Roaming Away: Kauai, Value-Packed Paradise

Staycations are great during difficult economic times, but, hey, life is short and there are some very special places to go and cool things to be seen. As you are about to learn, I sneaked out of my office for several glorious days and flew straight into Lihue, Kauai and the Hawaiian paradise that is officially known as The Garden Island. As a travelwriter who has covered much of the South Pacific, the Hawaiian Islands are my favorites. And, of the chain, Kauai definitely ranks at the top. The word “lush” doesn’t quite cut it when describing this place. “Utopian” seems more apt.

Another beautiful beach, Photo credit: M Johnson

It is said that everything and anything can grow in the island’s rich and moist soil–papayas, coconuts, mangos, Cuban-seeded tobacco (I’ll get to that later), and cashews that look like red bell peppers when dangling from their trees (more on that later, also). It is a wonderfully casual and friendly place, an island with one main road that doesn’t even circle it completely. Plus it is the film site of numerous television shows and movies including the blockbuster Broadway musical, “South Pacific.” Do you wonder where the real Bali Hai is? It’s no mystery–the long-sought mythical, mystical peak is on the Island of Kauai. Okay, now that I’ve gushed and have perhaps made some of my readers jealous, let me say this: Kauai is a bargain. You can and should make a visit–alone to be in peace, with a significant another for a romantic interlude, as a family for an affordable and value-packed dream vacation. Paradise–and a bargain to boot.

Bargain Kauai

• Beaches. Every single beach is free, albeit some are more difficult to get to than others. There are beaches for surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, kayaking, swimming, wading, picnicking, sunset viewing, romancing, and seasonal whale watching. On the north shore, two-mile, crescent-shaped Hanalei–named 2009′s best beach in America by Dr. Beach, Stephen P. Leatherman–is easy to access and has many facilities.
  

  Waimea Canyon, Photo credit: M Johnson

• Waimea Canyon. The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is an ooh-and-aah 10-mile-long, one-mile-wide, and about 3,500-foot-deep stunningly colorful crater with panoramic views from outlook points, picnic spots, and hiking trails. No entry charge.

• Limahuli Garden and Preserve. located on Kauai’s north shore, this designated National Tropical Botanical Garden is a must-see for its glorious grounds that cover three distinct ecological zones that shelter myriad native and introduced plant species. Self-guided tours follow a 3/4-mile loop trail (warning: some portions are steep). Admission is $15 for adults, free for children 12 and under.

• Waterfalls, rivers, hikes: waterfalls and rainbows appear at bends in the road, from various viewpoints, or are rewards to those who hike or helicopter into the backcountry. Easily accessible are the majestic Opaekaa Falls, which cascade into a hidden pool, and 80-foot Wailua Falls (seen in the TV show “Fantasy Island”). Hawaii’s only navigable rivers are on Kauai. Kayaks are easy to rent and visitors could spend an entire day just paddling around in a tropical daze.

• Birdwatching. Chickens run around all over the place (that’s another story) but the island also is home to numerous birds including red-footed boobies and the nene, an endangered Hawaiian goose. Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge is an exceptionally fine spot to view birds as well as Hawaiian monk seals, green turtles, and (in season) humpback whales. Also on the property is the 1913 Kilauea Lighthouse. Entry fee is just $5 for adults 16 and older, free for everyone else.

• Family Fun. My personal favorite for a day of family fun is a visit to legendary Kilohana Plantation, an elegant estate, where you can take a narrow-gauge train through the sugarcane fields and working orchards with more than 50 varieties of in-your-face fruits and veggies (this is where you’ll see the red bell pepper-like cashews). A stop is made at the paddock, where passengers can feed the wild pigs, sheep, goats, and other farm animals.Other activities include hanging out in the original 1936 mansion, gourmet dining at Gaylord’s, and onsite shopping for locally made products, jewelry, souvenirs, art, and crafts. The evening luau consists of traditional luau offerings like kalua pig right out of the imu, as well as a pull-out-the-stops theatrical experience with torch lighting, Polynesian ceremonies, hula dancers, storytelling, and authentic live music.
  

  Photo credit: Kilohana Plantation

• Accommodations. Kauai’s wide range of condominiums and vacation-ownership resorts are ideal for families who want room to spread out and budget-stretching cooking and laundry facilities. At the top end are The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas (where suites come with deluxe bedding, deep jetted bathtubs, dual-head showers, and deluxe kitchens. The common pool area has an adjacent bar, the onsite restaurant features some luscious fare, and there is a lengthy roster of daily activities for all ages. Other good choices are Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation and Castle Kiahuna Plantation and the Beach Bungalows, both in Koloa and a short walk to restaurants and shops. Set on 10 beachfront acres on the shores of Makaiwa, the restored Aston Kauai Beach hotel offers an authentic Polynesian feel through its art, décor, and ambiance. The hotel’s Voyager Grille specializes in steaks (I had superb prime rib) and breakfast buffets. Big bonus if you’re traveling with kids 17 and younger–they stay free in accommodations when using existing bedding. And, kids 12 and younger receive extra freebies like meals at popular restaurants when accompanied by a paying adult and free admission to many attractions. Upon check-in, the Aston presents guests with the Aloha Book that offers up to $2,000 in savings on dining, shopping, and activities.

• Sightseeing Tours. Sit back and enjoy the major sights with Polynesian Adventure Tours. You’ll lounge in a comfortable air-conditioned bus, while an experienced driver provides ongoing narration and stops at favorite attractions such as Waimea Canyon and Wailua River. Book online for discounts. Being a Hollywood native, my favorite excursion was with Hollywood Movie Tours, which skirts around the island to visit various movie and television film locations. Narration and DVD-screen clips of the films are an integral part of the experience.
  

  Touring the film sites, Photo credit: M Johnson

• Active Travelers. Action-packed adventures are easily arranged. Some might be a bit on the pricey side, but certainly worth the thrills for adventuresome types. Gallop on a horse, zoom around in helicopters (with or without doors!), go off-roading, take a steep downhill bicycle jaunt, careen along a zipline, hit the waves in a Zodiac craft, or go fishing and try to catch The Big One.
  

  Opaekaa Falls, Photo credit: M Johnson

• Local Products. Remember those cigars? They’re made from Cuban-seed tobacco grown on Kauai. Other items made on the island are art cards (mine has a chicken!) from “Cards by Sue,” wine charms made by Island Woodworkers, and Kukui Brand Authentic Hawaiian Mai Tai Mix. All can be purchased at The Wine Shop in Koloa. And, any day now, the Koloa Rum Company will begin producing and selling rum and rum products at Kilohana Plantation. A favorite art and craft gallery is Banana Patch Studio, opened in 1991 by local artist Joanna Carolan. Ceramic tiles, Tiki items, T-shirts, and lots of cool stuff in a variety of price ranges are available. Joanna and her pediatrician husband, Dr. Carolan, have recently published “A President from Hawai’i,” a fun and richly illustrated book (with an audio cd) about Hawaiian-born President Barack Obama. The book is geared toward children but–in my opinion–it interesting and informative for all ages. And it looks great on the coffee table!

For more information: Kauai Visitors Bureau

One of the locals, Photo credit: M Johnson