This Allerton Home is Snuggled By Tropical Plants

Allerton Gardens are managed by the National Tropical Botanical Garden. From their website, they describe the heritage of Allerton as “a garden paradise, transformed through time by the hands of a Hawaiian Queen [Queen Emma], by a sugar plantation magnate, and most significantly by an artist and an architect.” Robert Allerton was the artist and his adopted son, John Gregg Allerton, was the architect. Together, their combined talents designed a unique garden concept of outdoor rooms.

An example of One of the outdoor rooms designed by the Allertons. Most rooms included a water feature.

A guided-tour ($45 per person) leads visitors through garden rooms while explaining the room design, significance to the Allertons, and the types of plants and trees that were chosen. The guided tour includes a 10 to 15-minute tram ride to and from the visitors center to the Lawai Valley and Allerton Garden. The views along the way are truly fantastic and almost worth the visit alone.

Lovely Lawa'i Bay

In addition to the excellent Lawai Valley views and exploring the garden rooms nestled by the peaceful Lawai Stream, we also enjoyed seeing Queen Emma’s colorful wall of bougainvillea planted by Queen Emma herself.. She retreated to Lawai to morn the loss of her husband and her son.

Bright bougainvillea planted by Queen Emma

What to know before you go:

• Guided-tours (2.5 hours duration) are offered daily at four set times (9am, 10am, 1pm, 2pm.) .See this link for more information making reservations to tour Allerton Gardens. I might suggest that you take the 9am tour before the sun warms up the valley too much.
• Beyond the set tour times, there’s a special sunset tour offered on Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s a little pricier at $60 per person  but it includes pupus (hors d’ouevres) tours of the Allerton’s home.
• Wear sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent and comfortable walking shoes. I wore long hiking trousers and I was glad I did as they protected my legs from mosquito bites.
• Bring water.
• We had a little trouble finding the entrance to the National Botanical Garden Southshore Visitors Center. But, if you know this, it will be easy for you – the entrance is directly across from the Spouting Horn parking lot.
• Don’t miss meandering around the Hawaiian Garden at the Visitor’s Center. It’s free and well worth the visit. It’s open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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Garden Spa Treatment Hale

Anara Spa’s setting is amazingly blissful. Stone paths lead you past tropical gardens filled with blooming ginger, palms, ferns, and plumeria. Your mind is put at ease by the sounds of waterfalls cascading over lava rock walls and tropical birds. You’ll enjoy sipping fruit-infused, chilled water while waiting reclining in an open-air, thatched roof hale (bungalow) before your spa treatment. It’s fantastic!

A dreamy and sighful “aahhh” comes to mind when I recall my recent experience at Anara Spa. I loved it! If you are looking for a special spa experience on your Kauai vacation, I highly recommend you check out Anara Spa.

Anara Spa offers a wide range of spa treatments from massages and body treatments to facials. Treatments are offered either in “indoor-outdoor” rooms with a little bit of an open-air element or in the garden spa area with thatched roof hales. I opted for the 50-minute Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage in an outdoor private hale ($160). The massage was excellent.

Before your spa treatment, you can take advantage of the spa’s unique amenities spread across this 45,000 square foot spa. The spa offers a lap pool, whirlpools, outdoor lava rock wall showers (see my iphone photo) , soaking tubs, sauna, and steam room. They even have a 12-head shower that’s fun to try. It’s like being in a car wash. After my visit to Anara, I told my husband, Andy, that I’ve probably never been cleaner in my life with all the different showers I tried.

I loved soaking in the sounds and garden scenery at this Relaxation Hale

Some spas have snooty staff, but you won’t find that at Anara Spa. Anara’s staff is very helpful and welcoming. I was warmly greeting when I arrived and led to the women’s locker area, where I was given an orientation to the spa and facilities.

