Denny - I have resubmitted this to a new post as I already had it as a reply to a previous post I did yesterday but I was not sure if you saw it or not.
kalapakidooley - Thank you for the information. I am just in the beginning stage of learning the island of Kauai.
I agree with you - my husband and I both would rather save the money and stay in the garden view rooms. When we went to Hawaii last year, we had one week in Oahu in an oceanview room and one week on the Big Island in a garden view room and we actually enjoyed the garden view room better as the grounds were so beautiful.
A couple more questions for you if you don%26#39;t mind.
1. Are there any restaurants or bigger hotels possibly with nightly entertainment within walking distance from the Poipu Kai Resort?
2. My husband and I both like to hike - not particularly for all day hikes but nice 1-6 mile hikes or so. Any recommendations on where you have hiked and enjoyed would be appreciated. I noticed in an earlier post you did you stated there are some hiking trails which begin within walking distance from the Poipu Kai Resort - if so that would be great.
3. How far away (driving distance) is Waimea Canyon or Napali Coast?
4. Last question (for now) - do you know any condos in Maui (we are also going there for a week) that would be comparable to the Poipu Kai Resort (nice but not to expensive) and within walking distance to some nightly entertainment?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Couple Questions for Kalapakidooley
Muffincat...
Would enjoy helping you out with your questions. You will be very pleased with the Poipu area....although there are places to walk to, it is not crowded like the east shore, with traffic. With the exception of the Poipu shopping center parking after about 6 pm, but there is a solution to even that...it is easy.
OK:
Retuarants and/or entrtainment within walking distance of POIPU KAI. Inlcuding hotels.
POIPU BAR AND GRILLE; Right on the property next to the suite paradise rental office where you will be checking in. Happy hour starts at 2pm to aobut 5 pm with early lounge menu. Also have nice dining room, with open windows, and an easy feeling.
BRENNECKES: We have made it a special event to walk down to Brenneckes for our E Komo Mai toast to our friends,and being back on the island. They also serve lunch and dinner, and have a nice view of poipu beach and the ocean. 2nd floor across from poipu beach.
HYATT: We walk over to the Hyatt, sometimes for their sunset hawaiian music presentation on the TERRACE. This is really nice. Huge comfortable chairs, enjoying a sundowner, and the music and dancing, and overlooking the ocean.
Upstairs from the TERRACE, is STEVENSON LIBRARY, all done in warm koa and other woods. Very classy. I actually wear my one pair of long pants, and an aloha shirt. We just sit back, and talk story and listen to the live smooth jazz.
TIDE POOLS: We have not eated here, but it looks fabulous. Polynesian style fales overlooking the tropical lagoons. I would say this would be a special dinner occasion.
Yes, you can walk over in about 10 minutes.
Will pass on directions at a later date if you wish. Easy,and pleasant walk.
Still walking or hiking;
HIKING THE LITHIFIED CLIFFS: Honestly, we did this 4 or 5 times this last visit, in between the rains. It has become kind of a morning ritual. Probably about 4 miles round trip if you go all the way to maha ulepu beach.
Walking past the HYATT from poipu, you will see a cliff and headland at the end of the beach. You can climb up the cliff, or just walk the easy up slope grade to the trail above. Rate this one: EASY
The cliffs and rock have eroded, and are quite interesting. The ocean waves crash into the rocks below. Eventually the golf course will be on your left, and the ocean on your right as you walk toward maha ulepu.
Trals are safe, and you can select a more inland trial, or walk along the edge of the sandy cliffs. One thing, be alert for erosion when walking close to a precipice.
However, it is fun to take different paths.
Some wind between trees, others on large sandy trails, and of course the trail next to the cliff itself. All trails lead the same direction, and are withing 50 yards of each other at the widest.
Some days we walk all the way to maha ulepu, others we turn around early and head back to poipu kai to fix breakfast. This is a great way to start the day.
HERITAGE TRAIL: sometimes after BBQing, we will walk from Poipu Kai down toward Brenneckes beach ( adjacent to poipu beach park ). Then follow the paved road up the hill...at the top is Makahuena Resort on the makai ( ocean ) side. Immediately past the drive way, turn right on to the nearly hidden trail. Walk along the bluffs..the Embassy will be on your left. Great View.
