Kauai International Hostel

Shocking
I have been using hostels for years and have never had an experience as bad as this. Upon my arrival I was told to move on as the hostel was full, but once I had made clear my intention to pay cash, it transpired that there were plenty of beds available (in fact only two other guests). Anyway, the manager had seemingly taken an instant dislike to me, and was extremely rude and arrogant over the next few days. Despite this I remained polite and respectful, doing my share of the cleaning as I knew that there was nowhere else on the island to stay in my budget range. One day he just went all crazy and decided to throw me out. He confronted me and hurled some "gutter-talk" at me (which is apparently banned at the hostel?) in front of the other guests, who were horrified. There is absolutely no way this disturbed man should be allowed to run a hostel.

The manager wastes this nice place
I didn't pay attention to the comments about this hostel when I booked, but I should have. Since the first minute I got there, the manager made me feel uncomfortable talking about the very special poIicy in here == he destabilized me although I agreed about all he said but I passed out. I noticed his redneck attitude during the evenings but I didn't care. A few days later, he blamed me because I didn't use its luggage room (i checked out for one day). Although I recognize my mistake and was ready to "compensate" he roughly kicked me out from the hostel and I had to leave the island the same day. So I just deplore this prick is the owner because the place is nice in itself.

Scary and violent
I am so glad there is a forum where I can warn others of the maniac physco manager. Last year he chased me out of the hostel after he told me he didn't like my energy. That the island didn't like my energy. I had only requested a room. He said Leave Now! He chased me into the yard where my boyfriend was sitting and waiting. He yelled at me in front of my boyfriend and told us again that he didn't want my bad energy there. I literally had to run down the street from him and I spent the night sitting on the beach crying. This guy is mentally and spiritually unstable and hates women. Why on Earth he is in charge of that place still, I don't know! Camp instead and get permits.

And he kicked me out too!
I am a fifty-year-old woman traveling alone to a Canoe race and stayed here. After a very long day on the water, the manager stated I didn't say anything to him when I went to the womens dorm -- had my key and room for two days. He came after me and told me I was rude, told me to get out now or he would call the cops. I told him I would leave after I took a shower since I paid for the night. he almost threw me out of the bathroom and told me to get lost like I was a child and treated me like a criminal! Tried staying there again a few months later hoping for a better experience, right. no one was there to greet me or give me a room, Sign said come back at 9 p.m. right! Go somewhere else.

Terrible! the manager is a maniac!
I am from Canada but have lived between Canada and Hawaii for most of my life (my Dad is Hawaiian and lives on Kauai). My sister and I went to check out this hostel because we wanted to prolong our stay on the island but my Dad's place was being rented out. So, being very comfortable with the island and Kapaa, we went to ask about price, only to be greeted by the manager who is nothing short of a maniac. He claims to have the "island vibe" and be chill and positive, but when we asked what the hostel's rules were, he told us that people who don't "get" the "island vibe" aren't "worth the skin they're in" (this wording alone is proof that he has zero Hawaiian in him!). When my sister said "that's not really that positive" about his comment, he told us that we had to leave and kicked us out of his hostel, yelling that we'd be better suited to walk up the street and get a hotel, meanwhile we live here. I was so offended and insulted. This man is very rude and very sketchy and I beg all of you fellow travelers not to risk your safety by staying with such an erratic and unstable character. He is mean, and do not be tricked, he is nothing like all of the people on our island! Stay at the other hostel, or camp on the beach. This experience was shocking and I have never in all my life on any Hawaiian island encountered someone like this guy.

This place rocks!
Yeah the man has rules, but he's not a nazi as some spoiled brats might have you believe. Go with the flow and understand that sometimes life happens and things'll go great. Some people are complaining about Mike but honestly he's awesome. If you take the time to ask him instead of trying to confront him he can give you the lowdown on all kinds of local knowledge of the island. Mike made me and my wife's visit on the island extra special and he really went out of his way to be hospitable. But as a business owner I understand that there are some customers who want to negotiate until you're broke! Yeah, I'm sure someone's going to have a negative experience eventually, but if you're someone who understands traveling as a way to see and explore and you like nature than this is your spot. If you're looking for servants and a manicure than I suggest that you go to touristy Waikiki -- Kauai is for nature lovers!

