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Kauai Overview/DansMeals:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/39185

Trip Reports:
Dan 2014
Dan 2009, Auntiemus, Benarroc, Westman812, Hudi, Yellow, Lechaim2life, DanFan2010, Jmansour, Something Fishy, Rivky, chuchem, dealvr, Amusch,
Tzadik Nistar, an613, @Yehuda, @Ygygold, Wizmanison 2017, CGR

Dan's concierge packet.


Related DDF Threads:
-Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
-Kauai Master Thread
-Maui Master Thread
-Oahu Master Thread


Before you go:

How long should I go for?
You could spend 10 years on Kauai and not get your fill. That being said, the bare minimum to enjoy your stay is 4 days on the ground. A week is ideal.

It's possible to do a short trip by leaving early Sunday morning, getting there in the afternoon, and then leaving Thursday night and being back home for shabbos.

Do I need a guide book?
Very definitely. Sure you could find most info online, but nothing compares to a good, written-by-a-local, guide book. Kauai Revealed is by far the best option, and will possibly be the best $16 you spent on your trip.

What about Shabbos?
Some authorities hold that there's a dateline issue with Shabbos.
The local communities keep shabbos on Saturday.
Definitely ask your LOR before you go - some hold simply that Shabbos is on Saturday, some hold that you have to keep Shabbos on both Friday and Saturday, and some hold that you have to keep D'oreisas on Friday and full Shabbos on Saturday.

If you must keep 2 days, remember that there are many questions that could come up (such as when to light Shabbos candles, how to warm up food, etc.), so make sure to discuss it all with your LOR.

There have been books written about the Chabad opinion of keeping shabbos only on Saturday. Rabbi Aharon Dovid Gancz gives an absolutely fascinating pilpul on the topic, if you get a chance to attend one please record it (with permission) and upload the video online.


Getting there and getting around:

Air:
The main airport is in Lihue, and is designated LIH.
You could fly directly from the mainland to LIH from
DEN (UA)
LAX (AA, DL, HA, UA)
OAK (AS, HA)
SAN (AS)
SEA (AS)
SFO (UA)
SJC (AS)
PDX (AS)
PHX (US)
YVR (WestJet)

There are no direct flights from the East coast, so you will stop in one of these cities.
Alternately, you could fly directly to Honolulu (HNL) and continue to LIH from there.

Hawaiian, Go, and Island Air fly interisland to LIH from HNL and OGG. There are no direct flights between LIH and the Big Island (ITO/KOA).

You can also use 5K AA or, 6k UA, or 7.5k HA miles each way to fly interisland. United allows a free stopover on a round-trip, so for instance you can fly HNL-LIH-OGG-HNL for just 12K miles.

Car:
A car is necessary on Kauai. All major companies have branches, mostly at the airport. There are also some local companies.

National has Executive Aisle/Selection at the airport, but Hertz doesn't have Gold Choice. Avis also has a desk at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Check out www.discounthawaiicarrental.com - they book from the major brands, and are worth a try.

There's nothing like a convertible on Kauai, but a 4WD is better (sometimes even necessary) for certain places such as Polihale Beach or Milolii Ridge Road. Taking a convertible for most of your stay and a 4WD for a day or two is a good idea.


Where to stay:

There are 3 major areas where to stay. The South side is drier so good weather is more or less guaranteed. The North side is far prettier, with sheer cliffs and a backdrop of lovely green mountains. However, the weather in winter could be rainy and it can be buggy as well.
The rain typically doesn't last long, and is usually accompanied by numerous rainbows, so it's usually not too bad. However, it's something you should take into account. The East side has the cities of Lihue and Kapa'a, alone with countless hotels and resorts. This area isn't as beautiful and the North or South side.

When choosing an area also consider how far it is to your chosen activities, not just the weather, For example, it takes about an hour from the Grand Hyatt to Waimea Canyon, but over two hours from the St. Regis.  On the other hand the St. Regis is much closer to north shore activities.

Here are some places that are discussed in this thread:

NameAreaMore InfoComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Grand Hyatt KauaiSouth sideWebsiteGenerally considered to be the top hotel on Kauai, and countless DDF'ers have stayed there. The weather is perfect year-round, it's right by Poipu beach, and you drive through an awesome tree tunnel to get there. There are countless pools and exotic birds all around.
St. Regis PrincevilleNorth sideWebsiteAnother beautiful hotel, this is an SPG category 7. The setting of the SRP is absolutely breathtaking, with the ocean crashing on the cliffs below and the waterfall-filled mountains in the background. The views from the rooms are unparalleled, but most rooms have no balconies.
Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas North sideWebsiteSPG category 6.
Sheraton Kauai Resort South sideWebsiteSPG category 5.
"Get your own place"AnywhereWebsiteThere are countless condos, timeshares, or villas available to rent on the island. The advantages are that you get more for your money - a couple of bedrooms, living/dining rooms, and a full kitchen. There will usually be a pool, sometimes even a private one. Additionally, they're often cheaper than a hotel. There are many places to find them -
 HomeAway Kauai
VRBO Kauai
Airbnb Kauai, etc.


