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Kauai Suggestions |
Tikitrent
Member
Joined: Sep 28, 2011
Posts: 5 |  Posted: 2013-01-09 2:15 pm Permalink
Hello everyone! My fiancee and I are planning our Kauai honeymoon and are looking for some tips! What are the must sees and the cool, out of the way gems!
Thanks!
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Murph
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Jul 11, 2006
Posts: 716
From: SoCal
| Posted: 2013-01-09 4:27 pm Permalink
We just got back from a week in Kauai.
Get this book and the app for your phone.
http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/books-apps/kauai-revealed
We rented a car and drove the whole Island using the app to guide us.
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Murph
WaikikiWomb
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nui 'umi 'umi
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 923
From: La Mirada Atoll
| Posted: 2013-01-09 4:58 pm Permalink
Tahiti Nui in Hanalei-right on Kuhio Hiway. Dinner at the Blue Dolphin. Both best enjoyed at dusk.
Have fun!
Correction; the proper name is the "Hanalei Dolphin"
[ This Message was edited by: nui 'umi 'umi 2013-01-09 16:59 ]
[ This Message was edited by: nui 'umi 'umi 2013-01-10 23:00 ]
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4WDtiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 1837
From: Omao, Kauai
| Posted: 2013-01-09 9:28 pm Permalink
What do you like to do? There's not much in the way of nightlife, but there's tons of outdoor activity. A rental car is a must regardless.
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Hibiscus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 207
From: Boston-ish
| Posted: 2013-01-11 07:44 am Permalink
As people said, Hanalei (Tahiti Nui, Tiki Man pizza (awesome Huli Huli chicken pizza!), the bay and pier, and Havaiki Oceanic Arts for cool South Pacific art). Drive all the way to the end of the road to Ha'ena State Park for a beautiful beach and a view of the start of the Na Pali coast.
Waimea Canyon and further up the road to Kalalau Lookout. The Na Pali coast, either by boat or helicopter, depending on your budget. Kilauea Point lighthouse and bird sanctuary (on the way to Hanalei) for gorgeous views and great birds like the endangered nene goose and giant Laysan albatross. Kilohana Plantation and the Koloa Rum distillery and store, plus their great restaurant, 22 North (formerly Gaylord's) are definitely worth a visit, as is the aforementioned Hanalei Dolphin.
Go to Spouting Horn near Poipu just before sunset to see the blowhole turning pink and gold. Then turn around and see the amazing sunset behind you.
If you're staying in the south, Kalaheo Cafe does great breakfasts. Also near Kalaheo is the Trading Post, for all your souvenir needs. Plantation Gardens restaurant in the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu is a perfect place for an excellent romantic dinner, set in an orchid garden. Highly recommended! Across the road is the little Poipu Shopping Center and Keoki's restaurant - not as fancy or excellent, but solidly good and with a nice tiki/Hawaiiana vibe.
The "Garden Island", as it's known, is green and lush for a reason - there's going to be rain at some point on your trip. No worries - hop in the car and drive about 15 minutes anywhere. Chances are it will be sunnier there. The winter months are generally wetter, and if hiking is in your plans, that's the one time the rain might affect you, as apparently some trails wash away.
As someone else posted, you're not going to get much in the way of nightlife beyond (sometimes very good!) local musicians playing at places like the Nui and other little bars and restaurants, but that's part of Kauai's charm.
Here's a thread from our last Kaua'i trip (scroll past the Maui info to get to it)...
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=38587&forum=16&start=0&hilite=hibiscus%20kauai
Kaua'i is a magical place. Much more low-key than the other major Hawaiian islands and very special. I love it!
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Tikitrent
Member
Joined: Sep 28, 2011
Posts: 5 | Posted: 2013-01-11 08:19 am Permalink
Awesome! Thanks for the help everybody. I will post photos when we return! Has anybody been to the Hindu Monastery? It sounds like it would be really cool!
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nui 'umi 'umi
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 923
From: La Mirada Atoll
| Posted: 2013-01-11 9:18 pm Permalink
In my earlier post I forgot to mention "Brennigan's" on the beach at Poipu. A little noisy at lunch but there is a beautiful view and the grinds are ono.
At the opposite end of the island (hour, hour and a half or so) is the beach at Hanalei. Gotta be one of the prettiest spots on earth. Swimming not so good but a short walk past the pier is the St Regis Princeville. A drink at the pool bar there and you might wanna stay on Kauai for a long long time
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3769
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2013-01-12 8:40 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2013-01-11 08:19, Tikitrent wrote:
Awesome! Thanks for the help everybody. I will post photos when we return! Has anybody been to the Hindu Monastery? It sounds like it would be really cool!
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The Hindu Monastery is a breathtaking place, once you find it. Although on the main hwy, there is no sign, and I turned into a private home, where the driver told me I was the 2nd that morning. The monastery is open for touring in the mornings and there are guided tours. There are breathtaking views of the river, a dramatic walk through the above-ground Banyan tree routs and a dazzling "chapel" area.
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3769
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2013-01-12 8:43 pm Permalink
The Kauai Tiki report thread:
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=1171&forum=16&start=0&hilite=kauai
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3985
From: SOCAL
| Posted: 2013-01-18 09:46 am Permalink
In a word, Lumahai Beach and ke'e beach. Well, that's two words, innit?
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4WDtiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 1837
From: Omao, Kauai
| Posted: 2013-01-18 10:46 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2013-01-11 21:18, nui 'umi 'umi wrote:
In my earlier post I forgot to mention "Brennigan's" on the beach at Poipu. A little noisy at lunch but there is a beautiful view and the grinds are ono.
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Did you mean "Brennecke's"? I don't know of a Brennigan's...
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zond2
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Jun 30, 2007
Posts: 169
From: Casa Grande
| Posted: 2013-01-19 12:04 am Permalink
If you qualify you can buy groceries at mainland prices at the Barking Sands Naval Base.
The Base club also has good eats.
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Dagg
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 26, 2012
Posts: 296
From: Van Isle BC CA
| Posted: 2013-01-28 6:56 pm Permalink
sweet just booked our hotel and flight there (cant book return for a week)
My Kauai to do wish list
Coco palms tour (if possible)
Havaiki
drink
Tiki Iniki if its open
the blue room
drink
tube down a ditch
snorkel & hike & kayak
get a sunburn while drinking
shop
drink
maybe surf (its been a while)
drink
and drink some more
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Darren
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4WDtiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 1837
From: Omao, Kauai
| Posted: 2013-01-28 9:10 pm Permalink
Dagg, when are you coming?
Coco Palms tours are at 2PM daily, it's $20 which seems totally worth it to me. Maybe I'll go, I still haven't gone yet!
For hiking, I highly recommend the first two miles of the kalalau trail. It doesn't get any better! Bring actual hiking shoes if you gottem.
Blue room...? Do you mean the blue hole?
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Dagg
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 26, 2012
Posts: 296
From: Van Isle BC CA
| Posted: 2013-01-28 9:26 pm Permalink
Hey Bill
Get there on Feb 25 and leave for two days on Oahu on March 3rd
Blue room is supposed to be a cool cave on the North end.
at about a min 33 of this vid, but I recommend watching the whole thing 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YljMbYXbjXE
i think this is the trail head to the cave (its not the cave on the road)
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[ This Message was edited by: Dagg 2013-01-28 21:33 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Dagg 2013-01-28 21:45 ]
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