Kauai Part Two
Travel Excursion
Kuila Ridge Trail – Kauai, Hawaii
Photo By Patrice Raplee
By Patrice Raplee
Emerald green vistas, canopies alive with birdsong and the pungent scent
of tropical flora draw hikers to explore Kauai, Hawaii’s abundant
hiking trails. The trail topographies vary from coastlines, valleys,
ridges and jungles. All of the trails range from undemanding to difficult;
finding the best hike to suit your fitness level will enhance your
experience.
Kuilau Ridge Trail, located on the east side of the island, is an incredibly
beautiful hike with a constant but gentle incline. The trail overlooks
a lush river valley and the mist enshrouded mountain rainforest.
There are varieties of birds that frequent the trees on this hike
and their continual song adds tranquility to the hike. Follow the
trail until you reach a small circular picnic area (about 25 minutes)
with a covered table and bench. Panoramic views display the varying
landscapes from this vantage point. This is a great place to bring
a packed lunch. The trail continues from this point and turns into
the ridge part of the hike and the views are stunning! Tennis shoes
are okay but if it’s muddy, light hiking boots will keep you happier.
The trail is easy to navigate.
Another interesting and picturesque hike located on the south shore is
the Maha‘ulepu Heritage trail. This is an intermediate hike and follows
the shoreline for a majority of the trail. Geological limestone formations,
wildlife, caves and cliff views punctuate the gorgeous ocean views.
This is a wonderful trail even if you don’t want to hike its entirety
(about four miles). Hike this trail in the morning before the crowds
hit the beaches. The heat of midday discourages a comfortable journey.
The morning is peaceful and the light is perfect for photography,
so make sure to bring your camera.
For additional information, visit http://www.hikemahualepu.org
There are some excellent areas to snorkel and dive on
Kauai, but river runoff can stir up sediment and make for cloudy water.
If you plan to spend a good deal of your visit focusing on water sports,
make sure you research the best time of year for your specific activities.
Rough surf and bad weather can quickly turn your Kauai visit into a
land vacation. The south shore of the island tends towards sunnier
days and calmer shores.
Poipu beach
is a great place for families and snorkelers. Multitudes of colorful
fish species swim within a hand’s reach. Divers
also frequent the waters further offshore from Poipu.
There are several competent and qualified dive companies
on the island for all ability levels, especially beginners. Two first-rate
companies in south shore with excellent reputations and experienced
divers and instructors are Seasport Divers, located in Poipu and Fathom
Five Divers, located in Koloa. Both companies set fair prices and provide
safe, quality dive experiences all around the island. If you just want
to snorkel and find secluded areas on the island, stop by Seasport
Divers. They will give you free maps showing the choicest locations
and provide the best time to snorkel in those locations.
For additional information on Seasport Divers and Fathom Five Divers,
visit http://www.seasportdivers.com http://www.fathomfive.com
A wonderful beach in calm weather for swimming, snorkeling, or just watching
a slow sunset is Ha’ena State Park, located at road’s end on the
north shore. Green fauna-covered pinnacles tower to the east of the
beach, adding to the almost prehistoric tropical milieu. The beach
is crowded during the daytime, but early evening to sunset the crowds
thin out and it’s a perfect place to relax and stroll on the beach.
Poipu Beach from the Lanai of Poipu Kapili Condominiums
Photo
By Patrice Raplee Restaurants
Kauai has a plethora of restaurants, pizzerias, cafes, coffee shops and
fruit stands. Here are a few of the best paces by area: For upscale
dining with fabulous Hawaiian fusion cuisine, try Roy’s, located
in south shore’s Poipu Shopping Village. Although Roy’s is a chain,
presentation of the fare is artful and perfectly prepared. The portions
are small but luscious and you won’t feel bloated in that new swimsuit
you just purchased. Make reservations, as Roy’s is frequently busy.
If you prefer casual family dining, visit Brennecke’s at Poipu Beach Park.
Their fish is wonderful, the ocean views are stunning and your kids
won’t balk at the menu.
Breakfast at Joe’s on the Green is a must for their lovely view and macadamia
nut pancakes with coconut syrup. Their menu is large and diverse;
you won’t be disappointed. Joe’s is located just off Poipu Road by
the Kiahuna Golf Course.
