Kauai, HI Discount Hotels

Events

Hanapepe Art Night on Fridays 

Kaua’i's flourishing art community and Hanapepe galleries host the weekly event. Galleries offer art works and other collectibles for sale, and local musicians play in  the streets. 808-335-0227

Plantation Life-Styles Walking Tours

Tues., Thurs. & Saturdays at 9am. 

This hour and a half historical walking tour of the Waimea Sugar Mill Camp presents the details of life on a Hawaii sugar plantation. 808-338-0006

Island History Lectures

Kaua’i Historical Society sponsors free monthly lectures on varied aspects of island history. Call for schedule 808-245-3373

Kaua’i Museum Tours,

Free Every Tuesday 

10 am every Tuesday, tours of the Kaua’i Museum are presented free with admission. Located at 4428 Rice St. in Lihu’e. 808 245-6931

Kokee Natural History Wonder Walks 

The Kaua’i Natural History Museum sponsors guided hikes in Kokee State Park. Reservations required. Bring drinking water; wear hiking shoes.  a small donation is requested per hiker. 808- 335-9975.

Kaua’i's Farmer's Markets

Featuring Kaua’i's own tropical fruits, sweet corn, and locally grown salad greens among others..

Monday:  Koloa Ball Park 12 noon, Kukui Grove 3:00PM

Tuesday:  Kaleheo Neighborhood Center 3:30 PM 

Wednesday:  Kapaa New Town Park 3:00 PM 

Thursday:  Hanapepe-across from Post Office 4:00 PM 

Friday:  Lihu’e Vidinha Stadium 3:00 PM 

Saturday:  Kekaha Neighborhood Center 10:00 AM 

January  

Christmas Bird Count 

Generally held on New Years Day. There is a small contribution to the National Audubon Society. For more information, call Kokee Natural History Museum at 808-335-9975

Rainbow Arts Festival  

This day-long festival for children features giant blow up characters and storytelling at Hanapepe park at the river mouth on Kaua’i. Sponsored by Storybook Theatre of Hawaii. Call  808-335-0712

Kaua’i Rodeo 

CJM stables in Poipu hosts this annual event. The rodeo runs all day and features paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys). Call 808-742-6096

February

Eat Dessert First 

Taste more than 30 different desserts during this fundraising evening of sweet delights.

Waimea Town Celebration TBA 

2 days of fun, food, entertainment and sports, in the small town with a big history. Plantation-era style community celebration draws locals and visitors alike. Saturday sports include

canoe races, Annual Captain Cook Fun Run, and Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) Challenge. Call 808-338-9957

March

Prince Kuhio Long Distance Canoe Race 

Presented by Garden Island Canoe Racing Association at Hanamaulu Beach.

Spirit of Mardi Gras

Quota International of Kaua’i presents their annual "Spirit of Mardi Gras Festival and Costume Ball."

Prince Kuhio Festival 

Held at Prince Kuhio Park in Poipu. Event includes exhibits, special programs honoring Prince Kuhio and outrigger canoe races.

April

Polo Matches, Mid-April through August   Polo matches at Anini Beach polo field held Sundays at 3 pm. Call: 808-822-3740

May 

Annual Lei Contest, Kaua’i Museum, May 1 

4428 Rice St. in Lihu’e. Includes music, entertainment, local crafts and a look at some of the best leis ever. For more information call 245-6931

Polo Matches, Mid-April through August 

Polo matches at Anini Beach polo field held Sundays at 3 pm. Call: 808-822-3740

Annual Prince Albert Music Festival,  Princeville Resort

Festivities include classical and Hawaiian music performances, a children's hula, Holoku Tea and fashion show, antique quilt display and music of old Hawaii. Information:  808-826-6439

Annual Banana Poka Festival:  This annual event is Kokee Museum's forest education fair, complete with guided hikes, craft workshops and entertainment. For details call 335-9975.

Memorial Day Yacht Race, Nawiliwili to Hanalei

Nawiliwili Yacht Club sponsors this annual race from Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihu’e to Hanalei Bay. Awards feast follows at the Hanalei Pavilion.

Polo Matches

Mid-April through August 

Polo matches at Anini Beach polo field held Sundays at 3 pm. 808-822-3740

August

Annual Hanalei-Tahiti Fete

Presented by Hanalei Civic Canoe Club at Hanalei Bay. Includes canoe races and all day entertainment.

Trout Fishing, Kokee State Park 

Trout Fishing season begins in Koke'e State Park streams and reservoirs for a limited time. Fishing License required. Call State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Div. for specifics 274-3344.

Kokee State Park 

Trout Fishing season begins in Koke'e State Park streams and reservoirs for a limited time. Fishing License required. Call State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Aquatic

Resources Div. for specifics 274-3344.