What to know when you go –

• Review Anara Spa’s website which describes their spa services and prices.
• Anara Spa is located at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort in Poipu (Koloa) at 1571 Poipu Road. If you are not a guest of the hotel, you can self park in a large parking lot on the left near the entrance of the resort. Valet service is also available.
• Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to take advantage of the steam room, sauna, whirlpool, lap pool, showers, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the Relaxation Hale, so make sure you leave time for that.
• Bring a swimsuit if you’d like to take advantage of the lap pool, whirlpools, etc.
• Want a deal at Anara Spa? Who doesn’t! Check the Grand Hyatt Kauai twitter stream or their facebook page for the latest spa deals.

Have you been to Anara Spa? How was your experience?

Photo Credit: Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kauai

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See my post for details and directions for visiting Wailua Falls.

(Email subscribers: click here to access the video.)

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(E-mail subscribers, please click here to watch the video.)

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What made the trip so much fun? Our captain, Captain Trent, kept us entertained and laughing most of the way. Have you ever been to a comedy show and laughed so many times you lost count, but when the show was over, you couldn’t remember a single joke? That’s what it was like being on a Capt. Andy’s adventure with Captain Trent at the helm.

Capt. Trent at the helm.

On previous visits to Kauai, we took an afternoon Na Pali Coast sail, so we wanted to compare that experience to the morning sail plus get an idea of the quality of snorkeling off the coast. Well, we got to experience one of those objectives. I’ll explain more in a minute.

Our excursion started bright and early with a 7:15am check in at the Port Allen Marina Center in Ele’ele. (See Google Map of this area.) Luckily, the check in office/shop offered free coffee to help wake us up. From the shop, we were lead to the catamaran by our captain. Once we were on board, we given a safety briefing and then we were off on our adventure.

After we moved beyond Port Allen Harbor, a continental breakfast was served. As we headed towards the Na Pali Coast, we enjoyed seeing dolphins. Though it was the official end of humpback whale watching season, we still saw some whales.

Just one of the many intriguing cliff views of the Na Pali Coast.

As we approached the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the ooo’s and aah’s began. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen that coast, the scenery still catches us by surprise. Captain Trent knew the coast very well and was able to angle the catamaran in close to the cliffs for excellent views of waterfalls, sea caves, and lava arches. We had never been that close to the cliffs from the water and it was fantastic!

With our sailing adventure being at the beginning of May, we still experienced what locals would call “Winter” surf. That meant that the surf was rocky at times, and well, the crew wasn’t able to find a safe snorkeling spot. So, darn it, we’ll just have to go back on another tour to experience some Na Pali Coast snorkeling – with twisted arms, of course.

As we searched for smooth water, we were able to sail away from the coast which allowed us a broader, “bigger picture” view of the coast. Once we found a smooth patch of water, a make-your-own-deli-sandwich lunch was served. The sails were raised and we enjoyed the peaceful ride and view of the coast.

Na Pali Coast

In total, the sailing adventure lasted 5.5 hours. Despite the the fact that we couldn’t snorkel, we still enjoyed our time.

Here’s what to know when you go:

• The cost of the tour is $139 for adults and $99 for children. Book online 7 days (or more) before you go and receive a $10 web discount and a a free t-shirt. This discount is currently shown on this page.
• Wear a swimsuit and cover up.
• Bring sunscreen, towel, hat or visor, and sunglasses.
• Take proper precautions if you are prone to motion sickness. Only one kid on our trip got motion sickness at the end of our rocky ride and I think it was because he napped the entire time.
• Be flexible in your expectations. As we experienced, sometimes the surf doesn’t allow you  to snorkel. We also experienced a mixture of clouds, rain, and sun.
• If possible ask to be on one of Captain Trent’s excursions. I’m not sure how the other captains compare, but we know Captain Trent was great.

Have you been on one of Capt. Andy’s sailing or rafting adventures? How was your experience?

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Pink Plumeria in Bloom

I’ve updated the list of the best free Kauai sights and attractions to include two more attractions:

• Visiting the free gardens around McBryde and Allerton gardens visitors center of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in the Lawai Valley. You must pay to tour the McBryde and Allerton gardens, but there’s a lovely 10-acres of free gardens around the shared visitors center of these two National Tropical Botanical Gardens.
• Kauai Coffee Company free self-guided coffee farm tour and tasting in Eleele.

