High on Kauai

With the multi-million dollar renovations, the Hilton Kauai was pleasing to the eye, its staff most courteous and helpful (valet Kekelani (sp?) was most gracious). The hotel is located close to the airport and within a short drive to the popular spots on Kauai. The lagoon of pools were great for relaxing (though I wish they were inter-connected) and their twilight tiki lighting ceremony is a must see. Internet access is free if you have the code (given when you check-in) but be prepared to wait – there are only two computers for use. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby and by the computers next to the main dining room.

Rooms were clean and come with Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. Housekeeping staff were very friendly and accommodating.

Laundromat was only $1.25 to wash though I heard some people complain that it ate their quarters.

Guest Services was very friendly and helpful. You can go to them to book excursions, though some you should book in advance before you go (see my Tubing review).

Their taglines include "We relish your buns" and "We cheat tourists, drunks, and attorneys." So you know the owners of the place have a good sense of humor. They have the "Girls of Bubba’s" so I guess the place is meant to be a Hawaiian version of Hooters, but this is pretty much a family joint. Burgers are typical homestyle burgers. Prices are great for a family on a budget and definitely get the onion rings. They are crisp and tasty. I got the strawberry banana shake which was made right on the spot and the chili rice which is chili (canned, I think) over a scoop of rice. Canned or not, it was good. I tried the hot dog too, which was cooked in beer. Kind of tasteless, I’d pass on that. Refills on soda are an extra 25 cents. I wanted to try the taro burger, but had no room. Fries were a little greasy and soggy, IMO so stick with the o-rings.

If you’re looking for a quick, cheap but tasty meal, go to Bubba’s.

www.bubbaburger.com

When I heard about this place, it sounded quite odd. "Puke-a dogs?" I said.

"No, it’s ‘poo-ka dogs’" my friend said. Okay, still sounded odd but then I went to the site and looked up what a puka dog was and I have to admit it sounded most interesting.

Located in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shopping center in Poipu, Puka Dogs' homemade buns are spiked and warmed from the inside out (one end of the bun remains closed to hold the sauces), toasting the inside layer before the bun is filled with a secret garlic lemon sauce (mayo that comes in mild, medium or hot) and topped with either a veggie dog or a polish sausage. Other toppings include various Hawaiian style relishes like starfruit, mango, papaya.

I got the papaya relish on the side as I’m not into the sweet and salty mixture and to me the relishes were more like jelly. If you’re into that, go for it! I just got the secret garlic lemon sauce in mild and medium which was neither tart nor garlicky, but it was good. I didn’t think it was all that spicy so if I ever make it over there again I’m going for the hot. The bread was extremely soft and delicious and I could have easily eaten another bun. Sausage was typical polish sausage fare grilled to sizzling juiciness. You can also choose to get traditional toppings like ketchup and mustard (try the lillikoi mustard).

Fresh squeezed lemonade is also available for purchase as well as chips. This basically is the Hawaiian version of Hot Dog on a Stick - not that that's a bad thing...

Puka Dogs made Travel Channel’s "Top 10 Hot Dogs You Have to Try" list. Watch the video clip from Travel Channel on the Puka Dog site.

www.pukadog.com

The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant is located on the North Shore just off the only highway that takes you up to the North Shore.

It is best to go during lunch as it is more affordable. Friends say the "Bull Burger (a filet mignon on a bun)" is to die for - but it's only served at lunch.

We got there for dinner. Our appetizers were the stuffed mushrooms (boring and salty) and the calamari (not rings but strips from calamari steak breaded and fried). We tried their famous seafood chowder and well, it was like most other chowders I've had - creamy, potatoes, seafood, etc.

Complimentary dark and light breads are offered while you wait for your food. Dinner included their house salad, spun at your table with homemade blue cheese or thousand island dressing (no ranch here). Salad includes greens, bean sprouts, tomatoes, and Chinese cabbage. Dressings were tasty but super thick. Oil and vinegar was available at the table.

I had the ceviche and a side order of fries as I was pretty full from the apps and soup. The ceviche was not a typical ceviche as it had some green olives in it. Chunks of fish were soft and creamy but overall the ceviche was not to my liking.