August

Kaua’i Tahiti Fete,

This annual competition hula event brings Tahiti's best hula dancers to Kaua’i. Both Tahitian and Hawaiian hula is performed during the festival, along with live music, craft fair and food booths. For more details visit their web pages or call 808-826-9343

Mid-August

Royal Court Investiture Ceremonies The Kaua’i Aloha Festival's Royal Court will be installed with special ceremonies and traditional Hawaiian protocols in the magnificance of Wailua-nui-a-ho`ano or the "great sacred Wailua." Chants and dances honoring the trilogy of Hawai`i's cultural traditions tell of a Kaua’i of long ago. This is a very special opportunity to experience authentic and traditional culture for both residents and visitors! Free. Processional begins at 9am. Poli`ahu Heiau, Wailua. 

Kokee Wonder Walk, August

Guided hike of trails at Kokee State Park. Wonder Walk will begin at the Kokee Natural History Museum promptly at 12:15. $3 donation. 

Kokee Natural History Museum 335-9975

Sam Choy's Poke Contest, Mid-August

"Poke"-the Hawaiian delicacy of raw fish is taken to extreme levels in this delicious, annual culinary contest! Open to both professional and amateur chefs, it draws some of the most innovative talent in the Pacific Rim regions. For information, call 821-2070.

Annual Summer Craft Fair

Kaua’i Museum, 4428 Rice St. in Lihu’e. For more information call 245-6931

Kaua’i County Farm Fair 

A favorite with children, the county fair features carnival rides, local food, produce, crafts, 4-H livestock displays, and entertainment. Adults may want to check out the orchid and bonsai plant competition.

Magnificent Mango Mini-Feast 

Annual Magnificent Mango Mini-Feast held at Borders Book store. Events spotlight the succulent tropical fruit and may include a mini-farmers' market, mango products, mango food sampling, recipe contests and entertainment. Borders Books Music Cafe-246-0862.

September 

Mokihana Festival 

The highlights of this annual festival are the Kaua’i Composers Contest which spotlights local composers and entertainers and the Ukulele Jam. Many events featured across the island. For more information, view the Mokihana Web Site or call 808-822-2166

Kaua'i Paniolo Ranch Rodeo, Usually held in Sept. 

Held at the CJM Country Stables in Poipu. Paniolo:  Hawaiian cowboys:  compete in rodeo events which range from typical to the uniquely Hawaiian. Call Joyce Miranda at

808-742-6096

October 

Aloha Festivities 

Aloha Festivities are celebrated throughout Kaua’i in October. A royal court presides over such events as a Royal Ball, horse racing, concerts, hula, tour of heiau (Hawaiian sacred site), fishing tournaments and a Hawaiian sports challenge. Call: 808-944-8857

Taro Festival in Hanalei 

The annual Taro Festival celebrates the cultivation of one of old Hawaii's dietary staples. The celebration includes music, hula, food, exhibits and games for keiki (kids). Experience the "Taste of Taro":  a feast of taro dishes, and other exotic events around this Polynesian plant.

November 

PGA Grand Slam,

One of golf's most prestigious events, the annual Grand Slam features the beautiful Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course. This course is one of several prestigious golf courses located on Kaua’i. Accommodations in Poipu during the Grand Slam are at a premium and generally sell out well before the event. Suite Paradise accommodations are within close proximity to both the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course, and the Kiahuna Golf Club. For questions regarding accommodations during the Grand Slam contact Suite Paradise at 800-367-8020. 

International Film Festival

This annual event specializes in Pacific Rim films and offers a wide assortment of newly released and obscure films. The festival usually lasts a week with films shown at theaters across the island. Admission for most films is free.

December 

Holiday Hula Celebration

Annual "Holiday Hula Celebration." Dancers perform a variety of hulas traditional and modern. There will also be a children's Christmas chorale and ukulele group, silent auction, Christmas ornament contest and bake good sale. Guests include Santa bringing goodies for the children. Admission fee. 335-6466.

4th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade

Held at Hofgaard Park in Waimea Town, this community event includes free refreshments and Santa!  808-338-9957

First Night Kaua’i Style, Dec. 31 

This Annual New Year's Eve Cultural Festival is usually held in the immediate vicinity of the county facilities on Rice Street, Lihu’e from 6 pm-1:00 am. This family-oriented, alcohol and drug-free New Year's Eve celebration, includes multicultural dance/music, foods, entertainment, crafts and other activities, sponsored by Kaua’i Habitat for Humanity. 1-888-822-7002

Festivals

December: Bodhi Day ( 808/522-9200), the traditional Buddhist Day of Enlightenment, is celebrated at temples statewide; visitors are welcome.

December: Festival of Lights ( 808/828-0014). Islands deck out the lights to celebrate the season, with electric light parades, decorated city buildings, and events that last throughout December.

