Aloha State: Hawaii February 2025 (page 2 of 6)

Day 4: Awa'awapuhi Trail and Koke'e State Park

This morning, another early wake-up to reach Koke'e State Park, a two-hour drive from Princeville since we had to go to the other end of the only road that circles the island. A bit frustrating since we're close as the crow flies. To avoid the mist, we decide not to dawdle. Weather-wise, it's sunny 🙂

Koke'e State Park has a bunch of beautiful hikes (some even stunning) that let you get close to the ridges (cliffs, some over 1,200 meters above the ocean).

We opted for the Awa'awapuhi Trail with some apprehension: about 10 km round trip on a trail that descends roughly 500 meters on the way there. So, on the way back, it's a tough climb! Physically, we're not at our best—Christelle took a bad fall a month ago, and I've had sciatica for six months...

Two-thirds of the trail is in the forest: it's pleasant but without any particular views.

The start of the trail



The trail is passable but sometimes tricky with roots and big rocks



And sometimes it's steep too 😄



But it finally opens up, and we see the ocean



The vegetation changes



We made it to the goal!

Now *those* are what you call "out-there" names, Pascale! I have to read them three times 😂

Quickly, you find yourself facing this and feel so small...



Very few people around, and a few minutes later, we’re alone. Well, almost!





We’ll have the place to ourselves for our picnic (third day of ham and cheddar sandwiches on sliced bread 😵).

On the left, it’s gorgeous

On the right, too





It’s a 4- to 5-hour hike. The return trip wasn’t easy, but taking our time made it doable 😎

After leaving the park, we stopped at Red Dirt Falls, which we had spotted on our arrival day while heading to Waimea Canyon.

It feels like we're in the American West!









We ended the day at the Lemon Grass restaurant in Kapaa on our way back. The coconut-coated shrimp was excellent—such a nice change from sandwich bread! 😏

All in all, it was a beautiful day with perfect weather again. We went to bed happy and satisfied to have made it to the end. Ideally, we should’ve done this hike before the helicopter ride for an even bigger "wow" effect!

Now *that’s* beauty that’s earned, Pascale—but what a view!! And your red-headed bird is still way more gorgeous than my baboon 😂

We did the same trip! :) I went in 2019. Such a great memory, especially Kauai—except for the (unexpected) car rental price on the second island we visited (Big Island)...

Hi Pascale! We just left Muriel, who showed us her Seychelles—let’s see how this destination with such a mythical name pans out!

For now, I’ve definitely remembered that a helicopter pilot sits at the front of it, but I don’t think that’s unique to this island 😉

Anyway, the amazing hikes are really tempting, especially in my current state 🏴‍☠️

I’ve got an even better one in store! !😉HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA’A😏 That’s the name of Hawaii’s most famous fish—and the longest word too!

Makes sense with an alphabet of only 12 letters—vowels come up a lot...

It’s a different vibe, Christelle, but I can’t compare—I never saw the Sparrow from behind ;)

Hey Gérard!

We’re both lucky, then! Did you rent a 4-wheel drive for Big Island?

Welcome Bruno!

I’ve got a feeling that pilot story is gonna follow me 😄 I wasn’t disappointed by Hawaii at all.

The hikes on Kauai are gorgeous, and we only did a small part of them. Oahu is a different vibe, but it’s still worth checking out—you’ll see

Hi Gérard!

We’re both lucky then! Did you rent a 4-wheel drive for Big Island?

Hi Pascale,

Nope, just a totally normal car. I’d booked well in advance, as usual—and like the first car on Kauai—but the final price was nearly doubled (no idea why). It ruined the second half of my trip, so much so that I returned the car a day or two early.

Hello,

It’s such a shame that ruined the end of your trip 😕

I just saw the link to your blog—thanks a million! It’s thanks to that I was able to find info about the Haena Beach Park parking lot for the Kalalau Trail !

I just saw the link to your blog: a thousand thanks because it was thanks to it that I was able to find the info for the Haena Beach Park parking for the Kalalau Trail!

Haha, you're welcome! The blog’s been dead for ages, but there’s still quite a bit of info left. 🙂

Hi Pascale

Better late than never—I finally caught up on everything and... wow, it’s gorgeous! I was worried Hawaii would be too "Americanized," but turns out there’s also a ton of (beautiful) nature. All this is making me want to look into this destination more—well, except for the flight to get there 😕

Hi Muriel

Yeah, Hawaii’s worth the trip! It’s far, but it’s also a real change of scenery—especially since there are so few French tourists there!

No worries about "Americanization" on Kauai: nature rules there (not so much on Oahu).

Thanks for following along!

DAY 5: North Kauai

Already the last day on Kauai. The day promises to be more relaxed since we’re staying in the north of the island, so not much driving today. Back at the studio parking lot, we meet up with our trusty steed—its trunk looking more and more like my kids’ bedroom...





Headed to Queens Bath in Princeville, a natural pool that can be dangerous in winter. No luck—they’ve completely banned access, so it’s impossible to get there. Even stopping by car will cost you several hundred euros in fines. That said, the surrounding area is still charming!



Princeville—you either love it or hate it, apparently. It’s the cliché of a wealthy American town, but you’ve got to admit they’ve got good taste. We look pretty pathetic with our economy car in the parking lot.





Must-stop spots at Hanalei Valley Lookout to see the taro fields, then at Hanalei Bay Lookout by the roadside.





In Hanalei, the church and its surroundings are super cute too.

Beautiful vegetation on the Club Med Trail, a walk of about 40 minutes on private property, but you’re allowed to go there as long as you don’t get too close to the ruins of a Club Med that, I think, never opened.



The ruins are being reclaimed by nature. The trail itself isn’t particularly interesting, but it has the unique feature of offering a high-up view of the pier.







Another perk: its starting point is right next to Nourish Hanalei, where you can enjoy bowls that you’ll *have* to share with the chickens and roosters—whether you want to or not—because yes, the roosters are stronger than you and attack in organized packs.





All with a magical view of Hanalei, its river, and its bay.

Wow, the beauty of your last photo just screams paradise on earth, Pascale! 😍 Nothing like the Hawaii I had in my preconceived ideas!

I’m also heading to Hawaii, and I never imagined it’d be like this! !😮