11. Kauaʻi and Maui

Forget about the gentle sounds of ukuleles waking you up. My day in Hawaii begins at exactly 5:30 AM – with a bone-rattling rooster crow right outside our hotel window. And no, I’m not sleeping on a farm, but in the middle of a vacation paradise! I try to sleep a little longer, but after what feels like the 30th rooster crow, I simply can’t stay asleep anymore.
Those who have never been here can hardly believe it, but Hawaii has a real, feathered luxury problem. Chickens are simply everywhere here. They strut across the airport asphalt, lounge on the beach under palm trees, and casually peck at crumbs in luxury resorts.
The Greece phenomenon – just with feathers
You know those typical postcards from Greece, where a cat sits at every street corner, on every white wall, and in every tavern? Now replace the cats in your head with chickens – and multiply it by three. That’s exactly Hawaii! It feels like there are more chickens here than residents. You get surprisingly used to braking while driving, not for dogs, but for a family of chickens in a neat line.
But how did the chickens get to the beach?
It’s a pretty crazy mix of history and weather chaos:
The original chickens: About 1,000 years ago, the first Polynesian sailors brought chickens (called Moa) in their canoes to the islands.
The hurricane chaos: In 1992, the powerful hurricane Iniki swept over the island of Kauai. It destroyed countless chicken coops. Thousands of tame domestic chickens fled into the woods, mated with wild native chickens, and founded a super-robust 'Super Chicken Generation'.
No enemies: On islands like Kauai, there are simply no natural enemies. No foxes, no snakes, and – unlike other islands – no mongooses that would hunt the eggs. The chickens live here literally like in paradise.
Today it’s time to pack everything again, because today we leave Kaua'i. At 10 AM we check out of the hotel and drive leisurely to the airport. The rental car is quickly returned and the small airport in Lihue is quickly explored. With a slight delay, we take off.
Time for a quick conclusion:
Kaua'i has captured our hearts in a whirlwind. If you are looking for an island bursting with lush nature, deep green forests, and vibrantly colored flowers, this is the place for you. The nickname “Garden Island” is almost an understatement – the diversity of flora is simply overwhelming.
Two absolute forces of nature left me particularly speechless:
• The Waimea Canyon: The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” fascinates with its deep red earth tones, standing in stark contrast to the lush green vegetation.The Nāpali Coast: The world-famous, emerald-green cliffs dramatically break into the Pacific Ocean. A view straight out of a fantasy film! A true highlight is the aerial tour! Large parts of Kaua'i are completely inaccessible by land. Only from a bird's-eye view does the island reveal its full magical splendor. You fly very close to hidden waterfalls and gaze deep into valleys that no one has ever set foot in.
After experiencing the unforgettable natural wonders of Kaua'i, the next Hawaiian adventure awaits us: Maui! The “Valley Isle” represents the perfect mix of dream beaches, legendary road trips, and the Hawaiian way of life.
We can hardly wait to drive the famous Road to Hāna with its countless curves and waterfalls, witness the sunrise over the Haleakalā volcano, and simply soak up the relaxed island vibe. Maui, here we come – and we’re bringing you with us!

This flight goes by quickly as well. We fly for 30 minutes and cross Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai. Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are the calmest major islands of Hawaii without mass tourism, presenting themselves completely without traffic lights. While Molokaʻi embodies untouched nature and Hawaiian traditions, Lānaʻi impresses as an exclusive private island with a mix of rugged lunar landscapes and absolute luxury.
Our arrival at Kahului Airport in Maui also goes smoothly. We quickly receive the rental car for the next week and then head northwest. Before heading to our accommodation, we need to do some shopping for the next few days. We choose a Safeway. There, as a member, you can save a decent amount of money. I always give a wrong phone number and we already receive the discounts. In today’s shopping, we save 60 dollars. Fortunately, the drive to the hotel is short, and we check into our new apartment around 6 PM. Unfortunately, it’s not as nice as in Kauaʻi, but it's cheaper. We cook a quick dinner and then enjoy the pool and hot tub.