So be sure and check out the newly updated list of best free Kauai attractions!

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Wouldn’t you love to be able to play the ukulele like that? (Email subscribers, click on this link to watch the video.)

Joe Crocona, Sheraton's Ukulele Teacher

Learn in Hawaii

Well, the next time you visit Kauai and decide to stay at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Poipu, you can sign-up to take your first ukulele lesson. The lesson is provided for a nominal fee and, in a group setting, you’ll learn the basic chords and have a lot of fun. You can even buy good quality ukuleles on site–more on buying your first ukulele below.

OK, so you won’t finish the 45 minute lesson playing like Jake Shimabukuro, but you will leave being able to (somewhat) play a commonly heard Hawaiian “vamp” and you might also come away with a desire to learn the ukulele.

I know I did.

Buying Your First Ukulele

So, after returning to the mainland, I purchased my first ukulele. Unfortunately, I made the same mistake of most eager Hawaii visitors–I purchased one of those “toy” ukuleles. Sure it was cheap. And, sure it was pretty. But, it also sounded horrible–and that was on top of my bad playing!

Lesson learned.

I then purchased a Lanikai Concert Ukulele–about a $70 investment–and found that not only was this larger size easier to hold (and play) but it also sounded much, much better. So now I had the tools, but did I have the skills?

I needed to find an ukulele teacher. If I had been anywhere in Hawaii, I would have been practically tripping over ukulele kumus–Hawaiian for “teachers.” Unfortunately, in Raleigh, North Carolina, ukulele teachers are a little thin on the ground. I did find one and, while he was a nice guy, he didn’t really teach the sweet melodies your ear grows accustomed to hearing in the Aloha state.

Bummer!

OK, I’m an internet geek, what type of lessons can I find online?

Online Ukulele Lessons

Well, there are actually a lot of great resources on the web–my favorite being LiveUkulele.com. However, I found YouTube to be my new best friend. In particular Ukulele Mike. Ukulele Mike probably looks the least Hawaiian ukulele teacher you will ever find–he lives in Seattle–but, he understands the uke and plays it beautifully. He also happens to be a great teacher:

With my previously learned Hawaiian vamp under my belt, and Amazing Grace added to my very short playlist, I moved on. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” is close to being perfected and I’m also working on learning “Somewhere over the rainbow” by the famous Bruddah IZ.

Andy Learning the Uke

In short, it’s been just 3 weeks since I decided in earnest to learn the ukulele. Quite honestly, the first few days were very difficult. There are apparently a gazillion ways to strum an ukulele. Add the contortionist type way you have to curl your fingers to make the chord changes. Then throw-in trying to actually sing along while playing, and no one would blame you for giving-up after just a couple of hours. Get past that, however, and you start to make progress. You start to hear glimpses of Hawaii in your fingers. You start to smell the Plumeria. You picture yourself under a coconut tree…..OK, sorry, I’m back.

At this point, you’re may be asking for a video of me playing the ukulele. Yeah, right. Like I said, it’s been just 3 weeks. While I’m making progress every day, I’m not quite ready for my video debut–although I did let Sheila snap the picture above. OK, OK…if you really want to see me playing the ukulele, here’s a quick video I shot.

The ukulele is inexpensive, relatively easy to learn, small enough to carry anywhere, and learning just one vamp will immediately transport you back to Hawaii. If, like me, you’ve had an itch to learn a musical instrument, I can highly recommend it.

A Beginner’s Ukulele Checklist:

• Ukulele is correctly pronounced “ookoolaylay” in Hawaiian. Though outside of Hawaii, that will likely get you some strange looks.
• Ukulele means “jumping flea” and gets its name from Hawaiians watching the instrument being played by migrant Portuguese and noting that their fingers resembled jumping fleas.
• Ukuleles have just 4 strings, while guitars have 6. This makes it easier for beginners but as you advance, it does become trickier to make some notes using just 4 strings.
• If your ukulele is bright red and costs less than $30, it will likely serve better as a decorative ornament.
• There are four different types of ukulele.
• Once you’ve learned the basic chords and can read “tabs” you’ll find a great list of songs to learn at Ukulele Boogaloo.

