We do our best to keep up with changes but please let us know if any information below is incorrect or if you've had a bad experience with any company or recommendation listed.

Frequently asked questions about Kauai and our vacation properties.

A/C
All three bedrooms at Aikane Kauai have wall mounted air conditioners. The units are rarely used. First, we designed the home to take advantage of the prevailing trade winds with lots of jalousie windows and good cross ventilation. Second, the picture windows have thermal glass and the home is fully insulated. And lastly, all the rooms have ceiling fans. This really is a comfortable place to stay!

The cottage does not have A/C as it is in the cool highlands above Poipu.

AIR TOURS
I personally do not recommend any air tours (helicopter, ultra-light, etc.). There is so much to see here by car, easy walks, hikes and sail boat. These ways are fun, safer, tactile and not so noisy. A video gives you the same view without the motion sickness.

BIKES
Outfitters Kauai rents bikes. They are located between Koloa Town and Poipu. The roads here are generally narrow and the shoulders not always well maintained. There is some great single track mountain biking.

DISCOUNTS
We offer last minute discounts to fill gaps at Aikane Kauai. For example, if there is an open slot in the schedule within 30 days of arrival, we would be happy to offer a discount. Let us know if you want to be put on the special alert email list.

EARLY ARRIVALS AND LATE CHECK OUTS
An early check in may be fine. You are welcome to phone us at 808-639-4127 on your arrival day or send your cell phone # so we can phone you as soon as the house is ready. We can usually have part of the house ready so you can drop your gear off, change clothes and head to the beach with the boogie boards, beach chairs, etc.

Need a late check out? You are welcome to check out as late as you like if there is no one arriving or there is no scheduled heavy maintenance the day of your departure. It is best to phone us while you're here. Guests leaving on a night flight often include the night of departure in their reservation to have it guaranteed.

Some resorts and other facilities have offered day passes but they are subject to change. Check out http://www.kiahunatennisclub.com/ in Poipu and also http://www.ymcaofkauai.org/YMCA/ in Lihue. 

KIDS/BABY STUFF
Aikane Kauai is an excellent choice for a family vacation. The house is one of the closest to Poipu Beach Park with a protected lagoon and playground equipment with a spongy ground surface. There is a baby gate for the stairs, a pak-n-play crib and a high chair at the house. There are also beach toys and several sizes if boogie boards.

Contact Ready Rentals if you would like to rent a crib. You can make arrangements directly with them for which type of crib you prefer. They will deliver and pick up.

LOCATION
Is there any construction going on near the house or cottage? None.

How about traffic? Aikane Kauai is on a short cul-de-sac no where near any busy highways. There is a condo project across the two-lane road, single-family homes in front and behind and a very small and excellent Italian restaurant up the road. The cottage is nestled in the forest about 500 feet from the country road.

CAR or 4WD?
A car is essential if you want to get to some of the really interesting places on Kauai such as the Waimea Canyon and the more remote beaches. You really don't need a 4WD unless you want to get to Polihale in the winter and some of the Kokee back roads.

Call Steve at South Shore Cab and Limo 808-635-0312 for current taxi rates. Once you're at the house there are 3 beaches, 3 restaurants, a deli and a surf/beach ware shop within five minute walks. A public bus stop is about a third of a mile from the house.

Aikane Kauai and the Cottage are about 25 minutes or 12 miles from the airport.

CAR RENTALS
The cheapest places I've heard of to rent cars here is at http://rentacarkauai.com/ or  http://discounthawaiicarrentals.com

DANCING
Kauai has an active dance community with particular focus on ballroom, swing and tango. There is a fun group that meets weekly at the Koloa neighborhood center. Everyone is welcome. Here are a few links for more information: Koloa Dance, Kauai Tango, Places to dance.

DIVING
There is good diving on Kauai, especially around the Poipu area. Poipu is also one of the best snorkeling areas year round. There are several dive shops in Poipu and Koloa.