December: Christmas sees hotels outdoing each other in such extravagant exhibits and events as Santa arriving by outrigger canoe.

January-February: Chinese New Year Celebrations ( 808/245-6931 Kaua'i) include a Narcissus Festival pageant, coronation ball, cooking demonstrations, fireworks, and lion dances.

Spring

March 26: Prince Kuhio Day ( 808/822-5521), a local holiday, honors Prince Kuhio, a member of Congress who might have become king if Hawai'i had not become a U.S. territory and later a state. April: Buddha Day ( 808/536-7044) pageants are staged at island Buddhist temples to celebrate Buddha's birth. May 1: Lei Day ( 808/547-7393) is an annual flower-filled celebration with music, hula, food, and lei-making competitions and exhibits.

Prince Lot Music Festival ( 808/826-9644) is Princeville's signature event, attracting local musicians and distinguished American composers. There are hula performances and art and cultural exhibits, too.

Summer

June: King Kamehameha Day ( 808/586-0333) honors the man who united all the islands and became Hawai'i's first king. Parades and fairs abound.

July 4: Independence Day is celebrated with fairs, parades, and, of course, fireworks.

July-August: Bon Odori Season ( 808/661-4304): Buddhist temples invite everyone to festivals that honor ancestors and feature Japanese o-bon dancing.

August: Admission Day, the third Friday in August, recognizes Hawai'i's attainment of statehood in 1959.

Fall

September-October: Aloha Festivals ( 808/545-1771), begun in 1946, preserve Hawaiian native culture. Crafts, music, dance, pageantry, street parties, and canoe races are all part of the action. 

Arts and Entertainment

Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center

3-1901 Kaumuali'i Hwy.

Lihu'e, HI 

808 - 2458311   

Kaua'i Community College Performing Arts Center provides a venue for Hawaiian music and dance as well as visiting performers.

Nightlife

People on Kaua'i take great pride in their culture and enjoy sharing their traditions with those who come to call. As a result, on the Garden Isle you will find more traditional Hawaiiana and less glitz than on neighboring O'ahu.

Most of the island's dinner and lu'au shows take place within a hotel or resort. Hotel lounges and restaurant bars offer live music with no cover charge.

Sports

Captain Zodiac Raft Expedition

1-800-422-7824. 

A boating trip on 23 foot inflatable rubber boats (weather permitting).  Children prefer the snorkeling activity to the sightseeing excursion. 

Golf

Some of Hawaii's most challenging golf courses are found on Kaua’i. In addition to several outstanding resort courses, there are also some excellent public courses. What puts all these golf courses in a class above those you might play elsewhere, is their location. Most come with an inspiring ocean view or spectacular mountain backdrop.

Horseback Riding

One of the best ways to explore Kaua’i is from horseback. There are scenic trails that follow along the coast. Trips up Hanalei Valley, reveal a place that hasn't changed much in the past one thousand years. Other trails take you to Haupu Valley, along the beach and past the coves of Mahaulepu Beach, or down into Waimea Canyon.

Fishing

Kaua’i is a popular spot for both freshwater and saltwater anglers. Large- and smallmouth bass are taken in Kaua’i's inland reservoirs. Marlin, ahi, ono, and aku are found in abundance off Kaua’i's south and east coasts. There also are special charters available that will carry you near the private island of Niihau for giant tuna and marlin.

Hiking

About 10 percent of Kaua’i is accessible by road.

Write to the Hawaii Geographic Society, P.O. Box 1698, Honolulu, HI 96806, and ask for their information packet..

Three of Kaua’i's best trails:

The Kukui Trail

This 5-mile (round trip) trail drops 2,000 feet into spectacular Waimea Canyon, and offers the shortest route to the canyon floor. There's a large swimming hole at the bottom.

The Kuilau Ridge Trail

This 4.2-mile (round trip) hike offers dramatic views of small waterfalls and a wealth of flora. The trailhead is about a mile beyond the University of Hawaii Agricultural Experimental Station on Route 580.

The Kalalau Trail

This is the original Hawaiian trail into Kalalau Valley, and offers dramatic views of Na Pali Coast and Kee Beach. It begins at Kee Beach where Highway 56 ends. Two miles inland is Hanakapiai Falls, which cascades 300 feet to a pool below.

Windsurfing

Anini Beach Park and Kalapaki Beach are both good places for windsurfing, especially Anini Beach because it said to have more consistent wind. On the south coast, Poipu Beach is also an excellent choice. For the more advanced, Haena Beach on the north shore is a great spot.

Scuba Diving

The best diving on Kaua’i is found along the southern shore because waters are calmer. The water is clear, with visibility averaging about 50 feet, and sea life is abundant.