“Pam Says” Poipu is Paradise
“Pam Says” Where to Go in POIPU
The original inspiration for my blog came from a song my friends’ kids made up on their trip to Kauai. I gave them a list of where to go and each day they would ask “Mom what are we doing today?” and she would answer, “Well, Pam says…” and the kids would sing “Pam Says, Pam Says”… the rest is history. We own a little place in Poipu on the beautiful island of Kauai so I’m lucky enough to go often. Here a few of my favorite “Pam Says” things!
Beach
Brenecke’s Beach: great for boogie boarding, you can rent boards at Nukumoi’s across the street from the beach (Breneke’s Market, also across the street, has “good” shave ice)
Poipu Beach: good for families and snorkeling
Waiohai Beach: In front of the Waiohai Hotel, good to take beginning surf lessons… nice calm waves…Ole Hay!
Shipwreck’s Beach: To the left of the Hyatt, not always safe to go in the water. But it’s a pretty beach and fun to watch the locals jump off the cliff
Lunch
Da Crack– A little hole in the wall Mexican place next to the old Kukuiula Market on Poipu Road, great take-out to take to the beach
Brenneke’s Beach Broiler– The Kama’aina Pupu Platter is delicious for lunch! But I don’t recommend the restaurant for dinner.
Captain’s Bar at The Hyatt– The upper bar at the pool is a casual spot for lunch with an amazing view.
Puka Dogs– A must go! Located in the Poipu Shopping Village, I love the polish sausage with spicy sauce, mango relish and lilikoi mustard, but get whatever you want… they are all good! And try a lemonade with half the sugar.
Savage Shrimp– In Kukuiula Marketplace. Super casual, really great, peal the shrimp by hand. If you’re staying in a condo, get it to go and have it for dinner!
Duke’s Canoe Club– It’s not in Poipu but it’s my favorite lunch on my last day on the way to the airport
The Dolphin– Get the Tahitian Poke Bowl or the Mahi Fish Sandwich
Old Koloa Fish Market– Unbelievable fresh Poke… get the Ahi and Avacado
Taro Ko Chips Factory– If you get poke from the Koloa Fish Market be sure to drive up the road to Hanapepe and pick up some freshly made Taro Chips from this little hole in the wall right at the beginning of town on the left. Yummy! Buy a few bags and Stanley will always throw one in for free!!
Dinner
Stevenson’s Library in the Grand Hyatt- Sushi. Make your reservation right at 5:30 when they open and you will have the best chance to sit out on the balcony and watch the torch lighting ceremony and have an amazing view. Get the Tai Chi, Mai Tai!
Tapas– In the Kukuiula Marketplace. Try the Lichi Sangria. All the Sangrias are good and they let you sample them before you order (they come around with a cart!)
Tortilla Republic– In the Kukuiula Marketplace. Upstairs is casual, downstairs is very casual- both delicious food. I like upstairs the best. Get the guacamole made to order at your table
Keoki’s Paradise- In the Poipu Shopping Village, eat in the bar area. It’s touristy but fun and there’s a band, the fish tacos are really good and the hula ice cream pie is worth the trip
The Beach House– go before sunset and take pictures out on the lawn. The restaurant is hit or miss and somewhat pricey for the quality, so we like to go to the bar and get snacks and a drink
Merriman’s Restaurant– It’s delicious… get the house Mai Tai with the lilikoi honey foam!
Eating House 1849- A Roy Yamaguchi Restaurant in the Kukuiula Marketplace. Everything is delicious. The menu has an old Hawaiian feel updated with Portugese flavors. Loved the whole fish!
Plantation Gardens– Old guard restaurant that’s beautifully Hawaiian! Get there early and walk the gardens and be sure to have a Panini, this is where this delicious banana drink was invented!
La Spezia– In the old town of Koloa. Delicious Italian food… it’s hard to consider eating Italian food in Hawaii but this is good for a change of pace… love the lasagne
The Dolphin Sushi Bar– Love the sushi here!
