Why You Should Plan a Trip to Kaua‘i

Hanalei, Kauai

Kaua‘i is the 4th largest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian island chain. It is said to be the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and it’s nickname is “The Garden Island” as 97% is undeveloped and consists of extremely lush mountains, valleys and rainforests. Additionally, Kaua‘i has 43 miles of beaches to explore and, of course, world class surfing! Read on to see why you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i!

The Na Pali Coast

Scenery.

Almost all of the Hawaiian islands have amazing, lush tropical scenery, but Kauai’s landscape is simply stunning. With colorful canyons, the amazing Na Pali Coast, Mt. Waialeale (one of the wettest spots on earth), jaw-dropping waterfalls, beautiful beaches and verdant valleys, there is no shortage of scenery to take in. Many movies and television shows have been filmed in Kaua‘i , such as Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island and South Pacific, due to the incredible landscape. (Check out a list of movies and television shows filmed in Kaua‘i here).

The island receives some kind of precipitation (many times just a short shower) an average of 144 days a year and averages 240 days annually of beautiful, warm sunshine. This weather is apparently perfect for fruit (pineapples, bananas, guava and papaya to name a few), flowers, coffee, macadamia nuts, and a wide variety of vegetables, trees and other foliage to flourish.

Plumeria and Bird of Paradise

Best ways to check out the scenery?
Hiking. There are many great hiking trails for hikers of all abilities. Advanced hikers can trek to epic waterfalls on the interior or the unbelievable green folds and ruggedness of the Na Pali coast.
Driving the island is pretty easy and enjoyable (with the exception of a few areas during rush hour and several one lane bridges on the north side of the island) and a great way to take your time, stop and explore and really experience the different parts of the island.
By Boat. There are many companies that offer boat excursions, primarily to the Na Pali Coast. These excursions are mostly offered in the summer season when the seas on the north shore are calmer.

The Weeping Wall inside Mt Waialeale

Another option? A helicopter ride. To really see the interior and the Na Pali Coast (where there are no roads) a helicopter ride will give you amazing views of the entire island – including The Weeping Wall, an area on Mt. Waialeale that features a long, steep green wall with multiple waterfalls cascading down the grooves of the mountain. We booked a doorless helicopter ride with Jack Charter Helicopters and it was the ride of a lifetime – fantastic! There are many other helicopter options (with doors!) available too. Check out more photos from our helicopter ride here.

Beaches.

Although technically part of the “scenery” covered in the previous paragraph, we’re big on beaches and are dedicating an additional paragraph to them! Kaua‘i’s beaches range from calm and swimmable to rough and scenic. The sand color varies on different parts of the island, but is commonly a golden or light tan. Some beaches have life guards and amenities and others are hidden, remote treasures just waiting for you to find them. (Check out a list of secluded Kaua‘i beaches here).

Mahaulepu Beach

Some of our favorites?
Mahaulepu Beach on the south side. It is actually separated into 3 different parts: Gillin’s Beach, Kawailoa Bay, and Hāʻula Beach and is not the easiest to find – but worth it. There is a small area for swimming, a very long expanse of walkable beach, and some trees for shade. Apparently it’s a favorite of the endangered monk seal. We saw two huge monk seals basking in the sun on the sand while we were there.
Hanalei Bay on the north side is actually comprised of several different beach areas. It’s a large, beautiful bay that with a backdrop of stunning green mountains. In the summer, the bay is calm and great for swimming and SUPing. In the winter, the surf becomes rougher and perfect for surfers.
Kealia Beach on the east side. Although not the best for swimming, the long swath of golden sand is great for walking, running or just enjoying the sunshine. It’s a great place to catch a glimpse of whales during the winter months. The sunrises here are beautiful!

Mai Tai’s at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei

Rum.

The Mai Tai. It seems that the Mai Tai is the rum drink of choice in Hawaii and that left us wondering why. After all, the Mai Tai is said to have originally been created in 1944 by Trader Vic at his restaurant in Oakland. Why then is it so popular in Hawaii? We found the answer quite interesting in this article by Chow Hound. Anyway, after embarking on some “research” during our last trip to Kauai, the best Mai Tai we had was in Hanalei at Tahiti Nui. What’s the secret? No one would tell, but it was good. You can find a recipe for a Mai Tai here.

Rum Tasting at Koloa Rum Company

Kōloa Rum Company. Located in Lihue, the Kōloa Rum Company has a lineup of award winning rums that you are able to sample and buy at their tasting room/store. We attended a tasting, which not only allows you to taste quite a few of their delicious rums, but gives an interesting history of rum on the island. Be sure to sign up as soon as you get there; tastings are on the half hour for 16 people and fill up fast!

Puka Dog, Poipu

Eats.

What should you eat during your time on Kaua‘i ? To start with, opt for fresh fish and fresh local produce whenever you can. Opah, Ono (Hawaiian for “good to eat”), Onaga, Opakapaka (red snapper), Ahi and Mahimahi are all delicious local fish options to try. We couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit during our visit, particularly the Sugarloaf Pineapple, which you can pick up at farmer’s markets or even ordered online.

