I am flying to Kauai for a nine day stay.?

Aloha!

The pages I quote are from Kauai Revealed, 5th edition.

Activities

1. Helicopter Tour - Inter Island, Hanapepe (p. 133). This company takes the back doors of the aircraft off for unobstructed viewing. Fabulous tour, uncrowded helicopter. 2 seats in front next to pilot, 2 in back. The tour we took included a stop at a waterfall that is only accessible by helicopter. Lunch was provided and we got to swim in the waterfall! Great company, good safety record. I was terrified of flying in a helicopter before taking this tour and I did extensive research on many companies' safety records and flight standards. Inter Island's was the best as of 2003. Haven't checked it recently.

2. Kayaking - either Wailua River or Nawiliwili Bay. Lots of companies to take you out.

3. Take an innertube ride down an old sugar cane irrigation ditch - Kauai Backcountry Adventures, Hanamaulu (p. 180) - we went on this tour about 3 months after the company opened its doors in Jan. 2003. They fill up fast now, so make reservations in advance, if possible. Totally worth doing! They drive you in a van to a point on Mt. Wai’ale’ale, the wettest spot on Earth, and then guide you down the irrigation ditches in large innertubes. The water is chilly but you don’t get too wet. I am pretty sure that spring suits (short wet suits) are available to rent if you’re worried about the cold water. You must wear Tabis or water socks and they loan you a helmet with a light on it for the dark parts. There are several tunnels on the trip and the longest one is a 1/2 mile! It gets really dark in there. Very neat ride. No rapids, just sort of a gentle float through the middle of Kauai. There is a stop where you can sit at a waterfall and they serve you lunch. Highly recommended! (The book says it's "semi-lame," but I totally disagree! I’ve done it twice and had a blast both times.)

4. Take a boat tour to see dolphins, whales, and other wildlife. I have been on Holo Holo, Captain Andy’s, and Blue Dolphin. I liked Captain Andy’s (p. 167) the best, though the tours were all slightly different and all good. Deli lunch is served on board -- I like longer tours better because you will get to snorkel and possibly see the Na Pali coast if you aren’t going during the winter. (From Dec.-March the seas are rough and the tour companies won’t take you to Na Pali because it’s unsafe.) Great views of Niihau (the “Forbidden Island”) and probably the closest to the island most of us will get!

5. Beaches - All of Kauai’s beaches are beautiful and everyone has his or her favorite. Poipu is crowded and has lots of rocks just off shore which makes walking in the water difficult and boogie boarding dangerous. North Shore beaches get pounding surf in the winter months but are gorgeous! East side beaches such as Wailua, Lydgate, and Kealia are great. Wailua doesn’t have much parking and is popular with locals. Lydgate is popular with everyone -- lots of parking and the park across the road even has a huge playground for kids! There are pavilions there and lots of people have barbecues or parties in them. Kealia is a great boogie boarding beach and the waves there are usually bigger and stronger than at Lydgate and Wailua. Polihale is an incredible beach on the far west side of the island. 15 miles long and rather difficult to get to, but you can take a car most of the way in. Locals drive their 4WD vehicles right onto the sand -- they let a little air out of the tires for better traction then pump them back up once they’re back on the pavement. Not too bad a hike from your car if the tire thing is not an option though. There is no shade here and the sand gets ridiculously hot, so be prepared! Best to take a beach umbrella with you if you plan to spend the day (takes a while to get to from just about anywhere on the island) so you won’t get fried. You’re really close to Niihau from this point and the views are fantastic. This is as far up the west side of Kauai you can go without a boat. It feels like you’re on a deserted island -- very beautiful.

6. Waimea Canyon - Mark Twain nicknamed it the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Very beautiful canyon on the west side of the island. You can drive right up into it and take various short hikes to scenic view points. Spectactular from a helicopter too!

7. Spouting Horn, Tree Tunnel, drive up waterfalls - All on the east and south shores of the island. Easy to get to and quite pretty. (The waterfalls are named Opaekaa and Wailua.)

8. Glass Beach (p. 115) - Port Allen area. Tons of ocean-smoothed glass bits from a dump (!) that is spectacular to look at. Not sharp -- you can sit or lie right on it as it has all been worn smooth. Very interesting and unlike anything else on the island!

Restaurants, etc.

1. Hamura’s Saimin, Lihue (p. 214) - Counter-style seating, very local! Excellent saimin (kind of like Top Ramen but much better) with little goodies inside like Spam chunks, fish cake, etc. (I get mine with just the ham chunks and green onions. Feel free to order it how you want it.) BIG bowls, very inexpensive.