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I hope your week has been smooth sailing, so far. Let’s take a look at the deals and news that’s come our way.

* Who’d like to win a free trip to Maui besides me, me, me? Maui Jim and Sunglass Hut have teamed up to give away a free trip for two to Maui including roundtrip airfare, accommodations (at Sheraton Maui), rental car, activities, and two pairs of Maui Jim Sunglasses. See the details and enter the sweepstakes here.

* If you are a new parent and traveling to Oahu with the baby, you might want to consider renting baby equipment with Paradise Baby Co. They rent cribs, strollers, toys, car seats, and more. They even offer free delivery and pick up island-wide.

* Princeville Ranch on Kauai’s North Shore has a fun new tour that combines horseback riding and zip lining. No, you don’t zip line on a horse. You go horseback riding first and then you zip line. See more about this new tour here.

* A Kauai Blog writes about the dangers and quirks of Queen’s Bath on the North Shore of Kauai. I’ve never actually seen Queen’s Bath. I was on my way once when I was attacked by mosquito mobsters.

See ya tomorrow for Aloha Friday!

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Na Pali Coast Sail Tour – We took Captain Andy’s Na Pali Snorkel Adventure which was excellent despite the fact that the conditions didn’t allow us to snorkel. The scenery of this coast line is simply amazing. Our boat captain was Captain Trent and he was hilarious and entertaining. We’ve taken a lot of boating tours in Hawaii and Captain Trent was the best. So, if you go, ask for him. Watch for a full review of this tour.

Hiking – We decided to hike the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali coast. This was our second time attempting it. Oh boy, it is a challenge! We were there on a particularly muddy day which made it much more difficult. Unlike the last time, we were a little more prepared by eating a nutritious breakfast and we brought a picnic.

Biking – We rented bikes from Kauai Outfitters and biked along part of the Koloa Heritage Trail. You can drive to the trail points if biking the entire 10 miles seems a bit too daunting. Order a free Koloa Heritage Trail map.

Kayaking – We kayaked the Wailua River, took a hike to the base of an 80-ish foot tall waterfall for a swim in the waterfall-fed pool. We took this tour with Kayak Kauai and they were excellent. Watch for a full review in the future.

Kayaking the Wailua River

Garden Touring – We visited the National Tropical Botanical Garden on the South Shore for a tour of the Allerton Gardens. We were there for a day tour, but I’d love to go back for their Allerton Sunset Tour.

Air Touring – All in the name of research, I took two helicopter tours. See what lengths of heartache and effort I go through just so I can keep you informed?   Actually both tours were truly fantastic. Watch for upcoming reviews of each.

• We took a unique eco-tour with Safari Helicopters of Kauai that included a landing at a secluded botanical preserve nurtured by Mr. Keith Robinson of the famed ranching Robinson Family.
• After my friend Shane reviewed his helicopter tour on Blue Hawaiian, I had an opportunity to try their tour, too. I agree with Shane that the tour is simply amazing.

A Bird's Eye View of the Na Pali Coast

Spa’ing – Again, all in the name of research, I once again made the sacrifice to gather information to help you. So, I checked out two Kauai spas – the brand new Halele’a Spa at the St Regis Princeville and the multi-award winning Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. Gosh, you just can’t get spa experiences like that at home. Watch for upcoming reviews of both.

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This post concludes the three part series of impressions from my recent trip to Kauai. I’ve previously discussed overall impressions and accommodations and where we dined.

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Kilauea Point National Refuge on Kauai's North Shore

On my list of the top things you should see and do on Kauai, I’ve included a recommendation to stop at the gorgeous Kilauea Point on the North Shore. This ocean side cliff offers outstanding scenery that features a historic lighthouse.

Since Kilauea Point is a national wildlife refuge, you just might observe seabirds when you visit. Oh, and don’t forget to look at the ocean for a chance to see spinner dolphins. During humpback whale season (predominately January – March), Kilauea Point offers a fantastic vantage point for whale watching. I do hope you’ll make a stop at Kilauea Point a part of your Kauai Vacation.

