Showing posts with label Waimea Canyon State Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waimea Canyon State Park. Show all posts
An Introduction to Kauai Vacation
About the Island
The name Kauai probably originated from Hawai’iloa, the Polynesian explorer who is known to have discovered Hawaii. Hawai’iloa was said to have a favorite son whom he named the island after. It also translates to “food season” or “place around the neck” just as how a father would lift his favorite child. The population in the island ranges over 60,000. The United States Census Bureau defines Kauai as Census Tracts 401 to 409. This includes all of Kauai County except for the islands Lehua, Ni’ihau and Ka’ula.
Kauai or Kaua’i is the oldest and fourth largest main island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also the 21st largest island in America which lies 105 miles across the Kaua’i Channel, just northwest of O’ahu. It is also called “Garden Isle” with blooming flora and fauna, great weather and captivating volcanoes.
The island is of volcanic origin with Kawaikini the highest peak standing at 5,243 feet and Mount Wai’ale’ale at the center of Kauai at 5,148 feet. It is one of the wettest places in the plant with annual rainfall resulting to deep valleys, canyons and waterfalls.
Lihue Airport is the main air transportation hub of the island. There are several towns and cities all over Kauai but majority of the distinctive ones are located from the northern tip of Hawaii Route 560 to the western end of Hawaii Route 50. Some popular places include Kapa’a, Lihu’e, Wailua, Princeville, Hanalei, Hanapepe, Kilauea, Lawa’i and Anahola.
Kauai resembles the shape of an almost perfect circle over an area of 552 square miles. The location provides warm waters from the Pacific Ocean as well as great temperature any time of the year. About half of the shoreline of the island is comprised of Kauai vacation beaches. You can expect to find some very rare species of animals and plants both on and off shore such as bamboo, orchid, hibiscus, sandalwood, eucalyptus, java plum, kiawe, iwi, nene goose, sea turtle, whale, dolphin and humuhumunukunukuapuaa.
What to Expect
You get to enjoy several open and commercial beaches all across the island as well as the vast richness of marine life. Hiking is another great Kauai vacation activity because of its mountainous regions specifically the Waimea Canyon or the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” rising up to 4,000 feet. Another popular site is the Napali Coast featuring captivating coastline views, free-flowing waterfalls, secret sea caves and tall cliffs.
Enjoy the tropical weather of a Kauai vacation all-year round. Temperatures also drop later in the afternoon for cooler nights. There are micro-climates on the island wherein both lush and dry areas exist Mount Waialeale has a beautiful rainforest having more than 400 inches of rain per year.
Other areas usually have sunny days and warm breezes and surrounding sites around the peak are generally unaffected by the rain. Coastal spots have an average of 18 inches of rain annually. Rainfall usually occurs at night.
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How to Plan Your Kauai Wedding and Honeymoon
Romantic Wedding Ideas
The most common wedding idea would be to exchange vows and have the ceremony with a beautiful oceanview backdrop. You get to have the best venue preparation complete with tropical plants and flowers, attractive leis and original hula and Hawaiian music. Other excellent sites and venues include mountain views, cliff side, tropical rainforests and ancient architectural wonders. Some unique activities that can be incorporated into your wedding are a horse-drawn carriage or limousine, conch shell blowing, tiki torch lighting and special presentations by local performers.
If you want to get married in more isolated zones, you may try Kalihiwai Beach or the “Secret Beach” as well as Lumahai Beach. Hanalei and Haena also has marvelous beaches that take you away from the crowded areas so you can have all the serenity and quietness you’ve always wanted. The south shore of Kauai has Mahaulepu beach accessible via a well-protected cane road.
Professionals allow you to choose from a variety of themes with special additions that cater to your personal preferences. Professional wedding photographers and videographers are also available so ask for a list from your hotel, view the local directory or surf the internet.
A number of world-class hotels are also located conveniently near the ocean and coast so you get to have a magnificent view as well as luxurious accommodation and reception. Kauai wedding planners and event organizers are located throughout the different towns and cities so you can conveniently apply and acquire your marriage license.
To obtain a marriage license, the couple needs to be at least 18 years of age with certified proof. The groom and bride should appear together in person before a marriage license agent and prepare and file the official application. A fee will be asked upon approval and the license is valid for 30 days throughout Hawaii.
A Hearty Honeymoon
Several great places are located throughout the island for your grand Kauai wedding and honeymoon. Na Aina Kai and the Limahuli Gardens feature a tropical garden with unique Hawaiian plants and flowers for a great photography background.
