Shoes- and not offending Pele

Will regular sneakers be ok to walk/hike around in VNP, or do I specifically need hiking boots? I am taking a pair of closed toe H2O Keens, would this suffice?

Should I try to scrape out any traces of lava from the soles of the shoes I do wear, to leave as much behind as possible for Pele? I do NOT want to anger her!

Shoes- and not offending Pele

I%26#39;d wear boots if you have them but sneakers are ok too. The footing is uneven and boots give you more ankle support and traction. I am not sure about the Keens -- are those sandals? I%26#39;d avoid anything with open front, back OR sides. Your feet will could get scraped up. It couldn%26#39;t hurt to brush off your shoes when you leave if you are particularly concerned about angering Pele.

When I visited the Big Island, I went to VNP early one morning. In one of the steam vent, I saw a $20 bill! People leave food and drink offerings for Pele, and I guess money too. The bill was lying on a ledge not even a foot beyond the rail. There was no one around and I could have easily grabbed it, but I stopped and thought about it. Someone left that money for Pele. I%26#39;m not sure I believe in Pele, but I do believe in respect and I knew it wasn%26#39;t right to come to Hawaii and take something that someone meant for Pele. So I left the money. Later when I told my Hawaiian friends later they insisted that it was a test and I%26#39;d been chosen by Pele! Shortly after that an opportunity opened up for me to move to Hawaii, lucky me -- or it luck? I%26#39;ve been living here ever since. True story!

Shoes- and not offending Pele

If you would like to give offerings to Madame Pele please make sure it is Gin. Seriously.

rivera so you must have heard stories going the other way. Keens is what we wore everywhere, thankfully they are machine washable. Not to scare you but to caution you sharp rocks, needles/thorns, cockroaches, mice, etc.

Unless you%26#39;re hiking to the ocean entry or any hike longer than Kilauea Iki, regular tennis shoes should suffice. The ocean entry hike is strenuous enough to warrent boots and I don%26#39;t like hiking for more than about 3-4 miles in tennis shoes. Boots will provide more support and more protection.

I wouldn%26#39;t worry about picking out little pieces of rocks from the soles of your shoes. Just don%26#39;t purposefully take rock samples.

Gin !!!!! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha (can%26#39;t stop laughing)

Thanks for the replies.

I live in the South, so I am quite used to cockroaches, waterbugs, etc!

I%26#39;m not sure exactly how far we%26#39;ll be hiking. . . I am trying to minimize luggage, you know how it is. . .

some soils in Hawaii esp Kauai can stain your shoes as well. Whatever is most comfortable for you for walking on uneven terrain. On beaches had to put up with gritty sand in keens but not bad

Yeah....the gin offering was funny.

I%26#39;m a vodka girl, myself...............

It may be funny....

But it is no joke.

Gin is by far the most common ';sacrifice'; left for Pele (tied up with a leaf of ginger).

While I have never left any myself (waste a good bottle of booze?), I have accompanied numerous kamaaina on their spiritual journey to either Halemaumau or the currently active vent to make their supplications.

Either raw or imu pork is the next favorite.

But the NPS frowns on it due to hygene and varmint concerns.

Why is Gin the favorite offering?

Dallas - what to do..

Hi there,

I am visiting family in Dallas with my fiance for a week in early to mid October 06 and was wondering what sort of things are available to do.. Some kind of interesting activity would be good, or any things to go see etc.. We are both in mid thirties and enjoy walking, cycling, snowboarding, culture, etc..

All suggestions welcomed.

Many thanks!

Dallas - what to do..

well, you can dream about a beach on Kauai from Dallas, but that%26#39;s all we can do for you.

Dallas - what to do..

Go to ';Dallas forums'; Kauai is located in the Hawaiian chain of island in the Pacific Ocean.

It would be a rare occurrence to have any appreciable snow (anytime) to snowboard in Dallas. You could get a weekend snowboard and ski flight and hotel package from Dallas to the ski areas in New Mexico and Colorado...but October is really too early. One exception might be that indoor runs have been created for such activities as ice-skating, snowboarding and moguls, etc., I wouldn%26#39;t know.

Visit Six Flags over Texas in Arlington if you like theme parks, visit the Fort Worth stock yards for a true western exerience. The Galleria mall is nice in Dallas. There won%26#39;t be snow for hundreds of miles and maybe many more weeks. But the mall has an ice skating rink. Dallas is HUGE and has lots to do as you will see if you research.

