Map of places most likely to see a sea turtle on Maui.

If your family is like mine, a highlight of family vacations is seeing the wildlife. On our Hawaii family vacations, we delight in seeing the whales, seals and sea turtles.  In my various posts, I  point out places to see these amazing creatures.  This one is dedicated to spotting those remarkable sea turtles.

Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles

There are actually three types of turtles in the Hawaii area: green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and the leatherback.  The leatherback has been spotted in the deep waters around Hawaii but they do not nest on the islands and you probably won’t see one.

The green sea turtle (Hawaiian name Honu) are the most common turtle around Hawaii and have a vegetarian diet–eating mostly algae. Fully grown, these turtles can weigh over 600 pounds and be almost five feet long. While they can live a long life, they don’t quite live as long as their cousins the tortoises.  These turtles can live up to 80 years or more.  Every two to five years, these turtles migrate 500 miles northwest to the French Frigate Shoals to mate and nest.  The French Frigate Shoals is an atoll in the Hawaiian islands that you have probably never heard of it.

The Hawksbill turtle (Hawaiian name Honuea) can be distinguished from its counterpart by its uniquely pointy beak.  They can grow to be about 3 feet long and over 200 pounds.  Some Hawksbill turtles have nested around Oahu, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island. They are omnivorous.  While also eating algae, they will eat jellyfish, sea urchins and crustaceans.  They are a critically endangered species.  Humans are their biggest enemy–eating their eggs.  They are also hunted for their beautiful shells.  While tortoise meat is a delicacy in the Caribbean, Hawksbill meat is poisonous to humans.

Hawksbill Turtle photo credit: Prilfish @ Flickr

Okay, so where do we go to find these fun critters? Below is my list of favorite spots to see the turtles.  Keep in mind that they often blend in with the scenery.  Sometimes you will see them surrounded by boulders and looking like boulders.  Sometimes, you do a double-take when you spot a shell just poking out of the waves.

1: Ho’Okipa Beach

Here is where you might be able to see literally dozens of turtles sunning on the east side of the beach.  The later in the day it gets to be, the more the turtles accumulate.  Ho’okipa beach is a fun place to visit anyway.  It is the mecca of hard-core wind surfers and a fun place for the rest of us to watch these althetes’ awesome skills.  Come to see the turtles or the wind-surfers.  You win either way. Ho’Okipa beach can be found at mile marker #9 on the Hana highway.

2: Napili Bay

Napili bay is a charming little crescent shaped beach that is great for snorkeling. Your best bet for finding turtles is on the South side of the bay. Napili bays hosts a turtle cleaning station. This is an area where there is lots of coral and tiny fish.  Larger sea creatures, sea turtle in this case, congregate to get cleaned by the smaller aquatic life.

3: Black Rock

At the North end of Ka’anapali beach is a large formation of black lava rock.  This is out in front of the Maui Sheraton and is known as Black rock. In this area is the best snorkeling on Ka’anapali beach.  If you scramble around the lava rocks, you are likely to see sea turtles bobbing around out in the ocean.  Lava rock is sharp so don’t attempt this without good reef shoes.

You can also swim out there but be sure to keep your distance from the rocks and be aware of the surf.  It would be easy to slammed into the rocks by a wave if you are not careful. You are safer during the summer months but always check the current surf conditions as the surf can change drastically within a few days.

4: Wailea Point to Maluaka Beach

There is a stretch of Maui’s southwest coast that is a little over two miles long and hosts a high density of sea turtles. The northern point of this stretch is Wailea point or due west of the Maui Four Seasons resort.  The southern end of this stretch is Maluaka beach.  This area will most likely require that you get into the water as you are far more apt to spot turtles out in the water than on the beach.

Here are some specific areas in that two mile region where turtles are known to hang out.

• Wailea Point: Straight out from the Four Seasons resort is a rocky coast where turtles like to hang out. Earlier I talked about the diet of the sea turtle being algae. If you want to see the turtles, go where they are eating and that will be in areas with lots of coral or lava rock.  You are not likely to find a lot of turtles in areas with smooth sandy bottoms-except maybe sleeping.
• Chang’s beach and Five caves. Snorkel out in this area and see if you don’t spot some turtles immediately.  If you don’t try back at another time of the day.  This area is especially popular with tour boats.  I have noticed that at different times of the year, I can zoom in on this region in google maps and can see several boats around the five caves region.
• Malauka Beach.  This is straight out from the Makena Beach and Golf Resort (formerly the Maui Prince).  This is a great little beach to visit with or without turtles. Its seldom too busy and is a fairly protected water area.  You can often spot turtles in the water here.  They are more likely to be found at the north end or south end of this beach as both have lava rock formations.  Those are the areas to go snorkeling.  There is a white buoy straight out from the beach.  If I am feeling energetic, I will often swim out to that buoy with a mask on.  In that area, I will often find turtles sleeping at the bottom of the ocean.  There is one turtle in particular that I see there again and again.  It is easy to recognize because it is missing half of one of his or her flippers.

What about Turtle town?

In the glossy magazines that you pick up in the airport or in advertisements around town, you will see ads for boat touring companies that will take your money and then take you by boat to “turtle town.” Turtle town is in a different location for each different company and your mileage will vary on if you actually see turtles or not.  The majority of these Turtle towns are between Five Caves and Maluaka beach.

If you are considering one of these tours, I would suggest that you schedule it later in your vacation. If you follow my advice above you might have better luck spotting turtles on your own. Also on these group tours, I have found that even if the boat finds wildlife, you personally are not guaranteed to see it. Often the aggressive personalities that have no trouble pushing up to the front of the crowds will get to see it all. Those who wait their turn get a good opportunity to see where a turtle was last spotted.

Please Help Protect These Gentle Creatures

Most species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered. Sea turtles in Hawaii are protected by both state and federal law. If during your Hawaiian adventures, you encounter a turtle in danger: stranded, entangled or injured , please report it immediately by calling the NOAA hotline for the specific island you are on.

While the laws that protect the turtles do not specify a specific distance to keep between you and the turtles, the guidelines from the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) suggest a range of 150 feet. When taking pictures of Hawaii wildlife, I always use a telephoto lens to keep a proper distance.  You often see a turtle or seal on the Hawaiian beach that is cordoned off with yellow tape to give these animals some protection from the beach crowds.  Just as often, you will see someone slip under the tape to get a close-up or a selfie with their cell phones.  Please don’t be one of these people.

In the water is a little different story. On land, turtles move quite slowly and are quite vulnerable to their predators.  In the water, they move gracefully and swiftly.  They can move must faster than you can underwater.  I have had turtles come quite close to me in the water.  I think like the fish I see snorkeling, they don’t feel too threatened as they always know that they can quickly put miles between me and them very quickly if they want.

It is not uncommon when snorkeling on Maui to see a turtle or spinner dolphin sleeping on the bottom of the ocean. If you come across this situation, do not hover above the animal.  Always give them an escape path so they do not feel threatened. If you do happen to wake them up, they may appear to be a little groggy and move slowly.  Give them plenty of room. While they might appear to be injured, they are more likely, just waking up.

I wish you the best of luck spotting these magnificent creatures. Turtle encounters always enhance my Maui vacations.

