Kauai Golf and Makai Golf Club
The Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville Resort is located on Kauai’s north shore, and winds its way around lakes, native woodlands, and spectacular coastline with views of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay. The course plays to a par 72 with four different sets of tees, and is considered one of Hawaii’s premier golf destinations.
It was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. in 1971, and underwent extensive renovations in 2009. The recent renovations feature the introduction of Seashore Paspalum grass on all tees, fairways, and greens, providing spectacular playing surfaces for golfers of all skill levels. Additional improvements include the reconfiguring greens complexes and green surrounds, as well as reshaping of all bunkers.
The signature 7th hole consists of a challenging tee shot over scenic ocean cliffs, onto to a green which is surrounded by brilliant white bunkers and surreal views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean. The practice facility has also been improved to include two large new practice tees, a practice fairway bunker, seven target greens with bunkers, a teaching tee, and short game practice complex.
Course: 18 Holes Par 72
Black Tees: 7,223 yards – 75.4 Rating – 134 Slope
Blue Tees: 6476 yards – 71.4 Rating – 127 Slope
White Tees: 6134 yards – 69.6 Rating – 125 Slope
Red Tees: 5,358 yards – 66.5 Rating – 118 Slope
Kauai Beaches and Ke’e
Ke’e Beach is located at the end of the road on the North Shore of Kauai. Due to its tropical setting, sandy lagoon, good snorkeling, and the beginning of the Kalalau Trail, it is one of the most visited beaches on Kauai. Ke’e (pronounced Kay-ay) has a beautiful golden sand lagoon with a reef running parallel to the shore protecting it from big ocean swells. Along the reef colorful fish (wrasses, butterflyfish, damselfish, goatfish, convictfish, and surgeonfish) swim in abundance to make for good snorkeling. The shallow, sandy lagoon also provides an excellent swimming area for families.
The beach marks the end of Highway 560 and the beginning of the enchanting Na Pali Coast. Several movies and min-series have been filmed here because of the tropical setting, with high mountains, lush vegetation, coconut palms, and golden sand. The trailhead to the famed 11 mile Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of the beach, and another path leads to the Ke Ahu o Laka hula platform and the Kauluapaoa Heiau, a stone temple dedicated to the goddess of hula.
Summer months are generally the best time to snorkel or swim at Ke’e Beach. During winter months, high surf can make the conditions more dangerous. The reef channel that connects the lagoon to the ocean should also be avoided, as dangerous rip currents can sweep you from the lagoon to the open ocean.
Restrooms
Picnic facilities
Drinking water
Showers
Shaded parking
Sandy lagoon
Swimming
Snorkeling, scuba
Fishing
Trailhead for the Kalalau Trail
Directions: Take Kuhio Highway north (Hwy 56 which changes to 560). Drive past Hanalei all the way to the end of the road. Ke’e Beach Park is at the end of the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Kilauea Point Lighthouse History
Kilauea Point is the northernmost point of land in the main Hawaiian Islands, and therefore was the first landfall seen by ships arriving from the Orient. And, with a height of more than 200 feet above the ocean, the peninsula was purchased “for the consideration of one dollar” in 1909 to build a lighthouse. Construction began in 1912, and the Kilauea Point Lighthouse was dedicated on May 1, 1913.
The lens was designed by Augustin Fresnel and fabricated in France. A Fresnel lens has hundreds of glass prisms that concentrate and focus the light passing through the lens. It was originally lit by an incandescent oil vapor lamp, and produced a double flash every ten seconds with an intensity of 250,000 candle power, which could be seen 20 miles out at sea or 90 miles away in the air. In 1930, the lamp was replaced by an electric light bulb, which doubled the intensity, and increased again to 2,500,000 candle power in 1958.
In 1930, two eighty-foot steel towers, a generating plant, and a 200-watt radio beacon were added. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Kilauea Point Lighthouse was darkened for the duration of World War II. Technological advances like RADAR (Radio Detecting and Ranging) and LORAN (Long Range Aids to Navigation) soon made the use of lighthouses as navigational aids obsolete. In 1976, the U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse and installed an automated beacon for local boaters and aircraft. In 1979, the lighthouse and its three lighthouse keepers’ homes were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kilauea Point and the lighthouse became part of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, when it was established in 1985.