Hello Opal Fruity,

We%26#39;re a friendly bunch in Texas and welcome all visitors! Unfortunately, you somehow got on the wrong forum. No problem there - just go to the Dallas forum and ask your questions. I%26#39;m sure that some helpful Texans will be happy to answer your questions. I hope if I am ever so lucky as to get to go to Ireland, the favor will be returned.

Happy travels, Galveston Gal!

You picked a great time to visit Dallas. The weather should be cool and perfect for outdoor activities. White Rock Lake in East Dallas is very popular for jogging, cycling, etc and might be a place you%26#39;ll want to investigate.

As for other activities, I suggest you pick up the October edition of Texas Monthly when you arrive and check it for festivals, concerts, etc. (It has listings for all of the major Texas cities and is usually a pretty reliable source for things worth doing in Dallas.)

You might also pick up a copy of the Dallas Observer when you arrive. It%26#39;s the free weekly newspaper and also usually a pretty good source for things to do and great restaurant guidance.

Dallas has a fairly nice museum, which includes the very fine Nasher Sculpture Garden. Fort Worth is a large city approximately 30 miles west of Dallas, and it actually has probably more to offer in the way of museums, with the Amon G. Carter museum (very nice permanent collections of respected artists) and the new Modern Museum. The Dallas Observer can give you a better idea of the exhibits of interest. (The Texas State Fair will be under way when you visit. So you might want to allow for traffic in certain areas, especially if you happen to be in Dallas the weekend of the University of Texas/Oklahoma football game.)

Many tourists in Dallas check out Dealey Plaza and other sites related to the Kennedy assassination in 1963. The stockyards in Fort Worth are also a popular tourist attraction but a little on the cheesy side for my tastes.

As for shopping, the Galleria is certainly a nice mall but is generally on the generic side. I suggest you check out NorthPark Center, which is as much an ';experience'; as it is a shopping mall. The stores include the high end department stores (Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom), the more reasonably priced (Macys, Dillards), and many unique boutique stores. The mall also has pieces from Ray Nasher%26#39;s nationally respected art collection and plenty of places to eat, ranging from the fairly expensive (Maggiano%26#39;s, P. F. Chang%26#39;s) to cheaper options (La Madaleine, Corner Bakery). I highly recommend the tortilla soup and cheesecake at Neiman%26#39;s. You%26#39;ll also love the people watching, as many people who shop at NorthPark dress for the occasion.

The McKinney Avenue/Uptown area is also a very nice shopping/dining area and has a very nice theater specializing in independent films.

Hope that helps and have a great time!

Okay a co-worker has taken me to task, taking issue with my assessment of the Galleria as being on the ';generic side.'; He%26#39;s convinced me to amend my previous post.

What I should have said is that the Galleria lacks the ';Dallas feel'; that NorthPark has, which is only natural since it is significantly older than the Galleria and somewhat of an institution. In fairness, the Galleria is a beautiful mall and has recently been updated. It does have several stores that do not have locations at NorthPark (Saks, Louis Vitton, Gucci are a few that come to mind). Plus, as someone previously noted, the Galleria has an ice skating rink, whereas NorthPark does not. And most importantly, the Galleria has a fantastic restaurant, the Grand Luxe. I believe it is owned by the same company as the Cheesecake Factory. In any event, the entrees are huge and the desserts are unbelievably generous and tasty. There are also several nice stores across the street from the Galleria worth checking out. So, you really should probably try to visit both malls.

I%26#39;m also told I unfairly minimized the quality of the Dallas museums, which is probably a fair criticism. It has been years since I visited the main museum, which I understand has been tremendously improved during the interim, particularly by the Nasher Sculpture Garden. (Admittedly, I spend far too much time in shopping malls and too little time in cultural pursuits.)

I also should have added you should definitely fit in several meals at local Mexican restaurants. I%26#39;m partial to Chuy%26#39;s on McKinney and Cantina Laredo (get the tableside guacamole), but there are many Mexican restaurants worthy of visiting.

What's happening with the International Marketplace?

Hi Everyone - have you heard anything about the renovations that were to occur in the International Marketplace? Are they still going ahead? Any idea of what and more particularly, when? Whether you love it or hate it, it is an iconic part of Waikiki and many an evening by many a person has been spent fossicking around. I, for one, will be sorry to see it go. Please let me know what the word on the street is. Thanks, guys!

What's happening with the International Marketplace?