DRIVING TIPS
Here's a list of driving tips, customs and local laws. Most tickets cost about the same as a good meal out for 2. Speeding tickets are closer to a good meal out for 8.

1. Seat belts are mandatory on all roads.

2. Cell phone use is not allowed while driving.

2. Traffic: I try to avoid driving between Poipu and Lihue or Kapaa between 7am to 8:30am and 3:30pm to 6pm or allow for an extra 15 to 25 minutes at prime time.

When coming back to Poipu from the north shore, I always take the Kapaa Bypass road. It's scenic and avoids the traffic. For some reason driving north through Kapaa is usually quite smooth but southbound can be stop-n-go.

3. Scary moves, random U-Turns, sudden stops, half-way pullovers. These happen too often and cause far more injuries and bad feelings than about anything else. Scenery, people, animals and sights are distracting. Road shoulders are often too narrow and very soft. Wait for a shoulder that looks dry, stable and wide enough to get completely off the road.

4. One-lane bridges are found mostly on the north shore but are all over the island. Common practice is to let 5 to 7 or so cars go at a time or clear the line if cars are piled up. Then alternate. Not the place to play chicken.

5. Speaking of chicken: Not everyone slows down for chickens on the roads here. Please don't slam on the brakes if one pops out on the road. See item 3.

6. Driving close to the speed limit is usually good. Watch where limits change from 45 to 25 on down hills where its easy to go above the limit. Radar is commonly used.

7. General courtesies like letting cars merge in is appreciated and usually received with a smile and a "shaka". Honking is almost always considered rude.

8. Basic directions: “Makai” (towards the ocean) and “mauka” (towards the mountain). Very useful on an island.

FISHING
For deep sea fishing try http://www.kaibear.com/

We recommend waiting until you get here to book and see what’s happening with the weather. Check out Mark White Lures.

You can shore fish 100 yards from the house. Waves can be a hazard anywhere on Kauai with the biggest ones coming in at 30 minutes or longer intervals. Caution!

FARMERS MARKETS
Check out the Sunshine Farmers Markets, a local farmers' co‑op held outdoors around the island every day. You'll find the best from the local farms: lettuces, beautiful fresh cut flowers, bananas, papayas, herbs, squashes, legumes, you name it. The markets are open for two hours. Be sure to get there early. Our little grocery stores (Sueoka's and Kukuiula) usually have locally grown produce every day and compete well on price.

All directions are from Aikane Kauai.

 FRESH FISH
All grocery stores on Kauai sell fresh locally caught fish but will vary depending on weather and luck. Koloa also has a fish market across the street from the post office. Try their seared ahi and take out lunches. Another favorite place to buy fresh fish is Fish Express in Lihue. You will find them on the mauka (mountain) side of Kuhio Hwy 56 across from Wal-mart. Call ahead to check the catch. 808-245-9918. They also sell sushi, other prepared foods and delicious take out lunches.

KAYAKS
There are several companies that rent single and double kayaks. Outfitters Kauai (ph. 808-742-9667) is the closest. There are several companies that will deliver your kayak to the Wailua River which is very nice. Not recommended on windy days.

LIBRARY
The public library is located on the Poipu side of Koloa town on the Koloa Elementary School campus. You'll pass right by it on your right as you leave Koloa heading for Poipu. Here's how to get a card. Koloa has a nice collection of DVD's.

LUAU
I've heard Smith's is the best and the one at Kilohana is also very good. They can be a lot of fun. Be sure to sit in the front row for a chance at an impromptu hula lesson on stage :-)

MUST SEE/DO
Here are some of our favorite things to do on Kauai;

Coastal walk from Shipwrecks (Hyatt) heading east along the bluffs continuing for about 3.5 miles. There are several beaches along the way. This is also a good place for whale watching too.

You can start from Aikane by walking down to the ocean then right on Pe’e Road for about a quarter mile. Cut through the Embassy Suites parking lot to the coastal path which runs in front of the Hyatt then to Shipwreck Beach. We usually drive to the Shipwreck Beach parking lot and go from there.

