Thomas Dorsey at one of several Waimea Canyon lookouts on Kauai; (c) Soul Of America
7 Days In Kauai
I highly recommend 7 Days In Kauai. You need the first day just to unwind from work and the long flight. The good news is you can visit in any season. Even in winter, you can enjoy the beach. When my wife and I visited Kauai again, she gave me one of those “We’ve returned to paradise kisses.” I felt 10 pounds lighter. Once we saw the beach, I never stopped smiling. In our two trips of 7 days each, these are a few of my favorite things.
One of my favorite drives is the Kauai Tree Tunnel of Eucalyptus Trees on Highway 550. Even if you don’t plan to stay in Poipu, this dreamscape makes your eyes celebrate.
The first time we visited, a helicopter ride gave us a spectacular bird’s eye view of the island. When we flew over the 4000-foot sheer cliffs of Napali Coast towards the ocean, my stomach nearly dropped. I could not wait to see the return approach back to the island overlooking Kalalau Valley entering Koke’e State Park. More magnificent views of the Garden Island had me awestruck.
If you return by ground another day, consider hiking part of the Kalalau Trail in Koke’e State Park leading to Napali Coast. Bring extra water and hike in the morning of hot seasons. We were gently warned that if it rains, watch out for flash floods on the streams were crossed. They can quickly turn into rivers.
Dramatic helicopter ride viewing the same waterfall in Jurassic Park movie; credit Hawaii Tourism Authority
I forgot to bring a camera to show my views outside the helicopter window. Hence, a tourism authority photo above has to suffice. Shortly afterward, the helicopter pilot took us to Manawaiopuna Falls made famous by the Jurassic Park movie. The pilot gently lowered us from the semi-circular top to see the waterfall up close. At the time, we were not permitted to land there. Today, a limited number of helicopters per day can.
The helicopter ride is a keystone activity on your first trip to Kauai. It gives you an overview perspective of everything to experience on the island. For safety, always check the weather for your planned time of ride. It’s normal to have some clouds over the wettest spot on Earth. But if its going the be super-cloudy or very windy, defer to another day.
This winter trip was all the more special because our grown kids, her sister and nephew joined us. Since the weather was mid-70s, we could beach, sail, hike, ride ATVs, ride horseback, or just chill as we liked in the Poipu on the south side of Kauai. Sheraton Kauai Resort was our host. The sandy crescent Kaihuna Beach was our marine playground. Old Koloa Town and The Shops at Kukuui’ula were our havens for gift purchases.
My wife Angela, her sister, and nephew at Waimea Canyon; (c) Soul Of America
We drove up Highway 50 to Hjnopi0opkeke Park, then turned east at Highway 550 towards Waimea Canyon. After the scenic 1-hour drive, I’m glad we got to one of several canyon lookouts before Noon crowds in the parking lot. There’s something majestic about a birds-eye view of the green-yellow-orange-brown canyon from a 3400-foot lookout. In the distance, we saw Waipo’o Falls dropping 800 feet in two tiers to Koke’e Stream. When you see the gorgeous valley, you’ll understand why hikers plan bucket-list trips here.
On our way back we stopped in the small town of Waimea for lunch and small gifts. It felt like a Western town until we saw native Hawaiians working in the stores. It was nice to order a sandwich and shaved ice from cheerful locals and support their jobs. We enjoyed an impromptu picnic in Hapokele Park and traipsed by a fruit stand for papaya and pineapple. Who knows how long because no one cared to look at the time.
A deli merchant in Waimea; credit HTA
The next day, looking west from Sheraton Kauai Resort, we saw black lava rocks from Kauai’s volcanic past 400,000 years ago as the oldest Hawaiian Island. As surf rushed in and out we saw a convention of seabirds outing for small marine life stuck on the rocks. Further west we saw the Spouting Horn blowhole. The rhythmic waves made it spout every 30-40 seconds. I found it amazing that something so simple hypnotized me with its beauty for about 15 minutes. Today, you can find scenic blowholes among some of them and seabirds casually hunting crustaceans caught on the rocks at low tide.
We enjoyed the short drive to Old Koloa Town for local food and to sample different cuisines via its many food trucks. Everything was abundantly fresh. One surprising feature in Koloa was seeing the imported African Canopy Trees. You don’t expect a scene from the African savanna, but it’s welcome nonetheless in this tropical paradise. Since there were no natural predators, wild chickens kept all vegetation around the trees fertile. So watch where you step.
