Sierra Club Kauai Service Outing 2012
A Service Outing at Koke’e State Park August 26 thru September 1, 2012 will be hosted by The Sierra Club on the Island of Kauai. As a group of islands remote from nearby land masses, Hawaii evolved its own groups of plants and birds. These endemic species have been assaulted by invasive plants and animals, and those that have not already gone extinct are endangered. There are a few spots in Hawaii that continue to host endemics, and the upland area of Kauai (Koke’e State Park) is such a spot.
Depending on the group and the needs of the Koke’e staff, you may be clearing invasive vegetation from areas near popular hiking trails. The 2010 trip concentrated on one trail that is being improved for visitors to experience the historical sightlines within a forest walk. As with most State Parks, paid staff for trail upkeep are overworked or even non-existent. Your trip will be concentrating on clearing invasive plants and helping endangered endemics, but you will also talk about the challenges of island ecology.
Highlights
Reclaim a stretch of upland forest
Work with concerned locals to save the native birds and plants
Hike on both upland and seaside trails
Includes
All transportation on Kauai
All room and board during the trip
Sierra Club Kauai Kayaking Outing 2012
Kayaking Na Pali, a Sierra Club outing, will be July 21 thru 27, 2012. Kayaking the Na Pali coast provides the adventurous traveler the opportunity to explore a truly spectacular wilderness area. ‘Na Pali’ refers to the sheer cliffs that soar up from the coastline, making the area accessible only by water or rugged hiking trail.
This 18-mile paddle is broken up into manageable segments, allowing opportunities to explore old Hawaiian civilizations. Snorkeling, beach walking, shell collecting, reading, and sunbathing are all daily options. Day hikes range in difficulty from leisurely strolls to strenuous hot climbs. A portion of one day will be dedicated to service work; perhaps a beach clean-up or light trail clearing.
Highlights
- Kayak the spectacular Na Pali coastline
- Participate in one day of service work — perhaps a beach clean-up or light trail clearing
- Enjoy snorkeling, beach walking, day hiking, shell collecting, reading, and sunbathing as options throughout the trip
Includes
- Kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices
- Camp sites
- All meals
Sierra Club Kauai Hiking Outing 2012
Hiking the Garden Island is an outing sponsored by the Sierra Club on May 26 thru June 2, 2012. The trip will explore the diversity of Kauai through a variety of hiking excursions. You will hike the stunning ridge-top trails of Waimea Canyon. You will see the dramatic cliffs (pali) from both sea level and from high atop their ridgelines. You will stroll along an endangered beach and dunk into the turquoise Pacific.
The daily weather will determine which hike or swim we will do, as rain conditions around Kauai vary considerably. Days will include a combination of shorter walks and more strenuous hikes. The longest day is a nine-mile hike through the Alakai Swamp, which often offers both brilliant sunshine, warm tropical rain, and thick fog. Some hikes have cliff-top views with the beaches 4,000 feet below. Another day you will be hiking along the shoreline with the towering cliffs above you.
Highlights
Hike rainforest trails in Koke’e State Park
Snorkel and swim the Pacific
Discover endemic flora and fauna of Kauai
Includes
All meals except one dinner out mid-week; vegetarian option is available
All transportation, including pick-up and return to Lihu’e airport
All accommodations in shared cabins
Kauai Beaches and Rescue Tubes
Rescue Tubes have been installed on Kauai’s beaches to help distressed swimmers in areas where lifeguards are not stationed, or at times when they are not on duty. Because of strong rip currents around the island, more people on Kauai have died in the ocean than on the highway.
Since the Rescue Tube Foundation installed the first tube more than two years ago, 37 Rescue Tube saves have been reported. Rescue Tubes stand guard 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
In 2009, 67 tubes were installed, and 7 lives were saved.
In 2010, 107 tubes were installed, and 15 lives were saved.
In 2011, 162 tubes were installed, and 15 lives were saved.
Rescue Tubes are there for all of us. When you see a Rescue Tube, take a closer look and become familiar with it. Explain them to your family, friends, and visitors. Visit Rescue Tube Foundation for more information. Enjoy our beautiful beaches and stay safe on Kauai. Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out. Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Beaches and Haena Beach Park
Heana Beach Park is another great reason to visit the North Shore of Kauai. Located near the end of the road, the park sits at the edge of the Na Pali coast, and the presence of Mount Makana looming directly behind the beach is the major factor contributing to the magnificent look of the beach. Haena Beach Park is a favorite camping spot for both visitors and locals. It is a small park (about 5.5 acres) which offers a grassy picnic area with tables and benches, restrooms, cold showers, shady trees and camping spots.
The wide bay offshore is bordered by two large reefs, Makua Reef to the east and Hauwa Reef to the west, but the beach itself is completely exposed to the open ocean. During periods of high surf, waves funnel unchecked directly into the beach, creating dangerous water conditions – particularly a pounding shore break, and powerful rip currents. The sudden drop off and undertow make swimming in the winter months pretty much out of the question, but there are lifeguards on duty to advise you. Better swimming and snorkeling is just a short walk to Tunnels Beach and can be enjoyed year round.
Waikanaloa Wet Cave, with a large and still water pool, and its counterpart the Maniniholo Dry Cave is also near the beach. Limahuli National Tropical Garden is also nearby. The garden is a great treasure of rare native Hawaiian plants built in terraces. The trailhead to the Kalalau Trail is also just north of the park.
Good for picnics
Camping with permit
Beachcombing
Showers
Restrooms
Swimming
Surfing
Bodyboarding
Directions: Haena Beach Park is located only about a mile from Ke’e Beach (the end point of highway 56).
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kauai Golf and Kukui’ula Golf Club
The Kukui’ula Golf Course on Kauai is a private 18-hole championship course designed by British Open Winner Tom Weiskopf. The course follows the natural flow of the land through 
the coffee fields, meadows, and rolling hillsides of Kukui’ula. This 216-acre, par 72 course features panoramic ocean views, paspalum-turf, sand-plated fairways, and a landscaped filled with native flora. The golf clubhouse consists of a well-appointed golf shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms, expansive lanai seating and indoor lounging areas.
Kukui’ula is a 1,000 acre luxury community on the South Shore of Kaua’i. A private $100 million clubhouse serves as the social and recreational centerpiece of the community and includes the main clubhouse, known as The Plantation House. There is also an elaborate array of swimming pools, a community farm, and 20-acre fishing lake. The course complements the island’s rolling terrain, dramatic views, and thrilling trade winds. Players will face a different set of challenges and opportunities each time they play, but always require them to think their way around the course. Tee times are set aside each week for locals to play.
Course: 18 Holes Par 72
Black Tees: 7,028 yards – 74.8 Rating – 130 Slope
Gold Tees: 6,649 yards – 73.0 Rating – 128 Slope
Blue Tees: 6,203 yards – 71.3 Rating – 124 Slope
White Tees: 5,721 yards – 68.6 Rating – 122 Slope
Red Tees: 4,949 yards – 65.0 Rating – 109 Slope
Blue Tees: 76.9 Rating – 126 Slope
White Tees: 74.0 Rating – 123 Slope
Red Tees: 69.7 Rating – 114 Slope