Ice cream is almost a necessity in hot weather and the king of all creamy
concoctions is Lappert’s. There are several locations on the island,
but the nicest is in Koloa on the south shore. This ice cream is
handmade on the islands and you won’t find it on the main land. Try
their dark roasted 100 percent Kona coffee; it’s spendy but worth
it.
On the east shore, Caffé Coco is a little place off Kuhio Highway in Wailua.
It’s an outdoor bistro-style dinner café in a garden setting with
exceptional coffee, delicious platters and a healthy creative menu.
In the evening, live music is featured and if you bring your own
wine or beer, there is a minimal corkage fee.
Fruit stands are exceedingly popular all over the island for a refreshing
pick-me-up. The best and tastiest is Moloa’a Sunrise on the northeast
shore. It’s located right off Kuhio Highway on your right. There
is ample parking and picnic tables in a park-like atmosphere to relax
and enjoy the stand’s menu items. Moloa’a makes their smoothies with
island fruit and the drinks are addictive. Try the Date with Fate
for an amazing treat.
Accommodations
Accommodations on the island are expensive, but deals are available even
during the busy season with a little research. The most popular areas
are the south and north beach areas. In Poipu, chain hotels dominate
the beachfront, and if you prefer these accommodations the Hyatt,
Sheraton and the Marriott are located right on the beach.
Condos are also located beach front with the Kiahuna and Poipu Kai taking
top honors in the large, yet sculpted multiplexes. The top pick for
a smaller condo stay in Poipu, right across from the ocean, is the
Poipu Kapili. It is a wonderful and reasonably priced place to stay
with an unobstructed ocean view. The complex features only one medium
sized swimming pool and a tennis court, but the well-maintained rooms
and the grounds are kept scrupulously clean and manicured.
The privately owned units are tastefully decorated and offer a multitude
of amenities that the larger complexes don’t have or will charge
a fortune for the same facilities. The staff is friendly, helpful
and you don’t get the feeling of being lost in a sea of multiplexes.
If you want an ocean view, make sure to request it up front and don’t
stay in the rear units unless you want a cheaper rate and don’t plan
on staying in your room during the day. Unfortunately, even Kauai
is seeing development and the once open spaces along the south shore
are now in the process of housing and condo developments that run
behind the beach road.
For additional information, visit http://www.poipukapili.com
The east shore features the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club hotel
that you have to see to believe. Private lagoons host walking bridges
festooned with ornate European sculptures and the lobby is a tropical
paradise with swans floating in a tropical pond. Expensive, yes and
a little on the Hollywood-side version of Hawaii but if you wish
a sublime atmosphere with a fabulous golf course out your hotel door,
visit the Marriott.
The north shore is expensive, but again, deals are afoot. The Princeville
Resort is an upscale and beautiful hotel with every amenity and luxury
available. The views are exquisite and the grounds are a tropical
heaven.
Shopping
At times, shopping seems incongruous on an island paradise, yet the smaller
village shops can be a nice place to stroll and window-browse after
a long day of playing. Two small but excellent places to find the
right chotchkey memorabilia or a new swimsuit are the Koloa Town
and Poipu Shopping Village.
Kola Town is charming and features several interesting shops, a grocery
store and separate pharmacy, restaurants and a historical area that
displays the town’s early sugar cane cultivation. For the best deal
on sunglasses, look for the Hot Lava vendor by the outdoor museum
display. This is also home of the best Lappert’s ice cream store
on the island and the aromatic handmade Island Candle Works.
The Poipu Shopping Village features a few good jewelry stores, souvenir
shops, restaurants (Roy’s) and clothing venues incorporated into
a lovely setting. This village is a bit spendy, but the shops’ goods
won’t be found all over the island.
Kauai is still the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands and you won’t
find towering buildings and a huge downtown mecca. Nights are spent
in rather low-key clubs chatting, sipping a mai-tai and watching
the sun slip beneath the ocean. It is an island to relax while exploring
your connection to nature. Find a secluded trail on a hillside overlooking
the ocean or valley and marvel at the incomparable beauty of the
true Kauai.
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