We did some research, looked in guidebooks and asked a random group of Kaua‘i people where their favorite picnic places are. • ‘anini Beach, because there’s a big field for the kids to run around and play. There’s space for
We did some research, looked in guidebooks and asked a random group of Kaua‘i people where their favorite picnic places are.
• ‘anini Beach, because there’s a big field for the kids to run around and play. There’s space for camping tents, and having a cookout is OK, too.
• Swimming is safe at Salt Pond Beach Park pretty much all year. There’s lots of tidepools to crawl around on and explore, and there’s lots of room to play football, volleyball or frisbee.
• Under the Wailua Bridge is a fun place to go because we can launch my cousin’s fishing boat and go for a cruise up the Wailua River. Swimming is safe there close to the bridge on the river side of the sandbar, and when the sun sets we can go for a nice walk along Wailua Bay. It’s also close to the grocery store, in case we forgot to bring anything.
• Near Kalihiwai Stream is a shady place because of all the tall ironwood trees to park under. There are sometimes loose dogs but during the summer it’s a neat place to go bodyboarding.
• Po‘ipu Beach Park for family gatherings like birthdays, because the facilities are good, there’s a shave-ice shop across the street, the showers are good, there’s a playground and several different safe ocean swimming areas (with lifeguards) within walking distance. Summer is a bummer for parking, though.
• Lydgate is good for all the reasons as Po‘ipu, especially the lifeguards. For ease for those of us who live in Lihu‘e, it’s tough to beat Kalapaki.
• By the Waimea Pier. Just drive eastward on Kaumuali‘i Highway until you get to Waimea, and after you get to the town, drive makai on one of the side roads to the beach. For my perfect day at the beach, I would bring a fishing pole, favorite drinks and pupus and CD player to listen to my favorite Hawaiian music. I would stay there until the sun went down.
• Anahola. We swim then go to my aunty’s house, where we can take showers and have dinner with the leftover food.
• “Loop Road” (Keahua Arboretum). Among the trees there are picnic tables, and cool streams, but swimming probably isn’t a great idea.
• Go “up the mountain,” to Koke‘e State Park. But it’s an all-day trip. Picnic spots are the big field in front of the Lodge and other pull-offs and lookouts that have picnic tables (some have restrooms).
