Family Bonding

Description:

The pluses to this luxury resort are Kalapaki Beach (one of the best in Kauai), an enormous swimming pool, a terrific kids' program, and a central location (about an hour's drive to Hanalei and the North Shore in one direction, and about an hour's drive to the Waimea Canyon in the other direction). The minus: The location -- Lihue Airport is only a mile away -- allows for easy arrival and departure, but it also means you can hear the takeoff and landing of every jet. Fortunately, most air traffic stops by 9pm, but it begins again bright and early in the morning.

Once upon a time, this was a glitzy megaresort (the Westin Kauai) with ostentatious fantasy architecture, but then a hurricane (and new owners) toned it down. The result is grand enough to be memorable, but it's now grounded in reality -- it looks like a Hawaiian hotel rather than a European palace. Water is everywhere throughout the resort: lagoons, waterfalls, fountains, a 5-acre circular swimming pool (some 26,000 sq. ft., the largest on the island), and a terrific stretch of beach. The lagoons are home to six islands that serve as an exotic minizoo, which still lends an air of fantasy to the place and, along with the enormous pool and children's program, makes the resort popular with families.

Guest rooms are comfortable, with fabulous views of gold-sand Kalapaki Beach, verdant gardens, and palm trees; a recent refurbishment has them all looking brand-new.

There are also timeshare units in this resort.

Facilities: 4 restaurants (including Duke's Canoe Club); 2 bars; the largest pool on the island; 36-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course; 8 tennis courts; state-of-the-art fitness center; 5 Jacuzzis; watersports equipment rentals; children's program; game room; concierge; activities desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; room service; massage; babysitting; coin-op washer/dryers; laundry; dry cleaning

Description:

Kauai, thought by many to be the most gorgeous island paradise in the world, has been the scene of many, well, scenes. Movie scenes, that is. Blockbuster films such as Jurassic Park, Honeymoon in Vegas and Raiders of the Lost Ark have been shot on Kauai, Hawaii's oldest island. The state's only movie tour operator provides high-energy, family-oriented tours of Kauai's most famous movie locations—and some lesser-known ones, as well. New in the autumn of 2002: sites from The Time Machine and Lilo & Stitch.

Description:

Looking for the perfect family beach park? Lydgate is probably exactly what you have in mind. Located on the Coconut Coast, this state park offers miles of sandy beach, a 6,000-foot playground, fabulous snorkeling, swimming and facilities. A rock-lined pool offers safe swimming conditions, even for small children. A more active swimming area can be found just on the other side of the rock border. This area features some of the island's best snorkeling, and is one of Kauai's most popular day-trip destinations. Closes everyday at sunset.

Description:

Young children, pre-teens, teens, and even adults, can find something of interest at this nifty non-profit museum. It can't be classified as a science museum, a history museum or any kind of museum in particular because it has elements of everything. Children can visit the StarLab Planetarium, learn about marine life, or take part in ongoing education programs. Exhibits and programs are always changing. The museum also organizes daycamps, internship programs and community outreach programs.

Description:

Experience a little piece of Old Hawai'i. This Lihue restaurant is located inside the Kauai Marriott Resort and offers the best of Pacific Rim cuisine, along with outstanding ambiance and beautiful views. The restaurant is comprised of two floors and has an enchantingly tropical ambiance, complete with a small indoor waterfall. A canopy of lush foliage adds to the effect, and even the indoor dining area gives the impression of being open air. Take your time having a drink in the casual bar area or looking over the menu. The house specialty is fresh local fish, prepared any way you like.

Description:

Join Jack Harter's expert staff as they take you on a journey of Kauai from a bird's eye view. Flying high over Kauai, visitors will be in awe of the aerial views of such wonders as the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Let Jack Harter show you the advantages of flying with the first helicopter company on the Island as you take in the sights through their "Scenic View" windows which allow for clear pictures and unobstructed views of sights such as Wai`ale`ale Crater with its 3,000 ft. waterfalls and sheer cliffs only visible from the air. No trip to Kauai is complete without a ride in a helicopter!

