Hawaii (State of) Travel Forum

I’m traveling to Hawaii in June with my girlfriend. We have about 12 days to spend, and I think we’re going to divide the time between Oahu, Kauai, and the big island. I was stationed on Oahu for 3 years, so I know a lot about this island. I have never been to Kauai or the big island though.

We are planning on doing a bit of hiking/camping.

What are some of the good hikes on Kauai?
How about on the big island?

Can anybody recommend any campsites on either of these islands?
How about cabins? I’ve been reading about some of these on the big island. Are the cabins worth checking out?

Can someone give me some of their “can’t miss this” suggestions for Kauai?
How about the big island?

Thanks for your help. I can’t wait to get back to Hawaii.

Kauai...not certain where to even start but my choices would be: Wailua Falls, Waimea Canyon Road to the top to Kalalau Lookout, Makana Peak (remember "Bali Hai - South Pacific), Hanapepe Valley Lookout
(remember Jurrasic Park?) and Keahua Forestry Arboretum (picnic, hike, and swim as well).

Thanks for the great info. I was definately going to check out the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It looks like I'll have to plan ahead for the reservations though.

I am also thinking of doing the Kalalau Trail.

Again, thanks for your help.

Hi cougguy,

I'd suggest you pick up two travel guides: %i Hawaii The Big Island Revealed %i and %iThe Ultimate Kaua`i Guidebook%i. Both guidebooks have a very comprehensive listing on hikes with great maps and directions for the casual hiker.

On Kaua`i, for an easy starter, try the Kalalau Trails first two miles to Hanakapi`ai Beach (details on my Hawai`i page). If you started early enough, go the extra two miles inland for the view of the falls. As a more robust hike, try the Nu`alolo Trail and Awa`awapuhi Trail hikes in Koke`e State Park on the west side of the island.

On the Big Island: definitely go see the lava. On our last trip, it was flowing right over the end of %iChain of Craters Road%i. That was Sept. 2002. Not sure where it is flowing now. If you have to cross the old flow to get to it, I'd strongly suggest using a tour guide like we did. Arnott's Lodge (www.arnottslodge.com) offers a lava hike that is excellent. You can read details on my Hawai`i page.

Be sure to get the guidebooks and have a great trip! Be sure to post pictures upon your return.

BCT

Aloha,

In Kauai, check out the Kokee Lodge Cabins. Very affordable.
Hikes all throughout. You may need to book ahead but it's easy.

They say the ultimate Kauai hike is the Kalalau Trail but it's not for beginners. This is 11 miles of the coast of Na Pali. The book "Kauai Revealed" lists this hike under adventures.

I don't know very much about the big island. There is a wonderful travel guide named Rob Pacheco and he can guide you through hikes that are not accessible to just anyone.
Samantha Brown did a feature on him on the Travel Channel.

Have fun,
Sombrah

You can't go the Big Island without hiking down into Waipi'o valley in Honaka'a town. You can take horse tours, or just hike through on your own. There are people living down there with tarot farms and side trails with incredible little waterfalls, wild horses. The hike to the back of the valley can get tough depending on how much it rained the night before but it's very rewarding, it opens up to a huge waterfall where you can climb certain points and jump into the water. This is the most incredible spot on the Big Island. Besides the natural beauty of it...there is the mystical lore that this is where King Kamehaha I grew up, the first great king of Hawaii who united the Islands.
If you want to be a little more adventurous, you could go across Waipi'o valley and take the 'z' trail up into the next valley and continue down the coast. Realistically you could do it all in a day but to really get the sense of adventure I would suggest sleeping overnight. The only thing you have to worry about camping in Hawaii is the centipedes and mosqiutos. There are wild pig in these valleys but as long as your not on thier trails they're not a problem. I've known people to spend a couple weeks valleys just exploring and picking fruit. Some of the natural beauty you will encounter is unparalled on this planet. Have fun. If you need help drop me a line. All my friends and family are on the Big Island. i live in L.A right now but I go home as much as I can. Good luck. I actually have a picture if the waipi'io waterfall and the top of waipi'o valley on my profile. Good Luck
Caleb

Another note on the Big Island...The volcanoes are great too. The cabins are cool, theres a little PX and you can explore the steam vents, sulphur mines, and even have a nice dinner at the volcano house. The hike out to the lava will take a while (well, last time I went it did)
but if you still have your military benefits you can get a really good rate on the cabins out there.
Also, on your way to the volcano make sure you check out South Point, the southern most tip os the U.S, and green sand beach.

