Travel Note

Travel Tips

We appreciate our family and friends making the big journey to our little paradise in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to celebrate our special day! We wanted to share some Kauai travel tips so you can best prepare for your trip and know what to expect as you explore one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Flight

Arriving

Lihue Airport (LIH) is only airport on the island. Once you arrive, you’ll find that the airport is so tiny that it only takes less than five minutes to get off the plane and onto the street. If you’re picking up a rental car, there are shuttles to take you to the pick-up spot but since the rentals are right across the street, you can also walk to save some time.

Travel Note

Getting Around

The Island Kauai is a very small island connected by a highway that goes around 75% of the island. You cannot drive through the northwest part of the island as that’s where you’ll find the steep cliffs and remote coasts that make up Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. In fact, driving between the two furthest points in Kauai would take less than 1.5 hours one way. Ubers/Lyft Ubers and Lyfts are available but are limited. You’ll find no more than 1 or 2 cars are available at a time. They are best used to get between the major towns on the island. For context, it costs ~$40 and takes 20 mins to go from airport in the east to the Grand Hyatt in Poipu in the south. Rental Cars Rental cars are the way to go if you want to see all the natural wonders of Kauai. It is called the Garden Isle for a reason! Epic waterfalls, lush jungles, and jaw-dropping lookouts are around every corner. Fruit Stands Fruit stands are all over the island and the best way to experience the delicious pineapples and coconuts that Hawaii is known for. Keep an eye out though, as they are usually right off the main roads that connect the towns. If you aren’t paying attention, you’ll speed right past them.

Travel Note

South Coast

Poipu is on the south coast and where the welcome BBQ and Shipwreck beach are located. It has a chill small town beach vibe. While you’re in the south part of the island, 20 minutes west of Poipu are several very small towns, including Eleele, where Captain Andy’s disembarks. Heading north from this area takes you up to Waimea Canyon and Koke’s State Park, which is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It’s worth including this on your list of must-go places as it lives up to its name.

Travel Note

North Coast

Princeville is a town on the North Coast. It is very developed and picturesque master planned community. To the west of it is Hanalei, the last town before the Na Pali coast. This small frontier town is bustling with shops, restaurants, and tourists. One of the best beaches on the island is Ke’e Beach in the Haena State Park. To get there, you must purchase a pass before arriving! You can do this at gohaena.com. Tickets become available 30 days in advance, and are $5 per person, $10 per car, or $35 if you take a shuttle.

Travel Note

East Coast

Lihue, where the airport is located, is the probably the most developed and commercial area (streetlight and strip malls). Hamura Saimin is a local restaurant 5 minutes from the airport. They specialize in Saimin, the Hawaiian version of ramen. I recommend adding a generous serving of their special spicy mustard, and brace yourself for some ridiculously delicious ramen. Cash only with counter only seating. Go early since it is always packed. Just north of Lihue are the towns of Wailua and Kapa’a, where most of the locals live. Hikes to rivers and waterfalls are super accessible.

Hotel

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection