www.kauaivisitorguideonline.com vol. 11 / issue 6/ november 2013 Aloha
TV Listings & Entertainment Guide • Activities • Art • Maps • Dining Guide • Golf • Shopping • Coupons
Whales are seen up close and personal (seasonal) along the Na Pali Coast by Na Pali Riders! (see inside front cover & page 9)
MESSAGE FROM THE mayor
Aloha! It is my pleasure to welcome you to Kaua‘i, the Garden Isle, and I invite you to explore the island’s many wonders!
Kaua‘i is a unique travel destination that offers the best of all possibilities: exciting outdoor adventures; world-class shopping and dining; rejuvenating spa retreats; and of course, some of the world’s most romantic beaches.
Kaua‘i has been chosen as the backdrop of many Hollywood movies for good reason. The island’s breathtaking natural beauty comes alive in majestic canyons and cliffs, roaring waterfalls, lush rainforest and the only navigable river in Polynesia.
Visitors are also delighted by the island’s cultural highlights: the people; places; and history that make this such an amazing place. Take the time to enjoy the leisurely pace of island life and the spirit of aloha - it’s what connects us, and embraces us in a community of family and friends.
On behalf of the people of the County of Kaua‘i, thank you for visiting our island. I look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Aloha nui loa,
Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. Mayor, County of Kaua‘i Kauai’s B eaches By Joan Conrow
auai is internationally known for its beautiful beaches. If you happen to see fishermen with a pole or net, give them You’ll find beaches of all lengths, from tiny, crescent- plenty of room and never walk between them and the ocean, as K shaped hideaways to some stretching for several you can scare away the fish that they depend on for food. miles. The sand comes in a range of colors, too, including white, buff, brown, green and even black. Some of the best beaches to visit are Poipu Beach Park, a shallow protected bay on the southside with excellent snorkel - Some have coral reefs offshore, offering protection from the ing. It’s great for families, with its lifeguard, showers and waves and opportunities for snorkeling. Others face the bathroom facilities. open ocean, making them more suitable for surfing and boogey boarding. Each beach has its own personality, Salt Pond Beach Park, on the westside, offers generally safe changing dramatically during the summer and swimming year round. The beach is partially protected by a winter months, depending on where the surf is breaking and reef, and a toddlers’ bathing pool was created by rocks that how the winds are blowing. form a small lagoon. Park facilities include a lifeguard tower, picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers and a camping area. It's also a great spot for sunsets.
Lydgate Park, located between Lihue and Wailua on the eastside, has fine picnic grounds, a fabulous playground, an excellent swimming area for the kids and a wonderful stretch of beach for sunning or a stroll. Two man-made pools were created in the ocean, one large and the other small and shallow, and these are good for swimming and snorkeling most any time of year.
Hanalei Bay is a beautiful place, with a two-mile shoreline excellent for walking. In the summer, it’s great for swimming and boogey boarding, but in the winter, it can be Lumahai Beach dangerous because of high surf. Lifeguards, restroom facilities and other amenities are found in the small beach parks that dot the bay. Many of Kauai’s beaches do not have lifeguards on duty, so it’s important to exercise caution. Never turn your back on Ke'e Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling sites on the water, because waves can come up unexpectedly. When Kaua'i's north shore, but this is during summer months only. visiting beaches on nort h- and eas t- facing shores, be care - In winter, it can have high surf and dangerous currents. It’s ful even in the shallows: dangerous riptides can pull even an also very scenic, marking the entrance to Na Pali Coast. experienced swimmer away from shore in just seconds. Given the variety and accessibility of Kauai’s beaches, it’s Don’t swim or snorkel in rough waters, always wear fins easy to find just the perfect stretch of sand and sea to enjoy when boogey boarding and don’t trust water-wings and your favorite water sport. So put on your hat and sunscreen, other flotation devices to protect children in the sea. Sharks grab a towel and enjoy. aren’t much of a problem, but stay out of murky water, espe - cially after rainfalls. Avoid stepping on coral reefs when snorkeling, as this damages the slow-growing, living coral.
Snorkelers and divers will have a chance to see some of the approximately 680 species of fish in our island waters. About 30 percent of these fish are endemic, meaning they are found in only Hawaii. Some good examples to look for are the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse and the Milletseed Butterfly fish. It’s not advisable to feed fish, as these are wild creatures and feeding encourages dependence and also can upset their digestive systems. Polihale Beach contents november 2013 volume 11 issue 6 www.kauaivisitorguideonline.com on the cover
9 Kauai’s #1 Raft Adventure that does the whole Na Pali coast.
Explore sea caves, get under the waterfalls, get close to dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals and whales when in season, and snorkel Kauai’s best reefs. A must do, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Please call (808) 742-6331 or 22 visit www.napaliriders.com to make reservations.
See ad on page Inside Front Cover.