Aloha

Trip

1. Hike the Kalalau trail. We’ll kick this list off with the queen mother of all Hawaii hikes.  The Kalalua trail is the most famous trail in all Hawaii and is often called the “most dangerous hiking trail.”  I believe that there are more dangerous hiking trails but due to its popularity, it is possible that more people die hiking on this trail than anywhere else.  It is a breath-taking trek across the Northern portion of the Napali coast. The actual hike is 11 miles in and 11 miles back.  If you want a sampler hike, hike in about two miles and then take the detour to the Hanakapi`ai trail up another two miles to Hanakapi`ai Falls.  It is a great hike with a spectacular destination and much lower risk than the full featured hike.
2. Visit Ke’e beach. This is one of Kauai’s most awesome beaches and is definitely a “must see” if you are into wildlife–especially underwater wildlife.  You can see a greater variety of fish here than anywhere on the island except maybe at Tunnels beach.  Here at Ke’e beach, you can see the north part of spectacular Napali coast. The beach is big and well shaded and a deservedly popular place to snorkel.  The parking lot does not accommodate the crowds so you may need to drop your party off at the beach and drive back down the road a bit for parking if the regular parking lot is full. Ke’e beach is located at the end of highway 560. As soon as you see an open parking spot, take it.
3. Snorkel at Tunnels Beach. Tunnels is a little to the East of Ke’e beach and is a worthy competitor for best snorkeling on the island. It doesn’t have the biggest reef on the island (Anini beach is the winner there) but it has a big one.  With big reefs come a lot of fish seeking protection and these fish come in every shape and size. Check it out.
4. Take in a Sunset at the Hanalei Pier. While at the North side of Kauai, be sure to take in Hanalei, and watch the colorful sunsets at the pier.
5. Take a Picture of the Hanalei Valley.  On your way in or out of Hanalei, be sure to check out the Hanalei Valley overlook (across the street from the North Shore general store).  It is here than even the most photographically challenged can take postcard quality photos.  The lookout gives you a view over the lush green taro fields of Hanalei valley with a backdrop of the Namolokama mountain range. Seriously, you can’t mess this shot up.  This is another “must see” and best of all it is free. There is a pull-out on the road and surprisingly, I have never seen the parking full there.
   

   Hanalei Valley Overlook

6. Eat a Fish Taco at Tropical Tacos. Also while you are up North, take in a fish taco at Tropical tacos, a universally fun place to eat…and the food is pretty dang good too. This one is easy to find.  It is right on Kuhio highway (5088). Grab a porch seat and watch the all the people go by.  Great fun! Its also a great place to spend a little time waiting out a rain shower.
7. Golf in Princeville. Some people ask why somebody would golf in Hawaii, when they could golf at home.  The reason why is because everything is prettier in Hawaii including the golf courses. The Makai golf course in Princeville is no exception.  You look one way and you see the majestic, lush, green mountains.  You turn around and see the pacific ocean waves crashing on the beach. Take your time folks.
8. Dive into Queens Bath. This place is a family favorite. Hidden in the lava rock on the coast at Princeville is a swimming pool sized cavity that serves as…well…a type of swimming pool right next to the coast. Crashing waves keep it full  and often, you can find fish in it.  This attraction is beautiful and fun but not for the weak hearted. There is a hike down to the coast and the waves can occasionally be quite wild and wash you out into the ocean if you aren’t careful.  Be careful!
9. Get a Suntan at Beautiful Secret Beach.  The Hawaiian name for this beach is Kauapea beach. It is another one of Kauai’s finest beaches but requires a 15 minute hike to get to it.  It is worth the hike and because it require a hike, there are far fewer people there than at most beaches right next to a parking lot. You can swim in this one during the summer but it is too rough in the winter months.
10. Visit Kilauea Lighthouse. While rounding the corner at the northwest side of the island, be sure to stop at Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge.  Again, here is another great photo opportunity and it’s tough to get this one wrong.  Take a picture of the lighthouse. Take a picture of your family in front of the lighthouse. Take a picture of the wildlife. Take a picture of the waves crashing below.  Did I mention that this place is picturesque? By the way, on your way out of town, stop in at the Kilauea Bakery (2484 Keneke St.), it will be well worth your time. Try the macadamia nut chocolate chip pie or the coconut cream cake.
11. Shop at Coconut Marketplace. Grab some extra sunscreen at the ABC store or pick up souvenirs for all those you left at home…and maybe get yourself a coconut. This place is also easy to find (484 Kuhio Highway). If you time it just right, you might just catch a free hula show.
12. Snorkel at Lydgate State Park.  This one is a must for beginning snorkelers because there is a protected pool created just offshore with lava rock walls. Snorkel in there and you don’t get washed out into the ocean.  This is a great place for families as there is another protected pool specifically designate for keikis (kids) and a great playground. This beach has great facilities with clean bathrooms and showers.
13. Kayak up the Wailua River. This is another great family activity (if your kids are big enough to paddle a kayak). Wailua river valley is gorgeous year around and the river is quite calm and easy to navigate. For extra fun, book a tour to secret falls.  Although the falls really aren’t that secret (75% of the people on the river are headed there, the falls are quite pretty and it’s a fun little hike after paddling up the river and it’s a great place to break for lunch–which if you book a tour will be provided for you.
14. Tour the Fern Grotto.  If you would like to visit Wailua river valley but don’t get too excited about paddling up a river to see it, you can take a boat tour up the river to visit the fern grotto.  The fern grotto is a cave full of lush vegetation.  Along the way, you will pass by the Kamokila Hawaiian village. You have the option of a number of different tour companies.  If you can get a boat with a covered top, this is a pretty good activity to do on a rainy day.
15. Visit the Waterfalls. Wailua Falls and Opaekaa Falls are both falls worth seeing and photographing.  The good news is that these falls are within about a 20 minute drive of each other.  The bad news is that on the map, they are only about a mile and a half from each other. To get from one to the other takes a circuitous drive but its well worth it. You can drive to both.  Many Hawaiian waterfalls require a hike to see them.
16. Tube the Flumes. This one is very unique.  You don a headlamp and tube down the canals of earlier Kauai plantations.  Your journey takes you through 3 of 4 tunnels–hence the headlamps. This attraction is quite popular so book early to get your entire crew in the same group. I would suggest booking this a couple of months before your vacations–more if you are visiting Kauai in June or July. See the Kauai Backcountry adventures website to reserve your spot.
17. Eat Breakfast in Lihue. There are some great options for eating breakfast in Lihue.  I would suggest  Kalapaki Beach Hut, Dani’s restaurant, Tip Top Cafe, or Rainbeau Jo’s (a food truck). For more detailed descriptions of these places see my post, best breakfasts in Lihue.
18. Eat a Slice of Kimo’s Hula Pie. If you are in Lihue but it’s too late for breakfast, stop by Duke’s Kauai for a slice of hula pie.  And by “slice,” I actually mean a wedge. For the benefit of the uninitiated, hula pie is a pie made with macadamia nut ice cream with a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream and more macademia nuts. Yeah, I know it doesn’t sound very good but trust me it really really is  photo credit: Michael Radwin @ Flickr.com.
19. Get an Education at the Kauai Museum. Also in Lihue is the Kauai Museum (4428 Rice Street). If you wish to know more about Kauai’s rich history or culture, this is your stop. This is another great rainy day activities.  If you can get one of the curators to give you a tour, take them up on it.  You will learn more from them than the displays themselves.
20. Pick up a Screaming Hawaiian Shirt at Hilo Hattie. If you don’t like loud Hawaiian shirts, bobblehead hula dancers, coconut bikini tops and ukuleles, then move on to #20.  But if you do, stop in at Hilo Hattie (3252 Kuhio Highway) and get all the stereotypical Hawaiian souvenirs you want/need.  I love that place.
    