There are many dining options in Kaua‘i , from fine dining overlooking the ocean to farm to table experiences to food trucks and everything in between. Here are a few casual options that we’re happy we tried:
Puka Dog in Poipu. Although I’ve never been a fan of hot dogs, it was suggested that we try a Puka Dog, or Hawaiian style hot dog while in Poipu. I’m so glad we did! The freshly baked Hawaiian Sweet Bread Puka (means hole) Buns are toasted on the inside only, which creates an interesting texture, then your choice of garlic lemon secret sauce – mild, spicy, hot or lava and your choice of tropical sauce – mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana or starfruit is added. Choose a polish sausage or veggie dog topped off with a generous dollop of Aunty Lilikoi’s Hawaiian Mustard and wash it down with a glass of their fresh squeezed lemonade. Mmmm!
Shave Ice. There’s no better way to cool off after a day on the beach than a cold, sweet and colorful heaping serving of Hawaiian Shave Ice. It can be found in locations all over Kauai and comes in lots of tropical flavors and combinations. See the 5 Best Shave Ice Stands in Kauai according to Hawaii Magazine here.
Bubba Burger’s. We enjoyed our first Bubba Burger in Kaua‘i years ago at their north shore location in Hanalei. Unfortunately the north shore location has closed, but Bubba has 2 new locations; one in Poipu and one in Kapaa. Bubba Burgers are made from Fresh Ground Kaua‘i “Grass Fed” Beef, and are simple, quick and reasonable. This popular eatery is an experience and if you are easily offended by snarky slogans and signs, you might as well go somewhere else. As Bubba says, “Always Juicy–Never Greasy. Where the food’s hot, the service is cold, and the music’s too DAMN LOUD!”

Ziplining in Kauai

Explore and Adventure.

Each time we visit Kaua‘i , we’re amazed at the variety of things to explore. Although we’ve seen a lot, there’s an ever growing list of things to do – or re-do upon our return. Here are just a few suggestions:

Hike the Na Pali Coast. The Kalalau Trail is an 11 mile trail that provides the only land access to the Napali Coast on Kauai. It is a strenuous trail that rewards hikers with incredible vistas of mountains, a rugged coastline and hidden beaches. Many people hike just to Hanakapiai Beach, which is a strenuous 2 miles (each way). Find out more about hiking this incredible trail here and see photos from our hike to Hanakapiai Beach here.
Visit Waimea Canyon. Dubbed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, this colorful 10 mile long and up to 3,600 ft deep canyon is spectacular. There are several lookouts that provide parking and several pullouts to sneak a peak at this geological wonder. Challenging hiking trails and hunting are abundant in and around the canyon as well. Find out more about visiting Waimea Canyon here.
Zipline! Fly above the Kauai rainforest on a zipline adventure with one of several companies providing zipline tours. An exhilarating way to experience the beauty of Kauai! Read more about our Kauai zipline adventure here.
Visit Kauai Coffee Company to taste the different blends of coffee made from beans grown at their plantation, such as Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Big Braddah’s Coffee and Rooster Alarm and take a self-guided walking tour of the estate.
Check out a Farmer’s Market or Arts & Craft Fair to sample and buy some local products.

Koloa’s Kauai Reserve Rum

What to Bring Home.

Want to bring home something that reminds you or your wonderful vacation on Kaua‘i ? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Kōloa Rum – some flavors are available on the mainland, but if you go to a rum tasting and fall in love with one or two, why not bring them back, just in case!
2. Kaua‘i Coffee
3. Macadamia Nuts
4. Tropical Fruit Preserves. Unfortunately the delicious fresh fruit grown on Kaua‘i must be consumed there and cannot be taken home on the airplane. So, why not remember the delicious taste of pineapple, mango, guava or passionfruit with a delicious jar of a locally made fruit preserve?
5. Hand painted ceramic tiles, pottery or fine art from local artists. A good place to shop for this? Banana Patch Studios.
6. Chicken Poop. Say what? I asked our local guide for a suggestion on a local product to bring home for the kids/grandkids and after a few minutes of thinking, she said “Chicken Poop”. After chuckling at my confused look, she told me this story. Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua‘i without warning in 1992. It was a devastating Cat 4, the strongest to ever hit the Hawaiian Islands and it hit Kauai particularly hard. After the hurricane finally passed, locals began to realize the damage and found that the storm had destroyed most of the chicken coups on the island resulting in many escaping into the woods. Today in Kaua‘i , there are a large number of wild chickens and roosters that roam free on the island. Our guide said that the bags of Chicken or Rooster Poop (actually chocolate covered macadamia nuts or almonds) was a way of making light of these now wild creatures that roam as they please. Guess who brought some home?

These are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i . Who’s ready to go?!