African Canopy Trees in Koloa; (c) Soul Of America
The rain ruined our scheduled outside Luau and we refused to attend the indoor version. But I’m happy to summarize the similar Luau experience from those attended in Oahu and Maui. Native Hawaiians singing, dancing, playing ukuleles, and spitting fire after slow-roasting a pig for many hours make it a truly engaging cultural experience. BTW, the name lūʻau is a reference to the taro leaves at the core of many popular dishes.
If pork isn’t your thing, No Worries. There are plenty of restaurants in beachside resorts and along highways circling most of the island. Among many choices, we selected Keoki’s Paradise Restaurant on Poipu Road. It features a tropical garden setting that lets you birds chirp and visit, but too much to be a distraction. Our assortment of California cuisine dishes pleased every palette.
On the fourth day, my son and his girlfriend rented an ATV tour on the south side of the island. Not sure of which trail they rode but he said, “Dad, it was awesome.” I’ll take his work for it. My wife and I chilled at the Lava Cafe by the beach.
Our beaches of choice were Kiahuna Beach in front of our resort and nearby Poipu Beach. My wife and sister-in-law chilled on the beach. Our daughter learned to surf there, while I and a mojito cheerfully watched her efforts. In little more than an hour, she was up a surfing like an action figure.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal who dropped in to sleep at Kiahuna Beach; (c) Soul Of America
As I returned to the resort and joined my wife for a walk, we saw a Hawaii Monk Seal tanning in the sun on Kiahuna Beach. The seal was like, “I can’t cope with anything but sleep right now.” The resort put up cones yellow with crime scene tape circling him. No one bothered his resting area, allowing the seal to slip away unnoticed later.
Though Kauai’s tropical beaches are as enjoyable as any worldwide, one activity that sets Garden Island apart is mountain tubing. We took Kauai Backcountry Adventures Mountain Tubing through 5 old tunnels and flumes that drain voluminous water onto sugarcane fields of the former Lihu’e Plantation.
Even if you easily get claustrophobic, that feeling won’t last long because the tubes widen out as you approach the end. Tubing guides ensure that all riders make it through safely. It was an unforgettable and fun family experience. They take also your picture at the end as a memento.
Water tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures
One marine activity I do NOT recommend is ocean kayaking. On our first trip to Kauai, we had a near-tragedy when a prevailing undercurrent took our kayak further out to sea no matter how hard we paddled. Then it turned over. I helped my wife get back on the kayak, but I could not get back on without tipping it over again. We must have waited half an hour until someone in a yacht figured out that we were stuck. They came and rescued us.
Fortunately, we were not traumatized by the experience and still love maritime trips led by professional guides who know where the calm waters are and they stay nearby.
I highly recommend a snorkeling cruise, sailing cruise, sunset cruise, or Zodiac speedboat cruise off the Napali Coast. Leaving from Port Allen on the west side of Kauai, they take 3.5 to 4 hours.
While snorkeling there 15 to 25 feet down, I saw a virtual rainbow of fishes darting in and out of coral. I also found an 8 to 9-foot reef shark more intriguing than he found me. The shark darted away in a blur.
Our dinner cruise included a 3-course meal and multiple cocktails. Some people lay on the black tarp between each side of the twin-hull catamaran. Within the front guard-rail tip of our motor-powered catamaran, I playfully swayed with each wave dip as we plowed along at 15 knots toward Napali Coast. Water and mist gently splashed my face throughout the journey. I have never had more adult fun than that day.
My son and daughter on the rail of Capt. Andy’s sailing cruise; (c) Soul Of America
If you don’t mind 5-10 feet wave dips well on a catamaran like me, then it will be one the greatest sailing experiences in your life. If wave dips bother you (motion sickness), take Dramamine and stay in the middle of the catamaran. The dip sensation feels smaller and you’ll still enjoy the coastal views.
After one 7-day trip to Kauai in summer and another 7-day trip in winter, we can’t wait to take comparative trips in spring and fall. At any season, Kauai refreshes your spirit. A final point, a Kauai vacation adds state taxes that helps people recover from the Maui Wildfire. Or you can join my wife and I who were happy to directly contribute via Maui Recovers website. Together, We Are #MauiStrong
