Hawaii

[herr_oberst]

Hey fellas,

I'll be in Hawaii soon

Kauai for 3 days, Staying near Kailua on Oahu for 4.

Recommendations for POI or activities?

Any Pelicans living on either of those islands that might want to meet up?

[LakeCleElum]

PM Richard (Tevake).....He had lived on Kauai for years......Visiting his sons there now, but leaving soon.....Gave me some great tips when I was there 2 months ago......

[fintstone]

Don't eat the poi. Tastes like chalk.

It will require at least a gallon of tropical umbrella drinks to cleanse the taste from your mouth.

Maybe it just needs gravy or salsa.

[Seahawk]

It may be too late for reservations, but I did a rafting trip on the Na-Pali Coast when I was there last. The owner of the company was a friend of mine from white water rafting days.

I can tell you that I have flown Kauai pretty extensively (do that as well with one of the helo tours) when I flew H-60's, but there was just something about being on the water that was more intriguing to me. The trip included some cheesy stuff but there was now rentals at the time I could have secured that would have given me the perspective of the Na-Pali Coast I still cherish.

There are experts here that will no doubt chime in, but that was my experience. I would do it again.

[tevake]

Aloha Herr oberst, I'm on Kauai at the moment. Happy to share any tips for you're visit. When are you going to be here? This time of year is iffy for boating the Na Pali coast, absolutely beautiful right now, was 30' plus surf last week.
A drive to look around the North shore area is a must. Kilaeua lighthouse is a good place to check out, giving views westward along the N shore. Possible whale sightings from there. A walk on the Na Pali trail is beautiful, a half hour in will get you to a high viewpoint to look on down the coast.
A drive up into Kokee let's you see the Waiamea Canyon and the Kalalau look out, truly beautiful if the weather cooperates, nice trails up there too.

Interesting historic spots, the Russian fort near Waiamea, the large Heiau overlooking the Waialua river, Limahuli Valley botanical gardens featuring native plants and ancient taro terraces.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Cheers Richard

[scottmandue]

Obviously Richard nailed it...
Limahuli Valley botanical gardens was very nice, if you are not big into plants the docents will regale you with a lot local history and legend on the tour.
A little further up the road form the botanical garden is the end of the road, Ke'e beach (great snorkleing!!!!) and the start of the Na Pali trail (beware of slipery/mossy rocks if it is raining)
Highly recommend a helicopter tour... so much of the island is lush and inaccessible you get to see a lot of undisturbed beauty.
For lounging on the beach and body surfing Hanalei bay is hard to beat (my family usually rents a house there)

The Na Pali boat tour is very cool too, done that a couple times, smooth seas=great, high swell=you will come home with a black and blue butt.
Enjoy!

[flatbutt]

Just watch out for the Hawaiian ice on Kauai after a rain!

[vash]

i love POI.

there is a poi factory there. my friend and i ran inside to see if we could buy fresh stuff. we ran in, and came face to face with a total hottie. our wives were in the car outside. we both came out with 6 tubs each..wives looked at us like we were dumb..

friend cracked and said.."well the girl inside was really hot and she smelled like coconuts".

wives laughed at us and realized we were dumb. super fresh it taste just like the root it came from. it's a perfect starch for me.

[herr_oberst]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll be there in early March; really looking forward to the trip. My friend, who grew up in Hawaii, agrees with Richard - that these are definitely on the "to do" list. Thanks!

Flat, I found two references to Hawaiian ice, one of them is Meth, the other is shaved ice. Can you elaborate?

I guess I'll need to try poi; hopefully I can find a luau to experience it in all it's wonderful glory.

[tevake]

I've never been much of a poi eater, but diced taro cooked in coconut cream then added to fish stew is to die for!

Thanks for mentioning the Na Pali boat trip Scott. That almost goes without saying for me. It should be near the top of the to do list for visiting Kauai.
Even on the roughest of days Na Pali will reward with something amazingly beautiful.
The whales are here in numbers this time of year.
I'd recommend doing the trip from Hanalei, but this time of year most of the trips run from the west side. Still good from that side, just best to go for the bigger boats then, like holo holo, or Captain Andy's big cats. There is a lot of distance to cover and the rougher conditions shut out the caves anyway.
In smoother conditions there are sea caves to be driven thru in the the smaller boats that run from a Hanalei.

Got to experence Na Pali while on Kauai, one way or another !!