What to do:

Beaches:
There are countless beaches on Kauai, and all are public. Most offer amazing snorkeling. The East and South side beaches are safe for swimming / snorkeling year round, while some North and West beaches could be deadly in winter. Here are some popular ones, in no particular order:

NameAreaComments
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PoipuSouth sideThis beach is right by the GHK. Full amenities (lifeguard, showers, etc.). Snorkeling is amazing here, especially in the morning. Sea turtles and the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal are commonly seen here. Gorgeous sunsets.
Ke'eNorth sideThis beach is the gateway to the famous Kalalau Trail. The view from here is amazing, looking out over the majestic Na Pali cliffs. Great snorkeling, with a large fringing reef. This beach could be deadly winter, when 20-foot waves crash onto shore. However, at times it's perfectly calm. Use common sense. The beach is part of Hāʻena State Park
TunnelsNorth sideBeautiful crescent beach, with a lovely view of "Puff the Magic Dragon" mountain. Great snorkeling, and beautiful sunrises. May be dangerous in winter.
LumahaiNorth sideVery pretty beach, where they filmed South Pacific. Extremely dangerous winter.
PolihaleWest side17 solid miles of uninterrupted sand. Fairly remote, and accessible only via dirt and sand road, so 4WD is preferred. Unswimmable most of the year, but the area called Queens Pond is safe all year round. Since it's so huge, you could easily find a secluded spot. Great view of the south side of Na Pali, with amazing sunsets.
Queen's BathNorth sideThis is a rocky beach by the cliffs under Princeville. Very cool during the summer, when you could swim in a rock pool with the fish, but absolutely deadly during the winter (people die there all the time).
KalalauNorth sideOne of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Unfortunately, it's only accessible via one of the most difficult and most dangerous hikes in the world, the Kalalau Trail.
HonopūNorth sideAnother one of the top ten beaches in the world. The only way to get there is by swimming - from Kalalau beach :o!
Hanalei BayNorth sideA beautiful crescent beach with wonderful views. Mediocre snorkeling, but safe even in the winter. Very predictable waves, so this is the top spot for learning to surf or paddle. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
SecretNorth sideRelatively secluded beach, and needs a bit of a hike to get there.
LydgateEast sideA fully protected beach, with pretty good snorkeling. Great for little kids, but is usually very busy.
NawiliwiliEast sideBoring beach, but the park of the the side is a nice place to stop for lunch and watch the kitesurfers.
Kapa'aEast sideAnother relatively boring beach, but a nice place to have lunch if you're in Kapa'a.


Hiking:
There are a tremendous amount of great hikes on Kauai. Check the Kauai Revealed book for detailed info on all of them, with maps, difficulty ratings, etc. These are just a few which are discussed in this thread:

NameAreaComments
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hike 1Area 1Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Hike 2Area 2Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.


Other activities:

ActivityComments
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Helicopter toursEasily the most expensive activity on Kauai, and easily the most amazing. You get to see otherwise inaccessible places - among others, you fly into Waimea Canyon, along the stunning Na Pali coast, and into the crater of the extinct Mount Waiʻaleʻale, now the wettest place on earth. It's an experience that could simply not be matched. Blue Hawaiian is the most popular and usually recommended. Jack Harter also flies amazing doors-off tours, which are wet, windy, and exhilirating :D.
Powered hang glidingThis is a unique flight lesson (counts a flying time for a pilot's license) in what's basically a motorized tricycle with wings. Supposed to be tremendous fun. Offered by Birds in Paradise.
Waimea CanyonLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Kalalau Valley overlookLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Hanalei Valley overlook
Kayaking
Biking
ATVing
Horseback riding
Ziplining
Cruises
4 Wheel Driving


Shopping:
  • Costco in Lihue has some kosher food, as well as the cheapest gas on the island
  • Wal-Mart, also in Lihue, also has some kosher food

« Last edited by cgr on February 24, 2022, 09:16:59 PM »

Author Topic: Kauai, HI Master Thread  (Read 916021 times)

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2600 on: June 05, 2017, 03:11:30 PM »
Ok what are your thoughts - I arrive Thursday to Thursday. I'll start with Thursday to Monday or Tuesday in villa so food is easier and shabbos etc

Then for last two days I'll do the GH

Q is with 3 kids can I take a regular room? Is it hard to sneak in? Thoughts?
You don't "sneak" in.  You walk in.  I just wouldn't check in with the whole family in tow.  They can wait in car.  If you're really concerned, split into two groups when coming from/going to the room.

About space, maybe consider taking two connected rooms? Many hotels have that, including the Sheraton and GHK.

It's hard to tell if a regular room will be enough, as they're not identical. Call and ask how to book a K+Q.  Just don't let on that it's for 5 people, as they almost certainly won't allow it.

