things to do in Hawai'i

[Stoysluttie1]

We'll be in Honolulu for 2 days and then off to Kuaui for 5. suggestions? places we might be able to stay for cheap? let me have it.

[Twoplanker]

We'll be in Honolulu for 2 days and then off to Kuaui for 5. suggestions? places we might be able to stay for cheap? let me have it.

There's an 11 mile trail (one way) on the Napali coast. Fuggin spectacular. There's a campground halfway - make a reservation now.

[Stoysluttie1]

I knew you might be the first to partake...wanna dawn patrol Monday morning? 5 or 5.30 start?

[Lane Meyer]

Ho, brah, you goin to da islands, eh? Keelahs! No boddah wit Da City, you nevah goin' like um anyways. Me, I nevah wen' go Kaua`i yet, but get ohana deyah who like 'em. If you no moah choice but stay in da ceety, maybe try go Chinatown fo' grids. Make suah you fin' one place fo' eat stay choke wit Pake or Katunks, cause dey know wheyah da ono grinds stay, eh. If get peectchas on da menu, you gon' lov 'em. Eef you like grind poke, try jump in one cab and hele ovah to Tomashiro's in Kalihi, get da mos' ono poke in da state ovah deyah . Maybe cruise by Waimanalo too on da east shoah if get time, dat beach is da bes! So is Makaha on da ewa side too. No leave nuthin you like in yo cah at eedah place doh, cause da buggahs grow legs by da time you get back.

And, uh, watch out for Da Hui.

[Twoplanker]

I knew you might be the first to partake...wanna dawn patrol Monday morning? 5 or 5.30 start?

Love to! Unfortunately I have a business to run. I'd love to come to Hawaii though.

[postman22]

in Kauai,

hitchhike to the North Shore,

Hike the Napali Coast to Kalalau Beach. It takes a good 10 hours about 15 miles to the most deserted and beautiful beach you've ever seen. Theres a beach you can camp at 2 miles in to the trail and then you can camp at Kalalau Beach as well.

Go to Waimea Canyon if you have time on the other part of the island. Beautiful. HIke the Kokee Trail into the canyon and go up the river. Awesome.

Then go to Polilalhale beach its a 17 miles beach of nothing but sand.

Oh yeah and don't forget to surf

[postman22]

Oh yeah in response to the reservations in the Napali Coast. Coast guard or heliguard whatever the hell you want to call it come about once a week to the beach in Kalalau. So you can reserve it, otherwise if they come they will come in the morning. When you hear a heli landing just go to the woods. The guard only checks passes to the people closest to the beach. They are lazy as hell

[Twoplanker]

Oh yeah and don't forget to surf

But not on the north shore.

[truth]

Stoy, I have an old buddy that owns / runs a sea kayaking outfit in the Napali Coast on Kuaui. PM me if ya wanna hook up.

[BLOODSWEATSTEEL]

Well, I save you wit da story from Hawai'i. Stay Country. No need go town side. L&L has da ono grinds. Pork plate lunch, or check shrimp bento wit da kine spam musubi & Malasadas at aloha swap meet. If stay north shore, check Cholo's Hawai'i-Mex BBQ in Haleiwa. Catch da kine break a' Log Cabins, Sunset Beach/Pupukea. Hike dem trail @ Waimea Park. Niiiice. Stairway to heaven on Kaneohe side and Punalu'u Beach on windward side for seduce white woman too.

[bigtrubs]

When in Honolulu head to Waikiki for Mai Tai's at the pink Royal Hawaiian hotel, it's hiralious- Diamondhead crater is worth a little hike , make sure to get there before 4:30pm otherwise they won't let you park, as the tunnel to access the area closes at 6 or 6:30 pm.

We caught the sunset looking down at Waikiki just a few days ago:

[iskibc]

You're gonna have a blast on Kauai. I take a group of students every year on a backpacking trip to Kauai. Definitely spend a night or two on the Napali Coast. Camp at Hanakapai'ai (3 miles from TH) and then do a short morning hike up into Hanakapai'ai falls (2-3 miles inland). Most beautiful falls and pools I have ever seen. Lot's of mango and orange trees along the trail.

Waimea Canyon is worth a day trip as well. Drive up and hike the loop trail down into the canyon.

