skip to main content

Hawaii: nature, no crowds?

23 years ago

Where is the best place in Hawaii for outdoor recreation, absorbing nature, local flavor (i.e., no chain hotels or restaurants)? Which island? We are thinking about going in late spring, and we'd like to stay at a B&B or cottage. We don't necessarily need the amenities of a city, but we don't want to drive more than 4 hours from the airport. Mid- to upper price range.

I would like ideas or recommendations from people who have been there. Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

plantladyco
23 years ago
Just got back from Hawaii(Big Island) I know places to get away, but need to know what you like to do when on vacation.
lpolk
23 years ago
Molokai will have the most remote feel. It used to be a leper colony (still has one?) so it was not known for tourism. That is changing though. There are lodges/cottages there and lots of local flavor, no major malls.
Kauai has the reputed most beautiful nature, where all the movies are filmed - South Pacific, Jurassic Park, and probably have some remote cottages. I have heard that you have to watch where you explore on your own because of the large drug crops there however. I'm sure if you stay in a rentable cottage they will give you the rundown. It has a rainy side that is more remote/beautiful, but alas, rainy.
Related Discussions
Crowded buds on Palladian Pink :(
Q
Comments (1)
I don't know, but I took someone's advice (I don't remember who, sorry) and removed a few of the buds on Palace Garen Beauty. It wasn't opening and was covered with buds. It is much better now that I removed a few of them. (It hurts to do it though...it's unnatural. kay
...See More
Funny story/what would you do-- crowded restaurant
Q
Comments (55)
DH and I are in our mid-50s and have shared tables both at home and while we're travelling. In crowded cafes either we've asked if we could have the spare seats at someone already seated's table, or we've invited people who are obviously looking for a seat to make use of our spare seats. We've even changed our seats around to make room for others. We don't necessarily start up a conversation with the other people beyond a few remarks, but it wouldn't occur to us to refuse to share if the place was crowded. On a similar note, we were in a tiny indie cinema with three long (about 10 or 12 seats) row of seats across the space. Being so small, and the movie quite popular, it was pretty well full, in fact there were only two seats left, one at either end of the row DH and I were sitting in (I was next to one of the empty seats). In walked a couple, obviously nonplussed at the potential seating disaster. So I called to the rest of the people in the row, "Could everyone please move down one seat so these people can sit down?" Everyone seemed ready to do just that until the lady sitting at the opposite end announced she couldn't move down one because the seat next to her was (for some reason) higher than the others (by about 4") and if she sat in it her feet wouldn't touch the floor. So I said "Well then, everybody move up one, I'll sit in the wretched seat and DH can sit next to me and that will leave two seats at this end for these people." So we all moved, I got the high seat which, even though I have short legs, wasn't really that bad- I certainly didn't notice it. But the lady who didn't want to move would not shut up about it! All through the movie, she kept muttering to her friend things along the lines of "Well, I couldn't move, my feet just wouldn't have touched the floor!" etc. I felt like saying, for Pete's sake, give it a rest already! Problem solved! Everyone happy! (well, except her, I guess).
...See More
Ostrich ferns and Corydalis crowding out hosta views
Q
Comments (8)
Lately there's been a lot of interest in corydalis root as a potential treatment for the Western disease known as fibromyalgia. In Chinese traditional medicine.. Not sure if this is true or another one of the miracle drugs but you may have a market for these. I always wory about planting ground cover because of this choking out my hosta and other plants. The ferns, shoots I do keep them cut out and either move and plant in another area or give away too but these do look good waving in the breeze. My uncle from the coast hated them in his blueberry farm. Still a lovely setting
...See More
Sandy Soil Improvement Using Crowded Seedlings
Q
Comments (13)
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! > What you are doing is growing a green manure crop I absolutely agree. I'm just trying to accelerate the process, from seasons to weeks. > Choose vigorous, fast, deep rooted plants. I've been planting cowpea, primarily. It has deep taproots as you recommend, and the seeds are large and contain 25% protein which will add significant nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil. I'm also trying wheat because it looks nice like a lawn grass when crowded, and it's also high in protein, though the seeds are small. > The flaw in your plan is that these plants will be unable to leave behind any minerals or nitrogen that was not already in the dirt I'm using a ridiculously large number of big seeds which are rich in protein. I believe that the amount of nitrogen, etc added from the seeds alone would be significant. > The main disadvantage I see to your plan is time scale. It'll take a LONG TIME to improve your soil substantially by simply cover cropping. I hope to achieve very fast results with the deliberate crowding of the seedlings. The top portion of the soil could be saturated with little roots within 2 weeks, creating lots of channels for water infiltration. It'll probably take much longer for the roots to rot to the point where they'll help the soil to hold more water and nutrients, though. > How deep? How far do you have to dig before you get to a different material? I've not dug deep enough to get to a different material, but it's more than 10cm deep. > you have no earthworms is you have compacted sharp sand. I thought so initially, but since I started watering the soil, I've been seeing earthworm casts at the edges of the area, where some weeds have also started springing up. > Was this a real garden bed once? If so, how did it end up with so much sand? The owners gave up on growing things there and just wanted it to look 'neat' with no weeds.
...See More
dolfannat
23 years ago
I'm partial to Kauai since I lived there for 5 years.I lived on the south side Poipu Beach area.I worked for the Hyatt Regency Kaui which I think is the nicest on the island.But is pricy.There are many b&b's.There is a book that you can get at any Borders or Barnes and Noble.Its called The Ultimate Kauai Guide book.It is written by locals who give their unbiased opinion on evertyhing from activities and lodging.

