Looking for a unique Kaua‘i experience? Tim and I discovered a day’s worth of activities to fill the 6 hours between check-out from our Kaua‘i Vacation Rental home on the island’s northern shore, and check-in at Lihue International Airport.
Located between Hanalei and Lihue, the east coast town of Kapaa beckoned after we spied “Chicken in a Barrel” barbeque. The succulent chicken, slow-cooked in 55 gallon barrels, provided the perfect lunch for our last day in Kaua‘i. After finishing our meal we noticed a bike rental business next door, steps away from a paved bike path. A tandem bicycle, setting on the asphalt, called our name.
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| In the mood for tasty chicken barbeque? Stop here. |
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| Posing with our one-speed tandem on the Kapaa bike path. |
We rented the bike for an hour and began pedaling north. The path—Ke Ala Hele Makalae—meaning “The Path that Goes by the Coast”, follows the eastern shore with its blue-green water, brilliant white waves and sparkling sand. Picnic tables placed along the path offer expansive views across the Pacific.
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| View north of Kehalia State Park, a popular surfing spot. |
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| This scene greets picnickers along the trail. |
The bike path also curves above a cove sheltering the protected and extremely rare Hawaiian Monk Seal. A “Monk Seal Protection Agency” volunteer, stationed atop the rocks with binoculars in hand, pointed to a black shadow among the waves: a monk seal, swimming through the pounding surf. He surfaced near a group of exposed rocks and climbed from the water to sun himself. We watched and photographed while the volunteer informed us of this special sighting. The Hawaiian Monk Seal is critically endangered and on its way to extinction. We felt both fortunate to have seen this seal, and sad for his plight.
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| This scene may soon be gone from the earth forever. A critically endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal (lower right) suns himself on the rocks. |
Whether you’re on your way to the airport or just arriving in Kaua‘i—chicken barbeque, biking the coastal path and the possibility of spotting an endangered monk seal are three excellent reasons to make a stop in Kapaa.
The friendly staff at Coconut Coasters will outfit you with a bike for a rewarding ride on the Kapaa path.
Read more about “Ke Ala Hele Makalae” on this website: http://www.traillink.com/trail/ke-ala-hele-makalae.aspx
Information about Hawaiian Monk Seals may be found on this site: http://mcbi.marine-conservation.org/what/what_pdfs/sealFacts.pdf
