Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
everything from Thai curries to grilled chicken to al pastor tacos, and the absolute best
pies in KauaŹ»i (
Click here
), if not the state.
The pace picks up around 5pm, when the main drag is transformed by its mix of musi-
cians, art installations and visitors. Though art aficionados may snub some of the collec-
tions as less than cutting edge, there are some exceptional young entrepreneurs here de-
livering goods - if not art - that would do well in the most bustling of big city hipster
hoods (we're looking at you, Machine- machine). The trick is to not judge and to take
your time. You might just find a gem or three.
Birds in Paradise
GLIDING
(
822-5309;
www.birdsinparadise.com
; 3666 Kui- loko Rd, Port Allen Airport; 30/60/90min les-
son $175/250/360)
For a real adrenaline rush, take an ultralight-plane (something like a
prop-powered glider) lesson. Thirty-minute flights allow you to see the Westside from
above, hour-long flights take you into Waimea Canyon and along the Na Pali Coast, and
90-minute flights will get you around the entire island. Flights leave daily, wea-ther per-
mitting. Take the road for Salt Pond Beach Park to reach the airport.
Inter-island Helicopters
HELICOPTER TOUR
(
800-656-5009, 335-5009;
www.interislandhelicopters.com
; 3441 Kuiloko Rd; regular/waterfall
flights $249/$310)
Their doors-off flights provide insane Westside views, especially if the
rain has been falling and the waterfalls are in full force. Its flight record, however, is less
than perfect. They leave from the Port Allen airport in Hanapepe.
Sleeping
Though there aren't any hotels or rentals to speak of, Salt Pond Beach Park (
Click here
)
offers convenient camping.
Eating & Drinking
Hanapepe is a largely Native Hawaiian and longtime local community, which means it's
a good place to sample local
grinds
on the cheap. Come with a thin wallet and an empty
stomach and you'll do just fine.
Little Fish Coffee
CAFE $
(
335-5000;
www.facebook.com/LittleFishCoffee
; 3900 Hanapepe Rd; eats $5-10, drinks $3-8;
6:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, from 8am Sat;
) The colorful chalkboard menu at this crazy cute
coffee shop - our favorite on the entire island, actually - lures you with espresso drinks