Aloha,

International Market Place is going nowhere. Funding for the big project never materlized so they scrapped all plans. They were to renovate to a lesser degree, but I have not heard anything further.

I can%26#39;t wait to stroll thru the market place this October.

What's happening with the International Marketplace?

I hope nothing happens until after I am there again in November. It%26#39;s so nice to walk through there in the evening and do a little shopping and just listening to the music and seeing the people. I can%26#39;t wait to get back there. Three months from Saturday and I will be there!!!!!

The International Marketplace remains, for the most part, in generaly full operations.

It is not going to be totally redeveloped in the near to mid-term as was being forwarded over the last decade-plus. The owners (Queen Emma Foundation) decided to just rehab and update the existing facility; focusing on rest rooms, public areas and some of the older structures in the complex. Termites, tropical weather and time have taken their toll on the mostly wooden improvements .

The refurbishment will take place in phases over a several year period, resulting in the closure of only a handful of outlets at any given time.

Currently (as of last week when I was staying next door), they are working on a building or two at the rear of the holding, near the food court. A couple of shops were temporarily closed while others in the effected structures were staying open as the work progressed.

The stage, with its daily live music, and food court were still open, and frankly, the closure of a handful of the scores of shops did not seem to effect the size of the patrons%26#39; crowd or the overall experience.

However, it remains the choicest underdeveloped site in the Waikiki urban resort district, and there will undoubtedly be continuing pressures over the long-term to utilize it for a more modern, efficient mixed-use facility.

The one thing the IMP has going for it is that it generates such a large positive cash flow for the Foundation (which needs the money to run Queen%26#39;s Hospital) in its current state, there is limited incentive to take on the cost and/or risk of total redevelopment.

P.S.....

Unlike what Yeg111 stated, it was never a question of obtaining adequate funding.

They had interested joint venture partners and capital investment offers up the wazzoo, and were negotiating with the owners of the adjoining Waikiki Miramar Hotel (one of the world%26#39;s richest families) to undertake a larger, combined redevelopment.

It just came down to a basic risk/reward analysis; and, the existing cash flow is so high and ownership risk so low the Foundation decided not to move ahead with it at this time.

Further, with the expansion/upgrading of the Royal Hawaiian Center, and the development of the large upscale retail-oriented Beach Walk and Waikiki Theater #3 site complexes, there was concern over whether there was sufficient upper-end demand to support a modern, new, repositioned IMP project at this time.

As the value of the land and economics of Waikiki evolve, conditions may change in a decade or so (or when the next real estate upcycle occurs) and redevelopment will again be on the table.

Thanks, everyone - especially Amberloo who always gives such comprehensive responses. It%26#39;s good to know that some things remain the same(ish!). I%26#39;ve been going to Hawaii since 79 - that%26#39;s a lot of trips and a lot Aussie dollars given the exchange rate. I once went when it was 63c to the US$ - still lhad to go! I am totally hooked! It%26#39;s good that the smells and sights that I carry in my mind are true reflections of what I know and love for when I get there - for 4 whole glorious weeks coming up in Dec. I%26#39;m finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else!

when I was there in just they had vacated one of the front A frame buildings, I was hoping they would knock it down and put in a nice restaurant, anyone notice if they have done anything, it is the one next to macys.

Longboard - I find this very sad although I do believe in progress and variety with the store types but even then, it%26#39;s good to see some of the same ol%26#39; stores when you go. But buildings? At least to me, it is sad to see less timber and greenery being used in quantity only to be replaced by load of concrete and plastic and strategically placed plant speciments. The exception here is, of course, the lovely and distinctive Bank of Hawaii - pineapple style building on Kalakaua. Remember the old Woolworth at the bottom of that building? It was quite pokey and tired but full of character! I say bring on the timber, pacific look!

After 20 some odd visits since 1980, I, for one, was dreading the depression of Waikiki without the International Market Place.

I didn%26#39;t get back last year due to business complications, and it was slated to be closed before I made it back again.

Now that I%26#39;m ready for a Thanksgiving return this year, I%26#39;m overjoyed to learn an old favorite is alive and well.

I am all for moving forward, but with all the progress, too much of the old flavor and character throughout the islands has been lost. I can see why first timers for the last several years are much less apt to fall in love the way I (and so many others) once did.

';Resorts'; come and go in popularity. The current thing will always be hot and current. The more memories of Hawaii that are lost, the more it looks like everywhere else, and the less lure there is to return time and time again over the years.

