Kauai Vacation

For the Party People: Finding the Best Kauai Luaus

You should never miss witnessing a Kauai luau when visiting Hawaii. A luau is an authentic Hawaiian feast featuring entertainment like original Hawaiian music, hula presentations, games, local delicacies like poi, kalua and opihi and other fun-filled activities. Types of the event may also vary depending on the occasion such as birthday luaus, ceremonial luaus and wedding luaus. Find out where to see one.

Oceanfront Luaus

The Surf to Sunset Luau is held every Monday and Friday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. just a few steps from the crescent-shaped white beach of Kauai. This is the perfect ceremony for families and couples featuring world-class entertainment that boasts the island’s culture and traditions plus a wide array of authentic Hawaiian dishes. Here you can enjoy fresh sweet pineapple, lomi salmon, pipikaula, kalua pig, poi, poke and tempting desserts like coconut coated haupia, chocolate macadamia nut cake and guava chiffon pie.

Other delicacies included in the extensive banquet are Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. You get to choose between the Traditional package and The Golden Circle package.

The Traditional package includes classic buffet dining and entertainment while The Golden Circle package includes table service complete with appetizers, salads and beverages served family style, signature lei and great stage side seats.

Poipu also offers classic Kauai luaus with a spectacular oceanfront view at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa every Sunday and Thursday with the theme “Havaki Nui” or “a journey to new lands”. Check-in time is at 5:00 p.m. Here you can enjoy quality Hawaiian and cosmopolitan culinary luau dishes and entertainment provided by world-class producers of Hawaiian and Polynesian entertainment.

The program features the voyage of ancient Polynesians into the Pacific Ocean to search for Havaiki Nui resulting to the established lands of Hawaii, Samoa and Tahiti. The story is well-described through songs, dances and chants. You get to see live fire knife dances and the mystical hula.

Other inclusions in the siet are the shell lei greeting, music and photo opportunity, limited bar, Hawaiian arts and crafts and Imu unearthing. The Kauai luau buffet has a very extensive menu with specialties like somen salad, tropical fruits, kim chee, imu-style cooked kalua pig, brewed kona and several specialty teas.

The Must-See Luau

The most famous Kauai luau is probably Smith’s Garden Luau held at the Wailua Marina State Park on the east side of the island. The program is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Check-in time is at 4:45 p.m.

The event started more than 50 years ago by the Smith family in the holy Wailua River Valley and up to now, they continue to entice visitors to experience and become part of the family or “ohana”. The feast is the main highlight of the luau featuring delicacies like kalua pig roasted in the earthen imu oven, Cousin Gary’s secret teriyaki beef recipe and chicken adobo.

More highlights in this Kauai luau are Tahitian drum dances, Samoan fire knife dances, shell lei greeting, meeting some of the Smith family members, cocktails, Hawaiian music, the Aloha Show with performances from Hawaii, the Philippines and New Zealand and a preview of the romantic Hawaiian wedding.

Occasionally, the Pareo Fashion show and Tihati’s Hiva Pasefika Revue is also presented. Some ethnic dances and chants from China, Japan and Korea are featured as well.

Getting the Best Deals at Kauai Shopping Districts

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Getting the Best Deals at Kauai Shopping Districts

Aside from the many natural beauties that sprout all over the island, the towns and cities in Kauai are also bustling with modern structures and developments. Kauai shopping is a very fun and exciting experience since you get a vast selection of authentic Hawaiian goods and other well-known international brands. You get to enjoy different atmospheres with varying themes that truly depict the Hawaiian lifestyle.

Shopper’s Paradise

You will find a variety of good shopping places ranging from small shops to boutiques to department centers to malls. There are plenty of specialty shops and boutiques carrying unique souvenir items and vintage accessories and clothing on the north shore.

Antiques are also sold coming from different lands like Polynesia, Tibet and India. Jewelry, Oriental rugs, necklaces, leis, bracelets, anklets and pearls can be purchased in Hanalei and Princeville. Other great home items like candles, soaps, tablecloths, napkins with exotic designs, plates and aloha shirts are found in factories and outlets in these areas as well.

Art collectors will enjoy the many fine art shops and galleries at Lihue and Kalapaki. Several authentic Kauai crafts and original Hawaiian pieces like woodwork, lauhala weavings, Niihau shell leis, coconut products and other tropical collectibles can be found at the Kauai Museum as well as other farmer’s markets, also known as Sunshine Markets.

The east side features fine art, vintage maps, jewelry, aloha shirts, Kukui guava jams and other delightful food, beverages and snacks. Kapaa Town, Wailua Shopping Plaza and Kinipopo Shopping Village feature some of the most attractive handmade items in the state. You will find over 70 shopts selling mementos, crafts, fabrics and antiques in the Coconut Marketplace.

If you head west, you will find Eleele Shopping Center offering boat tours, dive shops, furniture shops, fine art stores and antique stores. This is the perfect place to search for special Hawaiian treats and dishes like taro chips, tropical fruits and many others. It is ideal that you visit on a Friday night which is also referred to as Art Night. Art galleries come to life as well as other nearby establishments featuring live music, refreshments and demonstrations. Come to Port Allen for great souvenirs and chocolates.

Other Tourist Favorites

Ching Young Village offers a variety of gift shops. Kilohana is home to specialty stores, retail shops, carriage rides, sugarcane rides and a fine dining place. There is a banquet facility where you can hold parties, luaus, weddings and other family gatherings.

Kauai Village has more than 110,000 square feet with landscaped ponds, boutiques, gift shops, restaurants and fast food stores. South of Lihue you will find Kukui Grove Shopping Center which has 35 acres and popular stores like Long’s Drug, K-Mart, Sears and Macy’s. It has recently been renovated and now has a very attractive and stimulating appearance.

Poipu Shopping Village is located at the south shore featuring gift shops, services and excellent dining areas. Here you will find pillows, Hawaiian handmade paper, children’s toys, silk dresses, beach accessories, swimwear, sterling silver pieces and beadworks. There are many surf and dive shops as well offering a variety of items from different brands and manufacturers.

Kauai shoppers will enjoy visiting Old Koloa Town with its snacking establishments, groceries, Niihau shell leis and other island apparel. Kauai shopping be enjoyed right in your hotel since some also have a number of boutique shops where you can purchase original Hawaiian arts, crafts and items.