Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [445]
Aloha Hale Orchids (Click here)
Garden Room (Click here)
Boulay Inn (opposite)
Waimea Rock Cabin (Click here)
Bunk House at Rosewood Kaua′i (Click here)
Westside Dwelling (Click here)
Orchid Tree Inn (Click here)
Mindy’s Guesthouse (Click here)
Cozy Kauai Cottage (opposite)
Green Acres Cottages (Click here)
Note: these picks apply to single or double travelers. Groups can find a plethora of cost-cutting options if they share larger condo or residential units.
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Pohaku T’s (742-7500; www.pohaku.com; 3430 Po′ipu Rd; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, to 6pm Sun) This well-stocked shop specializes in Kaua′i-made clothing, crafts and island-themed tees and tanks. Signature shirt designs feature classic island themes – petroglyphs, honu, navigational maps – on stonewashed or overdyed colors. Cotton aloha shirts are locally handsewn yet affordable.
Island Soap & Candle Works (742-1945, 888-528-7627; www.kauaisoap.com; 5428 Koloa Rd; 9am-10pm) For a delicious treat with zero calories, breathe deeply inside this flowery, fruity sensation of a shop. Established in 1984 to recreate the art of soap- and candle-making, the company has grown but still makes everything by hand.
Progressive Expressions (742-6041; www.progressiveexpressions.com; 5420 Koloa Rd; 9am-9pm) Established in 1972, this was the South Shore’s first surf shop. Original owners Marty and Joe Kuala sold the shop to the Hanalei Surf Company in 2005 but Joe still designs and crafts boards sold here.
Getting There & Away
Almost all car, motorcycle and moped rental agencies are in Lihu′e, but Kaua′i Scooter Rental (245-7177; www.kauaimopedrentals.com; 3414 Po′ipu Rd; 8am-5pm) has a branch location in Koloa, just south of the Chevron station.
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PO′IPU
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Po′ipu (which ironically can mean ‘completely overcast’ in Hawaiian) is world renowned for its dependable sun and easy-access beaches. When it does rain here, you can bet it’s pouring on the North Shore. Alas, no Po′ipu ‘town’ exists – so dining is limited and traveling by foot is challenging, except along the beaches.
The coast is already blanketed with condos, time-shares, hotels and vacation-rental homes, but a massive luxury development, Kukui′ula (www.kukuiula.com) will soon add a golf course, 1000 acres of custom homes, Kukui′ula Village (a 90,000 sq ft high-end shopping center) and further transform this once-lazy beach town.
Orientation & Information
There are two entry roads from Kaumuali′i Hwy. Coming from Lihu′e, take Maluhia Rd to the Ala Kino′iki bypass road, which will lead you to the eastern side of Po‘ipu. Coming from the Westside, take Koloa Rd to Po′ipu Rd (Hwy 520), which leads to a roundabout. If you veer west, you’ll be on Lawa′i Rd (toward National Tropical Botanical Garden); if you veer east, you will remain on Po′ipu Rd, where most beaches and accommodations are located.
For cash, Bank of Hawaii (742-6800; Po′ipu Shopping Village, 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr; 8:30am-4pm Mon-Thu, to 6pm Fri) is available but they don’t cash checks or traveler’s checks at this branch.
Check the website of the Po′ipu Beach Resort Association (www.poipubeach.org) for general information on Po′ipu and the whole South Shore.
Sights
Note that you can’t see any beaches from Po′ipu Rd (all you see are condos and parking lots). To reach the beaches, you must turn makai (seaward) on side streets, such as Ho′owili Rd to reach Po′ipu Beach Park and Kapili Rd for the Sheraton beach.
PO′IPU BEACH PARK
No monster waves or idyllic solitude here. But if you’re seeking a safe, lively, family-friendly beach, this is it. Located at the end of Ho′owili Rd, it features a lifeguard station and shallow, gentle waters for swimming, snorkeling and beginner diving. The sandy beach is compact (you can see one end from the other) and is jammed on weekends, but you’ll have ample elbow room on weekdays. Around the beach are grassy lawns, a children’s playground, picnic pavilions and tables, rest rooms and showers. What’s lacking are eating options.
Check out Nukumoi Point, a finger