Poipu Blog
Okay, you remember me talking about Duffy Bishop last month and saying how excited I was about her concert? Well, I had every right to be excited; It was AWESOME!
However, I also know that some of you couldn’t make the concert. You had other plans, you weren’t on the island that day, or you simply didn’t believe me when I said how good it was going to be. And now maybe you regret not going, you are going to be on the island, or your sick of hearing me talk about how great it was.
Don’t worry – I have a solution for you.
Duffy Bishop is having ANOTHER concert! It will be this Friday (February 3rd) at 6:30 down in Poipu at Joes on the Green. Admission is only $20 and, if you go, I won’t have to bug you about it for the next several months. Sounds good, right? Seriously, if you missed her last show, make an effort to make it to this one.
Now here is an event for those of us who love a good game of golf. The 7th Annual KVMH Charitable Golf Tournament will be taking place in Poipu on Saturday, November 19th, from 7am until 1pm.
This sporting event will not be at my favorite golf course in Princeville, but will instead be taking place at Poipu Bay Golf Course. The entrance fee is only $100 and will include green fees, lunch at the Grand Hyatt, use of a golf cart, and much more. There will be prize drawings, door prizes, prizes for the best dressed golf bag, awards, food, and free mulligans to those who dress their best golf club in a Thanksgiving outfit!
Seriously, what could be more fun than a day of golf on a tropical island with a large lunch served afterward? It’s like heaven, right? So come to Kauai and check it out. You might just win a prize or two!
If you are on Kauai for a family vacation, chances are that you worry about your kids and their proximity to the water. While I don’t have children myself, I know from growing up on the island that the ocean is a beautiful and dangerous thing. While we enjoy its refreshing waters, the beautiful view, and the golden sand, we must also keep watch for undertow, large waves, and wandering out further than we can swim.
I’ve talked with several parents who know the dangers of the ocean and let those dangers overpower them while visiting the beach, especially when they have children under 5 years old. They fear their child getting lost in the crowd of tourists, of undertow snatching them away, of accidental drowning and other terrible things. Their minds conjure up scary ideas and their common sense tells them that small children should be kept away from the water.
Well, I’m not here to argue that. I know that parents have a responsibility to protect their children and keep them safe. And I applaud parents who think these things through. However, I also know that the beach can be perfectly safe with a few precautions. I also know that there are beaches where parents can feel completely comfortable letting their children play in the water.
If you have never been to Baby Beach, this is a site I would recommend for any family with small children. It isn’t a large beach, only a few hundred yards across at best, but it has great features. For instance, there is a natural breakwater stretching from one end of the beach to the other. This means that, no matter the time of year, the waves don’t get large. In fact, the ocean stays calm and peaceful here, giving your children the perfect opportunity to play in the water safely.
Since the beach is small, larger families, typical tourists, and those who want to experience the adventure of water sports avoid it. On a typical day, only a few families can be found here in this remote spot. So you are guaranteed not to lose your child in a crowd. You are also more likely to experience privacy and a quiet place to enjoy your family. You can bring a picnic lunch to eat up on the sand, teach your children about the ocean and let them play in the water, and then head back to your vacation rental feeling good about the day.
When I have children, this is going to be the first beaches we enjoy together. I hope that this beach serves as a good experience for your family as well.
If you like art, save this date on your calendar: Saturday, August 13, 2011. On this day, we are having an Artisan Fair on Poipu Beach. Now, I’ve probably mentioned this fair before, since artisan fairs are not uncommon on Kauai. But not everyone can attend each fair, so every one of these crafting events is unique.
If you are planning on visiting Kauai this month, the Garden Isle Artisan Fair is a great place to stop and look around. There will be over 40 artists there, showcasing their work from handcrafted items to photography. In fact, if you are looking for the perfect gift for someone special, this might be just the place you need.
Exhibits will include jewelry, clothing, wood carvings, photographs, oil paintings, palm bark baskets, and much more. Normally, the artists have their products for sale and you can feel free to wander the beach, looking for something that really catches your eye. Plus, on top of the myriad art forms, there will be music playing, lunch stalls serving delicious items, and even shaved ice sellers.
Each time I’ve attended one of these events, I’ve felt uplifted and excited. I almost always find something I love and want to buy, though sometimes I have to be careful not to spoil my household budget. And its always a nice time to wander around with my friends, enjoying the beach and the people, not to mention the good food.