The Coco Palms is a popular place where Elvis was married to Joan Blackman in the movie Blue Hawaii. You can also checkout other natural treasures like the Waimea Canyon, Wailua Falls, Fern Grotto on the Wailua River and Opaekaa Falls. Several lagoons are found all around the island where you can have a very romantic canoe ride or quick dip.
Some of the best hotels to stay in are the Princeville Resort, Grand Hyatt and Marriott featuring several unique amenities like an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, 18-hole golf course, Jacuzzi, spa, fine dining areas with a wonderful view of the ocean, clubs and bars and special events occasionally.
Go to the beach and downtown to experience the night life for your Kauai honeymoon. Luaus are held frequently so check with the hotel front desk to make reservations and avail of special buffets and treats for newlyweds.
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Kauai Travel Tips for Lone Visitors and Big Families
Kauai Driving
If you’re visiting a relative, you may be fortunate to be lent a car to drive around in. There are 2 major highways in Kauai and both starts in Lihue. From Lihue Airport, Kapule Highway or Highway 51 is on the right. Kapula Highway eventually merges 1 mile away into Kuhio Highway or Highway 56. Kuhio Highway leads to Coconut Coast and through the North Shore then ends at Kee Beach at the starting point of Na Pali coast. There are no roads along Na Pali Coast in the northwest of the island.
Following Kapule Highway will lead you through Lihue and Nawiliwili. Taking Nawiliwili Road or Highway 58 will lead you to an intersection with Kaumualili Highway or Highway 50 that leads to the south and southwest parts of Kauai up to Waimea then ends at the opposite end of Na Pali Coast. Take Maluhia Road or Highway 510 south if you want to go to Poipu. Waimea Canyon Road or Highway 550 or Kokee Road or Highway 55 both join halfway up to Waimea Canyon.
Traffic tends to congest from Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. You can get stuck in traffic for over an hour since only a single road circles the entire island connecting all towns and locations.
The 2 main highways, however, almost lead to every popular attraction and site for your Kauai travel. Hawaii traffic regulations also strictly enforce proper of wearing of seat belts. On the highways, go for an average of 40 to 50 mph and 30 to 35 on smaller roads.
With fairly normal traffic, expect to reach Poipu from Lihue in 20 minutes, from Poipu to Polihale in 35 minutes, from Lihue to Kapaa in 10 minutes and from Kapaa to Hanalei in 30 minutes. It is important to know about contra flows wherein cones are placed on lane divisions resulting to traffic driving on the wrong side of the road. This approach aims to reduce traffic congestion during commute hours. Bypass roads ideally help you enjoy the scenery without having to worry about heavy highway traffic.
More Kauai Driving Tips
As far as insurance goes, Hawaii is a no-fault state so you are required to pay for all damages should you be involved in a collision and do not own collision-damage insurance. This applies regardless of whose fault the accident was and you need to pay before leaving the state. Some car insurance plans cover a number of car rental policies so check your company for privileges and insurance benefits.
You may opt for the optional insurance but bring your insurance identification card if not. Aside from insurance companies, credit card companies may also provide collision-damage insurance so check for these.
Hawaiian state law requires all car passengers to wear a seat belt. All infants should be strapped into car seats as well. A $50 fine will be given to violators. Pedestrians always have right of way all the time. You can cautiously turn right on red from the right lane after a full stop unless there’s a sign that prevents you.
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Nature at Its Best: The Famous Kauai Trails
The Great Hikes
The Kauai Kalalau Trail Na Pali Coastline is one of the ultimate hikes in the island which takes about 2 days to finish. The trail starts at the end of the road at Kee Beach. Many hikers hike for 11 miles and upon reaching the end at Kalalau Beach, get picked up by a tour bus. From the starting point, you work the incline up to the Na Pali Coastline.
The first 25 minutes of the trail is fairly mudde, steep and rocky although you get to see a great view of Kee Beach. Views of the coastline will come and go as you continue on the trail. Hanakapi’ai Beach is just 2 miles from the starting point but you get to go through streams, boulders, caves and cliffs along the way.
You may choose to stop at Hanakapi’ai Beach. If you go 2 more miles inland, you get to see the 300-foot majestic waterfall where you can enjoy a quick dip. It takes about 8 hours back and forth if you pick Hanakapi’ai Falls as your destination spot.
