About Kauai Hawaii

Kauai – Paradise Unlimited

There is something magical about Kauai that calls people from all over the world. The aloha spirit of the native people, combined with the natural beauty of the tropical ecosystems of the island make a strong argument for Kauai being the birth place of ecotourism: A place where people can lead healthy, productive lives in harmony with nature.

The island of Kauai has more lineal feet of white sand beaches than all the other Hawaiian islands combined. Poipu Beach, Mahalepu Beach and Shipwrecks Beach in the south, Kee Beach, Lumahai Beach and Hanalei Bay in the north, and the westside’s spectacular Polihale Beach, to name a few.

The clear blue water surrounding the island of Kauai is warm year round and surfing is Kauai’s most popular sport. World class surfers Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Kawika Stillwell, Rochelle Ballard and Bethany Hamilton were all born and raised on Kauai.

Na Pali is the most spectacular area of Kauai. Na Pali, the cliffs, can be seen by air, by sea or by hiking the infamous 11-mile trail to Kalalau Beach.

A four-hour afternoon Na Pali sail during the winter months has it all: humpback whales, dolphins, calm blue waters, green valleys and cliffs, waterfalls, and spectacular sunsets. Kauai’s ocean sunsets are often accompanied by the coveted Green Flash, a splash of intense emerald light appearing on the clear horizon in the blink of an eye just after sunset.

The Hawaiian island of Kauai – white sand beaches, world class surf, safe swimming, snorkeling, sunsets, sea life, palm trees, water falls, trade winds, song birds, fragrant flowers, tropical fruit – simply spectacular.

Poipu Beach – The Sunny Side of Paradise

The Poipu Beach resort area is located on the sunny south shore of Kauai and the adventurous will find surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, mountain biking, deep-sea fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and ATV tours. Golfers have 36 holes of championship play and tennis is unlimited.

The most popular beach on the South Shore is Poipu Beach, which was named America’s Best Beach by The Travel Channel. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach goers will find snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, body-boarding and surfing. Poipu Beach Park is considered among the safest beaches in Hawaii, with a lifeguard on duty seven days a week.

Poipu Beach’s Weather – Pretty Well Perfect

Kauai is a Hawaiian island of seven micro climates ranging from dry desert to tropical rain forest and Poipu Beach’s semi-arid tropical climate creates a happy medium. The near-by Haupu Mountain range blocks most prevailing showers, keeping the average annual rainfall to just 34 inches.
Kauai’s beloved trade winds provide refreshing natural ventilation year round. In the winter, daytime temperatures in Poipu Beach range from the mid 70s to the lower 80s, with nighttime temperatures in the low-mid 60s. During the summer daytime temperatures can reach the upper 80s and drop back down to the low 70s at night. When trade wind showers make it into the Poipu Beach area, they are usually brief.

How to Get Here

Poipu Beach is a 25-minute drive from Kauai’s only commercial airport in Lihue (LIH). Five airlines currently schedule convenient non-stop flights between the continental U.S. and Lihue Kauai:

• Alaska Airways (www.alaskaair.com) – Seattle to Lihue Kauai
• American Airlines (www.aa.com) – Los Angeles, San Francisco to Lihue Kauai
• Delta Airlines (www.delta.com) – Los Angeles to Lihue Kauai
• United Airlines (www.united.com) – Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver to Lihue Kauai
• US Airways (www.usairways.com) – Phoenix to Lihue Kauai

Airlines from all over the world fly non-stop to Honolulu International Airport on the island on Oahu.

Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianair.com) and Go Airlines (www.iflygo.com) fly regularly between Honolulu Oahu and Lihue Kauai, a quick 30-minute flight.

How to Get Around

Kauai’s public transportation is limited so plan to rent a car at the Lihue Kauai airport. All the major car rental companies have an agent standing by at its kiosk located across the street from the terminal. Renting a jeep or convertible is fun, but not a must.

We suggest checking the following company’s websites for special rates:

• Avis Rent A Car (www.avis.com)
• Alamo Rent A Car (www.alamo.com)
• Budget Car Rental (www.budget.com)
• Dollar Rent A Car (www.dollar.com)
• Hertz Rent A Car (www.hertz.com)
• National Car Rental (www.nationalcar.com)
• Thrifty Car Rental (www.thrifty.com)
  

What to Do, Where to Go

• Snorkel at Koloa Landing and Lawai Beach with rented equipment from Snorkel Bob’s, in nearby Koloa (www.snorkelbob.com)
• Scuba Dive with Hawaiian sea turtles and explore ancient lava tubes with Seasport Divers (www.seasportdivers.com)
• Take a surf lesson at Poipu Beach with Aloha Surf Lessons (Call 808-639-8614)
• Surf PK’s and Centers off Lawai Beach
• Take the toddlers to Baby Beach to play in the sand and splash in the protected cove
• Body board at Brennecke’s Beach, with a rented board from nearby Nukumoi Surf Co, (www.nukumoi.com)
• Hike the stunning two-mile shoreline trail above Shipwreck’s Beach
• Sail Na Pali with Blue Dolphin Charters (www.kauaiboats.com)
• Sail and snorkel Na Pali with Captain Andy’s Sailing (www.napali.com)
• Swim at the west end of Poipu Beach – in front of the Sheraton Kauai – our favorite spot
• Ride a bike or paddle a sea kayak, which can be rented from Outfitters Kauai (www.outfitterskauai.com)
• Ride on horse back into Hidden Valley Ranch, past secluded beaches and bays with CJM Country Stables (www.cjmstables.com)
• Attend a luau at the Grand Hyatt Kauai (www.grandhyattkauailuau.com) – Sundays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 8:00pm
• Take a helicopter tour and land by a waterfall for a picnic and swim with Inter-island Helicopters (www.interislandhelicopters.com)
• Tour the beautiful National Botanical Gardens of the Pacific at the end of Lawai Road, Poipu (www.ntbg.org)
• Golf the Poipu Bay Golf Course (www.poipubaygolf.com)
• Pack a picnic and a favorite beverage and drive to Polihale Beach for sunset. Hope for a clear horizon and watch for the Green Flash
• Hike the Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
• Search for shells at Lumahai Beach
• Swim in Hanalei Bay
  