This restaurant was raved about, but I found the food to be diner-like and overpriced. Service was mediocre at best (our server brought out our appetizers in the patio area and forgot to bring utensils. When she did bring the utensils she placed them on the dirty concrete table instead of on a plate or napkin.) With other seafood restaurants on the island, I'd pass this one up in favor of others.

www.hanaleidolphincenter.com/menus.html

Eggberts is apparently known for the pancakes and eggs Benedict so I ordered both. The eggs Benedict was average - nothing special about them. With the pancakes I ordered a short stack - one with papaya, the other with banana. While tasty (try it with the coconut syrup) - it was expensive ($4.50 for the short stack of two pancakes total and $1.50 for each additional flavor. Grand total for two pancakes was $7).

Located in the Coconut Marketplace, you can do a little shopping afterwards. Outside seating was okay. One reviewer wrote they had a great view, but I'm not sure what view they're talking about - the outside seating faces the parking lot and there are trees on the other side of the freeway and that's about it.

They are open for breakfast and lunch. Not the cheapest place for breakfast, by far. Nice to try, but I wouldn't frequent the place, personally.

The exterior of the Wailua Family Restaurant looks a little run down but the interior is fairly clean. Looks like an old Ponderosa or Sizzler setup. We went there for breakfast and they look like they have a nice brunch buffet setup but we all ordered off the menu. They have a $3.99 eggs/toast special which is great if you're on a budget. Try the moco loco which is an island favorite. Sounds gross - but it's delish! A mound of rice is covered with a hamburger patty, over-easy egg and brown gravy over all of it. Eat and enjoy!

I just got eggs, bacon, and pancakes and it's typical breakfast fare - same as you'll get at Eggberts but for half the price. Staff was friendly.

Family-friendly restaurant.

I was craving Chinese food one night and I had the choice of L&L if I went right out of the hotel or No. 1 if I went left. I went left (read my L&L review later).

Their chicken chow mein was a little dry for my taste, the noodles a little undercooked. I also ordered the shrimp and vegetables - which was dry sauteed, no sauce and I have never ordered shrimp and veggies at a Chinese restaurant and it came with no sauce. I survived though - figured it was healthier fare. Got a side of their kim chee - tasted like the stuff you get at the supermarket.

Would I go there again? Probably - it seemed to be one of the only Chinese restaurants on the island. I'll just have to try other dishes on their menu in the future.

Restaurant was clean and tidy and they seem to have a lot of regular clientele.

It has a drive-in but they closed it down awhile ago. L&L is a lower-grade version of Panda Express, if you can imagine that. Their pre-cooked fast food didn't look all that appetizing so I ended up getting a curry beef bowl. Beef was chunky and chewy and sauce was bland. Rice was overcooked. I threw most of it away. Nothing appetizing about this place. I should have kept driving to the McDonald's a block away...

www.napaliriders.com

There are many companies that'll take you up the beautiful NaPali coast off of Kauai. The prices vary greatly and as I was on a budget I went for one of the least expensive ones. NaPali Riders is a small operation that runs out of Kalaheo/Waimea while most run out of Port Allen. Once you sign in and pay (if you didn’t pre-pay), everyone gets back in their cars and convoys over to the dock where your 30-ft.Zodiac Rigid-Hull Inflatable Raft awaits you. If you’re not sure what a Zodiac is, it’s an inflatable lightweight boat constructed with its sides and bow made of flexible tubes containing pressurised gas.

As you are in a zodiac and not a catamaran or larger boat, NaPali Riders is able manoeuvred into a couple sea caves (provided the waters are not overly choppy). The ride is a wild one (take Dramamine if you get sea sick) – it’s like a roller coaster ride from the point of departure to the first scenic overlook. Calmer ride is in the back of the boat and they usually put the kids and teens in the front of the boat where they’ll get wet and have a crazy ride – though everyone will eventually get wet.

It’s quite a site and your "cruise director" will point out various spots where major films were shot. Last stop is the snorkeling in a bright blue reef. I didn’t see too many fish, but I didn’t stay in that long.

Excursion includes about a half hour of snorkeling – you can bring your own gear or they will supply it for you. Fee is under $100 and includes light snacks.

