01-14-2008, 09:25 PM
Aloha Beerman,
I've lived on Kauai for 10 years, visited for 19 prior to that. You will find that the Poipu area you are staying in is pretty messed up with construction ... our Planning Dept. is non-functional and has approved several big concurrent developments without the needed infrastructure. Lots of detours, noise and dust. This will only affect you going to and from Kiahuna. Photo in today's Garden Island newspaper shows a monk seal at Poipu Beach Park. No problem, plenty of great places to swim. One good one was mentioned, on the east side: Lydgate Park. Perfect, safe place to swim and snorkle for the kids. Another good spot is in Hanapepe: Salt Pond Park. I don't know how you can predict the temps ... we certainly don't know what the weather will be like from day to day. Poipu is generally sunny, being on the south (leeward) side. Barking Sands will probably be inaccessible due to the closure of the road to Polihale. Be sure to drive up Waimea Canyon and on to the overlook of the Kalalau Valley, end of the road in Kokee (try to leave Poipu by 8am for the clearest views). Drive to the north shore, beyond Hanalei, for the most beautiful beaches, but look only. Swimming on the north shore is dangerous in the winter ... only swim where there are lifeguards ... we have a dozen drownings every year! Be safe and have fun!
I've lived on Kauai for 10 years, visited for 19 prior to that. You will find that the Poipu area you are staying in is pretty messed up with construction ... our Planning Dept. is non-functional and has approved several big concurrent developments without the needed infrastructure. Lots of detours, noise and dust. This will only affect you going to and from Kiahuna. Photo in today's Garden Island newspaper shows a monk seal at Poipu Beach Park. No problem, plenty of great places to swim. One good one was mentioned, on the east side: Lydgate Park. Perfect, safe place to swim and snorkle for the kids. Another good spot is in Hanapepe: Salt Pond Park. I don't know how you can predict the temps ... we certainly don't know what the weather will be like from day to day. Poipu is generally sunny, being on the south (leeward) side. Barking Sands will probably be inaccessible due to the closure of the road to Polihale. Be sure to drive up Waimea Canyon and on to the overlook of the Kalalau Valley, end of the road in Kokee (try to leave Poipu by 8am for the clearest views). Drive to the north shore, beyond Hanalei, for the most beautiful beaches, but look only. Swimming on the north shore is dangerous in the winter ... only swim where there are lifeguards ... we have a dozen drownings every year! Be safe and have fun!