    2nd Largest Hawaiian Shirt in the World at Hilo Hattie

21. Drive Through the Tree Tunnel.   One the way to Poipu beach, just north of Koloa Town is a “tunnel” of eucalyptus trees that spans over a mile long. There are conflicting stories about who planted the trees but they are over 100 years old so at this point, it doesn’t matter.  I just know when I drive from the Lihue airport to Poipu beach, this segment of the trip signifies that I am truly in Kauai.       photo credit: Tlposcharsky @ Flickr.com
22. Hike the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail. This trail between  shipwrecks beach and Kawailoa bay has a little bit of everything but plenty of beautiful coastline. See geological creations like the Paa dunes, Makauwahi sinkhole, and the Makawehi lithified cliffs.  You will also see a variety of Hawaiian flowers and wildlife.  For more detailed information, see the official Mahaulepu Heritage Trail website.
23. Swim, Snorkel, or Snooze at Poipu Beach. This beach is popular with both tourists and locals.  The water is typically calm here and there is a large reef which means great snorkeling. Due to the many locals that come here, this beach may get busy on weekends. If it is too busy when you come, head a little west to Lawai beach (5022 Lawai Road) which is another great beach.  Both beaches have restrooms and showers.
    

    school of yellow tang at Poipu beach

24. Shop in Old Koloa Town.  You get the souvenirs for your friends at Hilo Hattie. You get your own Kauai souvenirs at the Old Koloa Town shops. Island art, cool sweatshirts, fashionable jewelry are all available at the shops in Koloa town.  You can also pick up a slice of pizza or some shave ice if you are hungry.
25. Witness Spouting Horn Erupt. Spouting horn is a highly photographed blowhole with a legend. After the blowhole spouts off, there is a hissing sound as the water returns to the sea via the underwater channel in the lava rock.  That hissing is said to come from a giant lizard trapped in the channel. The magnitude of the spouting water is directly related to how high the surf is at the time so you may not want to waste the time if the surf is out. To get an idea of what you would be missing, see this video of spouting horn.
26. Visit a Botanical Garden. There are a number of botanical gardens on Kauai. #26 corresponds to the Allerton  Garden. Each garden has its own strengths. Other options include Limahuli Garden and Preserve up on Hanalei, Princeville botanical gardens and McBryde Garden. For more information on each, visit the National Botanical Gardens website. These gardens provide more great photo ops for you shutterbugs.
27. Watch the Sea Turtles. There are a number of places to see sea turtles on Kauai, but there is one place that has never let me down and that is where the Waikomo stream empties out into the Hanakaape bay. If you are staying at the Whalers cove resort, you can just walk over to that channel and watch them. Now that I’ve let you in on my guaranteed turtle witnessing spot, you have to promise that you won’t pester them.  They are often sleeping on the rocks there and it is against the law to torment the sea turtles. I’ve included a picture below of what the inlet looks like to help you know if you are in the right place or not.  The picture was taken after several days of heavy rains and the stream was quite muddy. 
28. Buy a Niihau Shell Lei at the Hawaiian Trading Post.  Niihau is the western-most Hawaiian island and inhabited by Hawaiian natives that actually speak Hawaiian. It is a privately owned island and tourists are not allowed there.  That is not exactly true as you can charter a boat over there or fly over in a helicopter but you won’t find a place to stay there.  A chief product of Niihau is jewelry made from rare tiny pink shells. The Hawaiian trading post (3425 Koloa road in Lawai) is the best place I have found to buy them with the best selection.  You can also get jewelry made of black Tahitian or yellow pearls along with many of the other types of souvenirs you might find in other parts of the island. Be sure and take advantage of all the photo-ops around the grounds there. If you do try to get here via some map app on your phone, be aware that many websites get the city wrong.  Google has this place in Koloa or Kalaheao. If in doubt, just go the the Southeast corner of the intersection of highway 530 and highway 50.
29. Suit Up with an Official Red Dirt Shirt. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki destroyed much of Hawaii including an inventory of white t-shirts waiting to be printed and turned into Hawaiian souvenirs. These white shirts were stained with the iron rich Hawaiian soil and could not be used for their original intent–at least that was what was thought originally. Then the owners of the print shop printed them anyway as souvenirs of the Hurricane and they became quite popular with both locals and visitors.  Since then, the popularity of the red dirt shirt has expanded and you can find them as far away as Sedona, Arizona and Moab, Utah.  But this is not for you.  Cheap imitations will not do. You need an official red dirt shirt from the source.  Pick one up at the original factory outlet, 4350 Waialo Road in  Eleele.
30. Experience Enchanting Hanapepe Town. Hanapepe is full of old historic buildings, artists, food trucks and great music. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Hanapepe including the unique Talk Story Book store, the “western most book store in the united states.” Be sure and check out the town’s famous swinging bridge while you are there.  If you visit Hanapepe on a Friday night, you can catch the Friday night festival and art walk.
31. Take Your Kids to Salt Pond Beach.  Close by Hanapepe is the Salt Pond Beach which is a great beach for kids. It has calm water,  lifeguards, picnic tables and even parking.
32. Satisfy Your Hunger at the Shrimp Station. The Shrimp Station at  9652 Kaumualii highway in Waimea serves up shrimp and nothing but shrimp. I’ve tried about six different plates on the menu and have not been disappointed.  Its a great stop on your Kauai island tour.  Be forewarned that the hours they post as being open seem to be more a suggestion than anything else.  We once showed up about an hour before closing time and they were locking up to go surfing but they did still take our order. Gotta love Hawaii!  There is also a shrimp station in Kapaa but the one in Waimea is our family favorite.
33. Drive up Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon, also called the “Grand Canyon of the pacific” is listed on tripadvisor.com as the #1 of 277 attractions on Kauai. The contrasting red dirt and lush green foliage and an occasional waterfall here and there make this another great photo opportunity. If you haven’t seen a colorful Kauai chicken on your Kauai adventure yet, stop in at the Kokee museum and you’ll have a hard time getting out of your car without stepping on one.
34. View the Spectacular Napali coast from the Kalalau Lookout. Drive up Waimea canyon to around mile marker 18 and  you will find the Kalalau lookout.  There you will find a spectacular view of Kalalau Valley and the Napali coast.  This is the subject of many Kauai postcards. Be forewarned that if the day is overcast, clouds can ruin your killer view.
35. Hike the Pihea Trail. This is a great sampling of Waimea Canyon. On a clear day, the views can be spectacular.  You get views of both the Kalalau valley and the Alakai swamp. Be sure and stop at the Kokee museum to get a map and the current trail conditions.  Like all trails in Hawaii, this trail can be quite slippery after a rainstorm.
36. Hike Nuololo cliffs.  This is one of my favorite hikes in all of Hawaii but is not for the faint-hearted.  It is another hike up Waimea canyon.  There are spectacular views of the Napali coast but also some dramatic drop offs.  This is not for those afraid of heights. This hike requires that you hike on 3 different trails: Nualolo trail, Nualolo cliffs trail, and the Awawapuhi trail. The trailhead start and end are at two different points on Kokee road separated by about 1.5 miles.  So you can do this as a shuttle hike or walk 1.5 miles on the road to get back to your car.  The full loop is 10.8 miles and you should plan on taking the full part of your day. The second time I hiked this, I took Mrs. Stevens and we were disappointed when we got to the part that opens up to gorgeous views of Kalalau valley, all we could see is clouds.  So check the weather conditions on this one too.
37. Hike the Unique Alakai Swamp Trail. This is the last trail I will recommend up Waimea canyon and it is quite different from the others.  The Alakai swamp is the highest elevation swamp in the world.  Hiking this trail, at the end of Kokee road, will reward you with rare birds, rare insects and rare plants that are not found anywhere else. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a regular paradise for the rest of us.  Unfortunately, many of the birds in the Alakai swamp are endangered. There are so many things about this trail that will delight the nature lover. While you are indeed hiking through a swamp, you are walking on a boardwalk through the wettest portions of the trail.
38. Catch a Sunset at Polihale beach.  Polihale beach is seven miles of smooth sand and is possibly my favorite beach in all of Hawaii. It is also quite remote and not visited by too many probably because of the dirt road you take to get there.  Because of the few visitors and the sheer length of the beach, you can always find you own private stretch.  We always drive all the way to the end of the road.  I guess everyone has found their own private beach before then because we often find ourselves alone there.  At that point, you can see the south end of the Napali coast.  Its a gorgeous place and the sunsets are spectacular. 
39. Kayak the Napali Coast. This activity was once at the top of National Geographic’s best adventures list. This is still on my bucket list and must be done during the calm time of the year (May-September).  There are a number of outfitters on the island that will lead you on this adventure. This is a 17 mile trek and will take you all day (beginning quite early).
40. Take a Boat Tour of the Napali Coast. If you would like to see the Napali coast from the ocean but aren’t too excited about paddling out there, there are a number of companies that will take you on a boat tour of the coast–most of them leave from port Allen on the south end of the island.  Like the kayaking adventures, these tours only go all the way up the Napali coast during the summer season. I have done this a number of times and have never been disappointed. If you have someone prone to sea-sickness in your party, get some bonine. 
41. Take a Helicopter Ride along the Napali Coast. This is another one of my favorite things to do in Kauai.  There is some crazy statistic like “85% of Kauai is unreachable by car.”  But you can get to that 85% from the sky.  In addition to the Napali coast, most Napali coast helicopter tours will take you to other places like the wettest place on earth or to see Manawaiopuna falls (the waterfalls shown in the movie  Jurassic Park). These tours usually run from about 60 to 90 minutes. They are always pricey but if you can afford it, they really do give you memories for a lifetime.  I have taken helicopter rides on other islands (including the Big Island over the  Kilauea volcano) and none come close to the Kauai helicopter rides.
42. Surf or Learn to Surf.  There are various places around the island to surf.  Perhaps the most popular are up near Hanalei but there are also options on the east shore and down near Poipu. If you don’t know how, there are options all over the island to learn too. Just Google it. Be sure and keep up to date on Kauai surf conditions at surfnewsnetwork.com.
43. Fly Down a Zipline. Ziplining is a quick way to spend a buck but “Oh what a rush!” These outfits can also be found all over the island. If you need a suggestion, try Koloa Zipline.  Be sure to not bring any loose items or you might lose them.  If you plan to put them in your pockets, make sure, they are pockets with secure buttons or snaps.
44. Take an ATV Tour. See waterfalls, ride through tunnels, and tour through old plantations. You might get access to private lands and witness scenery you might not get to see otherwise. If this interests you, you need to do plenty of homework before you go to avoid disappointment.  These tours are all over the island with various destinations and vehicles. The vehicles range from driving your own quadrunner to sitting in a dune buggy while someone else drives.  And if you do get your own vehicle, check to see if the speed of the vehicle is limited.  You probably won’t find an option where you can tear around where ever you like at top speeds.
45. Take a Food Tour. Yes folks, food tours aren’t limited to just Oahu. Foodies have a few options on Kauai. They are typically centered on chocolate or fruits.  Do a search at tripadvisor.com  for options and up to date reviews.
46. Visit an Old Church or Monastery. There are a number of options here–all cool. Here’s a short list to get you started: Kauai’s Hindu Monastery, Old Koloa Church, Saint Rafael’s Church, or Waioli Huiia Church. 
47. Visit an Art Gallery. There are many art options here from photos to painting to pottery. And all of it has its own Hawaiian flavor. If you are serious about this, be sure to hit Hanapepe on Friday night for their Friday night Festival and Art walk.
48. Visit an Old Plantation. There are a number of old coffee and sugarcane plantations and a number of ways to take them in.  I have already talked about tubing the flumes or riding an ATV across plantations.  Another option is by train,  the Kauai plantation railway. There is also a plantation museum in Lihue (4050 Nawiliwili Road).
49. Take a Photography Tour.  Want to take a bunch of pictures but not sure where to go?  Or perhaps you want to find more unique scenery to shoot. That is where a photography tour comes in.  Lead by a seasoned photographer, you can move around the island and visit the top photo spots. Be aware that some of these require that you be in shape to hike to your destinations. If you need a suggestion, check out Kauai Adventure Photography workshops.
50. Charter a Fishing Tour.  If you want to catch “the big one”, there is nothing quite like deep sea fishing.  Charter a fishing tour and it comes with a boat, a captain with expertise and the expensive fishing reels required to catch those monsters. Costs, tours and captains vary (even from day to day), so here is another place to do a lot of homework as these activities are not cheap and will take up a half or full day of your precious vacation.

