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Fun
Kaua'i is a great place to relax, to do nothing but clean out the brain clutter. There are no "obligatory do's". Fun on Kaua'i is what you make it. We have included some on line listings, and invite you to search for exciting and wonderful commercial activities. But alternatively, we present you with some of Kaua'i's many simple pleasures.
Art Nite. A fun street scene in Hanapepe Town, every Friday nite from 5 - 8 PM. Artists crafters, food, music. From Poipu or Lihu'e, take Hwy 50 west and note the traffic lite at the Ele'ele Shopping Center, with McDonald's on the corner. Continue another 1/4 mile, and take the rite fork into Old Hanapepe Town.
Beach Walking. One of our favorites is the black sand beach in Waimea. It runs for about 2 mi from the Waimea Pier, past the Waimea Plantation Cottages to Kikia'ola Harbor. Best times to walk it are morning, evening, or in the moonlite. Driving from Poipu or Lihue, follow Hwy 50 west into Waimea. Turn left onto Pokole Rd, across from the Waimea Theatre. Parking lot and pier/beach access are straight ahead. Beach walk is to the rite (west).
Kaua'i Tip. When it's rainy on the north or east side of the island, drive to the west side, or Poipu on the south shore. It's often sunny there when it's rainy everywhere else.
Glass Beach. Arguably the ugliest beach on Kaua'i, but kinda neat in its own way. This small beach was a garbage dump decades ago. Bottles and jars have been broken down to tiny bits of glass and mixed with the black sand to add unique colors to the beach. Along the beach edge, WW II vintage chunks of rusted iron and cement appear fused with the lava rocks, and an old cemetery sits on a rise above the beach.
Driving west from Poipu or Lihue, follow Hwy 50 west to Ele'ele. Turn left at the traffic lite (McDonald's is on the far left corner) onto the short Hwy 541. Just before 541 enters the harbor, turn left onto Ala Ula. In 1/4 mi, the pavement ends, and the road forks. Take the gnarly rite fork down to the beach. The road continues a short distance past the beach to a turn around.
Hapa Trail. An easy 2.6 mi round trip hike that follows a historical route between Koloa and Poipu. Overgrown ancient rock walls, mountain views, and flowering cactus in season, are some of the attractions. The Koloa end of the trail begins on the left side of Hapa Rd, near St Raphael's Church. The Poipu end is behind the Little Fish coffee shop. The western side of the Poipu end of the trail has been developed, but the eastern side is open. http://www.hapatrail.org
Kauai Mini Golf and botanical gardens at Anaina Hou Community Park. Fun miniature golf blended into a botanical/cultural tour. Restaurant, mountain biking, playground and skate park, farmers' market, hiking trail. In Kilauea on the north shore. 828-2118.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Located in Kilauea, at the northernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge hosts substantial populations of nesting seabirds. Visitors can expect to have close encounters with the Laysan albatross, red footed booby, the great frigate bird, with a wing span of over 7 feet, plus red and white tailed tropic birds and the endangered Hawaiian goose. From atop the 180 ft cliffs, visitors can often see sea turtles, spinner dolphins, monk seals, and humpback whales in the ocean and surf below. A gift shop adds to your enjoyment.
Reservations are required for entry.
Kaua'i Tip. Planning to cycle while on Kaua'i? Do your homework first. Heading west from Lihu'e on Hwy 50, the shoulder narrows to a few inches in places after Halfway Bridge. Heading down to Koloa through Tree Tunnel and Knudsen Gap (Hwy 520), you will encounter narrow shoulders, and several blind curves.
Kukuiolono. A combination 9 hole golf course, 9 hole miniature golf course, driving range, practice putting green, plus a park. There is a small, but well kept Japanese garden near the first parking lot, and a Pohaku (rock) garden just behind the Japanese garden. The park has great views of the ocean and nearby towns, and large groves of eucalyptus trees add scent to the air. Enjoy the walking paths, but be aware of nearby golfers, or play the course, and enjoy the views.
From Lihue or Poipu, take Hwy 50 west to Kalaheo. At the traffic lite, turn left onto Papalina Rd. Follow Papalina a mile or so to the park entrance on the right at the intersection with Pu'u Rd. 332-9151.