Hostile manager
Stay away from this place. First, I know it's a hostel (not a hotel), but my wife and I had to wait four hours before Maikiki, the manager, showed up to check us in (and that with multiple paging, phone calls). We had a reservation. Heed every woman who has posted how uncomfortable Maikiki made them feel. To be kind, he was rude, confrontational, and regimental. If you're over thirty, or just plain semi-mature, you don't need a blow-by-blow of a hostel's house rules and "quiet time." When we noted we'd read the rules online (and on the bathroom door, and in the common area), he said, "Well, there are new rules. Read them again." Without getting personal, Maikiki almost wanted to get into a fistfight with me when I defended my wife. After the rules speech, he escalated through a series of rude comments to her (with me right beside her!), culminating in an exchange where he said "You don't get English? In English," to a question my wife asked. What? At that point, I went to close the "private" room door on him (which is a box you get to by walking through the entire dorm) and he said, "Is there a problem?" I said I didn't like his attitude, his rudeness, his comments were completely uncalled for. He wanted more. So I said, "We're done," handed him the room key, and started to walk out. Get this -- the guy then calls me a "smart ass from L.A.," says I don't get the "island vibe," calls me "impatient," says, "The island doesn't like you," and actually has the gall to ask, "Did I use profanity?" As if rudeness of the highest order is just fine if you cloak yourself in "aloha spirit." Overall impression -- angry, delusional, and itching for conflict. We went to somewhere else instead, and some employees told us others had had similar experiences with the hostel (women crying after they had been verbally attacked). In sum, if there are no other rooms available, sleep in your car, risk sleeping on the beach, buy a tent -- do anything rather than support an establishment that treats guests so poorly.

Scary experience -- be careful
i did not stay here, however i want to share what happened to me as a warning to others. when i was in kauai last april, my friend and i wanted to check out the hostel for a possible future trip. although he did not identify himself as a manager, from reading the other reviews on this site i am assuming that is who he was. i dont know if i woke him from a nap when i rang the bell for service at the desk, but from the moment he walked out he was irritable, rude, and scary. i introduced myself and told him i would like a little information about the hostel and to perhaps peek into one of the rooms. his reply was "why dont you just go on the website and look?" i let him know i had already been online but would love to take a look since i was there and he said "well make it quick because i do not want you hanging around here." i let him know that my intention was definitely not to hang around and at that point felt too uncomfortable to be there any longer. as i was walking away, he shouted "Good choice." i turned around and said excuse me? he said "good choice because i dont like your attitude." i stood there absolutely speechless since my attitude could not have been more friendly and polite. then he screamed Don't come back. it was almost as if he was delusional. i am not one to get rattled easily or be offended, but i can honestly say that he caught me so off guard that i got tears in my eyes. i think part of the reason is because in kauai my heart center seems to be more open and i was definitely not expecting such a verbal assault and the viciousness i encountered. in one way i am relieved i am not alone after reading other reviews, but in another way i am just sad for him. i prayed for him several times throughout the day and the following days. i have no idea what is going on with this man, but he needs help. do not bring children here, and if you are female, stay here in pairs. but best scenario, dont stay here at all until he is removed from the premises.

Terrible Staff!
the manager "maikiki" is a weird dude. the guy is crazy, and has made many women feel very uncomfortable. He says very inappropriate comments about women, and has been in trouble with the police before. I suggest a hotel where the management isnt in your face the whole time.

Only if you can stand egotistic-weirdo manager.
I stayed here in first week of Jan. 2007. There are only two hostels on this Island and you have to listen to the ego-driven manager's lectures and rules/guidelines. He is also dominating with young girls as well. Must have the blessing of the deaf and blind hostel owner, otherwise you can not be running business like this. Weirdo manager has the reputation of telling people to leave without deposit. Small island and only one more hostel to compete, what else they need!

The patio area is a great place to hang out at and socialize, but you can't be there after 11 p.m., lights out. Me and a girl I met there had to sit in the parking lot to finish our dinner. Management is constantly involved in everything, even watching you cook your dinner. I had my name on my food and someone took it. There are all these creepy people that seem to stay there constantly.

I have never been treated so rudely. I arrived late to this hostel to be curtly told that I didn't have a reservation (which I had) and there were no more beds. Then, as I calmly tried to explain my situation and figure out what had happened to my reservation I was yelled at and kicked out for my "bad behavior." I was in total shock and was shaking as I went into the night to find another place to sleep. Now I just found out that my credit card was charged the $7.50 reservation fee. I highly suggest no one supports this hostel! It was one of the worst experiences I've had so far traveling.

This place is great, but the current (December 2006) manager is pretty shady. we checked out early and left him the keys but he refused to give us our deposit back. The place is very clean and well-located. Definitely the best place to stay in Kauai if you can stand the owner's preachings about himself. kinda creepy with the ladies as well.

I had an awesome time for the four nights that my daughter and I stayed there and met some interesting folks. I really enjoyed the local flavor for the place (travel for new experiences, not familiar) and the proprietor ran the place well. I like the lights-out policy as it keeps the place "sleepable." Some might want to remember this is a hostel, not a hotel. For a hostel, however, I'll give it four stars. It was clean, managed well, and provided more than I expected for a hostel anywhere. Good work, Mike!

I stayed here for one week back in September of 2002. The staff were friendly and the rooms were clean. The kitchen is located in the main building and was clean and spacious. The hostel is home to a number of permanent residents who I found friendly and helpful. One permanent resident was a local chef and for a nominal fee he cooked us a three-course gourmet meal. During the evening, everybody gathers around the picnic table to socialize. My overall experience was very positive and I would definitely stay here again.