Surfing or kayaking on the north coast this time of year is not a good idea. Seas are rough and violent, especially along the Napali coast during the winter. You might find some good breaks off the pier in Hanalei Bay or further down the coast near the east side.

Polihale offers some nice camping and beaches. Your gonna find the best weather down near Poipu and Waimea this time of year. Another great beach to camp on is Salt Pond Beach Park. You won't have it to yourself, but the sunsets are to die for. One of my favorite beaches to sit back and take in the scenery at the end of the day.

If you want to kayak, rent a boat and either paddle up the Kalua river or along the channels out of Hanalei. Some cool waterfalls and scenery a few miles down the Kalua.

Kauai Coffee Co. is a fun little side trip down on the south side if you are a coffee junky like myself. All the free samples you can drink and some excellent java.

Have fun while you are there. The outdoor activities are endless on Kauai.

[gimpy]

go cliff jumping off the rocks at fishermans beach. and if you can swing the bling, the restaurant in poipu called roys served easily the best meal my wife and i both have ever had. if its a full moon and you're in poipu, naked body surfing at fishermens (less reef but more of a surf/boogie beach) or brennekes (better body surfing w/ turtles but quite a bit of reef.

[Superstar Punani]

Club Femme Nu

"Tons of beautiful and exotic girls...
topless and bottomless"

Go surf Waikiki (tourist-friendly) or bodysurf Sandy Beach or snorkel at Hanauma Bay. You can also get away with paddling out Ala Moana, Bowls in town or Lani's on da North Shore.

If you're feeling adventurous*, then head on out Makaha, Pipe, Sunset, or V-land.

*Surefire ways to get punched:
1) When a local asks "I owe you money o wot?", reply "Yeah, you do sucker. pay up"
2) Return a stink-eye
3) Spray a local as he's paddling out
4) Keep riding behind a local after he drops in on you
5) Yell and scream at everyone as you paddle for a set, then pull back or blow the take-off

[GheePup]

I have a disclaimer on this post. I didn't read even read the fist post. So, go snorkeling. Go surfing. Go hiking. Sit around on the beach sipping whatever tropical drink you like with your tourist neon sign of an umbrella sticking out of your drink and your white ass skin blinding everyone that lives there. Bit of advice: a smile and good attitude goes a long way in Hawaii. Actually that goes a long way anywhere from what I have seen. Respect the islands and the people and you will be fine and I am sure you will meet some life long friends.

By the way have fun cause I wish I could come along and surf with you. Oh well, pow will have to do.

[Endlessseason]

Kauai = Our fav non-skiing vacation spot on earth

Snorkeling for hours, letting the water just carry you around the Poipu beach is something you'll never forget.

If Trader Vic's or Kapaa's restaurants are still around they offer some really great seafood at a good price.

I don't know if Fez's Pizza ever came back after going out of business, but it used to be the best pizza on the island. I'd heard they were trying to come back.

Walks along the beach around the Plantation/Poipu area at night with the occasional fluorescent purple specks of marine life along the water's edge are pretty romantic.

Ono's buffalo burgers just outside of Princeville are about the best I've ever tasted.

The frequently nude beach a couple of miles along the hiking Napali trail is interesting, cheap fun.

For a glimpse into opulence that will make your head spin, see if they'll let you stroll around what used to be the Princeville Hyatt-Regency (I don't know who owns it now). It is one of the most stunning displays of white marble statues, water gardens, priceless antiques, artwork, vases, and rugs in all of Hawaii.

If you're certified, be sure to dive the Tunnels at the end of the 'highway,' just a little past Charo's restaurant.

The Zodiac raft tours are awesome if it's on a day they're allowing you to zip thru some of the natural formations along the Napali coast.

Probably one of the most spectacular heli rides (again non-skiing) I've ever taken was in and around the island of Kauai.

Wow. Have fun, man. I'm jealous.

[GheePup]

But not on the north shore.

now I am quickly scanning this thread and found this. What is wrong with the North Shore? Is it too big and hairy? I never seen it big but I got an interesting intro to Oahu at Makaha on a well overhead day and Rocky Rights with only 2-4 others out and the waves were just overhead with a green sea turtle swimming around. That was fun.

I might be mistaken but this thread should be in the surfing forum?

