First Impressions of Kauai, Hawaii

When I first was asked to join my parents in Kauai, Hawaii for a week to help them celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary, I was happy to be going for a vacation but not sure what to expect.  From other people, we had been given varying opinions on what we may see or do – from “there is absolutely nothing to do on Kauai” to “it’s so beautiful, you won’t want to leave”!  I guess it depends on the person giving the advice and on what they enjoy most on vacation. 

It’s a small island, quick to get around by car, with winding, narrow roads.  Few people live here, and there aren’t many chain restaurants or stores.  Grocery stores try hard to stock up on locally grown produce and meat, while importing some of the higher quality non-perishables from the mainland.  Houses are often seen with solar panels upon their roofs, and lush, green vegetation is observable for miles.  The beaches are small but sandy and clean; the surf can be quite high and fast.  It’s a beautiful island with a local mentality that more and more I am moving towards. The very few roads make it busy at times getting from one place to another, but with a population of approximately 70,000 (without tourists), there isn't a lot of traffic gridlock.  

Our first day on Kauai was a very long one, but it had a lot to do with us arriving at 6:30 AM and being unable to get into the rental house until 4 PM.  After picking up our Hertz rental car (an ordeal in and of itself that I probably would not do again), we navigated our way to Po’ipu, where the house is located.  It’s not far from the airport at Lihue, around a 30-minute drive.  The most beautiful and throw-back in time we saw along the way was the road through this overgrown tunnel of trees – literally a tunnel!  Koloa is a nearby town that could be missed if you blink, on the way to Po’ipu, but apparently there is some historical significance here due to the sugar plantations that previously were the main economical commodity.  Now we hear that sugarcane is gone, coffee is a large resource, but genetically modified seeds are what is bringing money into this island (aside from tourism, of course). 

Po’ipu is the ‘tourist’ area of the island.  There are streets and streets of brand name hotels – Wyndam, Sheraton, Hyatt, Marriott.  Along with these massive resorts, condos sold for timeshares or vacation property are prominent, along with vacation homes rented out by owners. 

Po’ipu is a very small town, but there are a number of amenities.  Aside from the public beaches (small but adequate), there are golf courses, quaint shops selling island and local goods, restaurants, bars or lounges, and a Starbucks!  This Starbucks, we’ve quickly learned, is where people hang out beginning at 6AM right throughout the day.  It also seems to be the only place with reliable Wifi, so I imagine that has a lot to do with its popularity!  I see people walking in all the time with iPads, tablets and phones to check mail and check in. 

Bryan and I found a little burger restaurant at the Po’ipu Shopping Village that was open for breakfast at 8AM yesterday, Po'ipu Tropical Burgers.  Food was tasty and quick to arrive, and satisfied our hunger.  We returned later for lunch for chili and a clubhouse.  Both were good, but we’ve definitely had better elsewhere.  However, their menu boasts some interesting and unique burger combinations – pineapple and bacon are main features in a lot of their dishes.  For me, having pineapple in my chili more than made up for the lack of chili spice the dish contained.  I think I may have to include this in my future recipes! 

It’s different renting a house for vacation.  It’s different having to drive everywhere as well.  I do love, however, living like a local and trying to experience a new place as one would if they lived there.  Grocery shopping is expensive!  But, I suppose I wouldn’t feel the need to eat as much nor stock up only on weekends when the weather is nice enough to walk to the store everyday!  For a week, this will be a great little town to just relax in, before I head home to the final chaos I have to face before my dance show and my final paper for school!