There is generally good snorkeling by Aikane in the protected bay between Poipu Beach Park and the Marriott, a 5 to 10 minute walk. There is also another protected bay about a mile west toward Spouting Horn adjacent to the Beach House Restaurant. Tunnels and Ke'e Beaches generally have nice snorkeling from May to August.

The Na Pali coast is spectacular! 3 ways to enjoy;

1. Drive north to the end of the road and park at Ke’e Beach and take the 2 mile hike to Hanakapiai Beach from there. You may have to park in the overflow lot about a quarter mile before the beach. We also really like going to the waterfall 2 miles inland from Hanakapiai but it is usually a muddy trail. Caveats: Hanakapiai Beach can be super dangerous with currents. Be careful going across the stream there. A very nice taste of the trail is in the first half mile which takes you to a point where you can look down almost the entire Na Pali coastline. It's a good idea to get a very early start as Ke'e Beach gets very busy. Best to make a bee line for Ke'e and the hike then work your way back along the north shore.

2. View from the Kalalau lookout at Kokee State Park. There are 2 lookouts. There is a nice trail from the the second lookout along the ridge. We also really enjoy continuing along this trail (Pihea) to the Alakai Swamp Trail. The views are spectacular if not too cloudy. We've been out there many times when it looks completely socked in but over the course of eating lunch and resting the view will open up.

3. The deluxe way is by boat. I’ve gone with Captain Andy a number of times and it’s always fun.

Waimea Canon is also excellent. You can see much just from the road. Favorite hikes are Waipo'o Falls and Awa'awapuhi.

For adventure and zip lines, check out Outfitters Kauai. I've been on the kayak, hike, zip line tour with my kids. Really fun!

PLACES TO AVOID
1. Queen's Bath in Princeville (injuries, rogue waves)

2. Kipu Falls (injuries, now officially closed)

3. Use extreme caution at: Hanakapi'ai, Lumahai and Polihale Beaches. All are beautiful but are known for super strong currents and serious undertows. None of these have lifeguards. ALL beaches on Kauai can be safe and all can be treacherous at times. Usually it's obvious but not always. Sometimes the biggest waves are 30 minutes or more between intervals and the ocean will look gorgeous. I've personally rescued 14 visitors from certain drowning over the course of surfing around Kauai over the past 30+ years.

4. Air tours of any kind (safety concerns and noise).

GROCERIES
For groceries and other supplies, the most convenient stop and widest selection  is at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center. This will be on your left about a quarter mile out of Lihue on your way to Poipu. This is the home of Times Supermarket, Longs Drug Store, Macy's, CostCo, and K‑mart among others.

There are three regular grocery stores in the Koloa-Poipu area. Part of the south side charm are the smaller "Mom & Pop" run businesses such as Sueoka Store and Kukuiula Store (my favorites). Big Save/IGA Grocery is the biggest of the three. Sueoka's is straight ahead where Highway 520 meets Koloa. Kukuiula Store is in a small strip center on Poipu Road about half way between Koloa and Poipu. It will be on your right. The smaller grocery stores compete well on price and usually have locally grown produce and also fresh fish. Most food is imported and expensive no matter where purchased in the islands. Living Foods is in the Kukui'ula Shopping Center near the Poipu traffic circle. This is a high end grocery/health food store also with prepared food and baked goods. Very good.

Brennecke's is a mini sundries store located right across the road from Poipu Beach Park. They also sell other essentials such as sunscreen, cold drinks, beer, wine, sandwiches and muffins.

Kauai's Safeway is in Kapaa in the Kauai Shopping Village, about 45 minutes from the house.

The house and cottage will be stocked with the basics for your arrival (i.e. soap, paper products).

