| First Impression: | | | | choose some off the beaten path hikes. Ocean wildlife |
| Arrival to Kauai (and Maui 2 years ago) was similar. | | | | is magnificent - plenty of colorful fishes - I saw groups |
| The open design airport greeted me with only | | | | of thousands congregating and loved to swim into |
| air-conditioning being the trade winds. This openness | | | | them as they would run away from me in all directions |
| and fragrant air have brought the Maui memories back, | | | | and re-assemble again. |
| and I knew that I was in Polynesia. We proceeded to | | | | What to do in Kauai: |
| the rental car, and found our hotel. It was already dark | | | | This island is a nature-lovers paradise. You can swim, |
| and opening the room window was scary - I could | | | | snorkel, scuba, fish, camp, hike, paddle, bike, sunbathe... |
| hear the roaring ocean but I could not see how far it is. | | | | anything that has to do with enjoying nature. This island |
| I realized at that moment how remote we are, in the | | | | has a ruling that the highest building cannot be taller |
| middle of the Pacific Ocean. | | | | than the tallest palm (this means max of 2-3 stories |
| Kauai climate: | | | | high). This keeps the development out of Kauai. The |
| Warm year-round with rainier period signifying the | | | | resorts have a hard time capitalizing building on |
| winter. The winter is generally Nov - April, and summer | | | | expensive land if all they are allowed to do is 2 stories. |
| May - October. The temperatures are balmy, often not | | | | This keeps the island very relaxed, low-key, with a lot |
| exceeding 90 F. Trade winds are enough to cool you | | | | of local flair. In comparison, Maui has too many resorts, |
| down; hotels provide air-conditioning for those who like | | | | many blocking the view of the coast and beaches. I |
| it really cold. There are many micro-climates from the | | | | side with Kauai on this one - why build a solitaire on a |
| wettest spot on earth being the top of a Kauai | | | | small tropical island - it is out of scale, disrespectful of it |
| mountain with over 400 inches of rain per year, to a | | | | surroundings. |
| much more arid south and west parts. It can rain at | | | | What not to do in Kauai: |
| any time and showers are quite enjoyable and warm. | | | | There are hardly any places to go out in Kauai. Many |
| They tend to pass quickly in the summer months. | | | | say this is the place for retirees. Not much to do after |
| Rainbows are common. Kauai rarely suffers a | | | | sunset except dining at the restaurant. This is also not |
| hurricane. Since Kauai is closer to northern storms, the | | | | a place to go shopping as many stores operate on |
| winter surf is exceptionally high making it a surfer's | | | | island hours - whenever! If you are not into nature, |
| paradise. Winter months are not good choice to visit | | | | scenery and relaxing, this is not your island. Maui has a |
| northern beaches that could be closed due to safety | | | | lot more of night entertainment and shopping, so if you |
| issues. If visiting in winter, you should choose south | | | | have to have those things pick Maui. |
| shore that has calm water during this time. During | | | | My favorite 3 things in Kauai: |
| summer, the northern part is pure paradise while the | | | | Visit Koke State park and hike from the end of |
| surf is higher on the south side of the island because | | | | the road to see Kalalau Valley |
| the waves are the after-effect of the southern | | | | Spend some serious time in the surf town Hanalei |
| hurricanes. | | | | and enjoy Hanalei Bay, voted the best beach in |
| Geography and waterfalls: | | | | America! |
| Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands and its | | | | Visit backcountry and enjoy the scenery - |
| crater is a rainy meadow only accessible via a | | | | Hollywood filmed close to 100 movies in Kauai with a |
| helicopter. The plentiful rain has carved the most | | | | good reason - scenery is magnificent! Movies filmed |
| impressive mountain range with very sharp peaks that | | | | here are Jurassic Park, King-Kong, 7 nights-6 days, |
| are green with tropical vegetation. While the waterfalls | | | | South Pacific, Indiana Jones, etc. |
| are plentiful, they are often difficult to access, and the | | | | My favorite 3 things in Maui: |
| easiest way to see waterfalls is a helicopter tour - | | | | Drive to the northeastern part of the island known |
| which we didn't do due to the cost. There are some | | | | as "Road to Hana". This is a very exciting, |
