Weekend in Kauai (Honolulu, Princeville, Hana: hotel, live in, dangerous)

[Yasuko&Kristian]

Hi

I live in Norway, my girlfriend is on a exchange program in Hawaii (Oahu), so I will visit Hawaii Oct. 18-Nov. 17. I'm planning to stay 4 days by myself on the big island, and spend one weekend together on Maui, second on Kauai. I think I will stay the following Mondays and Tuesdays on each island. The rest of the time we will spend evenings around Honolulu area, I will travel around Oahu by bus at daytime.

Which part of Kauai do you recommend to stay? We would like to visit Na Pali coast and walk the trail so Hanalei seems practical, but I'm wondering how the weather will be, is it rainy and big waves on the northern coast in October/November? Is it "safer" weather-wise to stay on the southern coast or the eastern coast?

I would also know where there are fewest tourists in Kauai that time of the year.

[Mar0]

It might be rainy in the North Shore during that time period...but it might not be. November is generally when it becomes more rainy and the North Shore gets the most rain. Therefore the south or even west side might be more for you.

The waves pick up on the North Shore in October or so, and the South gets calmer at that time. Last November it rained a lot (I think closer to the end of the month though...) and therefore the Kalalau trail was very slippery and dangerous- especially where you have to cross the streams. Just keep that in mind.

In general, tourism is down and Oct and Nov weren't really heavy tourist times to begin with. The West side gets the least amount of tourists, and if you want to avoid people, there are hotel options over there. The south side will probably be busier than Princeville/Hanalei , but as I said with tourism down it shouldn't be bad at all. It is a tough decision....