Why You Should Visit Kauai This Summer
Last week, a powerful thunderstorm pummeled Kauai with more than 28 inches of rain over a 24-hour period. Floods and landslides washed out roads, bridges and homes across the northernmost edge of the island, where the communities of Hāena and Wainiha were hardest hit.
Yet in a statement released on Monday, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported that “Kauai is open for business.”
“Travelers can book a trip to Kauai with confidence knowing they will enjoy a vacation experience that is uniquely appealing within all of Hawaii, while also supporting island businesses and residents who depend on a thriving tourism industry,” said Hawaii Tourism Authority president and CEO George D. Szigeti.
While most of the destruction is concentrated around Kauai’s north shore, the island is already observing a downtick in visitors — at a time when residents and local businesses need tourist dollars more than ever. It's just one of the many reasons travelers shouldn't cancel (and may even want to plan) a trip to Kauai this summer.
Visiting Will Help the Island Recover
“Since [the thunderstorm], visitors have been staying away from Hanalei, which is hurting businesses and putting at risk the jobs they provide to residents,” Szigeti said in the HTA’s statement.
Perhaps the best way for visitors to help the north shore recover is by patronizing the town of Hanalei’s restaurants, shops, stores and attractions.
“You can go into Hanalei town,”Sue Kanoho, the executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, told The Points Guy. “And we’re hopeful that people will support those guys. Some of the people that had damaged homes work in Hanalei. The double whammy would be if they lose their jobs.”
“Vendors are a little bit concerned, she added. “No one is coming, and summer is the time they really benefit financially. Coming to [Hanalei]…will help them, and help us get back to normal.”
There are Plenty of Places to Stay
Properties like the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, the Westin Princeville, Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, Aston Islander on the Beach and the Kauai Beach Marriott Resort — among many others — were unaffected by the storm.
What was impacted? Mostly vacation rentals, particularly those off the Kūhiō highway, which is closed for repairs. Travelers with existing reservations should be in touch with the property manager to confirm travel plans.
Fun Things to Do Around the Island
In the wake of the torrential storm, some of the north shore’s most iconic experiences, such as Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Hanalei Pier and the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park endured extensive damage and remain unavailable to visitors.
It could be months before travelers can once again embark on the 11-mile coastal Kalalau Trail that traces the island's rugged sea cliffs.
Rather than be deterred by the closures, however, travelers should consider alternative attractions.
“Everyone thinks the entire island looks like the north shore,” Kanoho said. “And that’s not true.”
The Kokee and Waimea State Park hiking trails, for example, are some of the most famous on the island, and they’re fully accessible to tourists today. Kauai's legendary golf courses (like the Makai Golf Club at The St. Regis Princeville) are also eager for visitors.
Many of the state health department's brown water advisories have already been lifted. Visitors should still avoid entering the waters from Waikoko to Na Pali, Pakala to Kekahu and Lydgate Park, among others.
There Is Plenty of Award Travel Availability
Though it’s not immediately clear if the decline in tourism is a result, travelers will find good availability to Hawaii in May.
On American Airlines, saver-level business awards are open for almost half of the days in May from Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK) and more. (In June, on the other hand, there is little saver availability.) Both United and Alaska Airlines also have significant availability on select routes, including San Diego (SAN) to Lihue (LIH).
Travelers feeling trepidatious can also delay their trips to Kauai until later in the season. Hawaiian Airlines has extended its travel waiver to accommodate fliers with tickets for scheduled travel to Kauai between April 14 and April 30.
Even if you have no intentions of traveling to Kauai this summer, it's still easy to aid the island's recovery. Make a donation to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Kauai Relief and Recovery Fund. Contributions will be used to provide emergency services, stabilize affected communities and rebuild.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.