Go Visit Hawaii

I’m kicking off this new series of one day island itineraries with a visit to Kauai.  If I only had one day to visit Kauai, I would focus my time on seeing the Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks.  These colorful parks are adjacent to each other, so it’s easy to see both in one day and they are completely free to visit.  Baring any weather issue, I promise you’ll end up with many beautiful photo opportunities and views that will almost take your breath away. The photo above shows the Kalalau Valley that you can see from the Kalalau Lookout and Puu o Kila Lookouts at Kokee State Park. So, let’s take a practical look at how we can see these excellent parks in one day.

Arrival and arranging transportation:

First, you’ll most likely arrive in Kauai at the Nawiliwili Harbor or at the main airport in Lihue.  You can pick up a rental car there.  (I suggest you shop around for rates and make a reservation before you arrive.) Be sure to grab a free map provided by the rental car company and use it to navigate your way to the Southwest side of the island heading in the direction of Highway 550, Waimea Canyon Drive.  If you don’t want to do the driving, you can easily find tour companies who can arrange a full service tour for you.

Considerations before you get to the parks:

• There is only one restaurant in the park.  It’s located at the Kokee Lodge and it serves breakfast and lunch, so plan accordingly. 
• You’d be wise to bring along a sweater or other types of layers as the higher altitude means about 10 to 20 degrees cooler weather in these two parks.  
• Allow approximately 90 minutes travel time to and from Lihue.  Maybe add a tad more to be on the safe side.  Be sure and allocate enough time to return your car and get to your gate at the airport or harbor for your cruise ship.
• If you are prone to car-sickness on winding roads, you may want to bring something to prevent it.

At the parks:

• Allocate about three hours to drive around and stop at the lookouts. Most of the lookout points will be very obvious.  Don’t miss the Kalalau Lookout and if you are able to walk a little ways from the end of the road, do go further up to the Puu o Kila Lookout for an even better view of the Kalalau Valley. Clouds often drift in an out of here, so if it’s cloudy at first, wait for a bit.  That’s what I did and I was able to capture the photo at the top. 
• If you the time available, consider some hikes, but be prepared with water, proper shoes and clothing, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant.  I particularly liked Canyon Trail. You can learn more about the hikes here. 
• I liked driving Highway 550 into the parks and Highway 552 out.
• See my article on Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks for a few more details.

If you still have time, here are other ideas of what to see on your way back to Lihue:

• Take a drive down to see the blowhole Spouting Horn in Poipu. 
• Drive North of Lihue and see Wailua Falls.

And what else would I do if I had two days or maybe more?

• I’d take a helicopter tour of Kauai. In my opinion, Kauai is one of the most beautiful islands for helicopter tours.  (Make sure you do your helicopter tour homework in advance.)
• In smoother water during summer months, I’d take a catamaran cruise of the Na Pali Coast.
• See the North Shore and stop along at some of the gorgeous beaches there.
• See more of my suggestions for best Kauai things to see and do. 
• Also see these other itinerary ideas.

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