Health Food Stores
Poipu
Living Foods

West Side
Happy Mangos in Waimea

Kapaa and Hanalei
Papayas Natural Foods

RESORT AMENITIES
There are tradeoffs between a private vacation home and a resort with a pool and tennis courts. One consideration is our proximity to beach. Once you walk out of the house at Aikane Kauai, walk past 2 homes and you are at the ocean. Turn right and walk past 3 more homes to get to the first of a string of beaches. The first one is Brennecke's Beach which is more exposed and often great for body boarding. The next one is Poipu Beach which is a protected bay a very short walk across the lawn past a few picnic tables and playground equipment. After that you’ll find a bigger bay which is great for for snorkeling and swimming and is also protected. A lifeguard is stationed at Poipu Beach.

There are no public pools in the area. You'll find public tennis courts in Koloa where we play.

RESTAURANTS
Here are a few descriptions of what I think are some of the better places to eat. There are binders at the house and cottage filled with menus.

For personal recommendations, I like Casa di Amici and it’s only a block inland from the Aikane. Brenneckes Beach Broiler is 3 blocks from the house. The Beach House Restaurant is 5 minutes west and is on the water. A bit pricey but they have the best location. Best for sunset dining. Roy’s for gourmet dining and Keoki’s Paradise restaurants are also good in their categories. Merrimans downstairs for drinks and appetizers and upstairs for delicious meals. Another favorite is Brick Oven Pizza about 15 minutes away.

For truly local style food there are a couple places in Lihue: Garden Island Barbeque (lunch and dinner) and Kauai Pasta. Menus and addresses are in the house binder. Here is a review link.

Da Crack is a Mexican take out place we like. It's adjacent to Kukuiula Market.

SENDING PAYMENT
Apprehension about sending payment ahead is completely understandable. We would be concerned too! We set up this page to let people know more about us and include several references.

We are proud members of the Poipu Beach Resort Association and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Aikane Kauai is listed in the Lonely Planet Kauai Guidebook as an Editor’s Choice and we’ve advertised with HomeAway and Trip Advisor for many years. 

Additional ways to verify are by local cell phone (808-639-4127) and physical office address: 3794-D Omao Road, Koloa, HI 96756. Aikane Kauai Vacation Home is located at 2271 Nalo Road, Koloa (Poipu), 96756.

NOTE: Google, Bing and Yahoo Maps are all slightly off. I've sent requests to correct this. Here is the actual location.

Aikane Kauai and the Cozy Cottage are locally owned and professionally managed with integrity, aloha and deep roots on Kauai.

SUP/Standup Paddle Boarding
Kalapaki Bay is the most popular place to go. Boards can be rented nearby. Outfitters Kauai now offers a SUP tour.

SURF
Here's a link for surf forecasting.

For board rentals, try Nukumoi Surf Shop.

There are about a dozen surf breaks on the south side. The closest to Aikane is Waiohai (in front of the Marriott Waiohai Hotel). It is a right and left hander and generally on the softer intermediate side. It is one of the most consistent spots on the island. There is also a fairly easy left in the same bay but tends to be fickle. First Break is a thick right outside of Waiohai. There are a few other spots a mile west of the house. All depend on wind, tide and swell for best conditions.

TENNIS COURTS
The closest courts are at Kiahuna Swim & Tennis Club, 2290 Poipu Road, about a half mile from the house. Phone (808) 742-9533 for rate details.

We like to play at Koloa Park where you'll find 2 lighted courts. The courts are located on Maluhia Road (tree tunnel road), just outside of Koloa, heading east toward Lihue. They'll be on your right.

TIMESHARE
Walking around on Kauai, you are almost guaranteed to run into a timeshare salesman. Don't be surprised if they try to pull you into a tour and sales presentation by offering you a free vacation, plane tickets, activity vouchers or gift certificates to local restaurants. While these free incentives can be tempting, you must ask yourself if it's really worth wasting 4-5 hours of your vacation listening to a high-pressure sales pitch. Plus, if you are actually interested in buying a timeshare here, you can find timeshare resales on many for-sale-by-owner websites and get the same property for half the price.