Here’s a video that does a good job of introducing you to Kilauea Point.  (Email subscribers, click here to access the video.)

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Of course seeing Opaekaa Falls is reason enough to take this little diversion up Kaumoo Road, but you’ll also be able to take a glimpse back into ancient Hawaiian culture at the four heiaus situated here. Heiaus were Polynesian places of worship. They are typically stacked stones in a rectangular shape. If your time is limited, make sure you see the Poliahu Heiau that sits on the bluff above the Wailua River. It’s about 300 yards across the street from where you park to for the Opaekaa Falls overlook. It’s estimated that Poliahu Heiau may have been used as early as the 1600s. According to the park brochure, Poliahu Heiau was most likely dedicated to the god Ku for success in war and it’s likely that human sacrifices occurred there. Other nearby heiaus are closer to the shore — Hikinaakala Heiau, Malea Heiau and Kalaeokamanu Heiau.

Please enjoy this brief slideshow of scenes from the Wailua River State Park off Kaumoo Road.

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If you are looking for a luau for your Kauai vacation, be sure and check out the listing of Kauai luaus with schedules, prices, and links to reviews. I’ve just updated that article with all the current information. It’s a great, unbiased resource to help you choose the best luau that suits your schedule and budget.

To access the updated article, click on this article link: Kauai Luaus – Schedules, Costs & Reviews.

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1. Take in a beautiful sunset.
There’s really nothing much more romantic than saying aloha to the sun as it sinks into the ocean. Make watching sunset even more memorable with a sunset cruise/sail or dinner. If you are planning a dinner, see my tips for planning the perfect sunset dinner in Hawaii. Two of my favorite Hawaii restaurants for sunset dining are The Beach House on Kauai and The Plantation Restaurant on Maui.

Although, it’s a treat to dine at a nice restaurant with a lovely sunset view, you really can’t top watching sunset with sand in your toes. Consider a sunset picnic on the beach. Some hotels can prepare a picnic basket for you. Alternatively, it’s easy to pick up picnic supplies at one of the local grocery stores. Make sure you don’t just pack up and leave as soon as the sun is down. Watch for the amazing colors of the sky after sunset for an even more memorable sunset.

If you are on Maui, consider going to Haleakala to watch sunrise. There’s something very special and romantic about watching sunrise on Haleakala when you are snuggling up to your sweetheart under a blanket.

2. Take a helicopter ride to discover the islands from the air.
If you ever watch those "searching for love" reality shows like The Bachelor, you’ll notice at some point along the show, a couple will go on a helicopter tour. There’s a buzz that you get from seeing the beautiful islands from a different perspective. When you get to share a helicopter tour with your sweetie, it makes it even more special. Be sure to read and follow these Hawaii helicopter tour tips.

3. Arrange for an ocean side couples massage.
Imagine the bliss of side by side massages on a beach while you listen to the waves crash on the shore. Andy and I recently enjoyed a couples massage at one of the ocean side hales at the Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay. We arranged the massage at sunset. The experience was wonderfully romantic as we were lulled into relaxation with the sound of the waves, the feel of the breeze, and the flickering glow from the candlelight as the sunset.

4. Go horseback riding.
There are some fantastic places to go horseback riding in Hawaii – in rainforests, rolling hills, valleys, and beaches. Two areas in Hawaii that I think are particularly romantic for horseback riding are the North Shore of Kauai with Princeville Ranch and on Oahu along the shore at Turtle Bay Resort.

5. Go stargazing.
On a moonless night, Hawaii’s skies sparkle with an incredible array of stars. Hawaii is one of the top spots in the world for astronomy. To stargaze with your sweetie, you can either find a secluded spot with limited surrounding light or take a guided tour. Also, check out my Hawaii stargazing Q&A with an astronomy expert.

6. Tour a garden.
Flowers are romantic, right? Well, how about touring a garden full of romance in bloom? On the Big Island, I particularly love Hawaii Botanical Tropical Garden. You’ll find lush gardens on all the major islands.