Where to Eat

Poipu Beach has a wonderful variety of restaurants to pick from and here are our favorites:

• Joes on the Green – Kiahuna Golf Course (www.kiahunagolf.com) Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails and pupus. Good food, good prices, friendly staff.
• The Beach House – Lawai Road (www.the-beach-house.com) Dinner, cocktails, pupus. Spectacular oceanfront location, surfing and sunset view.
• Tidepools – Grand Hyatt Kauai – Dinner, cocktails, pupus.
• Donderos’s – Grand Hyatt Kauai – Dinner. Italian fine dining.
• Stevenson’s Library – Grand Hyatt Kauai – Sushi, cocktails, live jazz nightly in luxurious surroundings.
• Plantation Gardens – Kiahuna Plantation Resort – Dinner in a former residence.
• Casablanca at Kiahuna – Kiahuna Tennis Club - Lunch, Tapas, Dinner
• Casa de Amici – Tucked away behind the Nihi Kai Condos. Dinner, live piano Saturday nights
• Keoki’s – Poipu Shopping Village – Lunch, Dinner, Cocktails, pupus, entertainment
• Roy’s – Poipu Shopping Village – Dinner, cocktails, pupus
• The Shrimp Wagon – Lunch
  
• Coming in 2009 – Merrimans at the Kukuiula Village (www.kukuiula.com)

Nearby Koloa Town

• Da’li Deli – Breakfast, Lunch, Sandwiches to go.
• Pizzetta – Lunch and Dinner
• Koloa Fish Market – Take out plate lunches, seared ahi, poke.
• Tomcats – Lunch and Dinner

Heading West?

Kalaheo

• Pomodoro – Dinner
• Brick Oven Pizza – Lunch and dinner
• Kalaheo Coffee Shop – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner – Wed-Sat only

Eleele

• Toi’s Thai Kitchen, Kokee State Park Lodge at Kokee

Heading North?

Kalapaki Bay

• Café Portofino – Kauai Marriott – Oceanfront dining, Live music
• Duke’s – Kauai Marriott – Oceanfront Lunch, Dinner, Cocktails and Pupus

Kapaa

• Papaya’s Natural Foods and Café – Lunch
• Kintaro - Dinner
• Blossoming Lotus – Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch
• Bubba’s Burgers – Lunch, Dinner
• Trees Lounge – Dinner, Cocktails, pupus, Live Music

Kilauea

• Kilauea Fish Market – Lunch, Dinner
• Healthy Nut – Lunch, snacks

Hanalei

• Bar Acuda - Dinner
• Hanalei Gourmet – Lunch, Dinner, Cocktails, Live Music, Deli
• Postcards Café – Dinner

Haena

• Mediterranean Gourmet – Lunch, Dinner

Kauai’s Markets

Every day there is a local farmer’s market on Kauai where residents and visitors shop for fresh produce and flowers:

Monday

• Koloa Ball Park, Koloa Town @ noon.
• Kukui Grove Shopping Center Parking Lot, Lihue @ 3pm

Tuesday

• Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Kalaheo @ 3:30pm
• Waipa Ahupua’a Field - ¼ mile past Hanalei @ 2pm

Wednesday

• Kappa New Town Ball Park, Kapaa @ 3pm

Thursday

• Kilauea Neighborhood Center Ball Park, Kilauea @ 4:30pm

Friday

• Vidinha Stadium Parking Lot, Lihue @ 3pm

Saturday

• Kekaha Neighborhood Center, Kekaha @ 9am
• Hanalei Neighborhood Center, Hanalei @ 9:30 am
• Field by the Kilauea Post Office, Kilauea @ 11:30am

Daily

• Poipu Road and Cane Haul Road, Poipu
• Koloa Bypass Road, Koloa

Planning a Kauai Wedding?

Picture a Hawaiian wedding ceremony at Baby Beach while the sun sets into the ocean officiated by South Shore’s Nalani Taylor. Simply spectacular.

Planning a Honeymoon?

Poipu Beach is the ultimate honeymoon destination. So Romantic. So Peaceful. So Everything.

Moving to Kauai?

Pretty well perfect place to live, forever. When James and I moved to Kauai in 1986 we felt like we had moved to heaven. Clean air, warm ocean water, fresh fruit, fragrant flowers, friendly folks.

Contact Hannah and Peter Sirois at Kauai Heritage Properties who will be happy to work with you in finding the perfect island home.  James and I have worked with Hannah and Peter since 1998 and we continue to appreciate their dedication to integrity, honesty and excellence while delivering results.  www.kauaiheritageproperties.com