Activities
Kuluiula Village Farmers Market– Wednesday’s from 3:30-6, small but very nice… fun to go before you have a dinner reservations
Poipu Kai Tennis Center– Very nice facility. You can join for the week at reasonable prices
Outfitters Adventures – Kipu falls, zip-lining, kayaking-the best adventure tour ever!!!
This is my favorite adventure tour…you start with a kayak ride up the river…
then zip-lining!
and then lunch and swimming in beautiful pools!
Anara Spa Day at The Grand Hyatt– Since we have a condo we don’t have the luxury of a hotel so we always book a treatment at the Anara Spa. With the price of one treatment you can use the exercise room, take yoga classes and use the spa pool for the day and order lunch!
Waimea Canyon-long drive up there, but it’s beautiful and there are some great hikes
Kauai ATV Tours-Mud Buggies
Kipu Ranch Adventures-ATV’s
Kauai Back Country Adventures-Tubing Down a Lava Tube River
Grocery Shopping
Living Foods Market and Café – Gourmet Market
Sueoka’s – Full Grocery Store with more specialty items, buy Popo’s Cookies-shortbread cookies made in Kauai (better than Kauai Kookies). All flavors are delicious, buy Auntie Lilikoi’s Passion Fruit Jelly (don’t get Passion Fruit Guava – just the Passion Fruit) and serve on English Muffins!
Big Save – best price for basic groceries, wine etc. in Old Koloa Town
Where To Stay
There are many beautiful hotels, but for an all inclusive experience, I like the Grand Hyatt… the spa, the restaurants and the fun water slide make it my top choice!
North Shore
Even though I titled the blog, “Poipu is Paradise”, you have to go to the North Shore for at least one day. It’s one of the prettiest places in the world. I love…
Queen’s Bath, Secret Beach, Lumahai Beach (where they filmed the scene “I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair” in South Pacific), Kalalau Trail at the end of the road, the town of Hanalei, Hanalei Pier for surf lessons, Tunnels Beach, “Tropical Taco” or “Tahiti Nui” for lunch, “Wishing Well” for Shaved Ice and a Napali Coast boat tour
The Beginning of the Kalalau Trail at the end of the road on the North Shore…
It’s a beautiful hike with spectacular views of the Na Pali Coast!
Secret Beach
Tunnels Beach
And… be sure to notice King Kong’s profile on your way to the North Shore (On the way back on Hwy 56, just before Kapaa on the right side, mile marker 14)
Chris’ Famous Mai Tai- The Don Ho Show
The Don Ho Show (serves 6)
2 oz. Orgeat (Almond Liqueur)
2 oz. Orange Curacao (Orange Liqueur)
Juice of 3 Limes
Juice of 1 Lemon
6 oz. Pineapple Juice
6 oz. Passion Orange Juice
6 oz. Sweet and Sour
6 oz. Light Rum
Meyers Dark Rum (floater)
Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and serve over ice with a float of Dark Rum and an umbrella garnished with lime and pineapple! Soooo good!!!
It’s an old Hawaiian tradition that says, if you throw your lei into the water it means your coming back!!!
So this is where it all started. “Pam Says” was the heading of the itinerary I would hand to my friends when they were taking a trip to Poipu on the island of Kauai. We have been coming every year for about 30 years and this is one of those places I have been trying to “create the perfect experience”!!!
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5 Responses to ““Pam Says” Poipu is Paradise”
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So many fun things to do, I’ve checked off many things from that list! Thank you for sharing Kauai with us, we love it and can’t wait to go back! xoxo
I think you’re in every pic! I didn’t put in the one of you wearing the booze lei that I bought you…baby daughter!
I feel like I just took a blog vacation! Thanks Pam!
Soo fun, we need to have you back!!! With Anjuli and Chelsea!!!
Great tips! planning our 4th trip to Kauai in Feb!
Monster