Kauai - Hawaii with Kids - page 389

or 808/742-8019; www.brenneckes.com/nukumoi.html); Hanalei Surf Co.,
5-5161 Kuhio Hwy. (across from Zelo's Beach House Restaurant in Hanalei Cen-
ter), Hanalei ( & 808/826-9000 ); and Pedal 'n Paddle, Ching Young Village
Shopping Center, Hanalei ( & 808/826-9069 ). The cheapest place to rent a
board is the Activity Warehouse, 788 Kuhio Hwy. (across from McDonald's),
Kapaa ( & 808/822-4000; www.travelhawaii.com), where they start at $5 a day.
TUBING
Back in the days of the sugar plantations, on really hot days, if no one was look-
ing, local kids would grab inner tubes and jump into the irrigation ditches criss-
crossing the cane fields for an exciting ride. Today you can enjoy this (formerly
illegal) activity by “tubing” the flumes and ditches of the old Lihue Plantation
through Kauai Backcountry Adventures ( & 888/270-0555 or 808/245-2506;
www.kauaibackcountry.com). Passengers are taken in four-wheel-drive vehicles
high into the mountains above Lihue and look at vistas generally off limits to
the public. At the flumes, you will be outfitted with a giant tube, gloves, and
headlamp (for the long passageways through the tunnels). All you do is jump in
the water, and the gentle gravity-feed flow will carry you through forests, into
tunnels, and finally to a mountain swimming hole, where a picnic lunch is
served. The 3-hour tours are $85 and appropriate for anyone older than the age
of 5. Swimming is not necessary, as all you do is relax and drift downstream.
WATER-SKIING
Hawaii's only freshwater water-skiing is on the Wailua River. Ski boats launch
from the boat ramp in Wailua River State Park, directly across from the marina.
Kauai Water Ski & Surf Co., Kinipopo Shopping Village, 4-356 Kuhio Hwy.,
Kapaa ( & 808/822-3574 ), rents equipment and offers lessons and guided
tours; it charges $55 for a half-hour trip and $100 for an hour. Kids should be
able to swim well; children older than age 7 make good beginning water-skiers.
ON THE LAND
BIKING
There are a couple of great places on Kauai for two-wheeling: the Poipu area,
which has wide, flat roads and several dirt-cane roads (especially around
Mahaulepu); and the cane road (a dirt road used for hauling sugar cane) between
Kealia Beach and Anahola, north of Kapaa.
For a great selection of high-quality mountain bike rentals at reasonable
prices, it's worth the drive to Pedal 'n Paddle, in Hanalei ( & 808/826-9069;
www.pedalnpaddle.com), which has not only high-grade Kona mountain bikes
with Shimano components but also bikes with front-end suspension systems.
Rentals start at $10 a day or $30 a week and include helmet, bike lock, and car
rack. The shop also has kids' 20-inch BMX bikes. The knowledgeable folks here
are more than happy to provide you with free maps and tell you about the best
biking spots on the island.
GUIDED BIKE TOURS Outfitters Kauai ( & 808/742-9667; www.
outfitterskauai.com) offers a fabulous downhill bike ride from Waimea Canyon
to the ocean. The 12-mile trip (mostly coasting) begins at 6am, when the van
leaves the shop in Poipu and heads up to the canyon. By the time you've scarfed
down the fresh-baked muffins and coffee, you're at the top of the canyon, just
as the sun is rising over the rim—it's a remarkable moment. The tour makes a
couple of stops on the way down for short, scenic nature hikes. You'll be back at
the shop around 10am. The sunset trip follows the same route. Both tours cost
$80 for adults, $60 for children 12 to 14.