TSUNAMI
Aikane Kauai is by the beach but just beyond the tsunami zone according to the civil defense map. Our personal residence is 3 miles from the coast and we would gladly open our home to our guests if ever needed.

Hawaii Civil Defense conducts siren testing on the first working day of each month at 11.45am.


 

WEATHER
The weather is generally sunny in Poipu year-round. Temperatures mostly range from high 60's at night to low 80's during the day. We do get occasional showers and storm systems. Here are the historical weather averages. The weather forecasts are for usually for Lihue where the airport is located. Poipu is much drier than Lihue.

WILD LIFE
We've spent countless evenings enjoying sunsets, meals and conversation with family and friends on the lanai without bother. We make it a point to have no standing water on the property and encourage everyone to keep screen doors closed, wipe counters and not leave food out.

The house and cottage have always been pet free. Additionally, we've been conscientious about making these low allergen environments.

There are wild chickens almost everywhere on Kauai. We have an active relocation program as we prefer they keep well away from the property unless served for dinner.

Why stay on the South Shore?
Poipu is the sunny side of the island and gets plenty of sunshine year round. It is centrally located giving you quick access to several beaches within minutes of walking out your door. There is a  beautiful coastal walk and secluded beaches along the wild Mahaluepu Coastline yet still with shopping and dining nearby. The nearby beaches offer good swimming and snorkeling even in the winter when the famously large surf rolls in to the north and west shores.

Hanalei Bay and the lush North Shore are an hour's drive (1.5 hours to Ke'e Beach/Na Pali trail). And in the opposite direction you'll find the remote beaches of Polihale and the spectacular vistas and hiking at Waimea Canyon and Kokee. Easy to see on a road map. Imagine driving to Waimea Canyon if you were staying on the north shore or driving to Ke'e Beach if staying on the west side; it's 2+ hours in the car each way!

Our west side has the longest beach in the state, about 15 miles. There is a navy base in the middle taking up a big stretch so you'll need a pass or military ID to get on. The beaches on either side are notoriously dangerous for swimming.  Snorkeling is not great because it's all sand. Most rental car contracts say specifically do not drive to Polihale Beach (long dirt road) though many do it anyway. I've surfed this entire stretch for decades and know it very well.

Please be especially careful on the west and north side beaches.

Why stay at Aikane Kauai Vacation Home or the Cozy Cottage?
I understand the challenge of picking the absolutely best place for the value when there are quite a few to choose from and the problem that some vacation home web sites are intentionally misleading. Here are some thoughts;

1. Rates: Our rates are among the lowest in the area for such a nice ocean view home by a variety great beaches and for the cottage. Since we are the owners and managers, we decided to offer them for a good value that people will want to return to and also recommend to their friends. Most of our bookings are returning guests and their friends.

2. Location: Aikane is among the small handful by great swimming, snorkeling and body boarding beaches. You won't have to drive to get to the beach. Kauai has a lot of coastline but many rocky stretches. There are many vacation homes on the island that are farther inland and/or bordering arterial roads. Aikane is on a quiet cul de sac with no construction nearby.

3. Our websites purposely show actual views from the house and cottage and surrounding area. Both properties are light, open and cool and come fully equipped with boogie boards, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, free wireless internet and lots more, about everything you may need for a great, relaxing stay.

4. We are your personal resource. You are welcome to phone us anytime for ideas and suggestions on how to get the most out of your stay. Chris is a life long resident with 25+ years as a successful Kauai business owner. Chris' references are posted and we have a personal stake in making sure you and your family and friends have a great time on Kauai and get a very good value for your money. We want you to have a great time and come back!

Convenience, location and value. All things considered Aikane Kauai and the Cozy Cottage are really great places to stay.

Kauai Vacation Rentals at Poipu Beach. Locally owned and professionally managed.
Kauai Vacation Properties®.