Kauai March 2003

If you have kids between the ages of five and eighteen, I highly recommend the Kipu Falls Safari. It is well worth the time and money. For snorkeling and boat tours, Blue Dolphin Charters treated us very well. Superb service and experience.

Quick Tips:

Try and stay in Kapa'a or Lihue vice Princeville or Poipu. This will give you a much shorter drive to both the north and west shores of the island. Also, there are more activities conveniently close!

Best Way To Get Around:

You must have a car to conveniently and easily get around Kauai.

Best Things Nearby:
Hanalei, Ke'e Beach, and golf.

Best Things About the Resort:
Quiet and clean. Nice pool.

Resort Experience:
We were delighted when we arrived and saw just how nice the resort and unit was. It is located in a beautifully landscaped area located on a bluff and away from the main thoroughfare. We stayed in unit 12F. This unit has one of the best views in all of Ali’i Kai. We could see both the mountains and ocean from our lanai.

The Sweetwater, a.k.a., Ali’i Kai II, is located directly across from the Cliffs Resort. The area is very quiet; the only sounds are the birds singing, the palm trees swaying, and the soft background sound of the ocean. The unit was very clean and well-maintained. There were beach towels, dishwasher soap, and a cooler in the room. We had no problems with insects, but took all the necessary precautions. Our family of six (my wife, three elementary age children, my mom, and me) found it to be spacious and comfortable, though the bathrooms are small. There are no TVs in the bedrooms, but that was a bonus for us – the kids socialized more. There are no onsite activities and it is a long drive to Kapa’a or Lihue. The onsite pool and gas grills were clean and enjoyable to use.

We only had three minor issues that deserved management’s attention. They were: the water pressure in the showers was very low (clogged shower heads), the mattress in the master bedroom felt like it had never been flipped or turned (I flipped it), and there was no smoke detector (reinstalled). The staff was very responsive, professional, and friendly. Be aware that the Ali’i Kai Office doesn’t open on SAT until about 3:30pm for check in, and they do not allow late checkouts. On a scale of 1 to 10, we’d give this place a 7.5.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Excellent

Great lunches here, but the dinners are weak. Not kid friendly at night. Service is sometimes good and other times mediocre. Very convenient attached to the shopping center. Live entertainment also provided in the evenings.

This is a very popular hike. You'll come across lots of folks. Go early in the morning before the parking lot gets full. Pick up a walking stick as you start--you will need it. The trail is uneven, slippery, muddy, and wet. Wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes that you don't mind turning "Kauai Red" from the mud. The scenery from the trail is breathtakingly beautiful! The hike takes about 4.5 hours at a leisurely pace, longer with children.

Combination kayaking, hiking, and swimming tour. First we kayaked on the Hule'ia River, a beautiful jungle stream. Where the river gets shallow, we tied our kayaks to a tree and hiked about a mile up the valley to a gorgeous area of waterfalls and a swimming hole. The kids enjoyed rope swinging into the waterhole. Then we jumped onto a covered wagon for a fabulous trip across Kipu Ranch pulled by a John Deere tractor to Kipu Falls trailhead. The scenery was awesome.

We then hiked down to a picnic spot at the waterfall's edge, ate lunch, and spent about an hour swimming. The kids loved it! From there, we traveled by covered wagon to a jungle trail, where we hiked less than a mile down to the river landing. We boarded a twin-hulled powered "canoe" for a delightful cruise back down river. This is well worth the money and time!

This is a fantastic trip that allows you to both see the Na Pali coast in the evening when the sunlight is perfect, as well see whales (in season), dolphins, and turtles, too! My kids really enjoyed the boat ride and the sites. My mom loved the stability of the boat and the "free" pupus and drinks. It was a really great experience made even better by the superb service of the crew!