Other posts you might enjoy:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Croix

Sunrise in Lihue

Copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Destinations: Hawaii vs. US Virgin Islands

Yesterday on Instagram (be sure to follow us!), we posted a photo of our recent trip to Maui.

ritz-carlton-maui-600
The folks at St. John Fun commented on the photo of the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, asking us how Hawaii compares to the US Virgin Islands. Although we’re far from experts on either destination, we’ve had the good fortune of spending a fair amount of time exploring Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Lānaʻi, as well as the main islands of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

So how do they compare? there are some similarities; both destinations are warm and tropical and US Citizens don’t need a passport to travel to either location. And, both destinations are comprised of several different islands to choose from – each with it’s own personality and attractions. But, both Hawaii and the USVI have their differences and their own distinct vibe. We love both destinations, but which one would suit you better?

In considering the two, remember that Hawaii is an approximately 5 hour flight from California, so the travel time is shorter from the Western US. The USVI (St. Thomas), on the other hand is less than a 3 hour flight from Miami, making a shorter travel time for those in the Eastern US – not that travel time should be the sole reason to consider each destination.

Here are a few other things to consider, and we’ve listed them as the things we love about each of the destinations. See if any of them match your interests!

Maui, Hawaii

What we love about Hawaii
Flowers & Foliage – from the lei you frequently receive upon arrival to the airport or hotel, to the lush and aromatic landscaping, Hawaii is known for its beautiful, proliferous and aromatic flowers.
Surfing – let’s be honest, the North Shore in the winter rocks for surfing. Also being honest – we prefer to watch!
Coffee – Maybe it’s the tropical air, or that coffee beans are just happier in the Aloha State, but coffee grown in Hawaii is delicious. Kona Coffee is exclusively grown on the big island, where the rich volcanic soil is abundant. Tour a coffee plantation and find out how the beans are harvested and processed. If you love it, be sure bring a bag or two home.
Waterfalls – Spectacular waterfalls, made even more spectacular after a good rain, can be found on many of the islands. Some of the most spectacular we’ve seen are on the island of Kauai – one of which, Wailua Falls, was used in the filming of the opening scene of Fantasy Island.
Golf – Hawaii could be described as a golfer’s heaven. With more than 70 courses to choose from, there are plenty of options – some with spectacular signature holes that hug the rugged shoreline. You may want to bring some extra golf balls…
Mai Tai’s – a Mai Tai in Hawaii is a treat for your taste buds, as well as your eyes. Frequently garnished with a colorful flower or two, they’re almost too pretty to drink – although somehow we manage! Find a Mai Tai recipe here.  Sorry we can’t provide a beautiful flower garnish or scenery!
Humpback Whales – We only spotted one on our recent trip, but apparently during the height of whale season, there are hundreds of whales swimming, breaching and playing in the waters surrounding the islands. One local on Maui told us it looks like whale soup!
Rugged scenery – because the Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, much of the topography is rugged, severe and extremely scenic.
Volcanic Mountains – go from a warm sunny beach to the summit of  a mountain in just a few hours – and yes, they do get snow occasionally in Hawaii!
Pineapple – a symbol of Hawaii, pineapple is still grown on several islands and can even be found in the landscaping in areas. Take a tour of a pineapple farm on Maui or Oahu and taste it fresh from the field.
Abundance of fresh seafood – from Ahi to Uku, and from upscale restaurants to food trucks, you will find deliciously fresh seafood everywhere.
History – Hawaii became a US state in 1959, but its history dates back centuries to when the first Polynesians set foot on Hawaii. You can feel the Polynesian influence everywhere and learn more about it at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu and experience Polynesian traditions during an island luau.

St. John - copyright Pamela OttSt. John, USVI

What we love about the US Virgin Islands
Boating & sailing
– the USVI and BVI are a playground for those who enjoy boating and sailing. With fairly calm waters and a variety of islands in close proximity, you can easily explore multiple islands via excursion or by chartering a sailboat or catamaran for the week.
Island hopping – the ferry system in the USVI and BVI also provide excellent opportunities for island hopping. From St. Thomas, it’s only a short ferry ride to St. John and a car barge is also available. There is talk of re-starting the ferry from St. Thomas to St. Croix, but at this time, we recommend taking the short hop over on a seaplane!
Beaches – the beaches of the USVI are top notch. Each of the US Virgin Islands has its share of beautiful, white sand beaches with St. John having more than its fair share! Oh and that water…turquoise, clear and warm…ahhh…
Rum – Rum is king in the VI and bottles can be purchased at a very reasonable price. Take a tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery on St. Croix (with a tasting bar at the end of the tour!) and experience the Captain Morgan Visitor Center (also on St. Croix) for a historical overview of the rum industry – and more rum tasting, of course!
Beach bars – beach bars abound in the USVI and offer a great relaxed place to enjoy the sunshine, some conversation, live music at times and a Painkiller or frosty Bushwacker or two..
Caribbean lobster – ohhh….the buttery taste of fresh Caribbean lobster! Delicious, but only served in lobster season – between November and June each year.
Hiking – while some people wouldn’t think of hiking as an activity to embark on during a tropical vacation, it’s a great way to experience the USVI – especially St John, where a National Park covers approximately 60% of the island which is crisscrossed with great hiking trails.

What do you love about Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands? Leave a comment for us below! If you have an specific questions on each destination, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we’ll try our best to advise.

For more information on these and other island destinations, be sure to check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.