Kaua'i Favorites

As Hawai'i is 6 primary islands (Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Molaka'i, Kaua'i and Lana'i), each of which have their distinct character, I think we can be more specific, than this link:
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=216&forum=16&148

Or the thread focused on Kauai Tiki:
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=216&forum=16&148

Some of my thoughts:

1. Wailua Falls
   http://hawaiifeeling.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/wailua-falls-kauai-hawaii.jpg

2. Spouting Horn & Lava Rock
   http://www.hawaiilifeofluxury.com/poipu-kauai-spouting-horn/

3. Smith's Plantation Garden & Luau (featuring a huge Moai)
   http://www.flickr.com/photos/buxtrosion/233488211/

4. Fern Grotto, visited by a river cruise, also from Smith's
   http://www.smithskauai.com/fern_grotto.html

5. Hyatt - magnificent resort in Poipu - I live the patio overlooking the shore

6. Tidepools Restaurant at the Hyatt - including 2 giant Ku Tikis

7. Beachwalk at Sheraton (including Tiki statutes)

8. Gaylord's Plantation - Train ride

9. Gaylord's Plantataion - Rum tasting

10. McBryde Gardens, near Poipu

Local faves:

1. Ma's Restaurant
2. Hamura Saimin
3. Tip Top Cafe

All in Lihue.

Sadly Ma's is closed now. She was born on Kauai on 1912 and would be 100 years old next year.
It was LouAnns' and my favorite restaurant for breakfast since 1996. Just got back from our 21st trip there.

Craig the Keg

[ Edited by: CraigtheKeg 2011-09-04 19:46 ]

Hiking the many, many, many, trails.

Thanks folks for the info posted here. I'm thinking of visiting a friend that lives on Kauai in 2012 - so I'll be watching this thread closely for more cool places to check out while I'm there :)

On 2011-09-04 17:26, JOHN-O wrote:
Local faves:

1. Ma's Restaurant
2. Hamura Saimin
3. Tip Top Cafe

All in Lihue.

The LA Times recommends the following for cheap eats ono grindz:
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-kauaieats30-2008nov30-pg,0,3280269.photogallery

BBQ:

Lihue Barbecue Inn
2982 Kress St
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-2921

Scotty's Beachside BBQ
4-1546 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
(808) 823-8480
scottysbbq.com

There's nothing like Kauai, I don't know why Maui (with the ongoing drought, over run commercialism, loss of the cane fields etc. etc.) keeps getting voted most popular island.

STAY : north shore Princeville & Hanalei Bay area ... find a surf shack on vrbo

https://tikicentral.com/uploads/21687/4e71550b.jpg

HIKING: Bamboo Ben is right ... awesome trails. At least go part way up Kalalau Trail to see Ke'e beach from above

https://tikicentral.com/uploads/21687/4e715383.jpg

FOOD: Koloa Fish Market, wonderful Lau Lau, Poke, Kalua Pig (best lunch plates on the island) ... also Duane's Ono Char Burger

https://tikicentral.com/uploads/21687/4e715458.jpg https://tikicentral.com/uploads/21687/4e71547c.jpg

BEACHES: Tunnels, Ke'e, Poipu

https://tikicentral.com/uploads/21687/4e715436.jpg

We're hoping to return in 2012 ... counting down the days!

On 2011-09-14 18:31, Hanalei Tiki wrote:
There's nothing like Kauai, I don't know why Maui (with the ongoing drought, over run commercialism, loss of the cane fields etc. etc.) keeps getting voted most popular island.

While the beaches of Ka'anapali are better, otherwise Kauai has more to see and do, definitely more of an authentic feel, more coconut trees, more variety and better breakfast and dining places and no 1-hr drive to get from the airport to one's hotel.

Kauai is probably the best island of them all, not just cause i'm from there :wink: It's really laid back but has enough stuff to do so that you don't feel like you're going nuts. I try to get back at least once a year and my only gripe is the traffic! When I was growing up there it was never a problem.

As far as eating here are a couple of places:

Country Kitchen in Kapaa town is awesome for breakfast.
Monaco's Taqueria in Wailua has great Mexican food.
Kintaro's in Wailua, best Japanese food on the island.

There are tons of great eats on Kauai but I will save some for later. Aloha!