7. Chase waterfalls. 
I can’t put my finger on why waterfalls are romantic. Can you? Maybe it’s the beauty of waterfalls that inspires romance. Here’s my list of 8 great Hawaii waterfalls.

8. Go hiking.
There’s something oddly romantic about navigating a hiking trail to discover beautiful views. Maybe it’s symbolic of life’s journey shared as a couple. I better stop my rambling before I become too philosophical. To help you find some great trails, be sure and check out my list of Hawaii hiking resources.

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No matter where you travel, shopping at a local farmers market is one of the quickest ways to get to know more about a culture. Not only will you learn more about the area you’re visiting, you’ll also have the opportunity to support the local economy by purchasing some tasty fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. You’ll also find floral bouquets and crafts.

So, when you visit Hawaii, I encourage you to visit a farmers market. To help you find a farmers market on Hawaii, I recommend that you visit this Web page that’s operated by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. From there, you can navigate to the lists of farmers markets on each island.

I’ll add a few notes that the Web page doesn’t highlight or mention:

• On Oahu, the KCC farmers’ market is a very popular and well stocked farmers market that’s also fairly convenient to Waikiki.
• Lanai has a farmers’ market every Saturday morning in Lanai City. The specific location varies, but it’s usually somewhere in or around Dole Park.
• In Honolulu’s Chinatown, there’s a open market that operates most days.
• Though not a farmers’ market, you’ll definitely hand made crafts and snacks at the popular Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.
• If you get a chance to go to the Hawaiian Homestead Farmers’ Market that’s held on Saturday mornings in Waimea on the Big Island, look for fruitsicles. See my post on discovering coconut fruitsicles.

Have you visited a farmers’ market in Hawaii? Where did you go? What did you buy?

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I’ll organize the waterfalls by island. We’ll start in the South on the Big Island and work our way North to Kauai.

Akaka Falls on Hawaii’s Big Island

This 442-foot waterfall is well worth the short walk it takes on the paved path. I never miss an opportunity to see it when I’m on the Big Island. For directions, advice and a video of Akaka Falls, see my article Tips for Visiting Akaka Falls. While you’re there, also check out Kahuna Falls (photo) that’s on the same loop trail as Akaka Falls.

Rainbow Falls on Hawaii’s Big Island

At Rainbow Falls, water tumbles down over an arch-shaped rock above a cave. This waterfall is located in the town of Hilo on the Big Island’s east side. This waterfall is easily accessed for everyone as there are no stairs or long walk to see this attraction. For directions, advice, and a video of Rainbow Falls, see my article The Big Island’s Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

Oheo Gulch on Maui

The Oheo Gulch is a series of cascading waterfalls and pools. You might hear Oheo Gulch called the seven sacred pools, but that’s not it’s real name and there’s actually nothing sacred about it. You’ll find the Oheo Gulch just beyond Hana off the famous road to Hana in the Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park. Just before the park entrance, you’ll drive over one of the many one-lane bridges, but this one hovers over the Oheo Gulch. You can snap a photo from the bridge, but I do recommend that you visit the Kipahulu area of Haleakala National Park, if you have the time. See my article, Visiting the Kipahulu Area of Haleakala National Park.

Other Road to Hana Waterfalls on Maui

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you’ll see around a dozen or more waterfalls along the road to Hana. This area might offer the most concentrated number of waterfalls that you’ll find in all of Hawaii, and possibly, the world. Some of the waterfalls you’ll see just off the road, others take a short hike to view, like Alelele Falls. If you are really into waterfalls, you might want to plan to spend a night in Hana so that you’ll have more time to find the many waterfalls off the road to Hana.

Manoa Falls on Oahu

To see the 100-foot Manoa Falls, you must hike 0.8 miles along a path through a lush green jungle. Visiting Manoa Falls can be as much about the journey as it is to see the waterfall itself. You’ll know for sure that you’re not in Waikiki when you visit the Manoa Valley and walk this trail. For advice and directions to Manoa Falls, see my article, Manoa Falls Trail, an Oahu Green Gem.