So if any of these things sound appealing to you, be sure to come by. You can stay as long as you’d like and you don’t have to buy a thing. And you might even see me there! Just check for me near one of the food stalls. ☺
PS. If you can’t make it this month, there is one more scheduled in September on Saturday the 12th. Hope to see you then!
Those who have read my blog before know that I play golf. Honestly, I don’t know how you can grow up on Kauai surrounded by so many beautiful golf courses and not know how to play. The draw is overwhelming for those who love the game, and the courses here are championship level.
However, I realize that not everyone plays golf. In fact, some people hate it. I also realize that there are some men and women who play when their families (including their spouses) do not. So for those of you who don’t golf, I have a secondary option for you, especially if you have children. And for those of you who have a spouse or parent who really wants to play while they’re here, let them go! You can have fun without them if you simply take my advice.
Go mini golfing!
Mini golf, unlike real golf, is a fun way to spend a day as a family and an easygoing way to spend the day with friends. And if you are planning on being anywhere near Poipu on your vacation, there is a great miniature golf place that you can visit. With 18 holes of mini greens and tricky holes, everyone will love it. Plus, if your spouse is off playing golf that day, you can all compare scores when you get back to your vacation rental.
The golf course itself is on the roof of the Lawai Beach Resort’s Coral parking structure. So, not only do you get to golf, but you also get to enjoy a view of the ocean! Golfing fees are only $5 per person and the course is open from 10am until 6pm. Kids absolutely love this place and it isn’t uncommon to see a birthday party playing through, especially on the weekends.
Have I convinced you yet? Well, I’ll let you decide what you want to do when you visit. But this really is a fun place to spend some time, and even the great golf players amongst us will enjoy it.
If you are going to be in town tomorrow, March 19, then I highly suggest visiting Poipu Beach. There is going to be a free artisan fair going on, and it should be great!
This artisan fair happens about four times a year, and March is the first of 2011. There will be over 40 artists from Kauai with their art displayed for viewing and most of them sell their pieces right there on the beach. From handcrafted trinkets to beautiful jewelry, it will be a great place to pick up a few presents for your loved ones. Plus, there will be wood carvings, oil paintings, and intricately patterned linens.
Last year, they had live music and great lunches available for visitors. I picked up a few lovely pieces for my home and one great wood carving for my brother’s birthday. And spending the afternoon looking through the art with my friends was well worth the visit. It’s so great to see so many local artists come together in one place.
I’ve noticed lately that I write a lot about family-friendly places, and there is a good reason for that. Usually the tourists we get are parents with young kids who want a fun family vacation in a relaxing place. But a lot of young men and women come here too, and they just want to have some fun. So this blog is for you.
There is a 21-and-older club and restaurant that is a must-visit for any young adult who wants some fun and a whole lot of dancing. It’s called Keoki’s Paradise, and tourists and natives alike love it.
Located on Poipu Road in the Poipu Shopping Village, this is a great place for lunch or dinner. From prime rib to freshly caught fish, you will find just about any taste experience for your palette here in Poipu. But keep in mind that you’ll likely have to make reservations. This is an extremely popular place and everyone seems to want a table.
Then, after dinner, the experience truly begins. The bar serves great drinks and there is live music on Thursdays and Fridays, both traditional Hawaiian and popular club mixes. The rest of the time, there is a great mix playing through the sound system. And do you want to know the best part? There is absolutely no cover charge! So you can come in with your friends, get a few drinks, and party all night without paying a dime to enter.
Have you ever heard of Spouting Horn Park? Well, that’s okay. Most people who haven’t been to Kauai have never heard of it. It is a fun tourist location on the island, however, and great for a family trip.
Spouting Horn Park is located on Kauai’s south shore near Poipu. It is an interesting location because of the blowhole that releases a spout of water up to 60 feet high! The blowhole was made long ago by the island volcano. Formed by natural lava tubes that lead to the water, when the Poipu surf channels into these tubes, a hiss will be heard, a roar will commence, and a jet of water will blast into the sky. It is truly a sight to see.
