Visit
Waimea Canyon: Located just behind the house take the Kokee Road
(just East of the house) up the hill to Kokee State Park and Waimea
Valley. Best time to go is early mornings as the skies are clear. Take
warm clothes, as it can be cool. There are several turnout points to
view the canyon on the right side as you go up the hill.
Drive to the end of the road to view Kalalau Valley, one of the most
spectacular views in Hawaii.
Hiking: Hike in the Kokee State Park. There is a half-day hike
through solitude and exotic rain forests to the 3200-foot Waipoo Falls.
Picnics: There is also a picnic area, museum and restaurant in
Kokee State Park.
Take
a Na Pali Cruise: Leave from Kikiaola Harbor (3 minutes from the
house between Kekaha and Waimea) and journey past beautiful waterfalls,
majestic peaks, valleys, sea caves and lava tubes. Experience the wonders
of the sea with spinner dolphins, sea turtles and whales. Enjoy an hour
of snorkeling on a coral reef and then have deli lunch off of one of
the most spectacular coastlines in the world.
Call Liko Kauai Cruises 338-0333 located near the Big Save Market
in Waimea.
Shop
at the Farmer's Market in Kekaha or Hanapepe: Ride your bikes over
to the 9:00 am Saturday morning Farmer's Market in Kekaha. Local farmers
sell their fresh produce: papayas, bananas, pineapples, lettuce, tomatoes
and mangoes. Bring your own bag and one-dollar bills. Great local atmosphere.
There is also a Farmer's Market at 3:30 PM in Hanapepe Town on Thursdays,
15 minutes away.
Lunch
or Dinner at the Waimea Brewing Company: 3 minutes from the house
is the United States' western-most brewpub. It is located in a 70-year-old
coconut grove on the grounds of the Waimea Plantation Cottages. You
can sit out on the lanai and enjoy the beautifully kept grounds and
locally brewed beers, excellent seafood dishes and salads. No reservations
necessary: 338-9733.
Learn
to Surf: Take a lesson from local Kauai resident and seven-time
women's world surfing champion, Margo Oberg and her staff. They will
provide surfboards and one-hour lessons at Poipu Beach (call Nukumoi
Surf Company: 742-8019 or Learn to Surf School). After you have
mastered the waves try Davidson's Point in Kekaha a half-mile from the
house.
Boat
to Ni'ihau the Forbidden Island: Located 16 miles off the coast
of Kekaha (and the house) is the island of Ni'ihau. Owned since 1864
by the Robinson Family and home to 200 full-blooded Hawaiians. On Ni'ihau
there is no electricity, no phones and no paved roads. The residents
farm and raise cattle. The island has been closed to visitors for 200
years and has just recently been opened to a limited number of tours.
Call Holo Holo Charters: 335-0815. Their 61 foot catamaran leaves the
Westside`s Port Allen for Ni`ihau. Snorkel in crystal clear water off
pristine reef areas around Ni`ihau and neighboring Lehua Rock.
Visit
a Coffee Plantation: 15 minutes from the house is Hawaii`s largest
coffee plantation. Located in the Westside town of Eleele is Kauai Coffee
Company's Plantation Visitor Center consisting of two restored sugar
cane workers homes overlooking the 3400 acres of coffee and the entire
Westside of Kauai. There are free coffee tastings, a gift shop and displays
of coffee harvest and production. Open 9-5 daily. Free admission. 335-0813.
Tour
the National Tropical Botanical Gardens: Located in Poipu, 20 minutes
from the house, is the Allerton Gardens. Visit the Allerton Estate and
Queen Emma`s cottage and tour acres of tropical plants many of them
some of the rarest plants on earth. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday
at 9am, 10am, 1pm and 2pm. Reservations are required. 742-2623.
Watch
the sunset over Ni`ihau from Polihale Beach: 15 minutes from the
house to the west is the remote beach and state park of Polihale. Polihale
is the end of the beach that begins in Kekaha (in front of the house)
and stretches for 6 miles to the beginning of the Na Pali cliffs. Polihale
at sunset is a magic place with purple and orange skies, creamy colored
sand and crystal clear sea. If you are lucky you will see the "green
flash" as the sun drops below the Pacific Ocean's horizon.
Dinner
at Hanapepe's Café and Espresso Bar: 15 minutes from the
house is Hanapepe, Kauai's "biggest little town". It is the
site of several movies including "Thorn Birds" due to its
authentic old buildings on Main Street. Hanapepe Café and Espresso
Bar has the best vegetarian food on Kauai. Great atmosphere, and live
entertainment on Saturday nights. Reservations are a must: 335-5011.
Visit the many nearby art galleries featuring local artists. Friday
night is 'Art Night' in Hanapepe. Visit the numerous galleries that
are open until 9:00 PM.
Visit
the Kauai Coffee Company Gift Shop.
