Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [419]
Sights
KAPA′A BEACH PARK
From the highway, you’d think that Kapa′a is beachless. But along the coast is a mile-long ribbon of beach that’s very low-key and local. While the whole area is officially a county park called Kapa′a Beach Park, that name is commonly used only for the northern end, where there’s a grassy field, picnic tables and a public pool.
The best sandy area is at the south end, informally called Lihi Beach, where you’ll find locals hanging out and talking story. A good starting point for the paved coastal path is the footbridge just north of the beach. To get here, turn makai (seaward) on Panihi Rd from the highway.
Further to the south is Fujii Beach, nicknamed Baby Beach because an offshore reef creates a shallow, placid pool of water that’s perfect for toddlers. Located in a modest neighborhood that attracts few tourists, this is a real locals’ beach, so don’t make a loud scene.
Activities
There are free tennis courts and a skateboarding park, along with a field for baseball, football and soccer in Kapa′a New Park, and a public swimming pool (822-3842; admission free; 10am-4:30pm Thu-Mon) at Kapa′a Beach Park.
FISHING
Join gregarious Captain Terry of Hawaiian Style Fishing (635-7335; 4hr charter per person $100) on his 25ft boat. He takes four anglers at most and shares the catch. Charters depart from the small Lihi Boat Ramp at the end of Kaloloku Rd, off Kuhio Hwy.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Dale Rosenfeld qualifies as a ‘horse whisperer’ and the tours offered by her Esprit De Corps Riding Academy (822-4688; www.kauaihorses.com; Kualapa Pl; tours $130-390, lessons per hr $55) are small, personalized and varied (longer tours for more-skilled riders). Groups never exceed five people; riders must be aged 10 and above. She also offers honeymoon rides and weddings on horseback.
SPAS
For a satisfying alternative to pricey resort spas, try Spa by the Sea (822-2171; www.spabytheseakauai.com; 4-1558 Kuho Hwy; 50min massage or facial $110), which shares a building near the ocean with a chiropractor and physical therapist. Massage therapists are all handpicked and highly qualified. If you’re torn between a massage or facial, the Menehune Meditation ($115) includes 30 minutes of each.
DIVING & SNORKELING
Eastside waters are less protected by reefs and more choppy due to easterly onshore winds. Therefore diving and snorkeling are very limited here. Still, there’s a small branch of Po′ipu-based Seasport Divers (823-9222, 800-685-5889; www.seasportdivers.com; 4-976 Kuhio Hwy), where you can rent diving, snorkeling and other ocean gear.
Tours
In air-conditioned ‘theaters on wheels,’ movie buffs can cruise the island with Hawaii Movie Tours (822-1192, 800-628-8432; www.hawaiimovietour.com; 4-885 Kuhio Hwy; adult/child under 12 from $89/79; office 7:30am-6pm), stopping at film sites while viewing movie clips on a video monitor. The standard land tour is fine, but it’s worth paying extra for the 4WD option (adult/child five to 11 $95/85), an adventurous ride that takes you off-road to the base of Mt Wai′ale′ale (Jurassic Park territory) and includes lunch at Lydgate Beach Park (Click here).
On the Kapa′a Town Walking Tour (245-3373; www.kauaihistoricalsociety.org; adult/child $15/5; tours 10am & 4pm Tue, Thu & Sat), knowledgeable local guides point out landmarks, describe Kapa′a’s sugar and pineapple boom days and, best of all, talk story and answer questions. Advance reservations are required.
Festivals & Events
Heiva I Kaua′i Ia Orana Tahiti (822-9447) In early August, dance troupes from as far away as Tahiti, Japan and Canada join groups from Hawaii at Kapa′a Beach Park for this Tahitian dancing and drumming competition.
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WALK THIS WAY
The Eastside’s newest road is not meant for cars, but it’s Ke Ala Hele Makalae (The Path that Goes by the Coast), a shared-use path reserved for pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized modes. At 10ft wide and paved in concrete, it has jumpstarted locals into daily fitness walking, jogging, cycling, inline skating and,