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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 823887 times)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2400 on: December 22, 2016, 12:16:35 PM »
I left mine there :-\

Ditto, but mine got shredded by lava.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2401 on: December 22, 2016, 01:33:38 PM »
Does the Costco in Kauai presently sell kosher chickens and/or any type of kosher meats?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline DP7

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2402 on: December 22, 2016, 06:26:08 PM »
Any toasters currently in Kauai / anyone want to split. Will be there 12/25-1/4.

Offline mgoldhammer18

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2403 on: December 23, 2016, 11:59:30 AM »
Any toasters currently in Kauai / anyone want to split. Will be there 12/25-1/4.

Will you be staying at GHK?

Offline sedge

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2404 on: December 23, 2016, 03:01:32 PM »
12.24   Check-in to Marriott Courtyard LAX

12.25  Fly to Kauai arrive 1 pm, get car drive to PRINCEVILLE and Check-in to St Regis Princeville-relax at resort

12.26  9AM Paradise Helicopter Tour Check-in 8:30
Hang out at resort

2:00pm Teddy Bear Tea’ (DW&DD)
3:30  Check-in for Massages (DW&DH)
Kids w/nanny
4-6 Lei Making
6-8 Star Gazing

12.27  9:30 Check-in at Kayak Shack in Lihue for Hidden Valley Kayak Tour Need to leave at 8 am. 
1-3 Coconut Craft-ALL

Kids w/nanny
5:30  Dinner (DW&DH)
6-8 Bonfire

12.28  Transfer Hotels to GHK - RELAX at resort

12.29   12:45 Check-in Hanapepe for Niahau Helicopter tour



12.30   10:00 Am Check-in Tubing

12.31   12:00 Check-in Mud Buggy Kauai ATV Tours

1.1        Fly Home

Offline AJK

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2405 on: December 25, 2016, 03:25:57 PM »
Any toasters currently in Kauai / anyone want to split. Will be there 12/25-1/4.
Flying all the way to LIH, spending money on activities and hotels, and you're worried about $25?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline AJK

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2406 on: December 25, 2016, 03:33:14 PM »
Flying all the way to LIH, spending money on activities and hotels, and you're worried about $25?
Alternatively, feel free to stop by the Waldorf in Maui and get the one I left there.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2407 on: December 25, 2016, 05:05:38 PM »
Alternatively, feel free to stop by the Waldorf in Maui and get the one I left there.

If he or she is concerned about the $25, you think he/she will want to spend money on an additional leg of flying?
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Offline 12HRS

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2408 on: December 25, 2016, 06:39:04 PM »
If he or she is concerned about the $25, you think he/she will want to spend money on an additional leg of flying?

But miles are free...  :P

Offline DP7

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2409 on: December 25, 2016, 11:20:26 PM »
Flying all the way to LIH, spending money on activities and hotels, and you're worried about $25?

Not worried about the $25. Had ordered one direct to hotel from amazon but when realizing it wouldn't come in time was planning on getting one at Walmart unless there was already one at GHK which there is as someone checked out the morning I was arriving and left it for me. Don't see the harm in asking.

Offline Flying Fish

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2410 on: December 26, 2016, 02:30:05 AM »
Southern waters are typically calm in the winter. Always check the forecast though.
Just spent a week in Poipu. The waves at all the southern beaches were nothing less than monstrous. Skilled local surfboarders were getting knocked over like dominoes.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2411 on: December 26, 2016, 02:40:34 AM »
Nike running shoes good enough for hikes in the 1-3 mile range that are not too difficult?
Will get very muddy and waterlogged if you hike through streams, but doable.

I highly recommend ~$30 amphibious sneakers from amazon, best purchase i made for the trip. They are handling everything that we put them through (a LOT!), with nary a scratch to show for it.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2412 on: December 26, 2016, 04:08:25 AM »
Any idea what prices are like?
Company agent in lobby didn't mention anything about free photo. Photoshoot is "complimentary" - i.e. $500 cheapest package to get actual photos (even digital)

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2413 on: December 26, 2016, 03:52:27 PM »
Company agent in lobby didn't mention anything about free photo. Photoshoot is "complimentary" - i.e. $500 cheapest package to get actual photos (even digital)

Did you use someone else?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2414 on: December 26, 2016, 05:48:25 PM »
No, I know some are into it but I really don't see the value in it, nor have the patience. Have enough regular photos from this trip to cherish for a long long time BH.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2415 on: December 29, 2016, 07:39:37 PM »
Checking out 1/4 from GHK have a toaster available (thank you Flying Fish!) can leave it for someone if interested.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2416 on: December 29, 2016, 07:43:22 PM »
Well worth the investment in pro photos...
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 #2417 on: December 29, 2016, 08:07:43 PM »
Checking out 1/4 from GHK have a toaster available (thank you Flying Fish!) can leave it for someone if interested.
Checking in 1/22
Let me know if u have a good place to leave it.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2418 on: January 07, 2017, 06:43:55 PM »
If he or she is concerned about the $25, you think he/she will want to spend money on an additional leg of flying?

Says the guy who took the toaster from me after I left.

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #2419 on: January 08, 2017, 01:27:44 AM »
Says the guy who took the toaster from me after I left.

Lol. Had them warm up plenty of meals for me before and after. It is a matter of my daily itinerary. If I have the time and planned accordingly I'm happy and have been to use it. Just doesn't always work out perfectly. Thanks anyways. It was/is appreciated.
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