. This will be our third trip out there. Mahalo for providing the information/review of some of the places you've been and things you've done. We are always looking for new places to go and things to do. And you're right about Walmart. Best place for those beach/gift items.

Yeah Walmart is probably the cheapest place for stuff. but what does that do to the local economy ? Sam Walton doesn't have to eek out a living in Kauai.

Suggestion to those locals of ailing economics: open up a Starbucks and feel free to serve local coffees!

Great trip report, you sure hit all the highlights. So glad you enjoyed Kauai!
I love Limahuli Gardens, too. It's not a huge attraction, wish more people would visit.

About Walmart: it is the cosmic vortex of Kauai , everybody shops there, everybody loves it. Before Walmart there was only a funky Woolworth's. Can't compare the two. I think Walmart has been a boon for the shopping public on Kauai.

Starbucks coming soon to Kukui Grove Shopping Center!

Sam Walton doesn't eke out a living anywhere.
He's dead!

Walmart...quality gifts like paintings and so forth-they dont have, but stickers, coffee mugs, beach towels, coloring books for the kids, etc, its has all that.
Our best shopping was at the local artist show on saturdays in Poipu and the farmers markets during the week in various parts of the island.
There is also a nice little shopping center across from the Hyatt or Sheraton that had very nice gift items and also a clothing store called Blue Ginger, which also has a store in Maui. Great clothing. I think the name of the center is Poipu shopping center.
Also went to the Kauai Coffee company store between Poipu and Hanapepe and that is good coffee and nice gifts in there.
I just had a ball. What a magical place Kauai is.

PT,
Did I tell you Brick Oven Pizza got his start up in your neck of the woods?
Small world but I don't want to have to paint it!

As our local friends call it "WalMart/Fall apart".

Starbucks?!?!?!?!? Time for me to take Beachbum's advice and hit the Cooks/Tahiti!

All in all, it's hard not to enjoy Kauai, yah? ((#))8-)

Maybe see ya on one of our trips "up the hill" this year?
Kal

Hey Kal...yes, you told me about Brickoven Pizza starting up here in Nevada City/Grass Valley..Ill email you and we will all get together and have dinnerup here. that would be fun.
I hope you can pick up KVMR radio (89.5 or something) where you are. I think they still have a 1 or 2 hour sunday a.m. Hawaiian music program. Iam sure you would like it....Patty