Kilauea Point Timeline:
1909 – Peninsula is acquired for one dollar.
1913 – Kilauea Point Lighthouse is officially dedicated.
1930 – Oil-vapor lamp is replaced by electric lamp.
1930 – 200-watt radio beacon is installed.
1958 – Illumination increased to 2.5 million candlepower.
1976 – Lighthouse decommissioned, automated electronic beacon installed.
1985 – Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge is established.
1988 – Refuge is expanded to include Mokolea Point and Crater Hill.
1979 – Kilauea Point Lighthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1992 – Waters offshore designated a National Marine Sanctuary.
Andy Irons Memorial Paddle Out
The Andy Irons Memorial Paddle Out took place in his hometown of Hanalei, on Kauai’s north shore. Hand-made signs lined the town, welcoming the waves of people who came from all points on the globe to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Andy Irons. “We love you Andy.” “Hanalei loves Lyndie.” “Andy: 1978 – Forever.” “You’ll always be in our hearts.”
It was more than a paddle out. It was unlike anything Kauai had ever seen before. It was an outpouring of emotion and support and community – time, energy, food, entertainment, and equipment donated for a celebration of life that can only be described as amazing. Pine Trees was the focal point for the day. The memorial service began with opening prayers, chants, and blessings. “Welcome to this beautiful celebration of our boy, Andy.”
The crowd gathered just outside the sandbar at Pine Trees and surrounded the boat carrying Bruce, and Andy’s wife, Lyndie. On Jet skis were Andy’s parents, Phil and Danielle, huddled around them in the water were all of Andy’s closest friends, and hundreds of other friends and members of the community. Bruce spoke to the group. “Andy loved all of you here,” he yelled. Tears streamed down everyone’s faces, as they applauded and chanted, “AI…AI…AI…” Overhead, a helicopter circled and dropped thousands of flowers over the procession. Bruce took out the container carrying his brother’s ashes and emptied half into the water. Then, Lyndie bid her final farewell to her husband. It was a powerful event, a real moment of unity, not just for the surfing but for all of Kauai. It shows that Andy was a true ambassador of aloha and he was loved around the world.
One Square Mile Hanalei
One Square Mile is a documentary series that explores different cultures and lifestyles within the boundaries of a single square mile. These microcosms range from cities with 60,000 people living and working in a single square mile, to the small town of Hanalei on the North Shore of Kauai.
The peaceful town of Hanalei and Hanalei Bay, are both a destination for locals and visitors. The square mile in this video includes the inner-most portion of the bay and the town. Step into Kauai’s history, beauty, art, music, wildlife, nightlife, swimming, surfing, and its taro fields.
Collectively, the various square miles of this project make up a patchwork of contemporary culture. One Square Mile provides an intimate look at our society, and examines the human experience first hand.
Kauai Beach – Anini
Anini Beach is one of the safest and most protected places to swim on the North Shore of Kauai. A fringed reef runs the entire length of the beach and creates a beautiful and calm blue lagoon. This reef is one of the longest and widest reefs in Hawaii measuring 1,600 feet at its widest point. The beach itself stretches for about two miles.
The flat waves and shallow, sandy shore make Anini the ideal beach to visit if you have children. The reef ensures Anini beach has calm ocean conditions, and is one of the few beaches that can offer swimming during large winter waves. Anini’s consistent breeze also allows great windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Because of its calm waves and rich underwater life, many consider Anini Beach Park one of the best snorkeling spots on Kauai. The lagoon is home to numerous trigger fish (humuhumunukunukuapuaa), parrot fish (uhu), unicorn fish (kala), boxer fish, damsel fish and other tropical fish. On the northwestern part of the beach near the reef, there is also a sudden 60-foot drop diving spot.
Great swimming
Snorkeling
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
Sandy bottom near shore
Shade Trees
No lifeguard
Restrooms
Showers
Picnic pavilions
Campsites
Boat ramp
Directions: Driving North on Kuhio Hwy 56, pass the town of Kilauea, then down into Kalihiwai Valley, over the bridge at mile marker 25, and up the other side. Turn right on to Kalihiwai Road, and then left on Anini Road. It is 1 mile to Anini Beach Park, and more of the beach continues further down the road.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
