Commonly Asked Questions
What is the Weather Like, What should We Pack, Do I need to Rent a car, Where do I recycle and more!
Do I Need a Rental Car on Kauai?
Yes, it is recommended that you rent a car when you are visiting the Garden Isle of Kauai! Although we only have one major “highway” on the island, it takes approximately 3 hours to drive from one end on the North Shore to the opposite end on the West Side (i.e. from Haena to Kekaha). A car is necessary to drive to many picturesque towns, beaches, and waterfalls. You don`t want to miss out on the scenic drive up to Waimea Canyon and the Kokee lookout!
There is public transit available; however, the bus routes are limited and time-consuming when trying to explore all the beauty that Kauai has to offer. Rental scooters are available; however, many of the roads do not accommodate bicycles or scooters safely.
If you prefer not to drive, tour buses are available and are a great way for informative, guided tours of the island`s main attractions! There are taxis, Lyft and Uber. The Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu has rental cars through Avis.
To find the best price for a rental car, we suggest checking hotwire.com often so you learn to recognize the good deals when they appear. It is highly advisable to book your rental car well in advance if visiting the island during the peak season as cars do sell out and the rates can skyrocket! Check out local car rental companies for deals, too. You can try aloharents.com or hawaiidiscountcarrental.com as well.
Also, Turo.com is very popular on Kauai and you will likely get a better deal through them.
There are car rentals in the Poipu area and Speedi Shuttle offers a shuttle service between the Lihue airport and Poipu.
The Perfect 7 Days on Kauai
| Escape to Kauai and explore breathtaking beaches, indulge in mouthwatering cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of the island. From tranquil mornings by the ocean to exhilarating hikes through lush landscapes, each day is filled with incredible experiences that will leave you longing for more. |
| Hit the Beach |
| Start your ultimate 7-day vacation at Poipu Beach Park, where you can relax, swim, snorkel, and spot turtles. Rent equipment at Nukumoi Surf Co and satisfy your cravings with lunch and a refreshing shave ice from Brennecke’s Deli. As the day winds down, head to the Beach House Restaurant for a delightful dinner, stunning sunset views, and some casual surfer watching. |
| Get Outside |
| Begin your day with a breathtaking sunrise hike on the Mahaulepu Coast Trail then treat yourself to a delicious breakfast at Kauai Poke, overlooking the picturesque Poipu Bay Golf Course. For a cultural experience, explore local stores like Sueoka’s for grocery shopping. Don’t forget to visit the Koloa Fruit Stand on the bypass road and savor a cocktail at the Honu Bar at the Marriott before enjoying a relaxing dinner at your vacation rental. |
| Check Out Town |
| Embark on a memorable adventure to the North Shore, offering an array of beaches, attractions, shopping, and golfing options. As you make your way back to Poipu, savor a delectable dinner at Hukilau Lanai. |
| Catch Some Waves |
| Get ready for some water excitement with a surfing or paddleboarding lesson at Kauai Surf School. Enhance your day by exploring the National Tropical Botanical Garden with a guided tour. Cap off the evening with a delightful dinner at ocean-front RumFire, located at the Sheraton. |
| Take a Hike |
| Venture west for a day of hiking at Kokee, a visit to the Kokee Natural History Museum, and relaxing stops at Polihale Beach and Salt Pond Beach. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the visitor’s center at Kauai Coffee. For a satisfying lunch or dinner, indulge in the flavors of Japanese Grandma’s Cafe. If it’s a Friday, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Hanapepe’s Art Night. |
| Explore Poipu |
| Dive deeper into the wonders of Poipu with a Kauai Cart rental, offering convenient transportation to must-visit spots like Kaneiolouma, Spouting Horn, and the enchanting orchid and cactus gardens at Kiahuna Plantation. Refuel at The Cabana, located at the Poipu Beach Athletic Club, where you can enjoy a scrumptious lunch or dinner. |
| Soak Up the Sun |
| On your final day, take a leisurely walk along the Hapa Trail to Koloa, where you can explore charming shops and indulge in delightful dining experiences. Spend the afternoon at Sheraton’s Beach, soaking up the sun and the beauty of the surroundings. For a grand finale, immerse yourself in the spirit of Hawaii with a luau dinner and captivating entertainment. |
Recycling on Kauai
According to the County of Kauai, the recycling rate of Kauai is 44 percent, which is above the national average of 34 percent; we hope to maintain that strong effort. Recycling is one of the more common questions we receive from guests, which is great because the more people that “go green” the easier it is to keep Kauai clean for everyone.
Recycling on the South Side
Lawai Post Office parking lot, 02-3687 Kaumualii Hwy, Tues & Wed & Sat 8 am-noon
If you are staying in Poipu during your visit, there are two other locations that guests can go to for recycling. For guests staying on property that are under the Poipu Kai Association, there is a recycling location just next to the Poipu Kai and Aston office. It is immediately to your left if driving onto Pe`e Road from Poipu Road.
