Kauai Information

Kauai Vacation Planning - Kauai – Anticipating the Ahhh!

When I was young, my family traveled from El Paso to Long Beach. Being from the desert, we can’t even spell water here, the ocean was so incredibly special. Weeks before our trip, we’d start singing, “By the sea, By the sea, By the beautiful sea, You and me, You and me, Oh how happy we’ll be, To be beside, To be beside the sea, Oh the beautiful sea.” And thus began my infatuation with the sea and the great infatuation I had for my father who had the great gift to make every event special. Yes, we were the Gringles, but we had such fun anticipating our trip. In the movie South Pacific, filmed on Hanalei Bay, Bloody Mary sings, “If you don’ have a dream, if you don’ have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true.”

We travel to leave our ordinary lives and visit an exotic place to find fun. Kauai is definitely exotic. So many of my guests say, “well, back in the States…..”. And that is the feeling, that you are in a foreign land full of adventure but you are clearly on American soil. Life is different here and you will not be disappointed.

It is my goal to make your vacation special. Kauai is not like going to California or Florida, where you go from hotel to beach, back and forth. On Kauai, you find a slower pace of life and beautiful sights you just can’t miss. You must get yourself out into the jungle where you are surrounded by nature.

I’m a gonna maka you sing. And here we begin.

Kauai Virtual Tour -View this stunning virtual tour of the island of Kauai More >

Kauai Beaches - Kauai has more beaches per mile than any other Hawaiian island because it is older than the other main Islands. On the north shore there is an abundance of beaches to fit the diversity of wants. There are great beaches for snorkeling, surfing, sunbathing and for children. In general, the beaches are “safe” but all beaches can be dangerous in high surf. The ocean is the calmest on the north shore during the summer. During the winter it’s best to head to the Anini if you have small children or want a “safe” beach day. If your goal is to find secluded beaches, read on. More >

North Shore Kauai Restaurants - The north shore of Kauai offers a wide variety of places to eat. Local, ethnic or gourmet – you will find it all. Dress is generally casual and comfortable. More >

Kauai North Shore Adventures - On Kauai's north shore you'll discover some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. There's the Na Pali Coast, whose cliffs rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. And Lumahai Beach, where Mitzi Gaynor 'washed that man right out of her hair' in the movie South Pacific. The north shore also is home to the quaint town of Hanalei, one of the earliest areas to be settled by the ancient Pacific voyagers. More >

Kauai North Shore Activities - The diverse settings on the Northshore of Kauai offer many things to do. Some of the most popular things to do are listed below. More >

Kauai History - Imagine a time 500-800A.D. when a group of people living on an island felt life was so unbearable that they set out on wild seas in a floating object constructed from surrounding natural components in search of a new land. Columbus, move over.
For five hundred years these first immigrants lived peacefully. Eventually, interaction between the Hawaiian and Polynesian Islands began and others followed. In the 12th century the Tahitians invaded. Oral tradition tells of a Tahitian priest who told that the mana or power of the Hawaiian chiefs was low, indicating that their gods were weak. More >

Kauai Flowers and Plants - The National Botanical Garden, http://ntbg.org/, has the following mission statement: Under its Congressional charter, the privately-funded National Tropical Botanical Garden administers gardens of extraordinary beauty and historical significance, advancing scientific research, public education, and plant conservation. More >

Most Common Kauai Plants - Kauai is known as the Garden Island. To familiarize you with the plants that give Kauai that nickname these are some of the common plants you’ll see. More >

Kauai’s Land - Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai was built by a large volcano that began building under the ocean over millions of years. After it built itself above the water, it remained an active volcano for some time and then became extinct about five million years ago. Eventually the great weight above the core collapsed, creating Waimea Canyon, and the diverse topography. Located in the middle of Kauai are Mount Kawaikini and Mount Wai’ale’ale, both over 5,000 feet. These are believed to be the western rim of the collapsed volcano crater. Mount Wai’ale’ale’ is the “wettest spot on earth”. More >

Kauai Wildlife - The Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge- The Kilauea refuge is located at the Kilauea lighthouse before you reach Princeville on Kauai’s north shore. Strolling the park provides close encounters with the protected red-footed boobies, Shearwaters, great frigate birds, brown boobies, red-tailed and white tailed tropicbirds, and albatross. Looking into the water you’ll find green sea turtles, dolphins and when in season, humpback whales.The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, founded in 1970, is on Kauai’s north shore. Hanalei is 2 ½ miles beyond Princeville. You can watch wildlife from Ohiki Road, which begins at the west end of the Hanalei one lane river bridge or from the overlook on the highway overlook in Princeville. More >

Kauai Festivals - Kauai has such a bright, happy and spiritual heritage. Locals celebrate their heritage with many festivals. Sharing in these festivals will enhance your Kauai experience. To find out what’s happening before you come visit http://www.kauaifestivals.com. On this website you can enter your travel dates and all the festivals and events scheduled will appear. Whenever you come, something fun is taking place. More >

Kauai Weather and Climate - One of the wonders of Hawaii is its remarkably delightful and stable weather. It is the only one of the 50 states that is both in the tropics and surrounded by the ocean. This, together with the topographic diversity of the individual islands, is what create Hawaii's magnificent climate.

Hawaii features persistent trade winds in a general east-to-west direction. The heart of the trade winds flow across Hawaii during the period May through September, when the trades are prevalent 80 to 95 percent of the time. From October through April, the heart of the trade winds blow south of Hawaii and are prevalent 50 to 80 percent of the time. More, including current conditons and Kauai weather forecasts >

Kauai Lei Making - “In Hawai`i, our most beloved chants and songs speak of lei, for a lei is not simply a strand of flowers sewn on a string, it is a garland of the many strands of love which grow over time, woven together into a symbol of affection and care for the recipient. Things strung on a string are a necklace. A gift woven of love is a lei.”

The wreaths of flowers and foliage worn by both men and women add fragrance and beauty to island life. Any flower can be used to make the Kauai lei. Most leis are made from the sweet plumaria. More >

History of the Hawaiian Luau - How fun to experience a celebration that is exotic! Although today’s luau’s are commercialized, the tradition of the luau is cultural and historic. Throughout the world, feasting has been and is a universal form of celebrating happy and important events. However, the Polynesians, and especially Hawaiians, have evolved this great pleasure into a truly unique cultural experience. More >

The Music of Kauai - As you exit the plane on Kauai from the mainland, one of the first sounds to greet you will be the rhythm of the Hawaiian music. Listen for the sound of the Hawaiian slack key guitar. Slack key guitar is a common Hawaiian instrument although not many know how to prepare a guitar for the slack guitar sound. More >

Kauai Sunsets – The Green Flash - Did you think we only jokin’? Well, the Green Flash does exist. Actually, the green flash can happen any place near the midriff of the earth, but the long horizon over the Pacific makes it easier to see. The green flash is caused by a refraction of the sun’s light rays by the atmosphere over the extreme low angle of the horizon. More >

Kauai's Wild Roosters - Wild Chickens, roosters and families of baby chicks are everywhere, running through parking lots, backyards, roads, jungles and golf courses. The roosters are usually a beautiful red color, occasionally speckled with white spots. More >

Planning Your Kauai Vacation

No place else do I travel that I see such total happiness and abandon from the rigors of mainland life as on Kauai. From the moment you exit the plane and breath the balmy breeze, a feeling of safe tranquility begins to relax. This is not a destination where you must rush to your next location, but a place where the people treasure Kauai’s beautiful land and truly take time to smell the plumaria. Mother nature is so flamboyant on Kauai that you cannot help but connect and time slows to the pace of the rustle of the swaying palms and the gentle sound of the rolling surf.

First, you will notice, there are no suits on Kauai. Clothing patterns nature and bling is crafted from fragrant flowers, shells and natural grasses. Everyone drives slower, walks slower and smiles. Couples, of all ages, walk hand in hand. Sunrises and sunsets become unforgettable moments and lasting memories. Rainbows appear on the ocean mist, even without a rain. Total rainbows may touch the earth only a few feet from you, reminding you that this is a pot of gold and this is really what life is all about. You will reacquaint yourself with you. You will rediscover dreams, love and life. I have heard so many friends say they become alive on Kauai.
This is the Ahhh of Aloha. Welcome to Paradise!

What To Bring - Trust me on this one; you don’t need to pack much for your Kauai vacation. All dress on Kauai is casual. Bring cotton shorts, t-shirts, sandals, tennis shoes or hiking shoes, a light sweater or sweatshirt during winter, a couple of bathing suits, binoculars, camera and sunscreen. You are good to go. Most vacation rentals have washers and dryers. Grocery stores carry small supplies of anything you may need. Princeville has a good grocery store, Foodland. There is a Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Macey’s. If your vacation rental does not have snorkeling equipment, pick them up at the Wal-Mart or in Hanalei at Piddle Paddle. Everything else you need you will find at Foodland. You must rent a car. Parking is free and plentiful. Leave your city hustle and thoughts of work behind. Allow yourself to relax!

Princeville - Princeville is 9,000 acres of planned luxury in a special location overlooking beautiful Hanalei Bay. In ancient times this bluff was considered to be a place of mana or power. When the Russians came to Kauai they built in the 1800’s the Russian Fur Trading Company built Fort Alexander on the site now occupied by the Princeville Hotel in an effort to support the independence of Kauai’s King Kaumauli’i. All that remains are the outline of the walls on the grassy lawn in front of the Princeville Hotel.

