Aloha!

Here are a few things to know about Kauai specifically, and to help you improve your blissful stay at Hale Makai:

1) The trip from the Lihue Airport to Hale Makai is less than 30 minutes. My suggestion is that you stop for provisions on the way. Here are a few choices:

Costco: I know you didn't go on vacation to visit Costco, but this particular Costco will be one of the most pleasant Costco experiences you'll ever have. It is never crowded there, and the mountain backdrop is a beautiful setting. You can get bread, cheese, milk, wine, local produce and that bathing suit that you forgot to pack.

Safeway: Open 24 hours/day. Just past the Foodland Market when you are entering into Kapa'a. In my opinion, the best of the Kauai supermarkets. It's right off the highway in Kapa'a town, on the way to Hale Makai.

Papaya: This health food store is in the same shopping center as Safeway. Unlike Safeway, this have fresh baked local breads, and produce.

Hoku: Also in Kapa'a town but slightly north and closer to the historic district. Hoku is a bit easier to get in and out of than the Safeway shopping center. It is also near some restaurants: Olympic Cafe, The Mermaid Cafe and Java Kai if you are a bit peckish.

Healthy Hut: My personal favorite of the three health food stores mentioned. It's at Kilauea Crossing, between mile marker 22-23. When coming from the south, you will have to pass Hale Makai (Anahola) to get there. Great selections. They also have a taco truck.

Farmers Markets: There is at least one every day. The Wednesday Kapa'a, and Saturday Hanalei FM's are the best for food and people watching.

2) Remember if you are traveling from the Mainland, you will most probably wake up very early (Hawaiian time.) Here what opens at 6:00 am.

Java Kai: In Kapa'a town. About 12 minutes away from the house.

Kountry Kitchen: Kapa'a town. Traditional breakfast with Hawaiian tweaks.

Olympic Cafe: Old Kapa'a town, upstairs. They have just about everything on their menu.

Eggburts: In the Coconut Shopping Center in Kapa'a.

Kilauea Bakery: North in Kilauea.

Wake Up Cafe: Further north in Hanalei. Dive with pancakes, cinnamon rolls, hawaiian breakfast. If you haven't yet been to Hanalei, go.

3) Bring 2 pairs of flip flops.

Hawaii has a "no shoes in the house" custom. Life is much easier when you can leave one set at the front door and one set at the back door.

4) Remember Hawaii is the 50th United State.

In Island speak, the continental U.S. is the "Main Land.”

5) Bug repellant:

Unless you are particularly yummy to insects, you won't need repellent on the beaches. You will however, need repellent when you travel into the mountain areas, and when you are away from the beaches at night. Lemon scented soap can help too.

6) No rain, no rainbows:

It rains every day on Kauai. The pineapple showers will last 10-15 minutes. You can almost always drive to a non-rainy spot on the island. Just remember the reason why Kauai is so stunningly beautiful is because of the amount of rainfall..

7) TIPS ON THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

8) PLEASE AVOID DRIVING TO HAENA STATE PARK WITHOUT AN ADVANCE RESERVATION AND PERMIT.

Vehicles without a reservation and permit will be kindly asked to turn around. Park entry is only for the day of the reservation. Please visit https://www.gohaena.com for more information, and note that there is no cellular reception at Haena State Park, so reservations must be made in advance.

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