Then stroll down toward shipwreck beach at the hyatt,and then back to the condo.
POIPU AREA, but maybe a 3 minute drive.
Poipu Shopping Village:
NOTE: The large parking lot may be filled, so instead of pulling into the lot stay on the entry road, and park there. It is easy and very evident.
ROYs: Excellent food. very nice. Classy.
Extremley popular. RESERVATIONS.
KEOKI%26#39;S: Tropical south pacific ambiance,
water fall inside. We prefer eating at the bar, and order from the lounge menu. This is a great deal, with excellent choices,and delicously prepared food. Casual style.
JOES ON THE GREEN: Drive on the road that leads to the shopping center, but keep on going and follow the signs to the golf course.
Try Joes for BREAKFAST...reasonable, NOT A GREASY SPOON despite the name. Sit outside, with a view of the golf course and mountains.
this is a great spot for your first breakfast on the island. Try the banana macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup.
JOE and Caroline are the owners.
BEACH HOUSE, on Lawaii road on the way to spouting horn. About a 5 minute drive.
Go EARLY, get first seating reservations.
We arrive about a half hour early and check in..and then go into the very nice bar.
Ask for a window table..well, the slider will probably be open, island and ocean scents waft in...watch the surfers catch the last waves...bring your camera and go out onto the lawn for sunset photos.
We have always had great meals and service here...13 years worth.
Will pause here, and continue about hikes that meet your criteria on the next post.
Denny
Couple Questions for Kalapakidooley
Muffincat:
HIKES THAT WE HAVE DONE that will fit into your requirement of a 6 mile max or less.
1. You already have the info on the lithified cliff hike next to the hyatt.
Oh, that point that you see from the hyatt is called MAKAWHEHI POINT. Braver souls than I, can be seen leaping off the cliff into the sea.
2. WAIMEA CANYON area: ( About 1:00 hr drive)
The CANYON TRAIL ( Viewing Waimea Canyon)
Drive up Waimea Canyon road and between the 14 and 15 mile marker you will see a parking turn out on the left. On the right you will see a sign, the steep 4 wheel drive road leading down to the trail will be just across the road from the parking area.
Beautiful hike, not hard, and fantastic views, and water falls in the winter. Probably about 2 t 3 hours. Just taylor it to your own abilities. Easy.
Dont forget that camera for any and all hikes.
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3. PIHEA ( pee-hay ) trial:
About 1:20 minutes to the top of the road)
Pretty easy, and has picture postcard views of the Kalalau Valley. Very pleasant. We have done this many times,and enjoy it each time.
Wide trail, but can be rutty and a little muddy in spots, but not any big deal.
Ohia and fern forests. You will have killer views of the kalalau to your left. Also a family friendly and pleasant hike. There is some down,and then up slope walking on the trail. The paved road will be mostly down on the return....yeahhhhhh !!
Guessing at about 4 miles round trip, but I dont think we walked that far. Not sure.
Now, you might have a little added exercise here. The road to the Puu O kila lookout, where the Pihea trial-head begins has been closed to vehicles due to pot holes.
Soooo, as you come to the kalalau lookout parking lot...a barrier will be across the road, so you cannot go any further ( unless they have fixed the pot holes ).
Just leave the car, and enjoy the beautiful walk up the paved road to the Puu o kila lookout and the trail head. Maybe 15 minutes or so. Honestly, I toss my watch in a drawer at the condo for our whole visit. So, my times might be a little off.
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EAST SHORE HIKE:
KUILAU RIDGE TRAIL: Turn mauka ( toward the mountains )just past ( north side) the Wailua river. follow Kaumo%26#39;o road to the end and follow the directons in the UKG.
What the heck is a UKG? ( ULTIMATE KAUAI GUIDEBOOK ) please pick it up here on the mainland, and study it, and refer to it on your visit. Even after 13 years, we always have the UKG with us.