In the 1800’s the north shore was a huge sugar and coffee plantation established by R.C. Wyllie from Scotland. After King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma visited Wyllie in 1860, Wyllie changed the name of his Kauai plantation to Princeville in honor of the couples son, Prince Albert. Prince Albert died two years later. After Wyllie’s death, the plantation was sold. Wyllie’s plantation turned to cattle ranching, which lasted until 1969.

In 1969, Consolidated Gas and Oil of Honolulu bought the land and began developing it into a prime vacation community. A master plan was developed for the area to provide for quiet seclusion. Nothing can be built taller than a palm tree and designated areas of greenbelt, native jungle, must remain undeveloped. Some ranching must have remained because original owners of Sealodge and Pali Ke Kua condos recall traveling over dirt roads among cattle to reach their oceanfront properties.

The development was then purchased by Princeville Development Corp. from Australia and then by a Japanese group. The area grew.

Then Hurricane Iniki struck in 1992. The Princeville Hotel was a designated hurricane shelter and friends tell of arriving and being greeted by doormen in white gloves as if they were honored guests. During the hurricane the ‘guests’ were placed in an underground theater. After the lights went out, the management continued to update on the conditions outside and served a meal to those inside. Following the hurricane all worked together to restore Kauai. Because there was no electricity, the local restaurants prepared huge barbeques. Eventually the hotel was returned to its former glory. Pali Ke Kua Resort condos were leveled and rebuilt. The battered vegetation regrew itself into lush jungle.

There is now a huge rebirth of building in Princeville and prices have soared. North shore Kauai is for most the most beautiful spot on earth. The master plan for Princeville remains and the original small quiet condominium resorts of Puu Poa, Pali Ke Kua, Alii Kai and Sealodge hold prime white-water oceanfront spots.
See you there!

Kauai Snorkeling Tips - Snorkeling is one of the most intriguing experiences on Kauai. Not only is it free, and easy, it is an unforgettable experience. It is hard to imagine that an entire world exists within our oceans. Families of fish and coral exist in a fascinating unexplored world. You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to snorkel. With almost no instruction even beginners can snorkel on Kauai. You just float on the water peering down at life below. As groups of colorful fish swim past you, be still and watch below you. Suddenly what appeared to be rocks and sticks come to life as underwater living forms. North shore Kauai is home to the Anini Reef the largest reef in the Hawaiian Island Chain. This coral reef is home to hundreds of species of fish, one third of which are found no place else on earth. Kauai thus has some of the best snorkeling spots.

Most of the Anini Reef is shallow. There are many canyons and exciting areas to explore. Anini is suitable for beginners but always watch for tides and swells. Check surf conditions on the radio. It is best to snorkel during the incoming tide, which occurs immediately following a low tide.
Tunnels is located beyond Haena. It is named for the great number of paths that intersect this wide reef. This variation in terrain formed by both lava flow and reef formation create a place for easy yet exciting exploration of a wide variety of reef life.

Ke’e Beach, located at the end of the road on Kauai’s north shore offers great snorkeling during summer months when the waves are calm. It is a beautiful jungle drive to the edge of the towering Na Pali Coast. Here azure waters sparkle and bright colorful tropical fish await. Pacific green turtles often congregate in the lagoon just beyond the inshore reef. This is the spot to begin the famous trek up the Kalalau or Na Pali Trail to the first lookout, about one-mile. Most hikers try to continue past the first waterfall down to the first secluded beach. In all, this area is an unforgettable adventure worthy of at least one or two days. |

Snorkeling Tips:

1. Swells can occur without a storm. Surf reports are hourly on local radio and TV stations. Pay attention.
2. Always snorkel in areas where other swimmers or snorkelers are present.
3. Do not snorkel near surfers or body surfers.
4. Do not snorkel if water is unclear, rough or choppy.
5. Look out of the water frequently to see where you are. It is easy to drift away from your location.
6. The best snorkeling is in calm waters, usually mornings.
7. Although you can purchase fish food, do not feed the fish items that will make them sick.
   A good idea is to put a leaf or other shiny item in a zip lock bag and fill it with enough water so it can drift with you. Fish are very curious.
8. Help protect the reef. Do not stand on the reef. Paddle to a spot away from the reef with a sandy bottom to stand.
9. Both Pacific Green Turtles and Monk Seals are protected species. Watch them but do not attempt to get too close or touch them. Monk Seals may come up on the beach to rest. This is natural.
10. Keep your distance.
    
    

Latest Island Life Articles from The Honolulu Advertiser