Languages:
English
Currency
US dollar
International Airports:
- Lihue. Connections nonstop to many west cost cities (Oakland, SF, LA, Portland, Seattle) Many daily flights from Honolulu
Airlines
All major US airlines fly here but consider (for deals and/ or superior experience):
- Hawaiian (they still serve meals)
- Southwest (about to start – NOW you can use those reward miles for somewhere you really want to go)
- Alaska
Best Rental Car Companies
All of the major car rental agencies are on Kauai
You might consider a jeep to get to some of the more remote trailheads in which case consider Alii car rental instead of the major ones
Driving – there is not a single freeway on the island. roads are easy but you can run into traffic around Lihue. Driving is generally easy
Best Guidebook
Hawaii revealed Ultimate Kauai
Grocery Stores
- Safeway – Lihue
- Costco – Lihue
- Foodland – Princeville
- Fish Express 3-3343 Kuhio Hwy, 3-3343 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii (more Poke than fish)
- Koloa fish market 5482 Koloa Rd, Koloa, HI 96756 (more Poke than fish)
- Kilauea fish market 4270 Kilauea Rd, Kilauea, HI 96754
- There are farmers market every day somewhere: http://www.kauai.com/kauai-farmers-markets
Not-to-Miss Local Food, Beer, Drink
Water
Drinking tap water is perfectly fine. Bring your reusable water bottle – always carry water – it can be hotter than you think. Don’t drink from streams without treating – even in the wilderness
Food:
- Fish
- Poke
- Spam (the national dish of Hawaii)
Local Beer
There are two breweries on Kauai
- Kauai Beer company 4265 Rice St., Lihue; 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday
- Kauai Island Brewery 4350 Waialo Rd., Port Allen Marina Center; daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m
Not-to-miss Kauai Activities
Hiking—Famous for hiking – among best in the world
Waimea Ko’kee trails
Kalalau Trail – unique and iconic
Na Pali coast boat trips
Snorkeling at Tunnels and Ke’e
Body surfing at Brennecke’s
Movies / Books
- South Pacific (yes that old 1958 musical – filmed here
- The Descendants – filmed and set here
- Many others
Beach Rental
You don’t need to bring everything for the beach as it can be rented there. We recommend Snorkel Bob (Koloa and Kapaa)
Don’t screw it up
The first time we came here was around 1973. It was awesome and some of the best things were the waterslides – at the time there were two – one was a natural waterslide that you drove up a cane road to get to. The slide was a natural lava one – through wild ginger to a gorgeous pool. Magical. The other was near Kilauea and had been built part of the set of South Pacific with a slide into a large pool near a small waterfall. Full of local kids frolicking. You won’t find them anymore. Both have been closed and fenced after drowning, accidents, and lawsuits. Kipu falls – same.
There are still amazing wild and scenic areas, but that won’t last if people continue to do stupid stuff, die, and sue. PLEASE pay attention – this is wild land- use your head. If the sea is high stay out. If the water is roaring down the falls stay out. If the trail is on a ridge and to footing is treacherous from rain – don’t go.
Or in other words – don’t be stupid!