Lydgate Farms. In simplistic terms, they offer a tour of their chocolate farm. In reality, it is an education in chocolate growing, processing, and history, as well as an insight into the several cultures that contributed to chocolate as we know it today. Plus guests will learn about the chemistry of chocolate, and how and why commercial producers alter their products from pure chocolate. The tour includes visits to chocolate trees, and examination of the seed pods and includes tastings of a wide variety of chocolates produced on Lydgate Farms and elsewhere. Several products can be purchased on tour.
To book a tour and for more information, see https://lydgatefarms.com/. 808-821-1857.
Maha'ulepu. The last undeveloped accessible beach on the south side is at Maha'ulepu (mah HAH oo lay poo). Monk seals sometimes haul themselves onto the beach to rest, and petroglyphs are buried under the sand. Rocky shorelines, sand dunes, and special beaches are all part of the area. Good wind surfing. From the Poipu roundabout, take Poipu Rd east towards to Hyatt. Continue past the Hyatt on the deteriorated road for 1.5 miles to the turnoff to CJM stables on the right. Follow the turnoff a short distance until the road forks and bear left. The road will be in very poor condition in places. Park wherever you can get off the road and continue a short distance on foot to the trail to Mahaulepu. OR, park at the beach access just past the Hyatt, and hike the sandstone cliffs on the left (east) about 2 mi to Maha'ulepu. Maha'ulepu is hot and dry. BRING WATER!
Help preserve Mahaulepu.
Moonlite. Kaua'i has some of the brightest and most romantic moon lite you will ever lay eyes on. Even at half moon, head down to the closest beach, and check out the moonlite dancing on the waves.
Photo Tours. Guided 5.5 hour tours to some of Kauai's secret wonders. Designed to inspire the photographer and artist. Reasonably priced. Supplies and equipment available. www.hawaiianphotos.net, 823-1263.
Pickleball. There are newly constructed public pickleball courts at Anne Knudsen Park in Koloa. They are adjacent to the tennis and basketball courts and are on Maluhia (Tree Tunnel) Rd about 1/4 mile from its intersection with Koloa Rd. First come, first serve. For more pickle ball courts see, https://www.pakauai.org/court-locations.
Rainy Days. Kaua'i is a great place for outdoor fun. But what do you do when it rains on your vacation? 1) Shop to you drop, 2)Day time beach walks (it's not too hot). 3)Cruise Poipu. It's in the rain shadow, and often is sunny when much of the island is rainy or overcast. 4)Cruise the west side (also in the rain shadow). Check out shops and restaurants in Hanapepe and Waimea. 5) Take in a movie at the historic Waimea Theatre in Waimea, 338-2027. 6)Visit the Kauai Museum. Enjoy their guided tours, art shows, etc. 7) Bowl at Lihue Lanes in the Rice Shopping Center, Lihue, 245-5263, www.kauaibowl.com. 8)Soak in a hot tub, 9)Read, 10)Take a nap.
Rum Tasting. Visit the Koloa Rum Company Store and Tasting Room in the Kilohana Plantation in Lihue. Sample a nice variety of their remarkable locally made rums, hear the history of Koloa Rum, and gain rum drink recipes and tips. Purchase rum and gifts in their adjacent store.
Reservations required for rum tasting. 808-246-8900.
Starwatch. Even at sea level, Kaua'i's sky is clear enough for fine star gazing. Kaua'i's amateur astronomers meet on Saturdays close to the new moon for an informal public star watch at the Kaumakani Ballfield. From Lihu'e or Poipu, take Hwy 50 west past Hanapepe. Just past mile marker 18, look for a narrow road forking off to the right. Follow the fork a few hundred feet, and look for a bumpy dirt driveway on the rite, just before Kaumakani School. The driveway leads to parking and the star watch in the ball field. PARKING LITES only after turning onto the driveway, please. 808-346-5796.
Kaua'i Tip. All of the ballfields, beach parks, and neighborhood centers on the island have public restrooms.
The Vanillery. A two acre homestead that offers tours through their vanilla operation including growing, harvesting, and curing the beans. In addition, tours focus on natural methods of growing food and medicinal plants. Guests can purchase vanilla products produced on site including beans, syrup, and extract. Located on the east side just uphill from Kapaa. To book a tour or call 503-807-8329 or e-mail beans@vanillery.com.