Long layover in LIH
 

I am planning a trip to Hawaii for August. Rather than fly non-stop from HNL to PHX, I thought that I would pop over to LIH on my way back. The fare is the same ($125), and it would give me a chance for an inter-island flight.

Also, I would have nearly 3 1/2 hours on a new island.

Any suggestions for what I could do during such a quick stop? I looked at Google maps, and it appears that there's a small town just outside the airport.

Also, when do I need to get back to LIH to get through security? Does US have a priority security line?

Thanks in advance.

No priority security line. You don't really have time to do too much. You could take a cab over to the Marriott - about two miles from the airport. You could hang at the beach there (it's pretty) and have a meal at Duke's, which is adjacent to the beach/Marriott.

You could also cab it to Hamura's Saimin, a noodle shop that takes you back in time to what Hawaii must have been like in the 1950s. Very inexpensive. Also known for their lilikoi (passion fruit) chiffon pie.

Otherwise, there is not much to do in Lihue (there is also a museum there).

If you wanted to rent a car you could drive to Kapa'a - there are beaches along the way and have lunch at Bubba's Burgers. You could also drive the other direction and go to Koloa/Poipu - about a 20 minute drive. There is Puka Dog, the beach, Lappert's (ice cream) or shopping in Koloa village, Kukuiula Village or Poipu Shopping Village.

You can google any of these places to get a little more information about them to determine whether you'd be interested.

Unfortunately, it's not quite enough time to do any serious sight seeing or activities.

Not alot of Time
 

I wouldn't do it.....There really isn't alot of time...given you should be checking back in 90 minutes ahead of the next flight.
LIH is a small airport, however depending on the number of flights going out at that same time..you could possibly run into a line-up at Security.
I don't believe renting a car during such a time frame would benefit you.
If... I could convince myself that this was worth doing.....the ONLY reason would be for a trip to Hamura's..... to have A bowl of soup and a whole Lilikoi Pie (To Go)! This experience alone would convince you to book your next trip to Kauai.

Go for the Noodles and Pie
 

It is said that Japanese Business men on Ohau have been known to take a flight at lunchtime to Kauai just to go to Hamurin for a bowl of noodles and a slice of pie.

I would land, jump in a cab, and get some noodles and pie.

You wont be sorry...if you have time...stop at Marriott on your way back to the airport and walk on the beach.

Hamura's Saimin^^^

I definitely wasn't going to rent a car, but figured that I could hop in a cab easily enough. I would have liked to get a morning flight, but then it wasn't part of the current $125 special to/from PHX.

I have to say when people are this enthusiastic about a place like this, it's worth checking out if at all possible. It would be good if I could fly standby and get there earlier, but apparently Hawaiian doesn't allow this without paying the fare difference.

Hamura's is just a few miles from the airport. The Kauai Museum is within walking distance of Hamura's if you are interested in anything like that.

http://www.kauaimuseum.org/cgi-bin/k...eum.pl?action=

Otherwise, I'd opt for the beach next to Duke's at the Marriott. Very scenic. And very close to the airport, which is good for timing when to return.

The Allure of Hamura's
 

We were witness to what I now know to be those Japanese Business men having Lunch at Hamura's....... On our very first trip to Kauai...back in 1997...we were on the Rental car shuttle bus returning to the Airport terminal, when onto the bus came some Japanese Executives carrying bags /boxes with the "Hamura" imprint on the bag. We had heard of the restaurant but had not gotten around to check it out during that 1st trip.
Their arms were full with these boxes and we were assisting them to get settled on the Bus....(Holding a box or two...handing them back etc....) Asssuming they were Tourists to Kauai as we were...I asked where they were visiting from? They replied Honolulu!.... They had come over just for Lunch to Hamura's and were bringing back pies for Friends and Family on Oahu!!!(About a dozen pies)
Well it was right there and then , my spouse and I vowed that our next trip over would include a visit to this special place.
Usually staying 3 weeks per visit on Kauai.....we pretty much go directly from the Airport there

What is this $125 special promotion?

Let me be the first to say on these forums that I very much prefer Sam Satos over Hamuras. Like my saimin noodles real chooey.

Pretty difficult to get there on a short layover at LIH, however. ;)

With 3 1/2 hours, it can be done. ;)

I vote for a taxi over to Duke's at Marriott and sit and enjoy the beach while eating some great cajun fish tacos and Hula pie. A must have at least once every time you visit Kauai IMHO. Although I've never tried Hamura's I must admit. With all the great reviews it gets on this thread, you better believe I'm gonna add it to my must-do list when I go to Kauai in a couple months. ^

BTW, make sure that in addition to the saimin and the pie, you get the teriyaki bbq beef and/or chicken sticks too. :)