So if your kids ever say, “I’m bored,” take them to Kauai, there is something for everyone there.

Aloha

Trip

A common question from the Hawaii-bound is when is the best time to visit Kauai or Maui or any of the other islands.  The answer is always, “it depends” as each visitor’s situation is a little different but I can point out some things to take into consideration to help make that decision.

Kauai Annual Weather Patterns

Usually the first thing to look at when considering when to visit a vacation destination is what the weather will be like. This chart shows the range of average minimum to average maximum for each month in Kapaa. You can see that the temperatures are in the 70’s and 80’s and don’t vary drastically.  If you are staying up north in rainy Princeville, the average lows are a few degrees cooler than shown here. If staying down in dryer Waimea, the highs are a few degrees warmer and the the lows are a few degrees cooler but the temperatures don’t vary wildly across the island.

You may have heard that it rains on Kauai and that would be true.  Rain is the source of the garden isle’s lush green foilage.  So when is the rain at its worst?  Below is the precipitation data (in inches) for Lihue, Waimea, and Princeville.  From this data, November and December are pretty wet months.  And there is a Kauai travel tip in there, if its raining while you are in Kauai, you should head to the drier Waimea.  Go here for other Kauai rainy day tips.

source of precipitation information www.usclimatedata.com

For more information on general Kauai weather patterns go to my Kauai weather page.

Crowds

Another big consideration is how busy will Kauai be while you are there. Here is a graph of the number of monthly visitors to Kauai during 2016.

source of data: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org

Not surprising, there are a lot of visitors to Kauai during the summer vacation months of June, July, and August.  That is a peak time for visitors.  The December column is a little misleading in that probably the busiest week of the year is between Christmas and New Years day so the data is skewed during the month of December with many more visitors during the last two weeks than the first two weeks. If you would like to visit December during the first two weeks, that wouldn’t be a busy time.

When considering tourist volume, most people just consider US travel patterns but you should also consider consider heavy Japan travel times.  It is 3734 miles from Tokyo to Kauai and 5,000 miles from New York to Kauai so Kauai is closer to many Japanese than many Americans.   One busy time for Japanese travelers is Golden week.  Golden week is a seven day period that encompasses four national holidays.  For both 2017 and 2018, this time is April 29 through May 5.  There will be more travelers coming into Kauai from Japan during that time period.

With the bigger crowds come higher prices for lodging with the worst being between Christmas and New Years day.  The best lodging prices are typically from mid September through mid November.

Ocean Conditions

The actual temperature of the ocean doesn’t vary a lot over the year. With a low of 77 degrees from January through March and a high of 83 in late August/September.

source: www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/all_meanT.html

While the ocean temperature doesn’t vary much, the surf conditions can vary wildly and you will want to pay attention to them especially since they vary considerably depending on which shore you are visiting. The ocean waves are created by the wind and understanding these weather patterns can help you plan your trip to Kauai.

There are basically two seasons in Hawaii, Winter(Hooilo) and Summer (Kau)

Summer runs from May to October. Summer brings large waves predominately to the south side. This is how the different vacated sides of the island stack up during the summer months:

• North Shore – typically flat to small waves except for areas exposed to trade wind waves
• East Shore – surf can get large and rough with strong trade winds
• South Shore – large south swells coming frequently

Winter is from November to April. Big, powerful swells pound the North and West facing shores. Winter brings more variable winds and increases chances of longer rain storms.