If you are not staying in the Poipu Kai area, another recycling location that you may go to is in the parking lot behind Brennecke`s Restaurant. The restaurant is right across Poipu Beach.
Malama Aina. Translation: to take care of the land. To be able to visit here, let alone live here, and experience all that is Kauai is a blessing. The least we can do is clean up after ourselves so others too can enjoy the beauty of Kauai just as we did.
Late Flight? What to do?
Many flights leave Kauai late in the day or late in the evening. Late checkouts are not always available last minute. You might want to consider reserving a late checkout when you make your reservation. It is half nights rate and you can stay until you leave for the airport. Having a place to stay on the last day is a lot less stressful and truly gives you another day of vacation!
If you depart late at night you can check with the Kauai Beach Resort, Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort, Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, or the Grand Hyatt Kauai about a day pass as long as rooms are available. You can secure a booking where you can shower, rest up, and relax as you prepare for your flight. Here is the contact information for resort passes at the hotels.
If you have just stayed at Kiahuna Plantation or at a property with a membership to the club, you are eligible to purchase a departure pass. So, play some basketball, work on your tennis serve, put in work at the fitness center, then lounge around the pool to cool off, have a drink and a meal at The Cabana, and make good use of the shower and locker area. For more information: http://poipuclub.com/departure-pass-program/.
Need a place to store your luggage? Elite Baggage, in Kapaa, 808-639-6756.
Schedule an activity! There are short tours that will not take up much of the day and you can head straight to the airport afterward without worrying about having to clean up and change clothes. Take, for instance, the 2-hour sunset sail with Holo Holo Charters or Captain Andys. You will get to sail the south shore, food and drinks are provided, and you may even be surprised by sightings of humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins along the way. Other tours I recommend are the Mahaleupu Beach horseback rides with CJM stables, the Wiki Wiki Zipline with Just Live, and the full circle tour with Island Helicopters.
Last-minute shopping? We may not be known for our shopping centers, but there is certainly something for everyone. I am not suggesting a shopping spree, but maybe gifts to take home to friends and family members. Or, how about some local food to bring on the plane? If you are staying on the south shore one place that is worth a stop is Aloha Exchange. They are located in the small town of Kalaheo and their locally based products make for great remembrances.
One of the best things you can do as a family, a group of friends, or if it is just you and your partner, is to go out for dinner or lunch together. Talk about your stay, reminisce on the adventures, and look forward to the next one! Some of the best places I recommend going to are Keokis Paradise, Dukes Restaurant, Merrimans Restaurant, Gaylords, or Hualanis; all are great spots for serving parties of all sizes.
Kauai Humane Society
The Kauai Humane Society (KHS) has developed a unique program that gives our island visitors an opportunity to borrow a dog for the day. When I am walking my dog, Chew E Lewis, I often have tourists come up to me and want to pet him, and they share with me how much they miss their dogs. They often say they need their dog fixed. Well, you can satisfy your dog withdrawal by going to our Kauai Humane Society and picking up a friendly dog to share a day at the beach and/or a hike. The dogs wear an adopt me vest, which gives them a chance to possibly meet their next owner. Sometimes, the tourists take the dogs home with them permanently, too. This innovative program, called “Shelter Dogs on Field Trips”, has been around for about two years now.
The main goal of the program is for people to enjoy the natural beauty of Kauai while taking along a shelter dog on an adventure. The dogs enjoy getting to hike, run on the beach, and swim in the ocean but really enjoy receiving lots of love and attention.
People love the opportunity to take a field trip with a shelter dog. Many visitors actually return to KHS to do a second or third field trip during their vacation and have shared that it was the best part of their trip.
Borrowers are provided with water, bags, towels, and all kinds of other goodies to make the experience even better.
By the way, it is okay to fall in love! On average, four dogs a month are adopted to visitors. The Kauai Humane Society even helps orchestrate the trip home if you do choose to take your new friend back with you.
Pick-up hours
11 am to 1 pm Tuesday-Friday
10 am to 12 pm Saturday and Monday
Return by
5:30 pm Tuesday-Friday
3:30 pm Saturday and Monday
Dog-friendly places to visit include:
Mahaulepu Beach, Poipu
Kalapaki Beach, Lihue
Sleeping Giant, Wailua
Moalepe Trail, Wailua
Wailua Arboretum, Wailua
Kokee State Park/Waimea Canyon
Most beaches allow dogs unless they are county-maintained beaches or parks. Kapaa Beach Path is the only exception.
Guidelines:
Participants must be at least 18 years old
A liability waiver must be signed.
Your credit card number will be recorded for a $200 deposit in the event the dog is not returned.
Dogs must be in an enclosed vehicle (no riding in an open convertible or in the open bed of a truck).
Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed off-leash or in any dog park.