Guidebook for Koloa
Sightseeing
The Kalalau Trail is the most famous hike on Kaua`i. It starts at Ke`e Beach, which is an excellent beach for snorkeling. Most people hike two miles to Hanakapi`ai Beach, or another two miles to Hanakapi`ai Falls. If you plan to hike further into the valley, you must obtain a permit.
Both Haena and Ke`e Beaches are perfect for families. Additionally, you can explore both a wet and a dry cave, or walk about 1/4 mile from Haena Beach to get to Makua (Tunnels) Beach for excellent snorkeling or scuba.
If you decide to hike the Kalalau, Ke`e or Haena Beach, you must reserve a parking space in advance online. There is also a shuttle available from Hanalei town that must also be reserved in advance online. Pick a dry day, wear good hiking shoes (no slippahs) - and pick up a hiking staff at the trailhead.
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Kalalau Trail
Kuhio HighwayIf you decide to hike the Kalalau, Ke`e or Haena Beach, you must reserve a parking space in advance online. There is also a shuttle available from Hanalei town that must also be reserved in advance online. Pick a dry day, wear good hiking shoes (no slippahs) - and pick up a hiking staff at the trailhead.
Spend a morning or a day at Hanalei Bay. Enjoy the pier and the excellent sandy and shallow beach at Black Pot Beach. There is a new parking lot with abundant parking. Lounge at Pavillion Beach and watch as the clouds come by, dropping rain on the mountains. Where you first saw 7 waterfalls, you now see 30 - so magical.
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Hanalei Bay
Spend a morning or a day at Hanalei Bay. Enjoy the pier and the excellent sandy and shallow beach at Black Pot Beach. There is a new parking lot with abundant parking. Lounge at Pavillion Beach and watch as the clouds come by, dropping rain on the mountains. Where you first saw 7 waterfalls, you now see 30 - so magical.
This is another wonderful beach not to be missed. Great place year round for swimming due to the protected bay. Right next to the salt ponds used by Kanaka Ma`oli (local Hawaiians) who tend the ponds and harvest salt. Shallow, sandy protected area for keiki (children) make this beach a local favorite. Combine with a trip to Hanapepe town, known for their art galleries.
Salt Pond Road
Salt Pond RoadThis is another wonderful beach not to be missed. Great place year round for swimming due to the protected bay. Right next to the salt ponds used by Kanaka Ma`oli (local Hawaiians) who tend the ponds and harvest salt. Shallow, sandy protected area for keiki (children) make this beach a local favorite. Combine with a trip to Hanapepe town, known for their art galleries.
An amazing sight to see "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (to quote Mark Twain.) Continue up to Koke`e, where there is a small museum, as well as various hikes, including the Alakai Swamp. Let me know if you can spot the Mokihana Tree - the only place in the world this tree grows. You can even look down the Na Pali from up in Koke`e.
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Waimea Canyon Trail
779 Kokee RdAn amazing sight to see "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (to quote Mark Twain.) Continue up to Koke`e, where there is a small museum, as well as various hikes, including the Alakai Swamp. Let me know if you can spot the Mokihana Tree - the only place in the world this tree grows. You can even look down the Na Pali from up in Koke`e.
For all the kahiko (older) people, if you remember the beginning of the TV show "Fantasy Island", this is the waterfall that graced the opening of that show each weak. And fortunate for you, you can drive right up to view this impressive waterfall - no hiking required.
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Ваилуа
For all the kahiko (older) people, if you remember the beginning of the TV show "Fantasy Island", this is the waterfall that graced the opening of that show each weak. And fortunate for you, you can drive right up to view this impressive waterfall - no hiking required.
Everything Else
The luau is okay, but you can reserve just the hula show for $15pp - well worth the money. One time it rained during the performance and we saw a moonbow - a rainbow at night - how extraordinary!!
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Ботанический сад Smith Family Garden Luau
3-5971 Kuhio HwyThe luau is okay, but you can reserve just the hula show for $15pp - well worth the money. One time it rained during the performance and we saw a moonbow - a rainbow at night - how extraordinary!!
Activities
88 Shrines, aka the Lawai International Center, is located just past Koloa Road on Kaumualii Highway. They are open for tours on the second and last Sunday of the month, and also have a nurturing day on the first Saturday of the month where you can assist in the maintenance and upkeep of this spiritually significant treasure.
Whether you want to get an authentic hawaiian made gift or just view (or purchase) the best collection of Ni`ihau shell leis, check this store out. Caution: not everything is made on island.
Hawaiian Trading Post
3427 Koloa RdWhether you want to get an authentic hawaiian made gift or just view (or purchase) the best collection of Ni`ihau shell leis, check this store out. Caution: not everything is made on island.
This is by far my favorite Beach on the island, good thing it's a 3 minute drive from our island home. Swim, snorkel, watch the honu (green sea turtles) in the water or sunning themselves on the beach. The honu will be sharing beach space with the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seals that seem to enjoy Poipu Beach frequently. Waves permitting, you can go out and explore the tombolo, a small islet that is occassionally accessible by land bridge.
Next door to Poipu is Brenneke's Beach which is used exclusively for boogie boarding.
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Пляж Пойпу
This is by far my favorite Beach on the island, good thing it's a 3 minute drive from our island home. Swim, snorkel, watch the honu (green sea turtles) in the water or sunning themselves on the beach. The honu will be sharing beach space with the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seals that seem to enjoy Poipu Beach frequently. Waves permitting, you can go out and explore the tombolo, a small islet that is occassionally accessible by land bridge.
Next door to Poipu is Brenneke's Beach which is used exclusively for boogie boarding.
You can either drive down an old cane road or hike from Shipwreck Beach (by the Hyatt) to get to Maha`ulepu. Wonderful hike with much to explore and see, including humpback whales in season.
Please be careful of the ocean here, it can be extremely rough and dangerous.
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
Maha'ulepu Heritage TrailYou can either drive down an old cane road or hike from Shipwreck Beach (by the Hyatt) to get to Maha`ulepu. Wonderful hike with much to explore and see, including humpback whales in season.
Please be careful of the ocean here, it can be extremely rough and dangerous.
Food Scene
Wonderful pizza - try the wheat crust with brushed garlic butter. so good they've opened one in Wailua, Kaua`i, as well as in Kapolei on O`ahu. Broke da mouf as they say on island.
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Brick Oven Pizza
2-2555 Kaumualii HwyWonderful pizza - try the wheat crust with brushed garlic butter. so good they've opened one in Wailua, Kaua`i, as well as in Kapolei on O`ahu. Broke da mouf as they say on island.
Koloa Fish Market has a great variety of fresh fish, poke (always made from fresh, never frozen, fish) and plate lunches. Closed on Sundays. Ono (delicious) - great to take with you to the beach.
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Koloa Fish Market
3390 Poipu RdKoloa Fish Market has a great variety of fresh fish, poke (always made from fresh, never frozen, fish) and plate lunches. Closed on Sundays. Ono (delicious) - great to take with you to the beach.
Kintaro's Japanese Restaurant is my favorite restaurant on the island, with the best sushi and sashimi i've ever had. Please make a reservation, days in advance is advisable! We pair dinner at Kintaro's with the show (only) at Smith's Family Lu`au.
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Kintaro Japanese Restaurant
4-370 Kuhio HwyKintaro's Japanese Restaurant is my favorite restaurant on the island, with the best sushi and sashimi i've ever had. Please make a reservation, days in advance is advisable! We pair dinner at Kintaro's with the show (only) at Smith's Family Lu`au.
Duke's Canoe Club at the Marriott on Kalapaki Bay is one of the nicest spots to enjoy drinks and pupu's (appetizers) or a full meal, either downstairs at the Barefoot Bar or upstairs in the main dining room. A lovely view of the bay doesn't hurt either, and the food is wonderful. Definitely add the salad bar - and they make one of the best mai tai's known to humankind! Also, only about a mile from the Lihue airport, which makes it a great place to stop arriving on island or, sadly, when you have to leave.
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Duke's Canoe Club
2335 Kalakaua AveDuke's Canoe Club at the Marriott on Kalapaki Bay is one of the nicest spots to enjoy drinks and pupu's (appetizers) or a full meal, either downstairs at the Barefoot Bar or upstairs in the main dining room. A lovely view of the bay doesn't hurt either, and the food is wonderful. Definitely add the salad bar - and they make one of the best mai tai's known to humankind! Also, only about a mile from the Lihue airport, which makes it a great place to stop arriving on island or, sadly, when you have to leave.
City/town information
Highly recommended that you visit Hanapepe on Friday night, which is Art Night. All the art galleries stay open late, and many food and merchandise vendors open stalls. There's quite a family atmosphere with live entertainment as well. Go early for easy parking and to enjoy the swinging bridge before sunset.
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Hanapepe
Highly recommended that you visit Hanapepe on Friday night, which is Art Night. All the art galleries stay open late, and many food and merchandise vendors open stalls. There's quite a family atmosphere with live entertainment as well. Go early for easy parking and to enjoy the swinging bridge before sunset.