For families and beginners, the Kauai Kuilau Ridge Trail is good. Drive past Opaekaa Falls to the end of the road just before reaching Keahua Arboretum and the first stream crossing to find the starting point on the right. The first mile has an asphalt base path which slowly rises to a picnic area on top of a valley. Views include Mt. Wai’ale’ale, rolling hills and the ocean. There is a wooden bridge that leads to the end of the trail as well as the starting point of Moalepe Trail. Most find this an easy and relaxing hike.
Kauai Kukui Trail is more challenging which winds down 2000 feet into the Waimea Canyon floor. You get to see a lot of unique landscapes and views in the first 1.5 miles such as dramatic canyon formations, mountain goats and plants.
Choose the forest and brush paths if you’re up for a tough hike. Expect the trails to be slippery during dry days and make sure you have enough energy since you still need to hike back up. The end of the trail is at the Wiliwili campsite and Waimea River. You can also walk to nearby Waimea town through the canyon.
Beautiful Isolated Walks
Kauai Nounou West Trail is located about a mile from Opaekaa Falls. You climb the mountain known as “Sleeping Giant” leading to a sheltered picnic area on the giant’s chest. Some magnificent views include Wailua River, Mt. Waialeale and the ocean. Mt. Waialeale will provide you the same view similar to the remake of the movie “King Kong”. It takes about an hour and a half to reach to total elevation of about 1000 feet from the base to the head.
Kuamoo Trail is another fairly easy isolated route that starts half a mile past Opaekaa Falls. The first mile features a few Hawaiian homes and green canopies. You also get to see a wooden bridge and the river feeding Opaekaa Falls.
Total Kauan trail is about 2 miles long with lots of ferns, vegetation and mud. The destination is in a pine tree grove at the intersection of the Nounou West Trail.
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The Top Kauai Activities You Should Not Miss
Appreciating Nature
Kauai has a lot of state parks and natural scenic views such as Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon. Koke’e State Park borders the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and ranges more than 4,000 acres. Here you can enjoy over 40 hiking trails with captivating backgrounds. Waimea Canyon is 10 miles long, 2 miles wide and 3,600 feet deep featuring an array of colors.
The Na Pali Coast is one of the most popular sites in the island featuring 22 miles of volcanic cliffs. Take a boat or helicopter ride to view the coast fully. Helicopter rides are definitely preferred if you want a clearer picture of waterfalls, sea cliffs, mountains and volcanoes. The Limahuli Garden and Preserve is more than 1,000 acres of tropical abundance in Haena at the northern part of Kauai.
Some spots in Kauai have been used in movies and television shows. Find out where big hits like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Gilligan’s Island, Blue Hawaii, etc. were shot by taking the Movie Tours via bus, 4x4 or helicopter. Learn more about the plantation life and fields of old Kauai by taking the Kauai Plantation Train which features wooden cars at Kilohana camp. You get to see the best of Hawaiian agriculture and produce like pineapple, coffee, tropical flowers and banana.
Enjoy the many open and commercial beaches and resorts all across the island where you can enjoy Kauai activities on and off shore. Some must-visit spots include Princeville resort, Hanalei Lookout and town, Ke’e Beach, the Coconut Coast and Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. Kauai is also every golfer’s paradise featuring some of the best golf courses in the world. Try a few holes at Poipu Bay Golf Course which has an attractive ocean view and challenging layout.
Modern Kauai Activities
If you prefer to explore the towns and cities in Kauai, there are also a wide array of restaurants, spas, shopping centers and business hubs available. Poipu Beach has several great dining places specializing in ethnic cuisine and seafood. In Hanapepe Town you can find Hanapepe Cafe for a romantic dinner and original slack key guitar tunes by Cindy Combs then visit the nearby galleries afterwards.
Hanapepe comes to life in the evening especially during weekends so expect to see clubs and bars offering delectable appetizers and cocktails. Tradewinds, a South Seas Bar is located in Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa where you can enjoy a Hawaiian style bar with karaoke, games and other fun Kauai activities.
Crafts and other gift items are available at Vintage Aloha in Hanapepe Road, Kalaheo. Glass art can be found at Kela’s Glass Gallery while Hawaiian tank tops, shirts and outfits are sold at Nite Owl T-Shirts in Eleele, Kauai.
Shopping centers and malls are also located in Lihue such as the Anchor Cove Shopping Center where you can buy Hawaiian books, crafts and souvenirs.
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