In the way of a little history, ancient Hawaiians always thought that this spot on the island was guarded by a giant mo’o named Kaikapu. A mo’o is a lizard, and long ago a mo’o named Kaikapu used to eat the fisherman and swimmers on the island. One day, Liko (an island man) was near that area and Kaikapu attacked. Liko quickly dove into the water and escaped from the mo’o through the lava tubes, and the crafty mo’o went after him. But misjudging the size of the tubes, Kaikapu got stuck and could not escape from the lava tunnels.
Slowly over the course of months or perhaps years, Kaikapu died. Whenever the water would rush through the tubes, the hissing and roaring noises of the pressurized water would sound like their ancient enemy, thrashing in pain and roaring with hunger as it sat trapped by the rocks.
Now, of course, we know there was no giant lizard, and Spouting Horn Park is one of the most popular tourist locations on the island. Plus, if you visit at sunset, the views from the lookout are amazing. You can see the jet of water rise against the sky and even view the humpback whales migrating off the coast. I would recommend this spot to any tourist coming to the island.
Let’s talk beauty for a moment. Over the years, I’ve had a chance to see many tourists to our island comment on its beauty. They love the ocean, the mountains, the lush tropical forests, the flowers, and the sky. However, they most often use the word beautiful on the waterfalls.
Since one purpose of this blog is to direct tourists to the best places to visit on the island, I think it’s time we discussed Wailua Falls. Wailua Falls is a sight to see. Dropping over 80 feet into the Wailua River on the southeast shore of Kauai, this waterfall is truly beautiful and magnificent. And it comes with an interesting history.
In ancient times, this waterfall was the sight of courage and nobility. It is here where the island royalty use to prove their worth, diving from the top of the waterfall into the river to show strength, honor, courage, and the ability to lead without thought for self. If you could give up everything for the island, then you had the right to rule the island. While this was a dangerous and often life-threatening journey, it was culturally significant and a place of respect for the natives.
Of course, it didn’t always stay a place of utmost respect. Many tourists will recognize the waterfall from the TV show Fantasy Island, where it was used consistently by the show and made famous across the United States.
Luckily for most tourists and visitors to the island, Wailua Falls is easy to access. Unlike many Kauai waterfalls that require hours of hiking and a machete to reach, you simply need to drive up the road to the main turnout for Wailua River State Park, found on any map. You can clearly see the waterfall from this vantage point, so no hiking is necessary. However, if you want to hike a bit, you can get a truly close inspection of the falls.
Be careful, however. The trail to the base of the falls is steep and slippery. This is not something I would recommend attempting with small children.
On Kauai, we are taught American history, just like any other state. But, of course, we have our own cultural traditions and way of life. So, for the most part, we enjoy a life that is quite different from any other American states, and we appreciate that way of living.
Today, however, was a day to celebrate 500 years of American history. Was it a special holiday or some national day of remembrance? No. Today I went to the Sheraton Kauai Resort and watched a play, one that had me rolling on the floor with laughter. (Well, not literally, but you get the idea.)
The play was called The Complete History of America: Abridged. I called for reservations a week ago after some friends went and said it was funny, and I’m glad that I did. The room was full for this 90 minute production comedy, and those 90 minutes went by extremely fast. The play was put on by three actors who literally acted out the history of America… for the most part. It was funny and great fun, especially when they would run into the back and change costumes quickly, coming out as a completely different person in history. I loved that.
All in all, while I’m sure several points weren’t covered by their retelling of history, I remembered more about my history lessons in that one evening than I ever did in school. So, for visitors who will be on Kauai in the next couple of weeks, might I recommend catching the show? It is definitely something fun to do, a performance that will be a highlight for your vacation. And it’s held at the Sheraton, so you can stop by the restaurant and eat before the show! But I don’t recommend staying there, as rooms can be a bit expensive.
Okay, I can’t help myself. I’m on a roll now, first with the whale watching in Poipu and then with the perfect whale watching rental home. So if you are going to be whale watching on the south shore and maybe even staying at The Tides, here is another site for you to see.
Waimea Canyon is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Why? Well, anyone who has gone to visit this natural wonder can tell you that it is no small hole in the ground. Let’s crunch some numbers:
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is 277 miles long and 6,000 feet deep, right? But the continental United States (which is 3,000 miles across) is quite a large piece of land for a canyon that size, almost dwarfing the Grand Canyon with its sheer bulk. At ten miles long and 3,000 feet deep, Waimea Canyon definitely creates a sizeable landmark on Kauai, cutting deep into this 25 mile wide island and revealing the jagged and exquisite beauty of nature.
