Your Hawaiian Vacation: Maximize and Minimize
Heading to Hawaii for that long-awaited tropical vacation in paradise? Looking for some tips on what to see and do there from a former inhabitant? You have come to the right place. My wife and I lived on the island of Kauai for three years. We are not experts by any means; but we know some tips and tricks that can help you maximize your Hawaiian vacation and minimize the price, discomfort, and anxiety you may have about your trips to this beautiful place.
And is that: Hawaii, particularly the island of Kauai, is the most beautiful place on earth. We have traveled extensively and there is simply no place more beautiful than Kauai in particular and Hawaii in general.
First, get there. One thing that top landers seem to lack is a good understanding of Hawaii and its geography. This misunderstanding can increase the length and cost of your trip. Here is an example of this. Several airlines frequent Hawaii, of course. Many even fly directly to Lihue on Kauai, bypassing Oahu from the west coast of the US. One thing to avoid when going to Kauai, therefore, is an itinerary that takes you via Honolulu, which is on Oahu. There’s no need to stop there, and this usually adds to the expense and time involved in getting to Kauai. Check with your travel agent. Unless you want to see Oahu and its attractions, fly directly into Lihue Airport.
There are seven main islands in the Hawaiian chain, or at least seven that are now over water. For geology buffs, the Hawaiian chain actually consists of 124 islands stretching 1,200 miles across the central Pacific. Most of the 124 have been submerged for a long time, having been created and then eroded by wind, water, and natural forces over the previous 100 million years. Today we have access to the islands of Hawaii (the Big Island), Molokai, Maui, Oahu, Lanai, Kauai, and Niihau. Check that: Niihau (pronounced Knee-EE-How) is inaccessible to tourists unless the 400 or so natives who live there give permission. This permit is rarely granted, as the island is privately owned.
These seven islands span four hundred miles from the southeast coast of Hawaii to the northwestern tip of Kauai. This is roughly the distance between Columbus Ohio and Chicago. So no we can’t see all the islands from the others, and no we can’t drive from one to the other, sorry.
To Kauai. This northwesternmost Hawaiian island is called The Garden Island, for a very good reason. It is claimed that seeds dropped into Kauai’s rich volcanic soil will sprout with little attention or help, and the plants will flower in no time. This is evident from the moment our plane lands in Lihue; we are greeted by a riot of foliage of all sizes, colors, dimensions and shapes, and the scent of tropical vegetation is a veritable scent perfume factory. The temperature also favors Kauai’s Edenic setting. The airport has no doors, no windows, and no way, in other words, to inhibit extreme temperatures. And no need. Daytime temperatures average 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures rarely dip below 70°F. These are year-round conditions, so pack shorts and t-shirts, unless you burn easily.
Speaking of which, don’t forget to block. The Hawaiian sun is not hotter than at home in Omaha, but it is more intense and lasts longer. Kauai is located at 21 north latitude. Sunburns are a constant possibility and a true holiday end.
To maximize your trip to Kauai, I suggest these six items as a must-do agenda. These six represent my personal highlights that should be on everyone’s wish list, even if it means a second mortgage on the chalet.
1 A helicopter tour of the island. Kauai is simply stunning, and much of it is inaccessible by car or even on foot. Check out one of the big-name tour operators and fly around Kauai. It is a trip that you will remember forever and talk about for a long time. Don’t go to Kauai without taking a helicopter tour. Period. It would be like going to Paris and ignoring the Eiffel Tower. Cost of a Helicopter Tour: Varies depending on the operator and the length of the tour, but is worth every penny regardless.
2 Snorkel at Ke’e beach. Drive to the end of Route 560 until you can’t drive anymore and you’ll be at Ke’e Beach Park. Pronounced Kay-Ay, this beach at the end of Kauai—and the westernmost point of the US, by the way—is simply a scuba diver’s paradise. Rent equipment from any vendor in the nearby town of Hanalei and spend an hour or three exploring Ke’e’s many caverns, shoals and reefs that are teeming with all manner of exotic sea creatures and some quite friendly. A word of warning though – do not stand or walk on the reef! This erodes the fragile coral life found there and causes the reef to shrink. Cost to snorkel at Ke’e Beach: Approximately $20.00 for equipment.