Go with the earlier tours as you're more likely to see dolphins, sea turtles and the like when the waters aren't overcrowded with boats.

Fee does not include gratuities, but tips are always welcome.

www.kauaibackcountry.com/tubing.html

This is a must-do excursion if you visit Kauai. Kauai Backcountry offers zipline tours also, but the tubing adventure books up to two months in advance during peak seasons.

I was able to get in after calling their toll-free number for a booking (nothing was available when I tried to book online). According to Guest Services at my hotel, they weren't able to get any of their guests on the tubing trip as it is so popular.

Set on a privately owned sugar plantation, your tubing adventure takes you down a man-made (meaning no machines) irrigation ditch from the 1870s. It’s all fresh water and there are no leeches, fish, etc. in the water, so no worries. Tubers get a quick orientation at the KB meeting place and everyone gets a pair of gloves and a miner’s cap. The tubing takes you through a series of man-made tunnels so the cap comes in handy (Get ready to say "Lights on!" and "Lights off!") After that, everyone piles into a couple of transportation trucks to be shipped off to the drop-off point (Papa and Tim were our drivers). Our guides that day were Erika and Leilani, two great guides.

The ride was mild and just plain fun. Take a waterproof camera with you to take pictures. Young kids are welcome and the guides are always there to help them.

Water shoes are required (if you don’t have them they are available for rent for $3) If you plan on doing any kayaking or other water bound excursions, you’re better off just buying a pair for under $10 at Wal-Mart. Who wants to wear someone else’s shoes anyway?

The excursion includes a sandwich lunch (ham or turkey) and a stop at the swimming hole where lunch is served. The whole trip from drop off to pick up takes about three hours. There are some sites online that offer 10% off though I don’t know if it’ll work for peak periods.

My advice (and this is from experience) is to book this trip after a more strenuous one like kayaking or hiking (see my other Kauai excursion reviews). This is the most mild and relaxing and best served after aching muscles from other excursions!

The day we went we got to see the base camp and set for the upcoming film "Tropic Thunder" starring Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Jack Black. Our guide, Leilani, was cast to be an extra in a few scenes.

Many outfits take you down the Wailua River (featured in the film DRAGONFLY) with a hike to the "Secret Falls" - all at various prices. The family-owned Kayak Wailua was the least expensive that I found (almost half of what you would pay if you went through the concierge at the hotel). The price is due to minimal advertising and good word of mouth and it’s B.Y.O. (bring your own lunch/snacks).

The trip takes about 4 ½ hours and costs about $40 with a standard 15% gratuity added on. An extra $5 will get you a better seat with back support on the kayak (which almost everyone gets and is highly recommended).

You’ll meet at the Shell gas station located at 4-350 Kuhio Highway, Wailua, Kauai just north of the Wailua River on the Makai (ocean) side. Sign in, pay, get snacks at the Shell Mart if you didn’t already bring them and go through a quick orientation with their friendly guides. Our guide that day was local Nathaniel (with his charming Hawaiian accent), one of the sons of the proprietor, Pete – who drove us to the launch site. After orientation, you’re driven over to the river (a quick couple of minutes) and off you go. First half of the trip takes about 45 minutes and be prepared to weave around if you’re a first timer.

Once you "park" your kayak at the destination, you have to traverse a small portion of the river so it’s wise to wear water shoes or sneakers you don’t care that you’ll get dirty/wet. Hike to the "Secret Falls" takes a good half hour (at least a mile or so) over fairly rough terrain. The day we went it was dry but my muddy shoes made it a little slippery. Ground is overgrown with tree branches so it makes it hard to walk in some places. I’m not much of a hiker so this definitely was not my favorite part.

Once you get to the Secret Falls it is all worth it. Beautiful Falls and a swimming hole (it’s brisk but refreshing!) await you. Enjoy your lunch and snacks and take a dip. If you’re a Lost fan, this is the fall that was featured in the episode "Whatever the Case May Be" where Kate and Sawyer find a private swimming hole and take a dip only to discover a suitcase and a victim from the crash.

Hike back the way you came, cross the river and kayak back. It’s easier kayaking back than to because you’re not facing into a tailwind.

