...they are doing WHAT now? | bringing my Dad to Kaua’i for a quick visit

28 Aug bringing my Dad to Kaua’i for a quick visit

Posted at 19:37h in What we did today by sarah 2 Comments

Tuesday Aug 8 – Tuesday Aug 15

After thinking for 9 months about when I could return to Kauai, I finally jumped on purchasing some last minute flights at the end of July. We had learned that the farm we stayed at on island was for sale, and I felt a pressing need to revisit it one final time to say goodbye, and also take the opportunity to reconnect with our Kaua’i friends. Since it was potentially our last time with free accommodations on the illustrious north shore, I seized the opportunity to invite my dad along for his first trip to the Hawaiian Islands.

We landed on the island and our first stop was of course the poke shop!

After a quick dinner in Kapaa it was time to head to Olana Farm in Kilauea for our first night on the island. The week was going to be fun-filled and rest after the long trip was desperately needed!

Our days on the farm were surrounded by the 200+ species of trees and lots of fresh greens and herbs growing. We had great farm breakfasts like fresh squeezed citrus juice and fried eggs over sautéed greens.

Mornings and afternoons were spent lazily at several local beaches, usually with poke for lunch or dinner!

I got to show dad two of my favorite places to hike on the island – Hanakāpī‘ai Falls on the Nā Pali northwest coast and Koke’e State Park all the way at the top of the island.

We hiked to the epic waterfall bright and early with my farm friend Luna, quickly tackling the first two miles of the famed Kalalau trail. The steep trail was tough but gave us those magical Kaua’i coastline views.

After reaching the Hanakāpī‘ai beach and crossing the river, we headed uphill once again, crossing the river several times over the following 2 miles until finally, the waterfall was in view!

We arrived at the waterfall to find a few people hanging out and swimming. The falls were just as epic as I remembered, though the water was much much much warmer in the summer months compared to February when I last completed the hike.

We arrived at the waterfall to find a few people hanging out and swimming. The falls were just as epic as I remembered, but thankfully the water was much much much warmer in the summer months compared to February ’21 when I last completed the hike.

We lounged at the falls for an hour before beginning the 5 mile trek back out, back to the coastline for more amazing Nā Pali views.

The following morning we got up early to watch the launch of the Nā Pali Challenge Outrigger boat race. The paddlers took shifts between the canoe and support boat during the 37 mile route around the northwest side of the island to Kekaha on the south side.

After watching the launch, we were treated to a perfect rainbow in Hanalei Bay, a truly classic Hawaiian sight!

Sunday we road tripped around the island with my friend Jenny, met up with my friend Lindsay to hike up at Koke’e State Park. We were tackling the Awa’awapuhi Trail, which Aaron and I had begun as our final hike on the island back in 2021, but had not finished due to Aaron suffering a nasty toe-stub after only a mile. Neither locals Jenny or Lindsay had hiked this trail either, so it was a perfect bucket-list item for us all!

The trail was a moderate 3 mile descent, ending with dramatic views of the cliffs below. We started the hike by 7a, knowing afternoon clouds can be likely and wanting to avoid the crowds. After 1.5 miles mostly stepping on numerous tree-root stairs, the trail leveled off and grew tighter as the ground fell away dramatically on both sides. In less than 2 hours we were at the overlook!

After finishing the hike and having a snack break in the parking lot, we drove up to the end of the road, at the Kalalau Valley overlook. With the perfectly clear day the views were incredible!

We finished the tour with a few more stops at the Waimea Canyon overlooks on the way down from the top of the island.

The day wasn’t over yet! On the way home we stopped in Kapaa for some delicious giant fish Tiki Tacos, and parked at Kealia Beach for dinner with a view! Dad enjoyed yet another swim and dance with the giant waves at the surfer-spot beach.

By the time we got back to the farm that evening, our day trip clocked in at just over 12 hours from our 5:30a departure that morning. We were all pretty exhausted! Luckily the views from the lanai are just as special as anywhere on the island! We enjoyed a perfect sunset before our second to last day on the island.

We weren’t done with beaches on this trip yet! Monday we spent several hours lounging at Anini Beach. The large bay with shallow waters is perfect for snorkeling, swimming and walking the miles long beach.

That evening we met Luna for happy hour, and grabbed a late evening pizza to bring to Hanalei beach for a sunset swim.

For our final day on the island, we spent a lazy morning at Olana Farm, then the afternoon with more poke and Fuji “baby” Beach. Our last stop before our night flights at the airport was a slow happy hour at the classic Kalapaki Joe’s. We had $0.25 wings, $1 fried shrimp and cheap beers to close out our amazing whirlwind week of Living Aloha on the Garden Isle!