Taking the Kids: Visiting the end of the road in Kauai

Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on Oct 20, 2022

Go hiking. Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific on the western side of Kauai, is known for its scenic overlooks and hiking trails, including the popular 3.4-mile Canyon Trail that includes Waipo’o Falls, an 800-foot waterfall. (Sadly, it was pouring when we visited.)

Enjoy spectacular botanic gardens — three of five National Tropical Gardens are on Kauai; Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden on the South Shore and Limahuli Garden in Haena. There are voluntourism programs that can offer hotel savings, as well as satisfaction for giving back. At the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, for example, the Malama package offers a fifth night free for guests who do a beach cleanup.

I was thinking about different strokes for different folks when we spent a few days after our stay at Hanalei Colony Resort on the sunny South Shore of Kauai at the luxe Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. It is spread out on 52 acres with multi-level lava-rock lining a lazy river pool, complete with waterfalls and a 150-foot water slide. There’s a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon with a sandy beach and plenty of white sand beaches, as well. The thatched-roof Tidepools is considered one of the top restaurants on the island and a new Hawaiian Cultural Center offers classes (lei making anyone?) while local artisans show off their wares in the lobby. Obviously, there’s no need to make your own Mai Tai or get your own lunch here.

“This is the best hotel I’ve ever been to,” said Baylee Cain, 27, here with her blended family. “My dad and his wife honeymooned here, and he wanted us all to see it,” she explained.

Families not only have all the conveniences but are the most likely to pay an up-charge for access to the Grand Lounge for complimentary breakfast, snacks and hors d’oeuvres, plentiful enough for dinner.

While at Hanalei Colony Resort, meanwhile, there is no AC (we don’t need it), and no TV or phones. You either want to arrive with a car full of groceries or arrange to have the resort stock your fridge.

At the Hyatt, of course, room service is a phone call away and you have a choice of where and what to eat (poolside fish tacos, maybe, or sushi?) not to mention all of the restaurants in Poipu Beach.

“Didn’t you get bored at Hanalei?” one Honolulu friend asked. Absolutely not.

“There is something about this spot (the ocean on one side, the misty mountains on the other reached by one-lane bridges) that is spiritual,” said Kendal Naughton. “You feel the energy and a lot of peace you don’t have on the mainland.”

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)