The trip is good for all ages, life jackets are provided if you want them. Dry bags and cooler bags are provided for you as well.

Wear plenty of SUNSCREEN, even if it’s cloudy out! I put on sunscreen but still got burned. Remember to reapply after the swimming hole!

http://kayakwailua.com/index.html

Most ads and guidebooks claim that the Smith’s Garden Luau is the best on the island, but I beg to differ. I was lucky enough to go to both luaus on my trip and I have to say the Hiva Pacifika Luau at the Resort Quest Hotel was the better of the two. Hiva Pacifika was the one recommended by our concierge and the cost was approximately $60 (average for luaus).

Once you check in, head out to the pool area where you get "lei’d" by one of the welcoming party and your group picture taken (to be later sold to you after dinner). Enjoy maitais, rum punch, or well drinks while you are serenaded by a Hawaiian band as you overlook the calming ocean. Two well-buffed Hawaiian guys bring out the pig that has been roasting all day for your viewing pleasure (and boy did it smell good). Then a couple of the dancers demonstrate some typical Hawaiian dancers before you are escorted over to the tented area where the buffet is set up and dinner is served. (Check out video I took at youtube. Do a search for "Hiva Pacifika BeTheBuddha".)

The luau is currently housed in a tented arena as the original site burned down and is being rebuilt.

Buffet includes the kalua (no, not the liqueur) pig, and kalua turkey (made me think of Thanksgiving) prepared in an authentic imu (underground oven). Fresh fruit (pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe), bean sprout salad, sweet potatoes, beef teriyaki, and rice are among the offerings on the buffet. Rice pudding and coconut "Jell-O" are part of the dessert offerings.

After everyone gets a chance to gorge on the food, the show begins. The Hiva Pacifika luau features more traditional Hawaiian/Polynesian dances while Smith’s showcases dances of all Asian nations. I liked this set up better because the stage was closer and easier to see than the one at Smith’s (see that review). The MC sang the Hawaiian Wedding song while one of the beautiful dancers danced to the music. At the end of the show (approximately one hour) everyone is hoarded outside to see the fire dancer – up close and personal. Once he’s done it’s a free-for-all for pics with the dancers and the MC.

If you go to one luau on Kauai, I would go to Hiva Pacifika.

The Smith Garden Family Luau is probably one of the most popular luaus on the island. The luau has been taking place for over 50 years and the grounds at Smith's is beautiful.

Book online or use your AAA card at the entrance and save 10% off the $70 entry fee.

Once you enter, get lei'd (we got orchids, not the cheap shell leis), and your family portrait taken, you'll take a tram ride around the gardens where you'll see many indigenous plants and lots of birds - peacocks and the like - (you can buy a ziploc bag of feed for 50 cents to feed the birds). You'll get a picturesque view of the Sleeping Giant. Once the tram ride is over, you hang around the Imu for the Imu ceremony where two strapping young men uncover the tea leaves and rocks and basically excavate the kalua pork that has been cooking in the underground oven all day. One of the Smith’s narrates the whole thing with humor.

Once the ceremony is over it’s off to the buffet area where drinks are served – maitais, punch, well drinks, soda, etc. are available. Once everyone is seated, each table is called to go to the buffet so that it’s not overcrowded. Offerings include kalua pork, mac salad, beef teriyaki, Hawaiian sweet potato (or purple yam), sweet & sour mahi mahi, poi, lomi salmon, fresh fruit, coconut cake, jello, and rice pudding. Guests are serenaded throughout dinner with the house band. Once everyone has eaten their fill it’s off to the amphitheatre area where the show begins.

Unlike the Hiva Pacifika show which is more traditionally Hawaiian, this show features a Japanese fan dance, a Filipino stick dance, and an extremely lame Chinese dragon dance (I’ve seen better at local homegrown functions). Show includes an erupting volcano and other ethnic dances as well.

I didn’t care for the show at this luau partly because the stage was set off from the crowd (separated by a small waterway) so I couldn’t see the dancers as well. Food was similar to Hiva Pacifika’s though I liked HP’s food better. It’s worth going once, but not a second time, IMO.

www.smithskauai.com/luau.html