Waimea Canyon on a Sunday

[travelplanner70]

I am trying to outline my trip to Kauai, and I was wondering what the feeling is about going to Waimea Canyon on a Sunday as far as traffic is concerned. Would I be better off making the trip on a Tuesday? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[isisdave]

The only traffic you might need to consider is going to be going toward Lihue at morning commute time. You'll be going the opposite way, and unless you're planning to go before 9am, you'll also be going after the rush.

I've never found much traffic ... or other activity ... on Kauai's southwest coast regardless of day or time. I like that.

 

[Kauai Kid]

Be sure and take a windbreaker. It can be quite chilly on top. You might even seen a chicken.

Sterling

 

[teepeeca]

Sterling

Sterling----

You should "KNOW" that there are NO chickens on Kauai !!! I'm surprised that you would try to give others that impression !!!

Tony

 

[jacknsara]

I am trying to outline my trip to Kauai, and I was wondering what the feeling is about going to Waimea Canyon on a Sunday as far as traffic is concerned. Would I be better off making the trip on a Tuesday? Thanks for your thoughts.

Aloha jo-jo
Unless there is an accident that shuts down the road, the drive time difference between Tuesday and Sunday to Waimea is probably small - less than 20 minutes difference. If you are staying north of Kapaa, be sure to take the bypass in order to stay out of the congestion from Kapaa to Wailua.
The much bigger issue is weather. There is little point driving up the Waimea Canyon when the upper elevations are socked in with clouds.
My favorite weather forecast is Maui Weather today (channel 55 I think and on at 7:45 not 7:30) Mon - Fri.
http://www.hawaiiweathertoday.com/?page_id=20
http://hawaiiancommunitytelevisionn.../03/glenn-went-hawaii-weather-today-with.html
http://mcctv.blogspot.com/
After several attempts and turn backs, a friend of our figured out that he could call the visitor center just prior to departure and get an eyewitness report on conditions.
Good luck with your flight arrangements and enjoy Kauai,
Jack

 

[Mimi]

jo-jo, make sure you stop at Jo-Jo's on the way for fantastic shave ice!

 

[hibbeln]

If you get up to the Kalalau Valley overlook and see nothing, wait a few minutes. Often it will clear. Or better yet, hike down the Pihea Trail a bit and watch for the clouds to clear off.

 

[DeniseM]

I am trying to outline my trip to Kauai, and I was wondering what the feeling is about going to Waimea Canyon on a Sunday as far as traffic is concerned. Would I be better off making the trip on a Tuesday? Thanks for your thoughts.

The heaviest traffic on Kauai is during commute time on Mon. - Fri., so Sunday should be a good day. Tuesday will have heavier traffic on the highway, due to local commuters. The road through the canyon itself, should be about the same any day, because it's primarily a tourist destination with little or no local commuter traffic.

 

[rifleman69]

Thurs-Sun you also have many timeshare visitors who are either coming to Kauai or leaving that same day. Granted there are some timeshares who are like a hotel where you can come and go at anytime but many are the Thurs-Sun. Go up Saturday or Sunday and you'll be rewarded, but head up early as Kalalau Valley can cloud up in the afternoon. It never cleared for us in late April, but my wife and I had it perfectly clear for us in 2005.

 

[dive-in]

Be sure to check the cruise line schedule to see what day(s) cruise ships are in port. That will generate more traffic to Waimea as well.

 

[DeniseM]

When we were on Kauai earlier this month the cruise ship came in on Thurs. and left on Friday. We stayed out of the port area those days, but besides that, we could tell no difference when the ship was in.

 

[kmij]

can anyone tell me how far the waimea canyon is from poipu beach area? either in miles or drive time. thank you, in advance.
jean