| smaller waterfalls that are easy to access, but almost | | | | waterfall-ridden part of the island, and hike to a big |
| all large ones require a very difficult hike. | | | | waterfall. |
| Kauai beaches: | | | | Spend some time on Kaanapali beach - the resort |
| While Kauai names their beaches, I will have to argue | | | | area that is manicured to perfection. |
| this is just for the sake of being able to give directions | | | | Watch the sunsets that are plentiful as most |
| to a particular stretch of sand. Kauai is all beaches on | | | | development is on south and western parts of the |
| most sides of the island. They stretch for miles with | | | | island - perfect for sunsets! |
| Polihale being over 15 miles long. Sometimes beaches | | | | Kauai people: |
| have different names but they are all on the same | | | | Kauai has very nice, most hospitable people I have |
| magnificently long stretch of gold sand... the testament | | | | ever met. There is a significant amount of homeless, |
| of the ocean power. The Kauai beaches can be | | | | and they are tolerated, even helped by locals. Kauai |
| particularly dangerous with undertow currents, strong | | | | people are kind, calm and welcoming. Crime is almost |
| shore brakes, lack of beach guard etc. My | | | | non-existent. The only problems if occur are by the |
| disappointment was that although being magnificent, I | | | | visitors to the island - some who come for |
| was partly afraid to test these waters myself. After | | | | construction work tend to drink on the beaches and |
| you talk with some local people you understand their | | | | harass tourists a bit. You will quickly know who is who. |
| respect of the ocean. If in doubt, don't swim! All | | | | There is nothing to be afraid of. There is no animosity |
| Hawaiian waters contain sharks but the shark attacks | | | | against tourist such as the case is in Maui. |
| are rare. In these pristine waters, you are much more | | | | Kauai uniqueness: |
| likely to drawn than be attacked by a shark. The old | | | | Here, you can drive all the way to the beach, make a |
| Hawaiian saying is: "Never turn your back to the | | | | campfire on the beach, camp on the beach... Kauai is |
| ocean." A rogue wave can form unexpectedly and pull | | | | uniquely free! The whole time no one ever warns you |
| you in. To be more relaxed select a beach that is | | | | about anything - it seems like everything is allowed. |
| protected by a reef such as: Ke'e, Tunnels, Lydgate, | | | | Hawaiian shave ice is a desert of ice covered with the |
| Poipu. The reef calms the ocean and also provides for | | | | sugary syrup in 30+ flavors to choose from. The little |
| colorful fish all around you; so don't forget a snorkeling | | | | Hawaiian shave ice stands are everywhere and the |
| gear. If you do, you can rent it in Kauai. | | | | cool treat is addictive to all generations. It practically |
| Kauai wildlife: | | | | costs nothing to make but they charge between $2.50 |
| Hawaiian sea-monk frequently rests on Kauai | | | | - 5.00 per cup, and people just love it. Young and old- |
| beaches. I didn't get lucky to see one, but if you do, | | | | everyone wants Hawaiian shave ice. |
| you are not to disturb them. Sea turtles are | | | | Chickens in Kauai are free. In fact, this is the world's |
| everywhere and can be seen while snorkeling or | | | | largest free-range chicken coupe. I hear the chickens |
| simply viewing the ocean. They like rocks and there | | | | are fair game and pretty tasty. I met a boy who has a |
| are many on the south side. I was lucky to see a | | | | pet Chicken Joe. The roosters are annoying and can |
| smaller turtle while snorkeling on the east coast in the | | | | wake you up at any time. |
| Lydgate beach pool. Whale watching is popular during | | | | In conclusion, Kauai is a beautiful corner of the world |
| the winter months. There were no whales there in | | | | and part of United States. The only way to understand |
| June as they travel each summer to their feeding | | | | Polynesia is to pay a visit. Besides being so relaxing, it |
| grounds in Alaska. Kauai doesn't have any | | | | is also a patriotic thing to do, as Hawaii is now available |
| life-threatening animals such as poisonous spiders, | | | | at great discounts. In Kauai, you will forget about your |
| snakes etc. The only dangerous animal is wild boar | | | | problems, and the memories will be priceless. |
| that lives in wilderness and is possible to meet if you | | | | |