Explore the island. It has a...
by kahiwa
Explore the island. It has a lot of scenic beauty, so you should take your time and literally stop to smell the roses (and all the other tropical flowers along the way).
If you're looking for something that the locals do, ask around and find Hamura's Saimin. Saimin is a local food item, primarily composed of noodles in broth. You can have it with cabbage, fishcake, won ton (steamed pork in wheat wrappers), and beef or chicken sticks (pieces of grilled beef or chicken skewered on short bamboo sticks). Saimin is great on cold days, hot days, after a long day, early in the morning after going out or spending time at a friend's house. Hamura's is one of the few places that's open at 2 a.m., so lots of people go there after drinking or partying.
Don't expect great ambiance. It's a small building off a side street in Lihue town. When you get there, park, and walk to the building. There are screen doors that open, and when you walk in, everyone looks up to see who just came in. Lihue is a small town. Sometimes it's busy and you just stand there and wait for the next available stool to open up. Yes, there are simply stools at formica lunch counters. You can chat with your 'neighbors' or just watch the kitchen people make everyone's saimin. The saimin comes in several sizes, so just order by size, and by what you want in it. It's a family run business, so be nice. It's a great place to go if you like noodles in broth. Having someone say, 'Let's go to Hamura's!' at midnight. Everyone piles into the car and we drive to Hamura's Saimin and have our late night snack before going to bed.
Packing List
by kahiwa
Travel light. You're in a tropical area, so you won't be needing cold weather clothes. The climate in Hawaii is very tropical, and casual. On Kauai especially, there are few opportunities to 'dress up', so unless you're going to attend a wedding or formal event, don't even think of bringing suits or fancy dresses. If you're camping out in Koke'e, you might need a warm jacket, but otherwise a light jacket or windbreaker is all you'd need.
Wear sneakers or similar footwear if you're going hiking. Slippers/go aheads/flip flops (whatever you call them) are okay if you're just sightseeing, but it's safer to have covered footwear when walking around outside.
For tourists just having a good time, shorts and t-shirts are fine at just about all times.
Don't forget your sunscreen! There is a very large WalMart right in Lihue town that carries just about everything you need. There are also other stores and pharmacies, so you can probably get whatever you need. Bring your prescription medications, but if you need refills, you probably can get them at our pharmacies. There is also a major hospital right in Lihue, Wilcox Medical, and a Veteran's Hospital on the west side of the island. Bring your cameras! If you're doubtful about the x-ray machines at airports, you can buy film here. Same for developing the film. There's a lot to see and a lot to take pictures of. There are places to camp, but you need a permit. It's also not safe to do so, so consider staying at a cheap hotel instead of camping out.
If you're into hiking,...
by kahiwa
If you're into hiking, consider taking a half-to-full day walk to Hanakapiai Beach. You drive all the way to the end of the road on the north shore of the island, at Haena Beach Park. Park your car (at your own risk) on the side of the road, and you will see the trail head with signage right there. Have water and snacks with you, and sneakers or hiking shoes you wouldn't mind getting muddy.
The trial winds up and down mountain ridges. Don't forget to look at the foilage along the way - the flowers, the plants, the trees and rocks. After trudging up and down the trail, you will suddenly be at Hanakapiai Beach. You need to cross a stream to get there.
When you get there, you will see a large white sand beach. The sand slopes ever so gently downward from the shore, that you can walk far out into the water and still only be shin deep in the water. There are small caves off to the right (as you face the ocean), that you can explore.
Spend as much time at the beach as you want to, then take your time hiking back out. You should be able to do the hike in half a day, or longer, depending on how much time you spend at the beach. The trail is a walking trail, but it does go up and down, and you do need to step over branches and things on the way. The trail is very busy on weekends, so it's safe to go alone or in couples. I wouldn't go alone if there aren't many people on the trail, just for safety's sake.
Lihue - Capital of the Garden Isle
by Hopkid
We have joined my family twice in rented homes on the north shore of Kauai in Haena. The area is a really great place on the main road past Hanalei towards the end of the road where the Na Pali Coast starts, about a 45-60-minute drive from Lihue. The first home we rented was right on the beach and was actually next door to a home owned by Pierce Brosnan (no, he wasn't there during our stay).
As anyone who visits Kauai, we flew into and out of Lihue. On our first visit the day we flew in we got great local take out that we took back to the house for dinner in town. We also had lunch at a great saimin place the day we flew to Oahu. The saimin place, Hamura Saimin is a tip here. I can't remember the name of the take out place unfortunately. Our second visit required a return to Hamura Saimin and upon a recommendation from a friend we checked out the handful of shops at Kilohana Plantation which have some great quality arts and crafts. A visitor looking for a good selection of locally-produced (all of Hawaii) arts and crafts to take home won't be disappointed with these shops.
Go to Kauai and enjoy the relaxed pace of life there. It's intoxicating!
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls
Baby Napali
Kahiko series art by Cindy Conklin