• North shore – large, dangerous swells consistently
• East shore – surf can get large and rough with strong trade winds
• South shore – typically flat to small surf during winter

What this tells you is that with the ocean conditions constantly changing, you should always check the surf conditions before jumping in the water.

Kauai Calendar Events

Other islands have special events that bring folks to their island at a specific time of the year.  The Big Island has the Merrie  Monarch Hula festival and Oahu has several huge surfing events.  Kauai has a number of events through the year that you can catch.  Some celebrations unique to Kauai include

• The  Coconut festival in Kapaa beach park in October. This event commemorates the importance of the mighty coconut to Hawaii and specifically the industry of the coconut on this part of Kauai.  Come and enjoy food, music, hula dancers and more.  For more information see the coconut festival webpage. This event is typically held at the beginning of October.
• The annual Waimea town celebration. The Waimea town celebration is usually the third or fourth week in February. Labelled as Kauai’s longest running festival, I cannot vouch or deny that claim but it has been going for 40 years strong. While it is a celebration of the awesome town of Waimea, you can witness some of Hawaii’s best entertainment and taste Kauai cocktails and cuisine. Also attend the largest Hawaiian rodeo in all of the islandsor witness a long distance canoe race.  Other options at the Waimea town celebration include a celebration for King Kaumualii and a film festival.
• Kauai quilt show.  Quilters know that quilt styles and patterns are different based on locations and time periods and Hawaii has its own flavor of quilts. You can witness this Hawaiian flair at the annual Kauai quilt show (in late February or early March). Some of the quilts are donated with the proceeds going to charities. Find more details here.

In addition to Kauai-unique festivals, there are specific events celebrated on all the Hawaiian islands. Here is a list of the biggest Hawaiian holidays that you can celebrate on any of the islands–but also on Kauai.

• Obon. This traditional festival comes from the Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Obon is a Buddhist festival commemorating one’s ancestors. Traditionally, colorful paper lanterns are hung outside homes to guide spirits back to their families.  Throughout the festival, dances are performed (bon dances).  The dance almost died out after WWII due to anti-Japanese sentiment but luckily it was restored. At the end of the festival, the floating lanterns are put into rivers to guide the spirits back to their spirit world.  If you have seen the movie  “Kubo and the two strings”, you saw this several times. In Japan, Obon is celebrated over three days in July or August. The best I can say about Obon in Hawaii is that it happens “during the summer” at different times on different islands so you will need to do your own Google search, if this interests you.
• Prince Kuhio Celebration. Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana ole Piiko was a beloved Hawaiian statesman and royalty who worked hard fostering Hawaiian culture and values. This celebration honoring Prince Kuhio occurs in late March and is full of Hawaiian specific cultural, arts and music demonstrations.  In Kauai, these events are usually celebrated in Poipu, Eleele, Lihue, and Wailua.
• Lei Day. Lei day is May first beginning at 9:00 am with a lei contest on the second of May.  The lei is a central component of Hawaiian culture.  It represents “aloha” which is a combination of greeting, love, hope, and joy. Each Hawaiian island has its own color of lei.  For Kauai, it is purple (mokihana). Lei day consists of parades, ceremonies, and hula.
• King Kamehameha Day  King Kamehameha was the great warrior that conquered and uinified all the Hawaiian islands.  Every year on June 11, King Kamehameha day is celebrated in his honor. One of the biggest events on that day is a parade.  On Kauai, this parade is in Lihue and proceeds from the Vidinha Stadium on Hoolako Street up Rice Street to the County’s Historical Building (4396 Rice Street)  where there is entertainment, crafts, demonstrations and fun.

Final Considerations

Do you get in the ocean?  If you don’t then you should worry less about the strength of the surf Do you plan to visit the NaPali coast?  If you do and you plan to visit it via a boat tour, you will need to visit during the summer months.

Parents typically schedule vacations around times when their kids are out of school which coincides with heavy tourist volumes. One thing to consider is to pull you kids from school early in the school year. September and October are great times to visit Kaui. The crowds are down and your kids would be able to get caught right back up with the rest of the class when they get back. I know this is not popular advice with many but I believe that done right, vacations are an excellent source of education that can’t be matched with the typical school experience.

Some people or websites might suggest that you visit Kauai during the whale migration season (January-April) but I wouldn’t go to Kauai to see the whales.  If you are serious about seeing the whales go to Maui on your next Hawaii vacation and get a place on Kaanapali beach. Kauai is not the place to watch the whales unless you take a specific whale boat tour that will take you closer to where the whales are. The AuAu channel between Maui and Lanai is the most protected areas of ocean in the Hawaiian islands and is the migration path of the Humpback whale.  That is where you want to be to see the action front and center.

Summary

Due to family members being in school, you often are limited by school calendars as to when you can visit Kauai. The big choices are then Christmas time, Spring break, or during the summer vacation. While late December is indeed a busy time to go to Kauai, most Kauai cities and resorts have big festivities on New Year’s eve including food, music, dance and of course, fireworks.  If school kids don’t play into the equation, September and October are great times to visit Kauai.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in the water, be sure to check the surf chart to make sure that conditions are calm where you will be staying.

And if you want to avoid the rain, remember that the rainy times are during the winters–especially up North near the Princeville and Hanalei areas.

Whenever you decide to go, I wish you the very best

Aloha

Trip

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  And that may be especially true if its the meal to kick off your vacation day on Kauai. Here are my suggestions for the best places to catch your breakfast while in the Lihue area.  Note that all of them are close to the airport so they might be a convenient way to simultaneously burn a little time and get  breakfast on the way to catch your flight.

Here they are in no particular order–as they each have their own strengths.

Kalapaki Beach Hut

3474 Rice Street, Lihue

(808)246-6330

These first three locations are all favorites among the locals.  This one is also a favorite among those staying at the Kauai Marriott resort because of its proximity.  The Kalapaki beach hut has a nice friendly staff that serves up heaping portions of home-style food.  It is minutes from Kalapaki beach (a great beach for swimming, boogie boarding, and eating breakfast).   It is hard to beat breakfast on the beach.

The Kalapaki Beach Hut serves a wide variety of breakfast foods and smoothies.  The popular breakfast items here are the loco mocos or  Portuguese  sausage omelettes.  Both are rich, tasty and probably very unhealthy.  If you arrive too late for breakfast (11 am), you could cut lose with their lunch menu.  Popular lunch items are the aloha burger, fish and chips,  and the volcano burger (jalepenos make this one lava hot). You can also get some shave ice while there.

The Kalapaki beach hut is easy to miss.  Look for the skinny two story hut. Parking is limited to 5 parking stalls that are usually full so you may need to park across the bridge.  Take a seat upstairs for great views and the nice ocean breeze.  The seats fill up fast so you may want to plan on a short walk over to Kalapaki beach.  It is especially busy on Saturday mornings. Open 7 am to 8 pm.

Keep in mind that the beach hut is a fast food restaurant, if salty fried food is not your thing, keep looking.

Dani’s Restaurant

4201 Rice Street, Lihue

(808) 245-4991

This is another local favorite and is only open for breakfast and (early) lunch. It opens at 5 am and closes at 1 pm Monday through Friday. It closes at 11 am on Saturdays and is closed all day Sundays.

Basic breakfasts are served but you will want to branch out to island favorites.  The popular items at Dani’s includes mango or banana pancakes, kalua pork omelettes or the BCLM (bacon cheese loco moco). Dani’s is more of a sit down place than the Kalapaki beach hut and is great for families. It can get quite noisy so it is not a place for that romantic getaway.

You will be served by sweet ladies pushing the food around on carts.  Come to think of it, it is a lot like an elementary school cafeteria experience–in a good way.

One of the big reasons why folks like to come to Dani’s is their complimentary pot of Kona coffee. The biggest gripe about Dani’s is that they use spinach in the place of actual taro leaves in their lau lau.  If for you, there is no substitution for taro leaves, keep looking.