I was so happy to hear the news back when the plans were shelved for an overhaul of the marketplace. I actually enjoy the kitschy Hawaii touristy shops.

Not everybody wants more Prada and Gucci! I can go to any large city anywhere and find the exact same upscale stores... it gets so boring after awhile.

I goggled the International Market Place and was happy to see that the Queen Emma Foundation had scrapped plans to tear down the IMP. A few renovations are certainly required but we don%26#39;t want some new fancy-schmantzy ';development';. I will be seeing for myself in just 8 days - can%26#39;t wait!

My concern now is the proposed development on Beach Walk. Anyone know anything about that? We always stay at the Hawaiiana and we would hate to see those beautiful gardens laid waste!

Hi again!

Hi Big Island forum folk! We%26#39;re back again!

We%26#39;re trying to decide between Big Island and Kauai for our 10th anniversary. We came to the BI last year and loved it!! We were not so crazy about the Sheraton in Keahou but loved everything else. We need reccomendations on where to stay. We were looking at the Mariott but that%26#39;s out of the question because of the construction. We%26#39;re coming end of January and prices are high! Otherwise, we might have considered the Hapuna Prince :(

Help us decide!

DJHS

Hi again!

as an adult hotel.... I would go either the Mauna Kea or the totaly romantic Kona Village Resort....... looks expensive but incl;uses all meals and a lot of activities in the price, best Luau, nice beach, total seclusion and a polynesian feel...... no phones or TV.. just you 2........ a very class act

Jan on the Big Islan is the dry season, in Kauai it aint

Best snorkeling sites in Kauai?

Hello all. I%26#39;m in the VERY early stages of planning a March trip for a week in Kauai. Before trying to pick a part of the island to stay, I%26#39;d really appreciate suggestions on the best snorkeling locations on the island. My husband %26amp; I love to snorkel, and want to be sure to hit the best spots. Secondarily we want to do some hiking, but I%26#39;d rather house us based on the snorkeling locations.

Thanks in advance for any help here!

Best snorkeling sites in Kauai?

Hi -

Most snorkelers prefer the northshore sites - Kee and Tunnels. However, in March, the water may still be too rough there. You might want to opt for the south shore around Poipu. There should be good snorkeling t Poipu Beach Park and beaches near Kuhio Shores condos.

Best snorkeling sites in Kauai?

I recently scanned %26amp; uploaded 2 pages of the flyer I got from Seasport Divers that show the locations %26amp; gives a brief description of the sites. Use the link provided to see the album, and if wanted you can download the pages to your computer, which may require downloading a free program from AOL. Have no fear, there is no spyware or ad ware in it, or I wouldn%26#39;t use the site. Copy %26amp; paste to get there.

http://tinyurl.com/p8l32

Thanks so much, kimocat %26amp; cicopo.

kimocat, thanks for the recommendations. What months are considered safe for snorkeling on the North shore?

cicopo, I was able to get the flyer into my computer %26amp; printed out without any problems. Thank you!

Glad to hear that it worked. I hadn%26#39;t thought of doing that until recently. It was very handy both while there and later when doing my trip reports. This link has the underwater photos, several of which were from snorkeling, and list where.

http://tinyurl.com/bgm8x

Hi there! I second the notion on Ke%26#39;e and Tunnels as best snorkelling spots. My boyfriend and I loved both these beaches....we were there last March...the conditions were as follows:

Ke%26#39;e: very very calm..perfect conditions

Tunnels: Started out calm in the AM...towards noon, a strong current picked up...so much so..that we ended our snorkelling.

We didn%26#39;t snorkel anywhere in the east or south..because either the waves were too big..or it was raining when we were at those beaches.

dsb -

Generally, the northshore beaches are going to be best for snorkeling during the summer months. During the spring and fall, it just depends on the weather -- sometimes is OK and sometimes not. In the dead of winter, I%26#39;d figure on snorkeling down south.You also might want to keep in mind that the island is not all that big and it is not necessary to stay right by all the places you may want to try snorkeling. Consider also proximity to resurants, shops, etc and any other attractions you might want to see.