Description:

The Kauai Marriott gets all kinds of praise from travel publications, travel agents and travelers themselves for its children's program. The experienced staff members who head up the program keep the kids busy all day long with a variety of island-related activities. All kinds of things might be included on the daily schedule: lei making lessons, hula classes, beach walks, athletic competitions and so forth. The club is open to ages 5-12.

Description:

If there were a saimin hall of fame, Hamura's would be in it. It's a cultural experience, a renowned saimin stand where fans line up to take their places over steaming bowls of this island specialty at a few U-shaped counters that haven't changed in decades. The saimin and teriyaki barbecue sticks attract an all-day, late-night, pre- and post-movie crowd. The noodles come heaped with vegetables, wontons, hard-boiled eggs, sweetened pork, vegetables, and condiments. We love the casualness of Hamura's and the simple pleasures it consistently delivers.

Description:

The white buildings of this resort sprawl luxuriantly across 50 acres of beachfront property in South Kauai. Rooms are spacious and stylish, with full-length sliding glass doors that look out on the garden or the ocean. The grounds are covered in tropical flowers, trees and plants; man-made pools and lagoons shimmer invitingly in the sun. Enjoy the water slide and the floating chairs. A half-dozen restaurants, bars and lounges offer everything from light snacking to fine dining. The 25,000 square foot ANARA Spa includes massage rooms which faces their own private gardens. The 4 jacuzzis and 25-yard lap pool are all located in open-air courtyards, and the locker room facilities include open-air lava rock showers. Adjacent to the resort is Poipu Bay Resort golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., that hosts the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

Description:

Commended by the U.S. Coast Guard for its high standards, this charter company provides a variety of sailing tours off the coast of Kauai. Sunset cruises, whale watches, full-day cruises along the Na Pali coast and numerous snorkel excursions are offered. The cruises range from two to six hours and take place aboard motor-powered sailboats. The most popular excursion is a seven-hour trip to the Forbidden Isle of Ni'ihau. The two main vessels are approved for 99 passengers, although only 49 passengers are aboard at one time.

Description:

Keoki's Paradise is a sprawling and energetic restaurant in the heart of Poipu. A great place of lunch or dinner. The food both delicious and affordable. Some lunch favorites include Ahi sandwich or fish tacos, or the cobb salad. Dinner is all about the fresh fish or the fantastic selection of beef. The cafe in the bar area often features live Hawaiian music.

Description:

Back-roading takes on a whole new meaning after you have experienced one of these wild rides. Yamaha or Honda 250 Semi-Automatic ATVs are the mode of transportation, and adventure is the point of the journey. The little four-wheel vehicles are sturdy, fun and ready for any kind of road—or no road at all. The course goes down dirt roads through the cane fields, up ridges and along the coast. While the ride is not smooth and clothes can get muddy, thrill seekers should enjoy this tour quite a bit.

Our Local Expert Says:

If white sand beaches and girls in bikinis is what you crave, Poipu Beach is your own personal heaven. Mainly teens and young adults are found daily walking the shores of Poipu’s beaches and strutting their “stuff.”

Description:

On the shores of "Sunny Poipu" visitors will find a stretch of coast unparalleled in beauty, and bursting with activity. At its center lies Poipu Beach Park and Brennecke's Beach. While half of the family enjoys a cool dip in the shallow pools and snorkeling along the reef, the more adventurous factions can rent a body board right on the beach and walk over to Brennecke's for some of the best body boarding on the island. Getting hungry? Try the deli or restaurants located at and around the beach, or buy some "grinds" to cook up on the many BBQ's located in the park. For a relaxing day of fun for the whole family, it is hard to beat the white sand beaches of "Sunny Poipu."

Description:

According to pizza lovers, this comfortable, family-style restaurant offers some of the best eats on Kauai. Established more than 20 years ago, the family-owned Kalaheo eatery has a warm, friendly atmosphere and consistently good food that keeps its loyal clientele coming back for more. All pies are hearth-baked and you can choose between white or whole-wheat crust. Italian sausage is made on the premises. Delicious vegetarian options are available for the non-meat eaters in the group. If pizza is not what you have in mind, do not overlook the salad and sandwich selections.