Tip Top Motel and Cafe

3173 Akahi Street, Lihue

(808)245-2333

Yeah the name doesn’t sound like your best experience on Kauai, nor will it look like it from the outside, but this one really is a hidden gem.  It is best described as an American/Chinese/Japanese bakery/restaurant.  The early 70s’ decor gives the place even more personality. The Tip Top’s claim to fame is its oxtail soup but it has plenty of other great choices if that doesn’t tickle your “start of the day” fancy.  Popular breakfast food items here include pineapple banana nut pancakes and of course their loco mocos. If you do get the pancakes, be sure to get the coconut syrup or spend the extra 50 cents for the guava jam.  You will thank me later.

The Tip Top cafe is over 100 years old. It was opened in 1916 by Deniro Ota. The business has been handed down through the generations and is now run by Jonathan Ota, Deniro’s great grandson (fourth generation).  Tip Top was originally started as a restuarant but Denjiro’s entrepreneur son, Mitchell added a 34 room motel to the business and today we have the Tip Top Motel and Cafe.

This is another crazy popular place in the mornings and despite having a motel parking lot, parking can still be challenging. If you are cold blooded, you may want to bring a jacket as their air conditioning only has one setting–high.

If you are looking for a less touristy spot for your meal, this is the place.  If you are looking for a place with lots of options for fruits and vegetables, this is not your place.  If you do decide that it is your place, grab some Kauai bread and macadamia nut cookies from the bakery on your way out and extend your Tip Top experience through your day.

Rainbeau Jo’s

3215 Oihana Street, Lihue

(808)652-5166

I always thought that the fish taco trucks were the only food trucks worth visiting in Hawaii but this place proved me wrong.  Rainbeau Jo’s is a food truck serving up specialty coffees and bagels.

Run by the couple, Beau and Jo, they call themselves the Cruzin’ Coffee Slingers. They serve up plenty of Kauai vacation tips with their steaming coffee, organic bagels and home-made cream cheese.  They are the nicest folks and have a cult-like following with their most devoted customers.

Favorites there include the Funky Monkey (granita) and “Lox it up” (bagel).  If you think you will be vising there frequently, ask for a punch card.  This place is located in an industrial park so you will definitely want to grab and go.  Remember my previous advice about eating at the beach? You won’t be far from Nawiliwili Bay.

Take note of Rainbeau Jo’s hours.  They are open from 7:30 am to 11 am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  They do not have the problem of being extra-busy on weekends.

While you probably aren’t going to Kauai for a good breakfast-although any excuse is a good excuse, there are plenty of choices for a great breakfast to add to your Hawaiian vacation memories.

Aloha

Kauai in 3 days : The crash course

One of the main things to keep in mind when covering one of the islands on limited time is to reduce travel time as much as possible. With a 3 day trip, your best bet is to divide the island into 3 areas:

• North Shore
• Central Kauai
• South Shore

With this strategy, you are best finding housing along the east coast between Lihue and Kapaa. If you need a suggestion on a place to stay, try the Kauai Marriott. It’s close to the airport and centrally located. It’s right on Nawiliwili bay and close to Duke’s canoe club in case you need a fix of hula pie.

It really doesn’t matter what order you attack each region but note that the lighthouse is closed on Sunday and Monday so you may have to adjust your itinerary accordingly. Also your top priority should be to see the NaPali coast as no other island has anything like it. You may want to plan on doing the south region first to see the NaPali coast, just in case there are any cancellations with your boat or helicopter ride due to bad weather. You will have two more days to go if needed.

Understand that to visit Kauai, you need to rent a car.  You might be tempted to scrimp on car rental companies. The cheaper your rental, the longer your wait at the rental car company will be. Their employees are in no hurry to get you out of their long lines and off to see the island.  I have waited over an hour at these places but don’t any more. Go with Hertz or Avis if you can afford it.

Once you collect your luggage and get your car, stop for groceries at Walmart (3300 Kuhio Hwy in Lihue) or Costco (4300 Nuhou St also in Lihue).  The Walmart is slightly closer to the airport. Groceries are not cheap on the island and this is your best bet for lowest cost groceries. Once you have your load of goodies for the next 3 days, you are off on your adventure.

South Shore

• Napali coast. Each Hawaiian island is unique and has something to offer that the others do not. On Kauai, that one killer feature is the NaPali coast. You should make it your top priority to take it in. To really appreciate the NaPali coast, you need to do it from a distance. You have two options: by boat or by helicopter. The boat option is cheaper but can only be done during the summer months. We attempted it once in March and had to turn back. The tour company still kept our money so do a little homework if going by boat to make sure you make it all the way up to the coast. Most boat tours leave from Port Allen. Your second option, helicopter, is more expensive but you usually get a tour of the entire island. I have seen the NaPali coast both ways and it is fantastic either way. If someone in your party is prone to seasickness, you might want to do the helicopter ride as they usually run just an hour or two. The boat ride is usually half a day as you spend a lot of time just getting to the coast from the port. Most helicopter tours leave from the airport and most of them require booking many days in advance.
• Frolic at Poipu beach. Poipu is a fun beach frequented by both locals and visitors.  It is a great beach for snorkeling but you can also just lounge if that is your thing. It is also a great place to watch the sunset if you don’t take my advice (see below) to watch a sunset at Polihale beach. While in that area, you should also spend a little time in Old Koloa town shopping for souvenirs. It’s a fun stop.
• Shop the stores of Waimea.  While taking in the south end of the island, you will probably drive through Waimea a few times.  Waimea rocks! Be sure and spend a little time there.  You can grab a quick lunch at the Shrimp Station (9652 Kaumualii Highway) or some shave ice at JoJos (9734 Kaumualii Highway). There are all kinds of shops along Kaumualii highway where you can pick up more Hawaii memorabilia.  While we are talking about shopping, you should stop at the red dirt shirt store in Eleele (4350 Waialo road) on your way to Waimea. There are all kinds of red dirt shirt knock-offs but the original red dirt shirt started in Kauai. Get the real thing.
• End your day at Polihale beach.  Polihale beach is one of those hidden gems in Hawaii. It may be one of the most secluded beaches in Kauai. Because it is at the end of the road (literally at the end of highway 50) and takes some time to get to, there aren’t many people there.  Because it is so long (seven miles), you can always find a stretch of the beach for yourself.  If you go as far as the dirt road goes, you can catch a glimpse of the south end of the NaPali coast.
  
  Polihale is not the best beach for swimming. It usually hosts strong currents. For an awesome, secluded beach with killer unobstructed tropical sunsets, Polihale beach is my favorite.
  

North Shore

• The Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife refuge (closed Sunday and Monday). The lighthouse itself is great to visit with great views of the ocean and sometimes a whale.  Folks come to the lighthouse to watch the humpback whales migrate.  There is also quite a variety of birds for you birdwatchers. If you are a photographer, you will have plenty of photo opportunities of the lighthouse, the visitors, the ocean, and all the wildlife all around.   The Kilauea lighthouse is about 25 minutes away from Lihue.  The entrance fee is $5 per person.
  
  To get to the lighthouse from your location in Lihue or Kapaa, head North on highway 56 and turn right onto Kolo road and the right again onto Kilauea road. You will find your destination at the end of the road. The town of Kilauea is about 23 minutes away from Lihue.
  
• Queens bath. Queen’s Bath is one of the more popular places to visit near Princeville. It is a larger than normal, deeper than normal tide pool situated right next to the crashing ocean waves.  You can swim in this natural pool with fish from the ocean.  It is located in a long expanse of lava rock along the north shore.  I have been there when we were the only folks there and I have been there when we had to wait our turn.  The pool is roughly the size of a swimming pool so many people can swim in it at the same time. Be careful when walking out along the lava rock ledges.  If the waves are crashing and water is flowing up that high, you may have to just view it from a distance.  Conditions can be dangerous at times.
  