Good Luck

Ke%26#39;e

Snorkelling at Kee and TUnnels in March may not be possible. We%26#39;ve been going to Kauai that time of the year for the last 5 years. We have been able to snorkel up there from time to time, but had to really check the forecast and surf conditions before heading to the north shores to snorkel. South has been pretty good most of the time in March. We like to stay on the east side and head either direction depending on the weather.

dsb, probably the best snorkeling on the south shore is Lawai (Beach House) Beach, with Poipu second. In the winter you may be able to snorkel Poipu to the right of the sand spit. If you can get out to deeper water it can be quite good.

chap balm

Flights within Hawaii

We are travelling from Australia to Honolulu in April and wish to go to Mauii and Kauii.

Are there any cheap flights or discount airlines we should look for, for travel within Hawaii and how long in advance should we book tickets.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Flights within Hawaii

Look on

http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/

http://www.alohaairlines.com/

Im trying to think of the other one. Ive been to Hawaii a number of times and we would always book months in advance.

Have a lovely time

Flights within Hawaii

I would try and get the tickets in the next few months, perhaps sign up for newsletters from them and see if they do any special deals.

Im very jealous!! i went last november and enjoyed every minute.

Takecare

A new airline, go!, started a few months ago.

Since than the local airlines have been having airfare wars.

Fares have been as low as $19 (regular around $75 one way). The deadline for purchasing the cheap fares is now September 30 %26amp; travel completed by the end of February.

Doesn%26#39;t help you right now, but the deadline to purchase the fares %26amp; the deadline to travel by have both been extended several times already. So it may get extended in the future.

You can probably get something right now for April for around $39 - $59. At those prices, you might as well go for it now. If the price is around $79, you might as well wait a month or two.

Besides the two airline sites already listed, there is:

www.iflygo.com

Honeymoon in Kauai Sept 25-Oct 7

Hi everyone, we have spent the last week reading through posts on this great site. We have yet to narrow down our search as we keep hearing great things about the whole island.

Our questions:

1) Is it better to stay in one place i.e North Shore, or South Shore? Or to move around and stay at a few different areas of Kauai?

2) How big is the island? How many hours would it take to drive the entire highway from one end to the other?

3) What are good ares or villages we should look at where we would be walking distance to the beach as well as restaurants, bars and other ammenities?

4) Any suggestions on reasonable $80-$150/night accomdation for a new young married couple in this/these villages.

I know its a lot of questions, but all we have are our flights booked and we are eager to plan the rest.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Honeymoon in Kauai Sept 25-Oct 7

Congratulations on your marriage!

1) You%26#39;ll hear all kinds of opinions on whether to stay put or move around. We personally like to settle in and stay in one place. But hey, we%26#39;re old :0)

2) Never having timed it from one end of the island to the other, I would think a couple of hours would do it.

3and4) In your price range, right across the street from the beach and within walking distance to the Sheraton Hotel and Poipu Village Shopping Center, I would recommend Prince Kuhio condos.

Have fun!

Honeymoon in Kauai Sept 25-Oct 7

First of all, if you%26#39;re talking about Sept 25th of THIS year, you%26#39;d better get on finding a place to stay like....yesterday! You can probably find hotel rooms, but condos may be booked. The good thing is that it%26#39;s after Labor Day and the kiddies are back in school. Travel to the islands slows down a bit in October and November.

With your price range, I would say to look on the east side for accomodations. The $80 end may be a little tough to find, but you should find something in the $125 - $150 per night range. There%26#39;s a good variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance of many east shore hotels and condos.

Depending on traffic, it could take well over two hours to drive from one end of the highway to the other. If you go from Ke%26#39;e to Polihale, or up into the canyon, I would plan on about 2 1/2 hours just to be safe.

Welcome to the forum! Well, I am a lover of the lush North shore, and the water should still be calm up North in September so I would stay on the Northside, but as I said, that is my beloved area. Many people choose to stay on the East side, so you have access to all areas, but Kauai is simple to drive around, . . . so it%26#39;s more a matter of personal preference.

Hanalei is my favorite town on the North shore, and there are accommodations there and near there. www.vrbo.com would be where I would begin searching for lodging. Many of us here on the forum prefer condos/cottages as you at least have a small kitchen for some basic meal preparation, but you might want a hotel if you want a more service oriented stay.

Are you leaving in a few weeks?? If this is true, you%26#39;ll want to get surfing for a place to stay - the more inexpenisve ones go quick, but you are hitting during the shoulder season, so that should make it a bit easier to find somewhere.

I would also highly recommend you picking up the lastest edition of the Ultimate Kauai Guide - Kauai Revealed - it%26#39;ll be a great help to you in your activities, dining, etc., as well as continued reading here on the forum. Congrats and best of luck! :)

Welcome Happy Couple!