Personally, I wouldn't switch hotels. What are your plans for Shabbos food?  Are you going to kasher a kitchen and cook? 
45/50, 46/63

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2601 on: June 05, 2017, 03:17:16 PM »
I have to switch as I was having problems finding a good place for the duration of my stay so I now booked the waipouli for 5 nights and need to decide on another place for two nights

I think 2 Queens will also work

Everyone is raving about the GH so figured it's worth trying. 2 rooms is way above our price range

Food will bring some stuff with us

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2602 on: June 05, 2017, 09:38:10 PM »
Has anyone ever gone to see a luau? I booked tickets to see the Smith Luau (https://www.smithskauai.com/garden-luau/) because that was the only one that I found where you could see the show without paying for the dinner part as well. Is it worth going to see? Or too cheesy?

I see that the GHK has a luau as well, but I dont want to pay over $100pp for food that I cant eat. Does anyone know if they sell just show tickets?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2603 on: June 05, 2017, 11:54:58 PM »
I see that the GHK has a luau as well, but I dont want to pay over $100pp for food that I cant eat. Does anyone know if they sell just show tickets?
Did you ask for kosher?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2604 on: June 06, 2017, 12:39:27 AM »
Hmm, didnt think to ask, will do that and report back. But still not sure if its worth $85+ a person extra (smith luau is $15) for dinner...

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2605 on: June 06, 2017, 08:38:32 AM »
I watched parts of the GHK luau from the upper levels of the hotel. Seemed pretty interesting for about 5 minutes.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2606 on: June 06, 2017, 08:39:14 AM »
I have to switch as I was having problems finding a good place for the duration of my stay so I now booked the waipouli for 5 nights and need to decide on another place for two nights

I think 2 Queens will also work

Everyone is raving about the GH so figured it's worth trying. 2 rooms is way above our price range

Food will bring some stuff with us
So what's the question?  A standard room has two queens or one King. Ask for two queens.

Are your concerns primarily of an ethical nature?
45/50, 46/63

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2607 on: June 06, 2017, 11:22:49 AM »
I watched parts of the GHK luau from the upper levels of the hotel. Seemed pretty interesting for about 5 minutes.

So... Not worth it?

Offline ejb123

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2608 on: June 06, 2017, 12:31:05 PM »
We attended the smith family luau just for the show this past February. The show was OK, not great. It was a bit long and my kids lost interest after 15 minutes or so, especially since there wasn't a lot of "action". We did all pick up cheap Hawaiian shirts from Walmart and made a fun night out of it. The price was right versus the higher price for the GHK, even if they were willing to provide kosher food. I did pass by the GHK show when were checking out and the production did seem a little more professional than the Smith Family, but I don't think it would be worth the price.
« Last Edit: June 06, 2017, 01:19:07 PM by ejb123 »

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2609 on: June 06, 2017, 12:58:33 PM »
We attended the smith family luau just for the show this past February. The show was OK, not great. It was a bit long and my kids lost interest after 15 minutes or so, especially since there wasn't a lot of "action". We did all pick up cheap Hawaiin shirts from Walmart and made a fun night our of it. The price was right versus the higher price for the GHK, even if they were willing to provide kosher food. I did pass by the GHK show when were checking out and the production did seem a little more professional than the Smith Family, but I dont think it would be worth the price.

Thanks. Yea, I think I will stay with the Smith luau just because of the price point

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2610 on: June 06, 2017, 01:49:55 PM »
So... Not worth it?

not my kinda thing ut most people looked like they were enjoying. from my understanding, it's a very "authentic" show

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2611 on: June 06, 2017, 02:04:06 PM »
not my kinda thing ut most people looked like they were enjoying. from my understanding, it's a very "authentic" show
If you're going to spend the time, I'd do the GH show.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2612 on: June 07, 2017, 09:19:15 AM »
If you're going to spend the time, I'd do the GH show.

And then hop over to ogg for Warren and Annabel   ;D

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2613 on: June 07, 2017, 09:20:07 AM »
And then hop over to ogg for Warren and Annabel   ;D
Lol, not worth a hop, but a can't miss if you're on OGG.
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2614 on: June 07, 2017, 12:17:35 PM »
And then hop over to ogg for Warren and Annabel   ;D

Actually going to OGG first. Trying to fit it in...

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2615 on: June 11, 2017, 02:10:45 PM »
We will be in Kauai from 6/26 - 7/9

Looking for any kosher toaster and kitchen supplies hand-me-downs - thanks

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2616 on: June 11, 2017, 07:07:55 PM »
We will be in Kauai from 6/26 - 7/9

Looking for any kosher toaster and kitchen supplies hand-me-downs - thanks

Where are you staying? I plan to be there there July 2 through 6

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2617 on: June 15, 2017, 08:07:51 AM »
Anyone able to advise if this smaller toaster will fit 2 POM meals, or should I go for this one?

Which one of them did you get? And was it the right size?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2618 on: June 15, 2017, 01:27:33 PM »
Which one of them did you get? And was it the right size?
I bought the 2nd one and had it delivered to my home. It's plenty big.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2619 on: June 15, 2017, 01:36:56 PM »
I bought the 2nd one and had it delivered to my home. It's plenty big.

Why didnt you have it shipped to the hotel? Can it fit 2 meals?