  To get to Queen’s bath from Lihue, take Highway 56 (Kuhio highway) to Princeville. Turn right onto Ka Haku Road right before the Princeville Shopping Center. Continue on to Punahele road. Parking can be tight so you may need to circle back on Kapiolani road to find a place to park your car.
  
• Snorkeling at Ke’e beach or Tunnels beach or perhaps both.  Both Beaches have some of the best snorkeling on the island or you can just lounge if you prefer.  Ke’e beach is very easy to locate as it is at the end of the road, Highway 560 that is. It is often referred to as “end of the road beach.”  Tunnels beach is a little tougher to find.  You can try to turn towards the ocean at mile marker 8.5 along highway 560.  If that doesn’t work, you can park at Haena state park and walk over to Tunnels beach.
  
• End your day at the Hanalei pier. There are plenty of places to eat around Princeville for dinner. Get to the pier at sundown to witness a killer Kauai sunset. The pier is located at the mouth of the Hanalei river.
  

Central Kauai

This should be your day of least driving.

• Snorkel at Lydate state park. Lydgate state park is a unique beach in that it has a section that is totally protected by a man-made lava rock wall. If you are brand new to snorkeling or just plain don’t like the waves beating you around out in the open ocean, Lydgate is a great option for you. Surprisingly, some pretty big fish are able to make it into that enclosed area. Also, there is a nice beach there for you to rest in between your snorkeling adventures.
• Kayak the Wailua river. The Wailua river is a 20 mile river that flows down the lush scenic Wailua river valley. You only have two options to see the Wailua river valley: by boat or helicopter. Kayaking the river is an entertaining activity and is great for families. I have a family of four so it works out great for us. We get two two-person kayaks for half a day.
  If its your first time on the Wailua river, you should take a tour to secret falls. If you have been on the river before, you can just rent a kayak for half a day and go wherever you like or follow some other tour group. If you have never kayaked before, don’t worry. It doesn’t take a tremendous amount of skill and the tours usually begin with a quick lesson in kayak handling.
• ‘Opaeka’a Falls and Wailua Falls. These two waterfalls are very close to each other but unfortunately, the drive is longer than it seems like it should be. It takes about 20 minutes to drive between the two falls. ‘Opaka’a falls can be found up highway 580 and Wialua Falls is up highway 583.
  

  ‘Opaeka’a Falls

  

  Wailua Falls

  
  One of the coolest aspects of Hawaii is the amazing waterfalls and ‘Opaeka’a and Wailua are two waterfalls that you can experience fairly quickly with little effort-especially if you are staying in Kapa’a or Lihue. Many waterfalls require a hike of some sort. Neither of these do. You can find more information here about the waterfalls of Kaui.

The Sun sets on the West side of the island so there will be no killer tropical sunsets to witness this day. You can end the day anywhere. Stick with a beach, you can’t go wrong.

Other options to swap in

If those day itineraries are not quite doing it for you, here are a few honorable mentions to consider swapping in.

•  Waimea Canyon.  You can visit this while on the south shore.  Often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is a deep red canyon with waterfalls and Kauai roosters.  Some great hikes there worth considering are Nualolo cliffs or the Alakai swamp trail. Here is my more detailed write up of Waimea Canyon. Waimea canyon can be very divisive among visitors.  Some love the visit while others don’t see it as worth the time required to take it in. I, personally love the place. Those who get car-sick easily may not like the trek up the canyon. You should read reviews from a place like tripadvisor.com to see what fellow visitors have to say.
• Golfing. Everything is prettier in Hawaii and golf courses are included in that sentiment. If you want to swap in a round of golf, consider Princeville, when up North.  On your central region day, visit Wailua golf course or Puakea golf course. On the south shore, you can go to Poipu bay golf course.
• Spouting Horn. You can visit spouting horn when down near the Poipu region (South shore). Spouting horn is an underground channel in the lava rock that water shoots up through like a geyser when the tides come in. This is another polarizing destination. Some folks enjoy it while others would rather spend their time in a different way. Watch this video of spouting horn at youtube to get an idea of what it entails. Obviously, the height of the water shooting up will depend entirely on the tide.  If the tide is out, you won’t get much of a spectacle. So you may want to check the tides before going there.  And you may be fine just watching the youtube video and moving on.
• Fern Grotto. If you want a less strenuous method of seeing the Wailua river, you can take a boat ride up to the Fern Grotto. The Fern grotto is a natural lava-rock cavern, lush with hanging ferns and tropical foliage, cooled by waterfall mists.  Fern grotto is a destination enjoyed by many.  You can visit this on your Central region day.

Okay, so there it is, a world-wind tour of Kauai in just three days. They will be three fairly busy days but days you will remember the rest of your life. Have a great time and be sure and let me know your trip went.

Aloha

My heart always sinks when a friend comes back from a Kauai vacation and tell me they had a miserable time because it rained “the whole time.”  I also think back on my first visit to Kauai when it rained a couple of days and we stayed in our room and sulked.  But gone are those days and that attitude as I have figured out what to do on Kauai when it rains–just like many other seasoned travelers.  Here is a quick list that is by no means exhaustive.

1. Wait it Out.  Yep, even if it rains every day, it may not rain all day. Bring up the weather forecast by the hour and you may find that the rains will be passing on soon.  You may need to shift your plans slightly and eat or call home during the rainy time so you can get out on your adventure as soon as it passes.
2. Head South or Maybe West. If you are up in Princeville, head down to Poipu.  If you are in Poipu and it is raining, head a little west over to Waimea. Or if you are in Waimea, go even further west over to Polihale beach.  Check weather conditions because if you are on Kauai and it is raining, there is a good chance that there is somewhere on the island that it is not.
3. People or Ocean Watch. Sometimes it is fun to sit on your Lanai and watch the people shuffle by.  I have also been amazed at how the wildlife can often become a little more active when it rains.  On more than one occasion, my family has watched seals swim up onto the beach during the rain.
4. Ignore the Rain.  I don’t live in Seattle but my employer has headquarters in the North West and most of my co-workers live there.  It rains there alot and all my buddies have adopted the attitude that if they have planned an activity, they do it, whether it rains or not.  You can adopt that same attitude.  I have found it quite pleasant to snorkel in the rain.  I am already wet and there aren’t too many people out in the water with me.  Some folks have said that the rain stirs up dirt and obscures the water which brings in the sharks (which may be why the seals are exiting).  I haven’t worried too much about that as I’m usually in some shallow reef but if that bothers you, hit the pool.  You might find that you are the only one there.  Again, you are already wet.
5. Go for a Walk.  Unless it is an outright downpour, walking in the rain can be quite pleasant.  The temperatures are usually high enough to keep you warm if you have your rain jacket on.  You might even have your umbrella.  Strolls along the beach can be quite nice during these times.
6. Shop.  If you can’t stand the thoughts of getting wet, then head indoors when the rains roll in.  There are plenty of places on the island that will accept your money during inclement weather. If you are up North, visit Ching Young Village (5190 Kuhio Highway).  If on the East side, go see the Coconut Marketplace (484 Kuhio Highway).  If in Lihue, go to Kukui Grove ( 2600 Kaumualii Highway).  If in Poipu, you can visit the Poipu Shopping Village (2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive).  If you are over near Waimea, you can visit all kinds of shops along Kaumualii Highway.  Be sure and get some shave ice at JoJo’s.  If you are a book lover, visit the Talk Story Book Store, billed as the western most book store in the U.S. It sells new and used books and is well worth a visit if for nothing other than its charm. It is at 3785 Hanapepe Road in Hanapepe.
7. Visit Many of the Covered Attractions. There are too many museums, historical sites, and art galleries to list here but you can google whatever interests you. If you need a starting list, consider the West Kauai Technology and Visitors’ center, Old Koloa Town Historical Center, or the Kauai Museum.  If you need something more active, you can go bowling in Lihue at the Lihue bowling center (4303 Rice Street Lihue).  If you are looking for something more sedentary, take in a movie at the Kukui Grove Cinema (4368 Kukui Grove St. in Lihue).
8. Take Pictures. If you are a shutterbug, you already know that better pictures can be taken during cloudy and rainy conditions due to more diffuse lighting.  The greens are greener and the colors more rich. Try visiting one of the many tropical gardens.  See the  National Tropical Botanical Gardens site for suggestions.  Be sure and keep your equipment protected.
9. Take a Class. Most hotels offer classes during the day with such diverse offerings as lei making, ukulele playing, and hula dancing.  I have done it all but the hula dancing.  Check in with your concierge to learn your options.
10. Visit a Spa. Not only is Hawaii the most relaxing place on earth but some of the spas there are found in the most awesome surroundings.  If this interests you, do a search on tripadvisor.com for Kauai spas.  There may be one located in the hotel where you are staying.
11. Relax.  Yep, you have my permission to let your hair down a little bit.  You are on vacation after all.  Don’t get too uptight because of a little rain. Take a nap.  Read a book.  Listen to some Iz (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole).  That alone will wash away all your cares. If fact, you should listen to Iz whether it is raining or not.