Photographer: 14 Erik Van Embden, Na Pali Riders
7 kauai’s beaches Internationally known for its beautiful beaches, come discover them for yourself! 20 sightseeing - the north shore 9 sea cave review Before exploring Kauai’s North Shore, be sure you’ve got lots of time. You’ll want plenty to fully experience Exploring the Napali Coast caves, conditions permitting, the spectacular scenery that characterizes this region. can give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 14 22 sightseeing - the south shore discover kaua‘i The beaches are certainly a worthwhile attraction, An endless supply of natural beauty and adventure ranging from the rugged sea cliffs of Maha'ulepu to are just waiting to be discovered on Kauai. the playground equipment and "baby pools" at Poipu Beach Park. 17 golf on kaua‘i Kaua‘i offers breathtaking ocean and mountain views 24 kaua‘i maps unique to each course. Find your way around the island to all of our favorite 18 dining advertisers. G U I D E 28 advertiser index Review our restaurant listings from around the island. A user-friendly, comprehensive list of our advertisers.
Chris Morakis publisher, Cyndi Riemer, Ray Serrano sales, calendar Art to Print Hawaii / Ron Kenar production and art direction, Joan Conrow / Chris Turner / Lois Whitney editorial O F E V E N T S contributors, Laurie Rinaldi calendar of events, Art to Print Hawaii television insert, Maui Circulation circulation, Peter Scognamillo Check out what’s happening around the island in our TV Section. webmaster
Aloha Kauai Visitor GuideTM is published monthly by Aloha Visitor Guides, 66 Ku`ukama Street, Kahului, HI 96732, copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the publisher. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising which it deems unacceptable. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Submitted manuscripts, artwork and photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for return. Printed in Hawaii.
For advertising rates and information, please call or fax (808) 873-9677, or send an e-mail request to [email protected]. web: www.kauaivisitorguideonline.com sea cave REVIEW by Na Pali Riders’ Captain Chris Turner P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f
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Wa‘iahuakua Sea Cave THE CALM SPRING AND SUMMER CONDITIONS FOUND ALONG THE NAPALI COAST ALLOWS OUR RAFTS THE BEST CHANCE TO ENTER THE SEA CAVES AND ARCHES FOUND THERE .
Open Ceiling Cave s the boat Captain I know what is on the tip that the arch fronts has been nick-named Valley of Aof my customers tongues. “Will we be able the Lost Tribe. Its ominous walls tower over 3000 to get into the sea caves? Honestly?” I reply feet, with fluted walls contrasting from lime to dark that it is never a guarantee; every day the ocean green. Looking westward down the beach through conditions can change. We will go in as long as we the arch, look for the glimmer of the water fall can come out. To keep the wind in their sails, I shining through the foliage. Many stories are told of humor them. “Napali has a mind of her own, like my this valley as haunted by ancient warrior spirits. wife,” I reply. I understand, because I love the caves Perhaps there was once a traumatic battle here that too. left souls imprisoned and wandering to haunt the valley for eternity. Their eyes beam with excitement as we enter a cave, drinking in its allure, its mystery—this magical and SEA ARCH is just around the corner from Hanakoa unique world that leaves most people momentarily valley On rare occasions when it is flat calm, the spellbound. Most will admit to never having seen experience of going through this arch is amazing. anything like it before. High-lighteded by a rushing waterfall right next to the raft, you take a ninety degree turn as you pass Then the excitement triggers the questions that fire through. The view looking west as you begin to exit at me like a machine gun. “How did this form”? the arch is a post card moment: the Napali coastline “What makes that heavenly Windex blue color to at its finest—waterfalls plunging into the sea, glow on the cave’s open ceiling?” “Are those ghosts Jurassic Green sea cliffs above, and below, water in the spotlight of the Double Door cave?” “How glowing out-of-this-world Windex blue. did that waterfall get in there?” “What is that purple and blood red color along the cave’s tideline?” “What kind of birds are nesting in there?” “What movies were filmed here?” I think I need to have a tranquilizer gun just to slow down the onslaught of questions, but the truth is I am just as excited as they are, and it never gets old.
You can’t get into the sea caves every day, but when you do, it is always a new experience. Like the Open Ceiling cave, which can be with or without mid morning sunbeams, but like two different caves to be experienced.
The Napali Coast caves can give the best day of your vacation as well as of your life. Let us describe Sea Arch in detail the caves and arches you will be visiting.
