KAPA'A, Hawaii -- Kauai’s scenic countryside is literally just a short hop away from Oahu, but a visit here feels millions of miles away from Honolulu’s hustle and bustle.
Oahu has its charms, with a healthy mix of aloha and big city flavor. But you’ve surely wondered what Oahu might have looked like before the bulk of skyscrapers and concrete made its way ashore.
You can satisfy that curiosity by spending a relaxing, adventurous weekend on the Garden Isle. Service members visiting or stationed on Oahu might find Kauai an ideal getaway, or a “vacation within a vacation,” as one tourist put it.
“Kauai was the last leg of my island adventure, and was by far my favorite part of the islands,” said traveler Shannon O’Dell, visiting from Albuquerque, N.M. “I love the Big Island and Oahu, but I’m so thankful I had the chance to visit this place - and it was the perfect way to end my trip”
One interesting fact O’Dell pointed out (between giggles) was that she saw hundreds of brightly hued wild chickens during her Kauai trip. The unavoidable birds are testament to just how country the island truly is, and if nothing else, provide plenty of free entertainment as they peck around in large groups.
Entertainment here runs from free to cheap to moderately expensive, and occasionally gets to levels some might consider ridiculous. But regardless of your budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to run out of things to do.
If you prefer tours and activity agents, you can put one of Kauai’s many travel experts to work for you.
“We pretty much have something for everyone here,” said Melanie Wright, an activity specialist with Kauai Activity Wholesalers. “A lot of people show up and aren’t sure about their options, so we help them out and make sure they have a good time.”
Wright recommends one of the many helicopter tours to get the proverbial birds-eye view of the island, but one of her favorite suggestions is the “adventurous - but - safe Zip ‘n Dip” expedition offered by Princeville Ranch Adventures, located near the Hanalei River.
For a reasonable price, knowledgeable guides fit you with a rappel harness and truck you into the hills where you’ll zip along cables hundreds of feet above valleys and streams. It’s an exciting way to cover a great deal of area in a short period of time, and between zips the guides lead you to a cool-water swimming hole and waterfall for a swim while they prepare hippyish-yet-tasty lunch of pitas, fruits and vegetables (To the guides’ defense, the pitas did include meat and they even offered cookies).
“The zip tour is a good opportunity to view wild tourists in their natural habitat,” said Rich Fater, a tour guide at Princeville Ranch. “You start out on an easy zip line and work your way up to some more exciting lines.”
Fater is originally from the Virgin Islands, but is a bit reminiscent of the Jamaican characters on the old TV show “In Living Color,” with a list of interesting, colorful jobs. He’s a photographer, a massage therapist, a tour guide, and on top of that he gave up a lucrative career in the financial sector so that he could live and pursue an endless summer in beautiful Kauai. It’s hard to blame him, as you’re zipping 30 miles per hour, 400 feet in the air, past endless acres of lush greenery, all of which Fater calls “my office.”
For the adventurous do-it-yourselfers out there, you can break away from the crowd and visit Kayak Kauai, located in Hanalei. They’re one of the few outfitters located on the water willing to rent equipment without a guide.
Another opportunity for adventurous souls is an 11 to 12-mile hike along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Located on the north shore, it’s a demanding daylong haul for the more experienced, diehard hikers out there. The payoff has been thousands of years in the making: magnificent mountains, canyons carved by wind, rain and waves, and rare wildlife. Birdwatchers can view red-footed boobies, the Laysan albatross and the amazing “great frigate” bird with its 8-foot wingspan.
Finding a savvy local is usually the best way to have a good time without breaking the bank. Fater, from the zip-line tour, is happy to help out, so if you stop by Princeville Ranch make sure you pick his brain.
“The Na Pali hike is cheap to do, and just amazing,” Fater said. “It’s a bit treacherous, but it’s actually life changing . . . I’ll never forget it. High winds, tall cliffs and huge crashing waves during the winter all add to the adventure.”
Some of the can’t-miss activities here include visiting the Grand Canyon-like Waimea Canyon, and the center-island “wettest place on earth” Mt. Waialeale. With an average of more than 472 inches of rain each year, it makes for a muddy but interesting visit. Last but not least, make sure you visit the famous Kauai beaches and harbors. Although there’s excellent fishing, sailing and more, all of the aforementioned to-dos are unique to the Garden Isle.
With the new Super Ferry service set to begin service to Kauai, right now might be an opportune time to plan a trip. One clear advantage is a cheap trip, not to mention arriving with your own vehicle.
Otherwise, you can find affordable travel packages aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s International Tickets and Tours Office. An ITT travel agent will gladly help service members and other authorized patrons find the best rates and score package travel deals.
So, looking for something fun to do? At this point, you’re out of excuses. Call the Super Ferry, or search local airlines’ discount fares. It seems they’re always on sale, thanks to “price wars” caused by new competition. Start your island hopping campaign this weekend, and return to work Monday with interesting stories and recharged batteries.