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Kauai Overview/DansMeals:
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Dan 2014
Dan 2009, Auntiemus, Benarroc, Westman812, Hudi, Yellow, Lechaim2life, DanFan2010, Jmansour, Something Fishy, Rivky, chuchem, dealvr, Amusch,
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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 824052 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2720 on: July 27, 2017, 12:16:19 PM »
http://www.otterbox.com/en-us/venture-65/cooler/otr56-cooler-65.html

Keeps Ice up to 14 days...Just ignore the cost and the weight ;)
If the GHK were on a useable beach and if there no other options, fine.

But there are other options here. If they don't want us that's fine.
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 #2721 on: July 27, 2017, 12:32:01 PM »
If the GHK were on a useable beach and if there no other options, fine.

But there are other options here. If they don't want us that's fine.

do the other hotels make you feel like you're in paradise the same way?

ETA: my question is not meant to be rhetorical or facetious
« Last Edit: July 27, 2017, 03:27:26 PM by ushdadude »

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2722 on: July 27, 2017, 02:41:55 PM »
i feel like most here don't bring their kids to Hawaii.


I've done it and would do it again in a heartbeat

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2723 on: July 27, 2017, 03:26:20 PM »
I am going up north for one day. Hoping to do kalalau trail (just the 2 miles until the beach), tunnels beach and the queens bath. Anything else up north that I cant miss? A nicer beach than tunnels for chilling/snorkeling? Also heard there is a nice bar and view by the st regis for sunset. Any better recommendations for a nicer place to see sunset?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2724 on: July 27, 2017, 03:27:54 PM »
I am going up north for one day. Hoping to do kalalau trail (just the 2 miles until the beach), tunnels beach and the queens bath. Anything else up north that I cant miss? A nicer beach than tunnels for chilling/snorkeling? Also heard there is a nice bar and view by the st regis for sunset. Any better recommendations for a nicer place to see sunset?

There are a couple of nice overlooks including the Waimea Canyon overlook. 
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2725 on: July 27, 2017, 03:39:31 PM »
Anything else up north that I cant miss?
Any better recommendations for a nicer place to see sunset?

The lighthouse (you can stop on the way to the trail/Ke'e beach etc.)

Ke'e Beach has a beautiful view of sunset

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2726 on: July 27, 2017, 03:54:26 PM »
A nicer beach than tunnels for chilling/snorkeling?

Ke'e

Any better recommendations for a nicer place to see sunset?

Ke'e
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2727 on: July 27, 2017, 03:55:16 PM »
Polihale has by far the nicest sunset on the island.
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 #2728 on: July 27, 2017, 05:26:25 PM »
The lighthouse (you can stop on the way to the trail/Ke'e beach etc.)

Ke'e Beach has a beautiful view of sunset

Going up north either Sunday or Monday. Unfortunately the lighthouse is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Seems like ke'e is the big winner. I want to start my day at kalalau trail and work my way back.  So will definitely hang out/snorkeling by ke'el after the Kalalau trail. Is it worth doubling back there after Queens bath to see sunset? Is there anything closer to Queens bath thats a good place for sunset?

How about the wet/dry caves. Any point of visiting?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2729 on: July 27, 2017, 05:36:14 PM »
Going up north either Sunday or Monday. Unfortunately the lighthouse is closed on Sunday and Monday.

You can still stop by and get a beautiful view... (Closed means you cant go all the way to the lighthouse, but you can go to this view)
Fun fact: The Kilauea Lighthouse is the northernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands


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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2730 on: July 27, 2017, 06:02:59 PM »
Polihale has by far the nicest sunset on the island.

Might do that the day I go to Waimea canyon. I would like to go to Waimea in the morning (before the clouds come in) so if I decide to do a hike will stick around and go to Polihale for sunset

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2731 on: July 27, 2017, 06:03:31 PM »
Might do that the day I go to Waimea canyon. I would like to go to Waimea in the morning (before the clouds come in) so if I decide to do a hike will stick around and go to Polihale for sunset
Good plan, done that before.
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 #2732 on: July 27, 2017, 06:24:43 PM »

How about the wet/dry caves. Any point of visiting?


Dry cave wasn't anything special

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2733 on: July 27, 2017, 09:21:58 PM »
If Im going to be doing the helicopter tour as well as hike the kalalau trail is there any point in doing a Na Pali cruise? Or is that overkill.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2734 on: July 27, 2017, 09:29:53 PM »
If Im going to be doing the helicopter tour as well as hike the kalalau trail is there any point in doing a Na Pali cruise? Or is that overkill.
When are you going?  Winter, Waialeale Crater is wow!  Don't know if I would bother with helicopter in summer.  Na Pali cruise is better in summer.  Too turbulent in winter.
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2735 on: July 27, 2017, 10:04:49 PM »
When are you going?  Winter, Waialeale Crater is wow!  Don't know if I would bother with helicopter in summer.  Na Pali cruise is better in summer.  Too turbulent in winter.

Going in a few weeks. Everyone who I ever spoke to said helicopter ride is amazing, not to be missed. You would say cruise over heli?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2736 on: July 27, 2017, 11:01:59 PM »
Going in a few weeks. Everyone who I ever spoke to said helicopter ride is amazing, not to be missed. You would say cruise over heli?
Ignore what I said previously.  I change my vote to "do both." I just have very high expectations.  The only thing on the helicopter tour I cared about was Waialeale Crater.  If I could have, I would have asked for that part only. The rest felt like BTDT (I've done other helicopter tours in Hawaii).  Our pilot said that the crater appeared as we saw it on only 1 or 2 out of 100 flights.  So, had we done that in summer, I would've been disappointed.  If it's your first in Hawaii, you'll probably enjoy it.
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2737 on: July 27, 2017, 11:15:37 PM »
Absolutely, chopper over cruise.
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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2738 on: July 28, 2017, 01:19:35 AM »
Thanks, yea going to stick with the chopper.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2739 on: July 30, 2017, 12:31:47 PM »
Hi there!  My name's Shlomo and - to paraphrase Mulaney - I'm new in town.
My wife and I are heading for a honeymoon this week to Kauai (and Maui).
I heard of the kosher toaster-oven conga-line. 
However, being new here, I looked at and posted in the thread, but still didn't know how it works.
Could anyone please perhaps help a lost, wandering Jew?
Thanks so much!