3 Sunset at PoliHale beach. It’s quite a torturous ride up a rough and poorly maintained dirt (and mud) road, but PoliHale Beach is worth every bump and tire-punctuating pothole. Pole-EE-Hall-EE Beach, the name means House of the Spirits, is located on the westernmost tip of the island of Kauai, and may be the most beautiful beach in the world. Polihale has seven miles of pure white sand, consistent surf, and home to Kauai’s famous “barking sands.” This beach is also the beginning of the famous NaPali Coast, the most spectacular scenery in all of Hawaii. Polihale beach cost – Zero.
4 Waimea Canyon. Why-May-Uh Canyon is the chasm that defines the western land mass of Kauai. Waimea, the name means Red Water, is proof that Kauai has a little bit of everything, from sun, sand and surf on the beaches, to tropical jungles, lush green gardens and rugged mountainous terrain. Ten miles long, three miles wide, and one mile deep, Waimea was caused by an earthquake over 300,000 years ago that nearly split Kauai in two. The resulting rust-colored cliffs and multiple waterfalls in the canyon create a sight that is simply impossible to paint with words, or perhaps even pictures. You have to see Waimea to believe it. Take Route 50 West from Hanapepe to the city of Waimea to mile marker 23 and up the canyon. Don’t forget to fill up on gas; there is no season in the canyon. Hiking trails and scenic lookouts abound. If you want a good look at the Kalalau Valley at the end of the canyon road, head over there in the morning. The gazebo often gets cloudy at noon. Cabins are also available by reservation in the upper reaches of Koke’e State Park. Suggestion: bring a jacket or sweatshirt. Waimea is the only part of Kauai that can actually be cold. Cost to drive to Waimea Canyon: zero.
5 For the resident connoisseur of fine dining, Kauai can even handle that. Our suggestions include several fine dining restaurants on PoiPu’s south shore, including Roy’s, Brenneke’s, and The Beach House. In Lihue is Gaylord’s and Duke’s. Several great places to eat on the east coast can be found around the town of Kapaa, such as Blossoming Lotus and Kintaro for Japanese food. Many North Shore restaurants near Princeville, like the Princeville Resort and Hanalei Bay Resort, will leave you spellbound. In the city of Hanalei, several places offer excellent cuisine and a great atmosphere. Postcards, Hanalei Dolphin, and for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience try Dining in the Wild, unless dining on the beach or near a waterfall sounds dull or boring, then we feel for you.
6 Last but not least captivating, a whale excursion. Until you’ve seen a humpback whale leap through the air explode through a blue sea and crash beneath the waves in a tangle of flippers and fins, playfully spewing tons of seawater in all directions you haven’t really lived in. . Humpback whales arrive on Kauai in early December and leave the island’s environs on May 1. When present, whaleboats leave several times a day from the south coast. Take a charter, grab your camera and go whale watching. The dolphins will accompany you. And you will see whales. And your life will be improved. They are spectacular creatures.
To minimize expenses, travel light and buy lighters. That Hawaiian shirt from the souvenir shop? In Ohio, you will never use it. That doll with the hula hoop head? Uh-uh, give it back. Shop for groceries at Costco in Lihue or Cost-U-Less in Kapaa. Ask about group rates at the hotel and see Kauai in the winter, which is low season, believe it or not. The first week of January is probably the cheapest time to stay on Kauai. Don’t rent a large vehicle from a major rental. Kauai is a sixty mile drive away. For the true fiscal conservatives, try hitchhiking. Kauai may be the last place on earth where taking a walk is common, easy and safe. It is not uncommon to camp on the beach, and shelter houses offer showers. Just a thought. There are ways to visit Kauai and other Hawaiian islands for very little.
