To use Navigation Bar, Turn on Images! Home Page Calendar of Events Accommodations Cyberguide Activities Cyberguide Restaurants Cyberguide Things To See and Do Special Places
Alternative-Hawaii



ISLAND OF KAUAI

SOUTH SHORE DRIVE GUIDE

Beaches And More Beaches!
Historical Sites, Botanical Gardens, Blow Hole

Printer Friendly Version


Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • All drives start from Lihue International Airport.
  • Approx. 24 miles from Start to End of Drive.
  • Approx. 1-1/2 hour driving time from Start to End of drive excluding time spent at "stops".
  • For your safety, please observe Cautionary Notes on drive "stops" below.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • All distances are to the nearest tenth of a mile.
  • Do not leave valuables in vehicle or unattended.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: KOLOA HISTORY CENTER PHOTOGRAPH
START: LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 11.5 Miles / 20 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Maluhia Road (Tunnel of Eucalyptus Trees)  
 ROUTE:
  • Exit airport on Hwy 570 (Ahukini Rd) & go approx. 1.5 mi. to Hwy 56 (Kuhio Hwy)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 56 & continue short way to Hwy 50 (Kaumualii Hwy)
  • Take Hwy 50 & go approx. 6 mi. to Hwy 520 (Maluhia Road)
  • Turn left onto Maluhia Road & go 3.3 mi. to Koloa at end of Maluhia Road
  • Park at Koloa Town Mall parking lot.
A tiny history center in an old sugar town. Offering a self-guided introduction to the history of the area in the form of artifacts & photographs from the old plantation days. Koloa is the site of the first commercial sugar plantation in the Hawaiian Islands founded in 1835.




STOP 2: CHURCH OF SAINT RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KOLOA HISTORY CENTER  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1 Mile / 4 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Church of Saint Raphael (Right Side at Hapa Road)  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Koloa Town Mall parking lot and turn right onto Koloa Road
  • Go short way (2 blocks) to Weliweli Road
  • Turn Right onto Weliweli Road
  • Go short way (0.4 mi.) to Hapa Road (just past Stop Light)
  • Turn Right onto Hapa Road & go short way (0.5 mi.) to Church parking lot at end of road
Marking the spot where in 1841 the first Roman Catholic mission was permitted in the islands.

Note: Open daily, tel. 742-1955. Restrooms.




STOP 3: KEONELOA (SHIPWRECK BEACH) PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: CHURCH OF SAINT RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.2 Miles / 15 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Poipu Bay Golf Course  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave parking lot & return short way (0.5 mi.) to Weliweli Road
  • Turn Right onto Weliweli Road
  • Go short way (0.3 mi.) to Ala Kinoiki Road (at Stop Light)
  • Turn Right onto Ala Kinoiki Road & go 1.7 mi. to Poipu Road
  • Turn Left onto Poipu Road & go short way (0.5 mi.) to Ainako Street (borders the far side of the Hyatt Regency)
  • Turn Right onto Ainako Street & go short way (0.2 mi.) to beach parking lot
Nicknamed Shipwreck Beach until Hurricane Iwa washed the wreck out to sea in 1982. An historic site. Petroglyphs are sometimes visible (rare). The beach is best known as a bodysurfing, bodyboarding, and major windsurfing site.

Caution: No lifeguards. Swim at your own risk.




STOP 4: MAHAULEPU BEACH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: SHIPWRECK BEACH  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.8 Mile / 16 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: "T" on unpaved dirt road  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave parking lot & return short way (0.2 mi.) to Poipu Road
  • Turn Right onto Poipu Road & go short way (0.1 mi.) to unpaved dirt road
  • Continue 1.6 mi. on dirt road to end of road at "T"
  • Turn Right at "T" & continue 0.7 mi. to 1st beach pkg. lot
  • Go short way (0.2 mi.) to 2nd beach parking lot
Two miles of some of the most beautiful shoreline on Kauai's south shore. An area of great scientific importance to archaeologists, biologists, and geologists. A very important ocean wilderness. Petroglyphs occasionally visible depending upon tidal action. Popular windsurfing, swimming, beachcombing and shoreline fishing area.

Note: Daylight access only. No food or water. Hiking trail beyond second parking lot.

Caution: Unpaved dirt road extremely rough - pot hole heaven! 4WD highly recommended. Driving on dirt road violates your rental car agreement. Swim at your own risk - no lifeguard at beach.




STOP 5: POIPU BEACH COUNTY PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: MAHAULEPU BEACH  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 3.8 Miles / 20 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Manoo Kalahipo (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Return 2.5 mi. along dirt paved road to Poipu Road
  • Continue 1.1 mi. on Poipu Road to Hoowili Road
  • Turn Left onto Hoowili Road & go short way (0.2 mi.) to Poipu Beach parking lot (left side at end of Hoowili Road)
The South Shore's most popular beach park with a sheltered near shore swimming area. Good snorkeling. Bodyboarding and bodysurfing at adjacent Brennecke's Beach.

Note: The Hawaiian Monk Seal often comes ashore. It is one of only two native mammals on Kauai (the other being the Hawaiian bat). It is unlawful to harass or to approach closer than 100" feet to the monk seals. Lifeguard services, restaurants, restrooms. See also nearby accommodation.




STOP 6: PRINCE KUHIO BIRTHPLACE & PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: POIPU BEACH COUNTY PARK  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.7 Miles / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Fire Station  
 ROUTE:
  • Return 0.2 mi. on Hoowili Road to Poipu Road
  • Turn Left onto Poipu Road & go 1.1 mi. to Lawai Road (opposite Fire Station)
  • Turn Left onto Lawai Road & go short way (0.4 mi.) to Prince Kuhio Park (right side)
A privately owned approximately 3-acre historic park containing the impressive Hoai Heiau (temple), an ancient fishpond, and the Prince Kuhio Monument commemorating the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, the last royally designated heir to the Hawaiian throne.

Note: Open to the public.

Caution: Please respect this sacred site - do not remove the stones - help preserve Hawaii's past for the future.




STOP 7: NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDENS PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: PRINCE KUHIO BIRTHPLACE & PARK  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.2 Miles / 3 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - National Tropical Botanical Gardens  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue 1.2 mi. on Lawai Road to entrance for Gardens (right side)
  • Turn Right & go to Gardens Visitor Center Parking Lot
Two of three National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauai. Situated in a picturesque valley, the 252+ acre McBryde Garden is home to the world's largest collection of threatened and endangered plants of Hawaii. The adjacent Allerton Garden, a once private estate, is over 100 acres with outdoor "rooms" beside rippling pools and dramatic sculpture.

Note: Open daily. Admission charge. Guided & Self-guided tours. Reservations required for guided tours. Tel. 742-2623. Restrooms.




STOP 8: SPOUTING HORN PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDENS  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 0.1 Mile / 30 Seconds  
WATCH FOR: Flags Flying  
 ROUTE:
  • Turn Right from the Gardens parking lot onto Lawai Road
  • Continue on Lawai Road & go short way (0.1 mi.) to Spouting Horn Park (left side)
A lava tube that extends into the sea with its open mouth on the rocky shore - blowing high spumes of water. A unique blow hole because another hole adjacent to the waterspout emits a "whooshing" sound followed by a low moan, sounding like a "horn".

Note: Open daily. Picnic tables. Outdoor flea market. Restrooms.


END OF DRIVE - RETURN TO LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

On to West Side Drive or,

Back to Kauai Tour Guide Index or Be Your Own Tour Guide Index or Home Page

Contact Us | Sponsor Join Us Form
©Ala Mua Hawaii 2003