The North shore is where they filmed all the movies and is a must see,but it rains alot.South side you get the most sunny days and the west side is HOT!!!!

Other than maybe getting lost in a cane field trying to get to the exclusive Mahalapu Beach,never heard of "finding drugs" accidently while touring.Yea I'm sure its there but the locals wouldn't have it where any haeole may come across it.

Spring is my favorite season there.Have a great time.

Natalie
marikoitoh
23 years ago
id agree with dolfannat that kauai is a good choice. lots of different things to see and do, not too remote, nice laid back feel.
molokai though very remote, doesnt offer much to see or do other than donkey rides and golf. the cottages at kaluakoi are nice and homey. Lanai is just as remote with less to see and do.
i would also consider hawaii(the big island) simply because kilauea is still erupting(be sure to check before you make plans.) and to my knowlege im sure its the only place in the world you can see, get ridiculously close to active flowing lava, which eventually empties into the ocean. you can actually get as close to the lava as you can stand. dont worry. the lava moves very slowly, and theres no danger of the volcano exploding like St.helens. the landscape around the crater is also amazing, like youre on another planet, sulfur and everything. then you can go up to mauna kea and do some snowboarding!(again check to see if theres enough snow when you go) the downside is that there is a fair amount of driving as the island is larger as all the islands combined and mauna kea is the largest,tallest mountain on earth. theres also neat things like the kona coast, coffee farms, sacred sites,etc. to see.
Oahu and maui are definitely touristy. though maui has mt haleakala which has the most breathtaking sunrise in the world and oahu has the most, best beaches anywhere. if youre the beach type theres always surf somewhere, places to windsurf, scuba, hangout, etc.
if you couldnt already tell, yes im a local. and id say now is a pretty good time to come here since we are totally dependant :: on tourism and since 9/11 you can imagine the drop off. also recently the airfares here have gone down and they have been advertising 'kamaaina'(local) reduced rates for hotel rooms and getaway packages. which means they are desperate so you can shop around for the best rates. hope this helps,:)
bbolts
23 years ago
My hands down vote goes to Kauai. I have been to Maui and Oahu (Honolulu) and Kauai, and Kauai is by far the most beautiful and spititual place I have ever set foot. I was lucky enough to have a friend with family there and stayed for a month. There is much to do if your idea of fun is NOT malls, tourist-traps, and dancing all night long. However if you want to experience nature, lovely beaches, eat some great food and meet people who are actually nice to you (must be the result of living in such splendor, or possibly they are grateful for the tourist dollar, but hey, the locals I all met were very warm people)
Natalie is correct about Poipu being a great place to stay. Great weather. Nice sunny beach!
(Natalie, maybe you know Claire, daughters Dawn & Tiara....)
Please have a wonderful time where ever you go!
Brenda
artemiss
23 years ago
Try Kona Village on the Big Island. We spent 10 days there, in one of their private cottages. No phone, radio or tv...but the ultimate in luxury and beauty. It remains the most memorable vacation I've ever had. The Big Island has many other attractions: waterfalls, rainforests, black sand beaches, I could go on and on. I've recommended Kona Village many times since I've been there, and everyone who has gone has absolutely loved it. Wish I could go again!

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 15 Home Ideas Fit for a Crowd

By Laura Gaskill

Spend less time corralling chaos and more time enjoying family togetherness with this advice from someone who's been there

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Draw a Crowd With a Fire Pit

By FormLA Landscaping

For an alluring patio or backyard and a happy group of guests, get cracking with a fire pit

LIFE You Said It: ‘Yikes, Tough Crowd’ and Other Quotes of the Week

By Becky Harris

Some of our favorite quotes this week came straight from the Comments section. See the stories and have your own say

FURNITURE Outdoor Fabric Joins the In Crowd

By Lisa Frederick

Stepping out in even the poshest interiors, durable outdoor fabrics have transcended sidekick status

URBAN GARDENS In London, a Crowded Patch of Grass Becomes a Patio for Entertaining

A chic combo of wood siding, clever plantings and lots of elegant sandstone transforms a plain garden into a stylish space

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Just Right for 2 and a Crowd

By Becky Harris

Cozy enough for a couple but welcoming to extended family, this Portland home has lots of design tricks up its sleeve

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Chic Boho Style for a Hawaii Apartment

By Shaunna Nygren

Cream colors, curiosities and worldly accessories make a Maui watchmaker’s rented home an intriguing, inviting nest

Design Around The World: Hawaii

By Melissa Alvarado Sierra

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Take-Home Planting Ideas From Hawaii's Big Island

Bring the tropical spirit of Hawaii to a mainland garden — for a summer or even longer

How to Add a Little Bit of Hawaii to your Home

0

Sponsored

20 Reviews

Premier Interior Design Team Transforming Spaces in Franklin Co, Ohio