2. Java Kai in Kapaa and Hanalei - Really good locally grown coffee. They make the frou frou drinks too, which I love. Try the blended mocha anu -- it has coconut syrup in it! Mmm...

3. Lappert’s Ice Cream - Hanalei, Coconut Marketplace, Koloa - The BEST locally made ice cream, ever! Beats Tropical Dreams from the Big Island hands down. Lots of fun flavors; my favorites are Kauai Pie and Banana Fudge. Totally decadent and not cheap, but worth every penny! If you like it and think you’ll get more, be sure to get a punch card so you can get a free treat at the end of your trip!

4. Olympic Cafe, Kapaa - eclectic mix of salads, sandwiches, pasta...etc. Upstairs off of the main highway so you can watch the street traffic go by on one side or have a view of the ocean from the other! Open air and very comfortable.

5. Caffe Coco, Kapaa - Cute little outdoor restaurant with counter style ordering. They provide cans of Off to help you battle the mosquitoes and it's well worth it. Good food, inexpensive, great atmosphere outside among plants and flowers.

6. Kauai Pasta, Kapaa and Lihue (p. 213) - Really good pasta dishes! Very small catering co. with some tables inside. Friendly service and delicious food. Everything I’ve tried is wonderful but I especially like their pesto sauce on spaghetti.

7. Tropical Taco, Hanalei - taco place that used to be inside an old VW van! It has moved into a building and the food is great. A little more than you usually spend for tacos, but quite good. Be sure to stop at Kai Kane (local surf shop) in the same complex while you're there. They have great stuff to take home as souvenirs!

8. JJ’s Broiler, Nawiliwili - nice little burger/salad type place on Kalapaki beach. The food is decent but the view is spectacular! Quite pretty.

9. Kalapaki Beach Hut, Nawiliwili - be sure to get a table upstairs so you can take in the view of Kalapaki beach! Great burgers and sides.

10. Tip Top, Lihue - Local type place with a mixture of Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian food. Their loco moco is fantastic! (Rice, hamburger patty, gravy, and an egg on top! Filling, delicious, and full of carbs!)

11. Duke’s, Kalapaki Beach - Duke's is part of a chain that has restaurants on Maui and Oahu as well as in California. Very good food -- ono salad bar! -- and relaxed, slightly upscale atmosphere. 

12. Tropical Burgers, Poipu - Trust me, this is NOT the same as the one at Coconut Marketplace! I have been to both and the one in Poipu is far superior. Seating is in a plantation style building, all open air. I have only eaten breakfast there, which is fabulous. I highly recommend the crunchy french toast with a side of Portuguese sausage. Make sure to get the coconut syrup and mix it with a little maple...MMM!

13. Kountry Kitchen, Kapaa - Very popular with locals and tourists. Only open until 2 pm (or thereabouts). Great breakfasts, cozy atmosphere with chicken designs everywhere. 

14. Keoki's Paradise, Poipu (p. 219) - fun place! They have live music at times and it is almost always crowded, so make a reservation. Neat atmosphere. I got the best steak I've EVER eaten at Keoki's! 

15. Roy's, Poipu (p. 222) - Fantastic Pan-Asian food. Roy's is a chain throughout the islands as well as on the mainland and we have loved every one we've been to! It's a bit pricey but totally worth it. This is the only Roy's on the island, so if you're going to Poipu and you want to eat GOOD food, Roy's is the best choice.

Love Kauai, you will too. Here are some ideas for you:

Food:

- Beach Hut in Nawiliwili Harbor area(behind JJ's Broiler)(great fish burgers - a local fav)

- the Dolphin in Hanalei (expensive but fantastic food

- Next door to Dolphin is their fish market - get some fresh fish and grill it.

- Tropical Tacos (in Hanalei) You'll love it.

- Kilauea Bakery (near lighthouse) - best pizza, I know, but its all homemade stuff, go early they sell out fast. great cafe and to go food.

Beaches

- must go to Tunnels (on north side) best snorkeling

- rent a bike in Hanalei and pick up some lunch - lots to do around this "village"

- Kilauaea Lighthouse- kind of touristy but very cool

I spent 3 days in Kauai several years ago, and have to admit we got bored by the 3rd day. There is not as much to do there as there is on the other islands. You can go to the beach, go hiking, take a helicopter ride, and eat. If your whole trip is nine days there, I would suggest taking part of that time and going to Mauii, Oahu, or the big island too.

i hate you.

I'm cold.

I hate you.

I'm at work

i hate you

the sky is overcast

i hate you

it is windy

i hate you

my friend, you could eat cold spam sandwiches every meal the whole nine days and I would still envy you...