The KUILAU RIDGE TRAIL is very beautiful with ferns and other lush vegetation. Heck, pack a lunch, and refresh up at the picnic table a bit further up the trail.
This is a very nice hike, and probably easy to lightly moderate. Trail is well marked, but can also be slightly muddy in spots. Well, it is a tropical island. You will really like this hike.
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THE NAPALI:
HANKAPIAI ( Hana-kop-ee-eye) Trail is the first two miles of the tuff kalalau trail.
Family friendly, and I would say easy to lightly moderate.
You will have some views of the napali, but the absolutely best way to see the Napali is by tour boat. More on that later.
This trail is really fun, and we love it. It is around 4 miles round trip to Hanakapiai beach. It really is a very wonderful north shore hike. Muddy in spots, but no biggie.
They might still have a rope acrosss the little stream that flows down the canyon from the waterfall. You hold on to the rope, hand over hand, and walk thru the stream to hanakapiai beach. Sounds difficult, but kids and grammas were crossing with easy grace.
When you return to the trail head, you will probably note the mud on your tennis shoes.
OOOOPs...no biggie.
Just across the road is KEE (Kay-ee) Beach, faciliies, showers, bathrooms, etc.
You can wash off the shoes, and your ankles, and then...ta da....you are at Kee beach.
Sooo...Haul the snorkel gear and a towel out of the trunk of the rental beast, and go enjoy the beach, and water. WHAT A GREAT DAY !!!!
After all that, we are a bit HONGRY...so we drive back into Hanalei Town, and stop at Zellos for lunch and a cold brew and a glass of water. Then try to head home by about
2:30pm or so to beat the KAPAA gridlock traffic.
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NAPALI CRUISES:
This really is a must, and the best way to enjoy the NAPALI COAST ( or by helo, well, lets do both...you are on vacaton ! )
BOATS: range from small fast inflatable rafts to 55 ft. catamarans. We have done
7 napali trips, all on different vessels.
Loved each and every one of them.
Will just highlight our absolute favorites
NAPALI EXPLORER ( SMALL FAST RAFT ) out of kikialoa small boat harbor WAIMEA.
Maybe about 8 people or so with us. This was GREAT FUN...roaring along the Napali, coasting into sea caves, and under water falls. Plus the excitement of zooming across the water at high speeds.
Also, with the small raft, you can go ashore at Nualolo Kai, and a guide will lead you thru the ruins of an acient hawaiian village.
Then have lunch ashore and go snorkeling.
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KAUAI FUN: Also on the west side, and about a 30 minute drive from poipu. Same KIKIALOA harbor.
Guess at a 33 foot powered catamaran, basic boat. But what a grand time we had. Capt.
Greg Baptiste and his dad, Denny.
Greg holds an unlimited tonnage license,and his actual job is skippering large vessels throughout the world. Highly skilled.
He took us deeper into the sea caves than any of the other tours that we had been on.
Denny ( dad), is something like fourth generation working the cane fields. He is one funny fellow. Kept us in stitches and howling with laughter.
Wonderful experience, and were escorted by dolphins, and snorkeled nualolo kai, and
had lunch on board.
KAUAI FUN was just that. Perfect name.
Highly recommended.
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BLUE DOLPHIN CHARTERS: Out of Port Allen, on the west side, about a 20 minute drive.
Large 55 ft. catamaran, with all the amenities. Capt. Chris and the crew were professional and fun. Divng as well as snorkeling at nualolo kai.
Smoother ride than the smaller vessels, with shade and seats aft.and marine heads ( bathrooms ) Great views of the Napali, and also great fun.
After snorkeling, they will have a huge layout of food, and complementary maitais, beer, and sodas ( and water ).
Blue Dolphin also rated highly with us. Lots of fun, but more comfortable than NAPALI EXPLORER or KAUAI FUN.
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Whew !!! You might copy this puppy, and place it in your KAUAI file folder for planning purposes. You are going to love this island.
You know, it is amazing when I talk to people and they tell me there was nothing to do on kauai.....and we a have just scratched the surface.
Aloha
Denny and Erica
Denny and Erika - Thank you so much for all the information - you are a world of knowledge about Kauai.
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