Cheers Richard

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Do Lanai
If you like untypical, go " up city "

The hotel just reopened. Rooms start at $1k per night.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll be there in early March; really looking forward to the trip. My friend, who grew up in Hawaii, agrees with Richard - that these are definitely on the "to do" list. Thanks!

Flat, I found two references to Hawaiian ice, one of them is Meth, the other is shaved ice. Can you elaborate?

I guess I'll need to try poi; hopefully I can find a luau to experience it in all it's wonderful glory.

Kauai has this red dirt, especially in Waimea Canyon. When wet this stuff is slicker than snot on a brass door knob. And it permanently stains every cloth it touches. In fact there was a small business that uses it to tie dye T shirts and sell as souvenirs.

But no joke it is very slick when wet.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Thanks for all the replies!

I'll be there in early March; really looking forward to the trip. My friend, who grew up in Hawaii, agrees with Richard - that these are definitely on the "to do" list. Thanks!

Flat, I found two references to Hawaiian ice, one of them is Meth, the other is shaved ice. Can you elaborate?

I guess I'll need to try poi; hopefully I can find a luau to experience it in all it's wonderful glory.

Ya gotts try poi once so you can tell us all about it. Its 10 times worst plain oatmeal. Absolutely tasteless.

helicopter tour is a must if you ask me.

[WPOZZZ]

The Kauai poi is pretty good and can be eaten from the tub. Others require sugar to be mixed in to make it palatable.

[tevake]

Hey Bryan, how about some suggestions for her oberst's time on Oahu.

He is staying near Kailua, good move there. Kailua and LaniKai beaches are really nice.

I'm thinking a day spent driving thru Kaneohe and on up past Kahuku to check out the N shore beaches. A high light for the N shore could be doing a glider flight from dillingham field in mokulaea. This is a truly spectacular location to go gliding along the cliff faces, over the the reefs just offshore. Often the good up going air will take you above the ridge line giving a view over to the Waianea side of the island. This is one of those hidden gems that Oahu offers.
Continuing the drive thru the center of the island will bring you to the H 1 highway back over to the windward side, driving up thru a pristine valley and on over the Pali ( great views of Kaneohe bay) on your way back to Kailua.

Sealife Park is situated in a beautiful part of the island, worth a drive for the scenery around that end of the island too. Go on around the point ( nice walk out to the lighthouse)
And on past sandy beach, around Diamond head. Unusual geology there and a possible view of Molokai in the distance.

I really enjoy the Bishop Museum too! Any interest in the Polynesian culture and its variety and how they spread across the pacific can be satisfied at this Museum probably better than anywhere.

These are some of my favorite things to do on Oahu, perhaps Bryan can add some more local tips for his island.

Cheers Richard

[andyt11]

Kailua is a lovely quiet beach town away from the hussle and bussle and most of the tourists. I've been the last two winters and will actually be there on March 4th myself.

The beach park is a lovely spot if you want to hang out and watch the world go by. Buzz's steakhouse is quite nice but you need a reservation I think, its very busy. There is a market in Kailua just next to Whole foods, I think its on a thursday night. Lots of local produce, fresh meat / fish etc to buy. Whole foods itself is a pretty neat store. But pricey but lots of fresh fish and shimp there, lots of beer, infact there is a bar in the store so you can have a pint to reward yourself for going shopping.

Haleiwa Joe's in Kaneohe is supposed to be a neat restaurant but I couldnt get a table. Thats another one where you need a reservation.

Where are you staying? You driving?

[porsche4life]

When are you leaving. I want to hide in your suitcase! I loved Oahu, but we were only there for a weekend!

[WPOZZZ]

What kind of stuff do you like to do?

[herr_oberst]

I'll be there March 7...

I want to do some hiking and see some waterfalls and take pictures of the flora and fauna, I'd like to enjoy some of the native foods, see a few spectacular views; I'm going to do that boat trip and hopefully get to see caves.

Depending on how I feel, either a 'copter or glider ride over the Pacific and see some of the coast.

I'd also like to just sit on the damn beach and not even think about deadlines or the job! :-)
My friend might want to do a luau, if possible...

Got the reservation for Buzz's steak house, so I'm looking forward to that...

I looked into doing that illegal trail, with the metal steps but that probably isn't going to happen....


Tourist sh_it...but not ugly American tourist sh_it

[motion]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I looked into doing that illegal trail, with the metal steps but that probably isn't going to happen....


Tourist sh_it...but not ugly American tourist sh_it

I know someone that does it like every day. I don't think its really 'illegal'. Enjoy the trip!