Wailua Falls on Kauai

Wailua Falls are probably the most iconic waterfalls in Hawaii. I think the photo speaks for itself, doesn’t it? These twin falls are easy to find and see when you visit Kauai’s east side. For directions, see my post, Kauai’s Wailua Falls. This waterfall is easily accessible for everyone.

Opeakaa Falls on Kauai

I like to describe Opeakaa Waterfalls as dainty because the water fans horizontally as it cascades down the lava rock wall. The brief diversion up Kuamoo Road (Highway 580) on Kauai’s east side is well worth the trip to see this waterfall along with the nearby views of Wailua River Valley. The views of Opeakaa Waterfalls is easy to access for everyone.

Waialeale Crater Waterfalls on Kauai

If you’d like to see lots of pencil thin waterfalls concentrated in one area, you’ll love taking a Kauai helicopter tour that takes you into Waialeale Crater, one of the wettest places on earth. It’s definitely a sight that will capture your attention.

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As I close this article, I’d like to add a disclaimer. Hawaii’s waterfalls are fed by rain, so if you happen to visit Hawaii after a dry spell, you may not get to see the waterfalls when they’re fully turned on, so to speak. See my post, Hawaii in Contrasts Rain and Waterfalls, to see how much difference the amount of rain makes to Hawaii’s waterfalls.

With this list of great Hawaii waterfalls, I’m only listing a sampling of the many beautiful waterfalls in the Aloha State. What other waterfalls would you add to this list? Which Hawaii waterfalls are your favorites?

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Over the years, Andy and I have had the opportunity to explore these two parks at the many view points, by hikes, and by helicopter. Please enjoy this slideshow our photos that we have taken during our visits to Waimea Canyon & Kokee State Parks.

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There are plenty of ways to see various sites in Kauai, but the one that will guarantee you see just about the entire island and get breathtaking views is a helicopter tour around the island. Blue Hawaiian offers helicopter tours around the various Hawaiian islands and the Kauai tour is simply amazing!

Na Pali Coast View From Helicopter

You’re required to check-in about 45 minutes before your scheduled takeoff to take watch a mandatory safety video and get assigned pilots and seats. Once this is complete, you’re taken via a shuttle over to the airport to board your helicopter. You’re only allowed to bring what you can hold or fit in your pocket – no backpacks, camera bags, purses, etc are allowed. They will store them for you until you return from your flight though. Just keep this in mind especially if you have a camera with more than one lens and plan on taking photos.

Another tip if you plan on shooting photos is to wear dark clothing. This way you do not get as much glare or reflection from your clothing when shooting through the window.

The tour takes a clockwise route around the island and the right side of the helicopter offers most of the best views, but the pilot will maneuver so that people on the left get great views as well.

Along the tour, the pilot will point out various sights and give a brief explanation or history behind what you are viewing. You’ll see sites such as the various towns, taro fields, waterfalls (including the famous waterfall shown in the movie Jurassic Park), the Waimea Canyon (also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), the Napali Coast, and if the weather permits you’ll fly into the heart what use to be the volcano that created the entire island which is now a lush cascade of trees and waterfalls and is incredibly breathtaking!

Upon returning to the check-in you’ll be given the opportunity to purchase the DVD from your flight for an additional fee, which is great if you weren’t able to take photos.

As a final tip, Kauai can often be cloudier in the mornings with a lot of the fog & low level clouds burning off throughout the morning hours. You might have better luck with the weather booking a flight in the afternoon as a result. If you have a weather delay, they will try to reschedule you.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

3501 Rice St # 114
Lihue, HI 96766-1760
(808) 245-5800

http://www.bluehawaiian.com/

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A note from Sheila: Kauai is arguably the best island for taking a helicopter tour. You can only see gorgeous Na Pali coast from either an air tour or boat. Seeing Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks from the bird’s eye perspective, is also a sight you won’t soon forget. To get a taste of what you might expect, see this link for video clips of Kauai from Blue Hawaiian.

Mahalo to Shane for offering his helicopter tour advice.  Note that you can also find a couple more tips in my post on choosing a helicopter tour in Hawaii.

