Kauai in August - what's it like?

[tugcccsp]

I stayed at the Wyndham Ka 'Eo Kai in Princeville, Kauai, starting the third week of October a few years ago. There was no air conditioning and it was hot and muggy. I received many bug bites while on the lanai, and at an outdoor restaurant. I purchased an ammonia stick to apply to the bites and started using bug repellant. My wife naturally repels bugs over to me where they have many delicious meals.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

In Kauai now for about our 12th visit in August. Trade winds are blowing and it's pleasant. Staying in Poipu and not using AC; plenty of breeze with the windows and lanai doors open. Ceiling fans are good to keep the air moving.

As usual, bugs where it's wet; little issue where it's dry. Got some bites in Allerton Garden yesterday, but once we got away from the stream at the bottom of the garden, not an issue.

 

[wilma]

We are staying at the Hanalei Bay resort now and often stay here in august. The north shore beaches-tunnels & kee- are swimmable and wonderful in august. We hiked to the beach on the napalai/ kalalau trail yesterday and while a bit muggy it was still wonderful. The trail was fairly dry and not too slippery! The parking lots are very crowded so you have to get to places early and the restaurants can be crazy crowded but we usually eat at the resort.

 

[profmdh]

I'm currently at The Point at Poipu (via exchange), and will be moving to my timeshare at Hanalei Bay Resort this afternoon. I agree with the previous comments--August can be pleasant, but with a few challenges. As noted, bugs are an issue in the wet areas, such as Allerton Garden (note: I went on their sunset/dinner tour--it was very good!). Crowds are not a huge issue, but there are times when there is pretty significant traffic, particularly around Kapaa; it's not like the mainland, and since you're in Hawaii, it's a great opportunity to chill.
I'm a solo 67 year-old traveler, and the humidity can be a problem. If the tradewinds are blowing (as they are now), it's not much of an issue; if not, however, it's probably best to limit activities to morning or evening. Regardless, A/C is, I believe, a necessity. I'm in an 'elbow' unit at The Point; the second bedroom is definitely uncomfortable, and the layout does not permit much of the cooler air to reach the room. Fortunately, there are both ceiling and desk fans, so it can be tolerable.
Fellow Tuggers--I saw an ad today for EOYO at the Westin Ocean Villas in Princeville; if you have any experience with the place, I'd like to hear about it. Mahalo!

 

[ljmiii]

I must say all of this is encouraging - we'll be in Kauai August 2018. But it sounds like we should pass on our usual pilgrimage to the Alakai swamp...;-)

 

[DeniseM]

The road into the Alakai Swamp trail head has been graded and graveled, and the bridges replaced with new concrete structures. As for the best time to go, you have to watch the current weather - if Waimea Canyon has been relatively dry for a few days, that's the time to go. I don't think the weather on the coast impacts this.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The road into the Alakai Swamp trail head has been graded and graveled, and the bridges replaced with new concrete structures. As for the best time to go, you have to watch the current weather - if Waimea Canyon has been relatively dry for a few days, that's the time to go. I don't think the weather on the coast impacts this.

We hiked the Alakai Swamp trail on Thursday. We started at the Kalalau lookout at the end of the road, and caught the swamp trail at Alakai crossing.

I have never seen better hiking conditions on the trail than we had that day. No mud. Zero. None. Nada. The rock face scrambles on the Pihea connector were completely dry. When we reached the lookout at the end of the trail it was completely clear. The view of Hanalei was spectacular. All but the tip of Waialeale was open. Our 4-yr old granddaughter hiked the whole thing without difficulty. Even DW thought it was OK (she normally hates the trail - because of the mud and scrambles).

We figure that we will probably never hike the trail again, since it could never be better than it was that day.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We were on Maui two years ago this month. The weather was dreadfully hot, and when we talked to some friends who stay on Kauai all summer, they said Kauai was just as bad, but the trade winds weren't blowing regularly that summer, and that was the cause of our stressful stay on Maui.

Our Hono Koa has no AC, and it was 98 degrees several days during that trip. I am over the hot flashes, being 62 now, and I was having them again that trip. My mother-in-law was even hot, and she was 87 at the time. You know it was hot, if Mom was warm.

 

[cowboy]

We are at the Ali'i Kai and it is wonderful. It's one o'clock and raining and very cool. We have been in Lihue for a week at the Kauai Lagoons and never used the air conditioning as we left the lanai doors open and enjoyed the cool breezes.

 

[WinniWoman]

Kauai is beautiful all year round! Was there once in July and it was great. Stayed in Lihue and it only rained once. The trade winds help a lot with heat, as does the snorkeling.

 

[taffy19]

We hiked the Alakai Swamp trail on Thursday. We started at the Kalalau lookout at the end of the road, and caught the swamp trail at Alakai crossing.

I have never seen better hiking conditions on the trail than we had that day. No mud. Zero. None. Nada. The rock face scrambles on the Pihea connector were completely dry. When we reached the lookout at the end of the trail it was completely clear. The view of Hanalei was spectacular. All but the tip of Waialeale was open. Our 4-yr old granddaughter hiked the whole thing without difficulty. Even DW thought it was OK (she normally hates the trail - because of the mud and scrambles).

We figure that we will probably never hike the trail again, since it could never be better than it was that day.

Will you post some pictures, Steve, when you have time. The trade winds do make a difference and a dry trail without mud makes a hike much easier and then to have a perfect clear view at the end. Enjoy your vacation!