Keep in mind that no matter where you drive, you have to go back the same distance. So, you should stay in the area that holds the most attraction for you and travel from there.

My opinions:

Personally, I like the East Shore for it%26#39;s close proximity to groceries, sundries, shopping and restaurants, and an easy drive to the Northeast Beaches that I like. When we travel up to the north shore, part of the charm is the scenery on the drive up. When we want to go South or West, it doesn%26#39;t take us all day to get there and back.

The North Shore is the most beautiful, and is delightful in September, but gets a little drizzly later in the fall/winter. There is plenty to keep a person occupied up there, with so many beached tucked away here and there, so that would be a close 2nd for me.

I feel that the South shore is too far removed from the rest of the island and you have travel no matter where you go. In the winter time, it might be a good place to stay put when the rains come, but in September, I%26#39;d venture up to the lusher East and North Shores.

For a couple wanting to explore the entire island, staying on the East or North shores would be my recommendation in September.

Many condos and hotels offer the 5th or 7th night free, making their daily rate much less than advertised. Looking for those deals might help you keep to your lodging budget. There are many moderately priced condos in Kapaa and a few in Princeville too.

Hanalei Town is fun to stroll through, with quaint shops with interesting items. Old Kapaa Town also has it%26#39;s charm. Koloa Town is a little too touristy for my taste, but some like it. Old Hanapepe Town is nice to stroll through in the cool of the evening, if you like art. (Friday night art shows) Waimea Town also has its charm. Each town is different, I%26#39;d stroll through them all!

Oops - I forgot Lihue Town. It%26#39;s more of a driving town than strolling, but it%26#39;s got the Museum and other attractions, as well as big shops like Hilo Hattie and Walmart and further down in Kukui Grove Shopping Mall, there is a Macy%26#39;s and other Mall shops. Down by Nawiliwili Harbor (Marriott, Kalapaki Beach) is also a nice strolling area, with shops and restaurants.

You%26#39;ll see all these places as you drive around. Just stop and explore when the mood strikes. Have a great time!

Wow, thank you everyone for your quick response.

We were going to stay at the Kauai Banyan Inn, everything looks great about that place, but we would rather be able to walk to some places (beach, village...)

Yes we are quite aware that we are running out of time. It looks like we want to be on the North Shore or East coast as most of what everyone wrote is what we want to see and do. We actually prefer to have a kitchen and not to be in a hotel, so hopefully we can find some good options in those areas.

I know we are running out of time, so I hope to narrow it down to a few places by tonight.

Hello again! Besides www.vrbo.com there is also this website that lists all kinds of vacation rentals as well: www.kauaivacationresorts.com

I just stayed at a nice and very affordable condo in Princeville in late August - I think they have availability - here is their site - the owners were very pleasant to deal with. http://www.vrbo.com/31656

Good luck! Let%26#39;s know how it goes. :)

Great thank you, I wil check on that right now.

Anyone have any experience with Suite Paradise in Poipu? I know its the oposite of what I just said (south of the island %26amp; on a resort) but the prices look great and the feedback seems good too.

I guess it just comes down to what we want more, and I think its to experience Kauai on our own, not from a resort. But I should check with the future Mrs first ;).

I will look into your suggestion now though

coalminer- I called and spoke to Mike he seemed really nice. The website for the Emerald Suite is Sandpiper is pretty bad, but it seems like it might be a good deal. Is this the suite that you stayed in?

They do have availability and it does look appealing I guess I am just a little weary with a place I don%26#39;t know anything about.

Happy Couple: Well, I stayed in their studio - the Menehune, which is very basic, but it was nicely decorated (clean %26amp; no bugs) and sure beat the basic hotel room - it did lack a view. They also had stuff for the beach - mats, boogie boards, etc. However, I believe his 2 other suites do have a mountain view and are much larger with more amenities than the studio we had. It%26#39;s in a good location, right in the Princeville resort area which is very nice - you could even walk to a few restaurants and you are just a 2 mile drive to Hanalei. I%26#39;m not sure what else you are looking at . . . or what you might find at this date. I hope this helps you some - good luck! :)

Just booked the Emerald suite with Mike in Sandpiper Village for 1 week. He was very friendly and helpful. We are very excited we will let everyone know how it works out for us.

Now we have to decide if we should spend the whole time in Kauai or jump over to Maui for 2 days before we have to go back.

Any ideas?