You can also take a side trip down to Pu'uhonau O' Honaunau, the city of refuge to learn about ancient Hawaii.
Across the bay is Napoopoo and the Captain Cook monument. You can reach this by Kayak that you'll have to rent from the one of the shops on the main highway. Or just do what I do, go to Mr. Isbell's house and ask if you can borrow one.
The best time to go kayaking in Kealakekua bay is at dawn and dusk...usually you can catch schools of dolphin at these times and some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets you can imagine.

This is where I grew up so please respect the Aina and have fun.
Campsites on the Island I don't know much about. We usually just camp. A great place to go camping on the way to Volcano is Hookena there is almost always cool people down there, you might even run into my sister or father.
All the places I told you about are along the kona coast if you give yourself four days you could do it all.

Sample Itinerary for the Big Island:

Arrive at the airport go to Kua Bay, about 5 miles north stay the night down there, then continue north to Honokaa to Waipio valley Hike to the back then across to Pololu valley find a nice place to camp there then hike back. Head south to Kealakekua rent a kayak (I think it's like $50 for a double for three hours)
get down there before sunset , then head south for Hookena beach. There should already be people down there with campfires and beer so make yourself at home. The next morning head to south point and green sand beach, then on to the volcano. Find your cabin, take a walk to the sulphur mines and steam vents then do a night hike on the lava fields...you can see more that way. Sleep in the next morning because you've been through a lot then head back to Kona. Be sure to stop find some coffee on the way...The best cofee in the world is Kona coffee try to find some from Ahi Wai farms . Any way, I hope I've been helpfull, have fun,
Caleb

Thank you all for the great information.

BlueCollar, I picked up the wizard pub books for Hawaii and Kauai. Your Hawaii page is really helpful. Nice pics too. I think I'm going to day hike into Kalalau. I thought about hiking in and camping, but I've heard it can get crowded.

sombrah, I need to look into the Kokee cabins. They sound like they are exactly what I am looking for.

selfishman, I plan on camping in Waipi'o valley. It sounds like it is really an amazing place. Great itinerary too.

I spent a week on Kauai and 5 days in the BI in Feb. I'd also highly recommend the booksyou bought based on BlueCollar's suggestion.
On Kauai, we did the Nu'alolo Trail hike. It's about 11 miles and the hardest part was at the end, but the views were stunning. We also did a much shorter hike down an unmarked pig trail to the bottom of a waterfall. (I don't remember the name, but it's in the book). You'll need to cross a stream, rappel and free climb a little bit (not a big deal, it was my first time and I did it OK. I just wasn't expecting it), but the waterfall view from the bottom is something. You can swim in the pool there and you'll probably have it all to yourself.
On the BI we hiked in Volcanoes Nat'l Park. We hiked the bottom of a crater, but I think it's different than the one already mentioned. You really should see the lava. In Feb. is was flowing like crazy.
We didn't camp (rented small houses), so I can't help you there.
Have fun. It's beautiful!!

Thanks for the info. A private swimming pools with its own waterfall...sounds like just the thing I'm looking for.

How did you find info on renting private homes? How did that work out? Was it cheaper than staying in hotels?

Thanks

We scoured the internet. There must be thousands of rentals, but the good ones seemed to book early. I don't know what you're willing to pay for a hotel, but we found them to be right in our budget. (About $125/night). We enjoy cooking, so searched out the farmer's markets and made our own food. We only ate out once so we saved a bundle.
As for the rentals, on Kauai we rented from Makai Properties. They were a little disorganized, but the places were very well kept and not very expensive. You can find even cheaper places if you look. It depends on what you want.
Good luck.