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With fear and some reluctance, my friend Nathan Kam flew over to Maui from his Oahu home to experience ziplining for the first time. I followed his day of adventure via his twitter account. Nathan didn’t just try one zipline course, he tried Skyline Eco Adventures’ two  courses (Kaanapali and Haleakala) in the same day. That was thirteen zips in one day! Way to kick your fear’s butt, Nathan!

Nathan posted a video of his experiences which I thought gives you a great idea of what ziplining is like. Check it out! (Email subscribers, please click here to access the video.)

I had my own zipline experience on Kauai that I too feared, but found to be absolutely exhilarating. I felt like a kid, with a daredevil alter ego.

If you meet the age and physical requirements, I highly recommend you give Hawaii’s ziplines a try. Here are some ziplining tips:

• You’ll find ziplines on the islands of Kauai, Maui and later this month (November 2009), the Big Island will have its first zipline.
• Each zipline company has different age and weight requirements. For example, when I took the Princeville Ranch Zip n’ Dip tour, there requirements were that you must weigh between 80 and 280 pounds and be age 12 or older.
• You need to be in average or better physical condition to zip.  You can’t zip if you’ve had recent injuries or surgeries.  Expectant mothers shouldn’t  zip either.
• You probably shouldn’t have an extreme fear of heights.
• You should wear sunscreen and mosquito repellant.
• Bring water, 16-oz per person is recommended.
• You should wear shorts that are mid-thigh length or longer.
• Since you’ll need to run on to the ramps at the end of each zipline, you should wear sneakers or something similar.
• Bring a hat
• If you have long hair, bring something to tie your hair back.
• Bring a small backpack to store your water, wallet, cameras, etc when you zip.
• Be prepared for the possibility of rain. Tours will operate rain or shine. Actually, we experienced rain on our tour. We were wearing quick drying clothes.
• Have fun with it. Give your lungs a workout as you zip across these isolate ravines. Andy and I enjoyed practicing our Tarzan yells.

Have you ziplined in Hawaii? How was your experience? What additional advice would you like to pass along?

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In the Poipu area of Kauai, you will find an impressive blowhole called Spouting Horn. A blowhole forms at the end of a lava tube and as waves crash in, water goes into the tube and it builds up pressure to blow the water back out. The spouts of water can reach up to 50 feet high. Not only does the blowhole create an impressive display, but it also makes interesting sound effects as well.

This brief video from You Tube gives you an idea of how Spouting Horn looks and sounds.

The Hawaiian legend of how Spouting Horn began is interesting. Here’s how it goes per the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau’s web site:

Ancient Hawaiians believed this coastline was once guarded by a giant moo (lizard). Everyone was afraid of the moo because it would eat anyone who tried to fish or swim in the area. One day a man named Liko entered the ocean. The moo went to attack him but Liko quickly swam under the lava shelf and escaped through a small hole to the surface. The large moo followed him and got himself stuck in the lava tube. To this day, you can hear the lizard’s groan and see his breath spraying from the hole.

See more of our photos of Spouting Horn. To find Spouting Horn on a Google Map, click here. It is very easy to find and access.

Have you been to Spouting Horn? What did you think of it?

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Kilauea Point on Kauai’s North Shore is significant for several  reasons. First, it’s home to a beautiful and historic Kilauea Lighthouse. This lighthouse was once a key navigational point for ships sailing the Orient Run. With navigational technologies today, the lighthouse is no longer need for that purpose and it was decommissioned in 1976. Kilauea Lighthouse is still intact and houses the world’s largest clamshell lens.

Today, Kilauea Lighthouse  and the surrounding acreage are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This beautiful point, Kilauea Point now serves as a wildlife refuge where you’ll likely see birds, dolphins, and in the winter, humpback whales..

Earlier in this series of 50 facts about Hawaii, we looked at Hawaii’s southernmost point. Perhaps you wondered where the northernmost point of the eight major Hawaiian Islands. The answer is Kilauea Point.

Kilauea Point certainly a scenic spot that is well worth your time to visit on your Kauai vacation. See my post on visiting Kilauea Point.

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