[GheePup]

like Punani says....go body surf Sandy Beach. I could tell you you would need no fins but I would be lying. Maybe you would be ok with no fins there at this time of year so go bodysurf Gas Chambers. Instead of a sandy bottom you get a reef to death barrel into. Have fun.

[Endlessseason]

Wow. Have fun, man. I'm jealous.

I'll somehow try to console myself while you're gone having fun in Hawaii. GT40 and I will try to stay busy skiing JH, Targhee, Moonlight, Big Sky......you know, the humdrum stuff people do to try and keep busy when they can't go do something fun.

[shera]

I have a disclaimer on this post. I didn't read even read the fist post. So, go snorkeling. Go surfing. Go hiking. Sit around on the beach sipping whatever tropical drink you like with your tourist neon sign of an umbrella sticking out of your drink and your white ass skin blinding everyone that lives there. Bit of advice: a smile and good attitude goes a long way in Hawaii. Actually that goes a long way anywhere from what I have seen. Respect the islands and the people and you will be fine and I am sure you will meet some life long friends.

By the way have fun cause I wish I could come along and surf with you. Oh well, pow will have to do.

Great advice. Hawaii is the first place I really learned to mentally change gears and just be mellow and enjoy the moment. The example set by the locals ultimately affected how I feel today. Put on an easy smile don't be in too much of a hurry to go anywhere or do anything.

What's the name of that little place at the end of the tree tunnel? Jack's? The best sashimi I have ever had...

Just reading this thread put me in a good mood.

[Big E]

You're going to love Kauai. I'm not sure I can add much more. Napali coast is a must see. Waimea Canyon is also pretty spectacular, but the weather can be really fickle. First time I was there it was sunny turning onto the access road, and by the time we got to the first canyon overlook, you could only see about 150 feet in front of you. If you keep going all the way to the end of the canyon road, there are some great views of Napali.

I would skip the Kalua river paddle and waterfall hike, at least the one that there are lots of guided trips on/to. You don't need a guide, but its not worth it even without. The hike is a complete slogfest through mud that is occasionally up to your knees, and the waterfall is nice but nothing spectacular.

There's some nice hiking around Shipwreck Beach on top of the limestone (?) cliffs. There's a public lot tucked right next to the Hyatt. Hike around, jump off of the cliff, then poach the Hyatt's saltwater pool/lagoon, which is all of 5 feet from the beach.

Also, highly recommend stopping in the fish market in Koloa town center and picking up some fresh sashimi. For restaurants, Roys in Poipu is good, so is Keoki's Paradise in the same shopping village.

Oh yeah. Strong sunblock, applied frequently. You will feel it the moment you step off the plane. Better to stay untoasted and have everyone at home ask you why you're not red than leave no doubt and spend all day trying to avoid the sun (which is impossible over there).

[bad_roo]

*Surefire ways to get punched:
1) When a local asks "I owe you money o wot?", reply "Yeah, you do sucker. pay up"
2) Return a stink-eye
3) Spray a local as he's paddling out
4) Keep riding behind a local after he drops in on you
5) Yell and scream at everyone as you paddle for a set, then pull back or blow the take-off

Pu - how would I fare if I turned up at Pipeline with this?

[altagirl]

That trail out on the Na'pali coast is awesome. The funny thing is that the section going out to the first beach anyway were TONS of people on it - half of whom were crying that their feet were bleeding from hiking a muddy, rooty trail in plastic flipflops. Go figure. The scenery absolutely was worth it though. Plus there were a bunch of excellent surfers who had been towed in out there surfing along the beach that we sat and watched for a while. We just didn't plan out enough time to do the whole thing since we were on such a short trip.

The fish right in the beach area of the parking lot where you start the hike were pretty damn cool too. There was only a couple feet of water over the coral and just masses of colorful fish everywhere.

[BLOODSWEATSTEEL]

Make sure to ask for the Local Boto at Kapaa's. Very tasty! They'll hook you up fat!

[dogwonder]

Instead of snorkelling, I highly recommend going SCUBA diving. Some places will give you a personal guide so you don't have to be certified. I wasn't when I went and really enjoyed it. Saw an octopus, puffer fish, eagle ray, and moray eel. Way cool.

And it's a little touristy, but we had a blast at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu. Really entertaining if you have the time.