OPEN CEILING CAVE . As our raft enters on the left WA‘IAHUAKUA SEA CAVE —bottom-line, the best side, look for the electric blue glow of the water that sea cave in Hawaii—known to most as the Double contrasts with the shadowed black ledge that looks Door cave. Entering through the back door with a like beaten metal. Sunbeams entering the cave can trickling waterfall above, a large room appears. To penetrate through the summertime calm and the left is a narrow channel between the cave wall on crystal-clear water and reflect off the white sand the left and the Death Rock. The channel at first bottom, giving forth the heavenly blue color. The appears to go nowhere. Then turning hard left, look feeling imparted is surreal, leaving most people down a long dark hallway with a distant light at the speechless, and with a deep calming peace, like in a end. As your eyes start to adjust to the darkness, you relaxed trance. Some call it a healing color, I think, are pleasantly surprised with a waterfall inside the as it temporarily, at least, relieves stress and its hallway, and when the afternoon summer light ailments. This cave alone under the right conditions comes through the hole of the waterfall cave, an erie will justify your Hawaii vacation, as you leave more spotlight appears in the cave hallway, like a multi relaxed than ever. colored glass window. Calcium deposits rise through the spot-light appearing like ghosts. The HONOPU SEA CAVE has its own unique features beam of light is further high-lighted by the mist from and views. As you enter, look back at the waterfall the waterfall, appearing like a scene from Star Trek. behind you; it is framed in by the cave entrance. Looking at the waterfall, one almost expects to see Look for schools of small fish below, hiding in the mermaids sitting and combing their hair. This cave shadows and maybe a white-tip reef shark looking goes beyond any expectation. to make a meal of those fish; see the the nesting noddy terns looking for their next meal. As you get HONOLOLO SEA CAVE is nick-named the Pirates deeper into the cave, the walls of the cave edges Cave. A rushing waterfall guards its entrance, stand out more. The gray to black lava rock providing every passenger daring to enter with a contrasts with the coral growing at the surf line with cooling shower. It is the biggest of the caves, and colors from pink to blood red. with the highest ceiling that is covered with green mosses. It reminds one most of the cave in the HONOPU SEA ARCH may be called Napali Wood movie The Goonies. sea arch from the movie filmed there. Other movies have been made at this location, including Pirates of Honololo Cove is three caves in one. On the far right the Caribbean, King Kong (the older remake), James is Zebra cave with calcium lines against black lava; in Bond, and The Man with the Golden Arm—with that the middle is the Godzilla Egg cave with big round dramatic helicopter scene of flying through the arch. rocks covered with bright pink corals; and to the left There is an air of mystery here, for Honopu Valley is the Skull cave shaped like a skull.
Discover
Photos and text by Kaua‘i Lois Whitney
Don’t be fooled— there is much more to see and do here than one might imagine upon arrival at Lihue’s sleepy airport. From the trailhead of an oceanfront bikepath to an end-of- the-road scenic lookout into the tropical grandeur of Kalalau Valley, Kaua‘i offers an endless supply of natural beauty and adventure just waiting to be discovered.
The island’s rich diversity in pools; spectacular shoreline topography and climates creates vistas made famous on an amazing array of environments Hollywood’s silver screen. —and sightseeing opportunities! This is God’s country, a magical To name just a few: lush world of splendor. To truly rainforest on the slopes of the experience Kaua‘i, don’t just wettest spot on Earth; the only follow the road… follow your navigable river in all Polynesia; an heart. It will guide you to places arid, multi-colored canyon akin that take your breath away, to a mini Grand Canyon; terraced leaving you inspired and plateaus brimming with Hawaiian refreshed. taro plants; razor-like cliffs that plunge into the Pacific; dramatic E komo mai— welcome! waterfalls freefalling into azure
< The Na Pali coast adorns the northwestern face of the island with stretches of secret white sandy beaches, inaccessible bays and forbidding cliffs. Discover Kaua‘i
The Kalalau Valley lookout is likely the island’s most iconic postcard view, for good reason! The undeveloped valley is a glimpse of ancient Hawaii at its finest: indigenous plant species, the sweet sound of native bird calls, and the famed ridges of the Na Pali cliffs against the backdrop of the endless Pacific Ocean.
< Often called “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon resembles its geological muse in its weathered rocky crags and paintbox-colors. Well-prepared hikers can venture into the valley for day-hikes or overnight camping; be sure to get advice on conditions and necessary provisions from local outfitters before heading out. > The U.S. National Park Service manages the site of the picturesque Kilauea Lighthouse , but the views and parking are free just outside the entrance to the park. Thousands of native sea birds nest on the cliffs near the lighthouse; at sunset they return to catch a few last updrafts before heading home to roost. < The recently constructed “ Ke Ala Hele Makalae ” multi-use path runs 4.1 miles along the wildly beautiful coastline from Kapa`a and runs through Lydgate Park, which includes an expansive, community-built wooden playground for kids of all ages. When complete, the path will stretch 8.7 miles. Bike rentals in town make it easy and affordable to hop on a two-wheeler or tandem and pedal your troubles away. > Poipu’s Spouting Horn is an active blowhole that never fails to delight camera-toting visitors and those who simply want to take in nature’s show. < Horseback riding is a relaxing way to experience the island’s natural wonders. Guided tours offer tidbits of Hawaiian culture, history and local lore. > A cool waterfall-fed splashpool provides the perfect break from a dusty trailride. The formidable backdrop of the Makaleha mountain range harbors Mount Waialeale, known as the wettest spot on earth.
golf GUIDE
GOLF COURSES
Princeville Makai Course
Prince Course