Of course, if you really want to see Waimea Canyon, then you need to head to Kokee State Park. Located just north of Waimea Canyon State Park, Kokee has several hiking trails that show off the canyon nicely, from the 1.8 mile Canyon Trail to the 0.1 mile Cliff Trail. Other great canyon views can be found on Iliau Nature Loop (0.25 miles), Kumuwela Trail (1 mile), and Black Pipe Trail (0.5 miles).
So don’t you think the canyon is worth seeing? Well, if you are staying at The Tides or in the south near Poipu, then all you have to do is take Lawai Road north toward the 530 (Koloa Road). Turn west (left) and take the 530 to Kua Road, turning left at Kua to get onto Kaumualii Hwy. Stay on the HWY for 12 miles until you see Waimea Canyon Drive (HWY 550) on your right. This turn will be right before Hapokele Park, so keep that landmark in mind. Go another 7 miles (actually I think it’s a little less) up the road, past the hospital, and out of town. The road will actually turn into Kokee Road, so don’t be worried when the name changes. Continue to follow this road another 3 miles. Waimea Canyon State Park will be on your right and Kokee State Park is another 4 miles or so after that on the same road.
Since we were just talking about a whale watching trip to Kauai, I figured now would be a great opportunity to discuss where you would stay while there: The Tides. Wouldn’t it be great to have a vacation rental overlooking the water, giving you the chance to whale watch from your bedroom window?
I think so.
If you want a great place for whale watching and south shore fun, then The Tides is the perfect vacation home for you. With large windows in every room providing you with ocean views and with a short path down to the beach from the backyard, this home is truly the perfect whale watching experience. Simply bring your binoculars and enjoy the view.
But of course, there is a lot more to this house than a view of the ocean. With three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and an extra queen-sized daybed in the living room, you can bring your entire large family to the island or take a “couples trip” with a few friends, filling up the house with laughter and fun. The Tides has an open layout and approximately 2500 square feet, which is perfect for a large group. And since the high speed internet is free, you can even bring some work associates along and make it a “working trip” to remember. Talk about a great conference room!
However, keep in mind that, because of the private property location, the wonderful views, the beachfront nature of the house, the beautiful lawn and lanais, and the amazing indoor features, The Tides is pricier than your typical Kauai condo rental. This tropical getaway is going to run you around $429 a night, which won’t be affordable for some families. On the other hand, with several couples or work partners going in together on the expenses, you are sure to have an easy time collecting the money required.
Enjoy your stay!
Okay, here is a plug for all of the tourists out there who want to go whale watching. Did you know that Kauai’s whale watching season is coming up. Late November through early May is the peak season for whale watching around here, since thousands of whales come by the island every year to enjoy our tropical climate and warm waters.
Awesomely enough, you don’t even have to go out on a whale watching boat trip to see them. During the peak season, you can see the whales right from the shore, their water spouts shooting high into the air and their mammoth tails breaking the water. Sure, there is much to enjoy on Kauai during the summer months, but nothing compares to getting up close and personal with a whale during the winter.
If you want a good spot for whale watching, I like to head up to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. There are several places along the cliffs that allow a great view of these majestic creatures, and there are many other activities around the refuge for you to do after whale watching. Other good places for whale watching include the Kalalau Trail on the north shore, Kukui O Lono Park at Kalaheo, and Poipu Beach. And don’t forget your binoculars!
However, if you really want to get up close and personal with a whale, go out on the water. There are several whale watching expeditions that you can be a part of, and sometimes the whales come right up to the boat, spouting water and rising up just a few yards away. The Best of Kauai Tour even offers whale watching from the air, so you can see the island in all of its glory and watch the whales from a bird’s eye view.
Yes, if you want to go whale watching, then you should definitely visit in the next few months. Maybe a Christmas trip? What could be better than Christmas on a tropical island?
The South Shore’s Poipu is a wonderland of diversity with excellent beaches for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and surfing. In contrast, there is championship golf, tennis, hiking and a wealth of historical and scenic sites. View other Poipu Vacation Rentals
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