Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from $3090)
, ori- ginally built in 1946 by Elbert Gillin, a civil engineer with the Koloa
Sugar Plantation.
from here, which will take you inside the largest limestone cave in Hawaii. Visitors
may only enter with a trained volunteer guide, who staff the cave on Sundays. Little
known fact: they shot scenes forPirates of the Caribbeanin this sinkhole.
If you must drive, go past the Grand Hyatt, proceed for 1.5 miles on the unpaved
road and turn right where it dead-ends at a gate (open 7:30am to 6pm, to 7pm
summer). Continue past the gatehouse until you reach the beach parking area. Ac-
cess hours are strictly enforced.
Two excellent resources are the Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail
website
(
www.hikemahaulepu.org
)
andKauaʻi's Geologic History: A Simplified Guideby Chuck
nonprofit group working to preserve the area, which is owned by Steve Case, the
co-founder of America Online.
Beaches
Poʻipu Beach Park
BEACH
( ) A go-to spot where there's something for everyone and the water is always clear
and clean (according to Surfrider Foundation water testers, that is). Patrolled by resident
honu
(sea turtles) in the shallows, it's sheltered by a rock reef that attracts fish of all
shapes and sizes.
The beach spills into two separate bays connected by that common reef outside and bi-
sected by a sandbar. It's heart shaped in that way. There are also three nearby surf breaks
and a gorgeous grassy lawn that connects to Brennecke's Beach just east. Add in the life-
guard, toilet and shower facilities, and those miracle sunsets and you have one safe,
lively, family-friendly beach. It's located at the end of Hoʻowili Rd. Parking is right
across the street from the beach.
Brennecke's Beach
BEACH
With a sandbar bottom and a notch of sand and sea wedged between two lava rock out-
crops, this little beach attracts a cadre of bodyboarders, bobbing in the water, waiting for
the next set at any time of day or year. No surfboards are allowed near shore, so body-
boarders rule.
