Kauai Week #1 - Princeville

On December 22, we took the 350-mile drive north to Houston in order to catch the following morning flight to Honolulu, Hawaii. From Honolulu, we took a 40-minute Hawaiian Airline flight to Lihue, Kauai. This is our second trip to Kauai. We first visited Kauai, for two weeks, 24 years ago.

Makai Club Resort

Our time-share condominium was located in Princeville on the north side of the Island. Makai Club Resort was only one mile from Pahio Ka Eo Kai, our home base, our last visit.

We rented a Chevy Spark for two weeks, because it was very easy to park on this compact island and got great fuel mileage. Gas prices are $5.49 a gallon. We drove about 550 miles during our two weeks on this small island.

There were great Weber Gas Grills right outside our door, so we decided to eat most of our meals at home.

We had a large one-bedroom unit on the second floor with washer and dryer.

This quiet and secluded corner unit was a great place to stay. The lanai overlooked a tropical jungle with the mountains as a backdrop.

With the abundance of world class beaches, we only used the pool once.

Hanalei Valley Lookout

This valley is where most of the Taro in Hawaii is grown.

Christmas Day - Drive to Ke'e Beach

Driving the north side of the Island to the west, you come across the old-style one-lane Hanalei Bridge and continue through the historic town of Hanalei. Beyond Hanalei is like a trip through a tropic wonderland.

Wai'oli Hui 'ia Church in Hanalei

Secluded Lumaha'i Beach where the movie South Pacific was filmed.

Limahuli Stream by Ha'ena State Park

Tunnels Beach

We walked all the way into Maniniholo Dry Cave (namesake for Tunnels Beach).

We spent the balance of Christmas Day relaxing on Tunnels Beach. Makai Club Resort furnishes beach chairs as well as umbrellas and coolers.

Tunnels is not a swimming beach in the winter months due to high surf and rip tides. A lifeguard is posted to ensure safety.

'Opaeka'a Falls

The next day we drove south to Kapa'a and proceeded west up Highway 580 through the Wailua Valley.

The 151-foot 'Opaeka'a Falls flow year-round.

The protected wild chickens inhabit the entire island. It is estimated that there are 450,000 of these fowls running around. There is no sleeping in with the roosters crowing at all times of day and night.

 The Wailua River Overlook is directly across the street from the 'Opaeka'a Falls Lookout.

In the river below is the Smith Fern Grotto Float Tour.

The foundational remains of Poliahu Heiau (Ancient Temple)

Kauai's Hindu Monastery

Near the end of Highway 580 is the Hindu Monastery. Upon entering, Kurt had to put on a wrap-around sarong to show respect. Levi shorts were unacceptable attire. We also removed our shoes before entering the Monastery.

The Temple is built entirely of hand carved stones from India.

Lord Shanmuga stands under the sprawling Indian banyan tree. It is the six-faced God of Yoga. No, he was not decorated for Christmas.

Wood carvings adorned both sides of the entrance of the Temple. Only the devout were permitted to enter.

Lookout of the Wailua River Valley from the Hindu Temple.

Thirteen-foot bronze statue of Lord Hanuman, the divine and heroic monkey deity of strength.

Keahua Arboretum

Highway 580 ends at a bridge and parking lot for the state park, Keahua Arboretum.

We walked the trail and particularly enjoyed the Rainbow Eucalyptus.

Anini Beach

The next day was a "Beach Day". The protected reef on Anini Beach provides great swimming and snorkeling opportunities year-round.

It was fun watching the wind boarders.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Point is one of three national wildlife refuges on the island. We spotted seven of the "Nine Fine" birds of Kilauea Point: Nene (Hawaiian Goose), Albatross, Shearwater, White-Tailed Tropicbird, Great Frigate, Red-footed Booby, and Golden Plover.

The lighthouse, built in 1913, is at the northern most point of the main Hawaiian Islands sitting 400 feet high above the crashing waves.

The lighthouse had the largest clamshell lens in existence and was used until 1976 when it was replaced with a rotating beacon.

Ne'ne (Hawaiian Goose) is easy to snap a photo of since they tend to stand still. 

From this vantage, we saw numerous humpback whales spouting and breaching along with sighting many interesting birds.

Moku'ae'ae Island was once connected to Kauai, but erosion has very slowly caused its separation.

Anini Beach

We returned to Anini Beach for another day of relaxing in the sun. This time we brought snorkel gear. Virginia braved the cool winter waters and saw many green sea turtles and a Reef triggerfish (aka Humuhumunukunukuapua'a), needle fish and other tropical fish.

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

This refuge was staffed but had no visitor center. A new visitor Center is being built near the Hanalei Overlook in Princeville.

The Refuge manages taro fields and fishponds.

Spotted this black-crowned night heron at the edge of the taro field.

Apple bananas grow in abundance.

Hanalei Beach

Hanalei, meaning crescent shaped, is a large beach just west of Princeville. The Princeville resort is on the hilltop in the distance.

We walked by this beautiful beachfront rental home.

Princeville Air BnB

We had one night between our two condo weeks. We chose to stay at an Air Bnb Friday night.

We rented this very clean one-bedroom studio for just under $300 for the night.

We enjoyed dinner and breakfast outside on the lanai.

This friendly female White Rumped Shama joined us for breakfast.