HAWAII | OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE

Planning a trip to Kauai's Waimea & Kokee State Park

By Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
04:53 PM PDT, March 16, 2007

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Visiting Kokee State Park may not be at the top of the list for most travelers to Kauai, but on an island where the longest drive time is two hours, getting to the park is easier than you think.

WAIMEA: As the gateway to Polihale State Beach, Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park, Waimea gives travelers plenty of reasons to pause, whether it's to grab a bite, spend the night or just take in a quieter side of Hawaiian life. But be advised, summers here are hot, dry and dusty, one reasons why the mountains are so popular. Winters, however, are warm and balmy.

The main strip showcases not only the town's Art Deco movie theater and its eclectic storefronts but also a couple of nice places to eat.

RESTAURANTS

Ishihara Market, 9894 Kaumualii Highway, Waimea, HI 96796; (808) 338-1751, has a deli counter that's a delight. We had the broiled ahi and the teriyaki chicken. There's a wonderful selection of ahi and salmon poke (raw fish), Korean tako poke (raw octopus), terlika (cuddle fish), seaweed salad with sesame oil and the kimchi shrimp. Prices from $7.

Waimea Brewing Company, 9400 Kaumualii Highway, Waimea, HI 96796; (808) 338-9733, www.waimeabrewing.com, on the grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages. Beer samplers never tasted better. From dark to light, we moved through the Uli Uli brown, the Leilani Light, the Na Pali Pale Ale and the Waialeale Ale with the greatest of ease, and when the Kalua pork arrived with the kimchi and the wasabi mashed potatoes, we were ready to dig in. Main dishes $9 to $30.

Jo-Jo's for a shave ice. It was early afternoon and one of the few times when there wasn't a mob on the sidewalk out front. I ordered an ice with raspberry and blueberry syrup and vanilla ice cream in the bottom of the cup. Striking the balance between getting a cold headache and digging out the buried ice cream was perhaps the greatest challenge of the trip.

MORE INFORMATION

Kokee Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 100 Kekaha, HI 96752; (808) 335-9975. The museum and gift shop sells excellent trail guides and maps. During the summer, the museum holds guided walks throughout the park.

Kauai Visitors Bureau, (800) 262-1400.