The truth is Kauai is the wettest of the Hawaiian island.  The reason why the island is so amazingly lush and green is due to the rain.  If you can’t handle a little rain, you shouldn’t visit Kauai.  And please don’t ever complain to the locals about the weather.  They are already aware of it.  They live it.  And they may not view you as a gracious guest.  If you don’t like rain, go to Las Vegas instead.

If you are still planning to visit Kauai, good for you.  You will go and being informed, you will have a great time.

Good Luck.

Choosing Hawaii as your family vacation destination was your first step in pulling off that unforgettable family vacation.  Follow these 7 tips to make it even better

1. Include your kids in the planning.  This one is so simple and so obvious but  many people forget to seek their kids’ input while in the vacation planning stages.  While planning a recent vacation, I asked my kids what they wanted to do.  My daughter responded that she wanted to go horseback riding.  This has always been one of her passions but for some reason, this activity hadn’t crossed my mind.  But it was my daughter’s only input  so we booked an afternoon of horseback riding.  That turned out to be my daughters favorite activity on that trip and something she talks about often.
2. Make sure your kids understand what to expect on the flights. When my son was young, he didn’t realize that there were bathrooms on airplanes.  This lack of information didn’t hurt him until he tried to hold it in for a 5-hour flight across the Pacific.  When we got to our destination, I realized that he had wet his pants.  Further investigation turned up why he never said anything to anybody.  He didn’t realize that he had options.  There went my Father-of-the-year-award.  Make sure your kids understand the location of airplane bathrooms and how they work.  Let them know about snacks and meals. If you don’t have a nonstop flight, make sure they know what to expect with layovers.
3. Don’t overbook your days.  If you have an itinerary, don’t put too much emphasis on it.  Depending on the age of your kids, you may be able to only tackle one or two big activities a day.  Better than in itinerary would be a prioritized list of things you want to do.  Start at the top and check them off as you accomplish them. When are kids were small, we found the best formula was to take on one big activity in the morning, come back to the hotel for lunch and some rest and then let the kids do what they wanted for the rest of the day.  Pushing your kids too hard to take it all in results in meltdowns and vacations that aren’t as much fun as anticipated. You may need to lower your expectations a bit.
4. Check Restaurant menus.  If you kids are picky eaters, you can avoid some drama by checking menus before visiting a restaurant.  Many restaurants will post their menus online.  If on Kauai, check this guide out. It shows many menus of different eating places on Kauai and can also help you decide where to go to eat.  Many restaurants post their menus outside their front door so you can double check before entering or even passing by earlier in the day.
5. Remember the time shift.  Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific ocean so most people have traveled many hundreds of miles to get there.  Those voyages usually require the passing of several time zones.  Our home time zone is off by 3 hours from Hawaii’s.  If you live on the East coast in the U.S., your difference will be even bigger.  If you are from the U.S., you days will start a little earlier in Hawaii and end a little earlier.  Keep your kids’ routines in mind.
6. Keep your kids informed as to what you plan to do from day to day.  This is another thing that seems pretty simple but can pay off greatly.  Each night, let your kids know what the plans are for the next day.  They will plan accordingly and may bring along something important for them.  It may be their underwater camera or something special they wanted to wear.  You never know.
7. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen. A severe sunburn has ruined many vacations for many people and it is so easy to combat.  Besides the early and often application of sunscreen, limit the amount of time in the sun and make sure everyone in the family is drinking plenty of water.  Hawaii may be closer to the equator than you are used to and those powerful rays can burn faster than you think.

One final thought is to take plenty of pictures–even of seemingly mundane situations.  That is what memories are made of.  For each family vacation, my wife has made a photo album to summarize the trip.  In this digital age, I am amazed at how much time  my family and friends spend flipping through the pages of a hard bound scrapbook.

Photos help keep events fresh in our mind.  Not only is it fun to go back and relive your vacations but it also keeps memories fresh in the minds of your kids so when you ask them what they want to do on your next vacation, they can remember those things they really enjoyed and can eliminate those items that weren’t nearly as much fun.

National Geographic just released their list of world’s best destinations for 2017 and Kauai tops the list.  With all the amazing places to visit on Kauai like Queensbathe, Waimea canyon, and the Napali coast, this does not come as a surprise to me.  Kauai does find itself in good company as National Geographic’s list includes Banf, Canada,  Tiger National park in India, and Marrakech, Morroco.

check out the full list here.

By Jörg Hempel – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Everything is always prettier in Hawaii.  And that is true of their geese too.  The Hawaii state bird is the nene or Hawaiian goose.  This pretty bird is endangered and there were only 30 of them back in 1951.

Not surprisingly, the Hawaiian goose is only found in Hawaii and mainly on Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.  It is estimated that there are less than  200 on Molokai. Below the location of the Hawaiian goose on each island is shown in yellow.

The Nene on Maui

The Nene on the Big Island

The Nene on Kauai

Nene Facts

The nene or Branta Sandvicensis (scientific name) is usually about two feet in length and can weigh up to 7 pounds (for the males).  They thrive on vegetated mountain slopes and golf courses. The nene breed from August to April and will typically reuse the same nest.  They lay from 1 to 6 eggs with a typical clutch of 3.  The incubation period is 30 days and the newly hatched goslings will be unable to fly for the next 12 to 14 weeks.  The nene mate for life and are typically seen in pairs.  Even though they are considered geese, the nene do not swim or fly as much as other geese.  Their wings are not as strong and their feet are not as webbed.  They do quite well scrambling over lava rock.

Their name comes from the noise that they make.  Most geese make a honking noise or a variant of it.  The nene make a sound that sounds literally like “nay, nay.”  Hence the unique name.

Fighting Extinction

It is believed that in the 1800’s there were 25,000 nene but it is also  estimated that the nene was eliminated from the island of Maui before 1890.  Existing hunting laws on the other islands continued to reduce the numbers of the Hawaiian goose.  By the mid-50s, their numbers had been reduced so much by hunting and natural predators (mongoose, cats, and dogs) that a concerted effort was made to protect the species.   The nene was named as the state bird in 1957. While the species is slowly making a comeback, it is still believed that there are less than 1,000 in existence today.

While the protected status has done the Hawaiian goose well, they have become more domesticated and less fearful of humans.  Remember that it is against the law to approach, harass or feed the nene.