Kauai International Hostel

Kauai (Kapaa)

1 of 2

Address	4532 Lehua Street, Kauai (Kapaa), Hawaii, USA Map
Price	$20 dorm, $50 private room Check Current Prices by Date Here

Location/Contact

Details

Their Description

Features

Kitchen
Lockers
24 Hour Free Hot Showers
Pool Table
Washing Machine (laundry)
Lounge / Common space
Gameroom
Phones (public or in room)
Travel information provided

The Hostelz.com Review

The location of this small hostel is prime. It's close to one of the best boogie boarding beaches on the island (Anahola Beach) and a few blocks away from downtown Kapa'a, which is known for its good eats and cheap variety stores.

The hostel itself had a very "insidery" feel. Most of the folks there seemed distant and weather-blown, as if they've been there for a hundred years and intend to stay. The crowd is on the older side, populated with some leathery surfing folk in their 40s as well as a few younger hippie-types. The general vibe is friendly-ish but wary.

The buildings have sort of a ranch-feel; you drive up and park by a white picket fence, and the hostel is spread out right before you. The dorm-rooms are small with no frills, with bunk beds and a sink, and a teeny tiny bathroom with a shower stall that is not the cleanest. None of the rooms have kitchens; all cooking is done in the common building, which is a separate building. The hostel also has semi-private rooms, which are accessible through the dorm rooms and share the bathroom. These have only a bed; no dresser or table, and are a bit stuffy with only one small high window and a ceiling fan. The dorm walls are very thin, and noise easily penetrates.

The common areas are much more comfortable. The hostel has cozy couches and a TV/VCR indoors, and outdoors it has a pool table, a picnic table, chairs, and various board games and other amusements. The kitchen is rather large with ample counter space.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2004

Ratings & Comments

1.9 Average from 22 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.

Comment by soph, australia

November 2009

Sh*t house!
I have spent five years traveling extensively and have never come across a person as angry and disturbed as Mike the psych. I shudder at the thought of waikiki and came to kauai to hike the kalalau trail. kapa, with its amazing hospitable and comfortable atmosphere I thought would be reflected at the hostel, i was wrong!

Comment by Paul, G

September 2009

Run and go camping!
The manager is really crazy. No, really! He will destroy your good mood. Spend some extra and stay at a real hotel or if you like to save some money, go camping. There you will also meet nice people and nobody will insult you or kick you out. Kauai is not an island for hostels. That's it! You can buy cheap camping gear at WalMart.

Comment by Ryan, Canada

September 2009

Creep
Great hostel, don't bother going until they change managers!

Comment by Cian, Irish

September 2009

Scary experience
Do not stay in this place. Just read the manager's obsessive house rules and threats to customers and you get a good taste of the bizarre atmosphere created in this hostel. I've stayed in many hostels which were cleaner and quieter than this place and didn't have the prison like rules and outright aggressive management. If you treat people like human beings they will generally respond in kind. If you threat people like dogs they will check out early and write bad review of your establishment all over the internet.

Comment by Kauai Love, U.S.A.

July 2009

Maikiki is like no other and yes, this hostel is not for all people. He did freak out quite a bit while I was there and even on me. But I'm a male, an experienced traveler, and can absorb all walks of life. Do I think he should be running a prime piece of real estate in paradise? No. I still wonder how he keeps the job there as he is not an owner. I'm sure that the owner is aware of his actions and to this day I'm a bit stunned that he's still there. From saying this all, I do not wish to attack Maikiki. I expect the very best for him and that he shakes his demons from the past. I do know that he's making a strong effort and perhaps this is not the career for him. Maikiki, I hope you find peace and happiness in your life and that you're able to focus your energies on all things positive. Much love my brother.

Comment by International Hosteller, UK

June 2009

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.

Comment by stephane, France

May 2009

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.

Comment by FreeFromThatHostile, USA

April 2009

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.

Comment by Dixie, USA

March 2009

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.

Comment by Carly, Canada

February 2009

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.

Comment by Ed Lee, USA

February 2009

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!

Comment by Krilt, U.S.A.

August 2008

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.

Comment by kristin, usa

May 2008

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.

Comment by K, USA

March 2008

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.

Comment by Bavin, USA

August 2007

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!

More Comments...

Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

1 of 2

Hostels in Kauai

Next »

Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information and reviews on all youth hostels and backpackers worldwide.

Exclusive Photos Taken by the Hostelz.com Reviewer

Additional Photos