Indoor activities for Oahu and Kauai

Thanks KD. This is a return visit to Kauai for me and my daughter. We were hoping for snorkeling, hiking and birding. We were really hoping to do the hike, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. My daughter is a Hawaii resident so we don't need a reservation. I've discussed with the state park. The boat is the next best thing so I appreciate the recommendation.

They are not talking about some sprinkles. It sounds like a massive storm system.

Spa day? I don't have a place to recommend.

Axe throwing? Escape Room? Both are available off of Kalakaua, I think on Lewers or Kuhio. Day pass to Turtle Bay if the weather isn't so bad on the North Shore. If that's the case you might see some fantastic surfing at the Banzai Pipeline. Other potential spa locations: the Royal Hawaiian, Halekulani or the Kahala.

Almost forgot: chocolate tasting at Manoa Chocolate in Kailua, https://manoachocolate.com/. In downtown Kailua you can shop at some of the local stores.

Lydgate Farms is not too far from Princeville. It is a chocolate farm with generous sampling. They also take you on a walking tour where you learn, and sample, local fruits and vegetables. Then when you go to the Sunshine markets and see some weird looking fruit you know what it is and how to eat it! We loved this tour and learned so much about Hawaii, chocolate production and healthy food options. It is not a tourist trap thing at all.

Downpours on Kauai are tough days, because the island is geared towards outside activities. While located on the opposite side of the island from your Princeville lodgings, the town of Hanapepe offers a few art galleries* and a locally-owned bookstore* with several regional authors and subjects (*check ahead of time for store hours/availability before you go, as we found them to operate a bit on 'Hawaii Time'). There's also a cooking store - kinda Williams Sonoma meets South Pacific - where you can peruse/purchase locally sourced kitchen stuff.

Hanapepe also puts you near the Kauai Coffee plantation, where their inside facility offers shopping and the opportunity to sample their seriously good coffees. On the drive back you can take a right at the tree tunnel, to Poipu, where the Hyatt's lobby offers a few boutique shops with local crafts. Perhaps not what you're going to Kauai for, but to kill a rainy day those are about all the local/indoor options I can think of (save for Harbor Mall in Lihue... pass).

Napali Coast boat tours are fun, but the scale (of craft-type and the number of passengers) can vary. Some are catamaran type vessels, but we've enjoyed the smaller charters like Na Pali Experience, where their small boats (weather and tides' permitting) can get inside the caves which offer an amazing perspective of light and walls. As a previous poster referenced, would recommend going out on a morning cruise as the waters tend to be a lot smoother than in the afternoon. We've had dolphins pace along our boat, like they're guiding us out to sea.

Have a great trip, Jules!

Thanks for some great ideas. My daughter loves chocolate so we will give that a try on Kauai and the shops.

There is a botanical garden near Ha’ena that we’d like to do if it’s not pouring. I’m not clear on parking/shuttle if it’s tied to Ha’ena park. If the park is closed (all state parks are closed at this time) is it still possible to do the botanical garden is something I need to figure out.

Matt, thanks for the Na Pali boat ideas. I’m going to start checking are options. Hanapepe sounds interesting. We hadn’t intended to get over that way, but if there is a shortage of hiking, we might drive the Waimea canyon again which would put us over in that area.

On Oahu, for really rainy days we are thinking of the Honolulu art museum and a trip back to Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor exhibits are mostly under cover. We’ve done the north shore numerous times but we were hoping to go to Waimea Bay Park which we haven’t done. The waterfall should be spectacular. Hoping it’s open by Monday. We were also hoping to go to Ka’ena Point to see the albatross, not sure if that will open. I heard the road was flooded today. I would think the trail would be fine since it’s mostly rock and sand, but we will just have to watch and see.

I just knew there would be ideas from the forum! Thanks and still open to ideas!

hey hey jules m
hoping the weather/storm is much better for you today.
daughtersofhawaii.org
queen emma summer palace up pali hiway in nu'uana valley which is a museum now of hawaiian monarchy
natsunoyahawaii.com (down from emma's palace in alewa heights) 1935 makanani drive honolulu 808 595 4488
traditional japanese tea room with sushi, sashimi, japanese food. has a fabulous view of downtown honolulu to diamond head. there is a sushi bar 4-9pm wednesday thru saturday serving sushi and japanese food. call for info & reservations. read up about the history and the story about the japanese spy from japanes consulate sending messages to japan before world war II
kam bowl restaurant (1620 north school street honolulu liliha area)
this is old school local hawaiian style food, home of yummy oxtail soup since 1965, saimin "japanese noodles", pumpkin crunch cake, fried rice
moanaluagardens.com and hitachinoki,net
going towards aiea on H2 . gorgoeus green garden with bis monkeypod tree "hitachi", many events and hula festivals happen here, also the japanese shrine inside garden. it is a private garden with a fee for entrance
la-mariana-sailing.club 50 sand island access road honolulu close to airport
one of few old tiki bars serving food, check the menu
waiolikitchen.com 2950 manoa road way up into the valley on side of UH Manoa
was a school years ago to train salvation army orphaned girls into hospitality jobs. became a tea room and we would go for their buffets years ago, was bought and is now a bake/kitchen place. gorgeous area, we use to say that's where the rich/wealthy live, just cruising up the road you will see the gorgeous and old homes.
historichawaii.org manoa chinese cemetery 3430 east manoa road
oldest chines cemetery in hawaii with it's stand up headstones, shrines big and small, facing the ocean below the hills of manoa with traditional ceremonies preformed during memorial season.
your days are short in honolulu but do enjoy. i use to live there years ago and really like cruising around, info i'm giving is from old times and places many people really don't go to since "not touristy"
what part of honolulu daughter live? enjoy and have a great time
aloha