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 Read more
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 Read more
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
Kieren Perrow Wins Pipe Masters 2011
Kieren Perrow wins the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons over fellow Aussie Joel Parkinson in four-to-six foot waves. John John Florence also found his way to the podium as the overall winner of the 2011 Vans Triple Crown. In a contest filled with all the drama and action you could ask for, the last surf contest of the year was one for the history books as the best surfers in the world battled it out on the North Shore of Oahu. Kieren said, “It’s so good to get back here. I just felt so comfortable the whole time. I’ve had such a great event anyway and coming in to today, it was just amazing. The waves have been phenomenal. I haven’t surfed Pipe like that in my entire career. This is pretty much the pinnacle for me.”
John John Florence of Oahu continued to assert himself with the world’s best surfers riding the only perfect 10 of the day to advance into the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, he slipped up against his heat against 11-time world champ Kelly Slater and was knocked out of the contest. Kelly said, “I’m just trying to hold John John (Florence) at bay because he’s going to rule Pipe for the next 20 years. I just want to get a couple before I’m done. He’s been the man to beat out here. He’s had two 10s and a couple of high 9’s.”
But Florence, who won the Vans World Cup of Surfing last week, still scored more points than any other surfer in the three North Shore contests that make up the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. John John put on an amazing show, making him the youngest competitor in history to win the prestigious series. “I’m so stoked to be here, I’ve been surfing these waves my entire life and watching everyone over the years,” Florence said. “I’m so happy that I won this and to have my name with everyone else who has won over the years.”
Finals:
1 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.00
Semifinals:
Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.83
Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 4.07
