Kauai: A Different Kind of Family Vacation

This year's annual family trip took us to Kauai, a destination that had been on our list for years. We spent ten days based at Marriott's Kauai Beach Club in Lihue and, despite some unusual weather that altered a few of our plans, it turned out to be exactly the type of trip we needed.

One of the things I have come to appreciate about these annual family trips is how they evolve over time. When the kids were younger, the trips were about creating experiences for them. Now that they are adults, the dynamic is completely different. We still travel as a family, but the conversations are different, the interests are different, and frankly, it is just a lot of fun spending a week together. Somewhere along the way, our kids became friends that we genuinely enjoy traveling with.

Our trip started with a few days of relaxing into island life. One thing that immediately stood out about Kauai is how much slower and less commercial it feels than some of the other Hawaiian islands. There are no massive resort corridors lined with high rises. Instead, you have dramatic mountains, lush vegetation, and a laid-back atmosphere that encourages you to slow down. It reminded me a lot of Puerto Rico with the roosters wandering around!

One of the highlights of the trip was our catamaran excursion along the Na Pali Coast. If you only do one excursion in Kauai, I would strongly consider making it this one. The cliffs are every bit as spectacular as the photos suggest. Massive green ridges rise thousands of feet straight out of the ocean. Waterfalls tumble down the mountainsides and sea caves are carved into the coastline. Pictures simply do not capture the scale of it. We were fortunate to have good conditions and spent part of the trip watching dolphins play near the boat. It was one of those “wow” moments that you don’t get back in Wisconsin.

Another highlight for the boys was playing The Ocean Course at Hokuala. The course sits directly on the coastline and has some of the most dramatic ocean views you will see on a golf course. The stretch of holes along the water is outstanding and the conditioning was excellent. Even though their scores were not what they hoped for, the scenery alone made the round worthwhile.

We had also planned to spend a day hiking in Waimea Canyon and another exploring the North Shore and Hanalei. Unfortunately, Kauai experienced an unusual stretch of heavy rain during our visit. Trail conditions deteriorated, some areas were closed, and the weather simply was not cooperating. Initially, that was disappointing because both were high on our list.

Looking back, however, it really did not matter.

Instead of spending those days checking items off an itinerary, we spent more time together. We explored areas around the South Shore, enjoyed long lunches, walked the beach, and had more time to simply relax. Sometimes the best travel memories are not the ones you plan months in advance. They are the unexpected conversations over dinner, the family debates about where to eat next, or sitting outside watching the rain come down while enjoying a cocktail.

The weather also gave us a greater appreciation for why Kauai looks the way it does. The island is unbelievably green. Waterfalls appear around every corner. The mountains seem to glow in certain light. That beauty comes from rain, and I am glad we got to experience it.

One thing I found myself thinking about throughout the trip was how fortunate we are that our kids still prioritize these family vacations. Everyone has busy lives, careers, responsibilities, and increasingly limited vacation time. The fact that they continue to make these trips a priority is something I do not take for granted. As parents, you spend years hoping your children grow into successful, independent adults. What nobody tells you is how rewarding it is when they become adults who still want to spend a week on an island with you.

Kauai was not the trip we originally planned. We missed a few of the marquee attractions and will definitely need to return someday to experience Waimea Canyon and Hanalei in better weather.

But when I think back on the trip, those missed experiences are not what I remember.

I remember standing on the deck of a catamaran staring up at the Na Pali Coast. I remember playing card from our suite- overlooking the ocean. The boys remember playing Hokuala with the Pacific Ocean crashing against the shoreline. I remember great dinners, lots of laughs, and ten days spent with the people who matter most.

In the end, that is what made this trip special.