E Komo Mai o Kauai

Aloha to the Ishiura Guide to Kauai. Our family has been traveling to the Garden Island for the past decade and have experienced much of what the island has to offer. In this blog, I will share some of the places that our family has come to love over the years.

I will divide Kauai up geographically (North, South, East, and West) and will include areas to visit, places to chow down, stores to shop until you drop, and fun activities that we have done in the past or are popular in the area. This guide is by no means exhaustive and while we have visited the beautiful shores of the Garden Isle many times, we have still yet to see all that the lush countryside has to offer so feel free to share any places that you have enjoyed in the past.

Northern Exposure: Good Eats

I am not very knowledgeable about the restaurants on the North Shore of Kauai but with the help of some friends, I have come up with a couple of restaurants to check out for those who find themselves in the North. As a note, many of the restaurants located along the North Shore have a higher price point with varying levels of customer support. For most of this blog, I have highlighted cheaper fare but the good eats in the Princeville and Hanalei areas will cost you a pretty penny (or two). 

First up is the highly rated Bar Acuda in Hanalei. The gourmet restaurant features a tapas and wine menu and a beautiful garden view. The tapas menu shifts seasonally but you can view their current menu along with make reservations via their website. Bar Acuda is located at 5-5161 Kuhio Highway in Hanalei. 

There are a couple more highly rated restaurants in the Hanalei area including Tahiti Nui, Postcards Cafe, and Kalypso but their most recent reviews have been overwhelmingly negative and as I have not personally visited any of these restaurants nor have had friends or family eat there, I can only suggest Bar Acuda in the area as the rest of the restaurants did not pass the vetting process. 

The Eastern Seaboard: Wailua

Seeing the Sights

The town of Wailua is known for its breathtaking beautiful landscapes- the gravity defying Fern Grotto and the magnificent Wailua Falls. While the Wailua Falls are accessible to all, the Fern Grotto can only be experienced via boat, which cost around $20 for adults. Smith's Fern Grotto Tours offers an hour and a half excursion that takes passengers up the Wailua River while serenading them with traditional Hawaiian music that is amplified by the lava rock in the Fern Grotto.  

 Ferns growing upside down on lava rock

Another beautiful landmark on the Eastern Coast of Kauai is the Wailua Falls. The gorgeous waterfall diverges into two separate streams and falls delicately off the cliff. The falls are located at the south end of the Wailua River and is just north of Lihue. To access Wailua Falls, take the Kuhio Highway to Hanamaulu then turn onto Ma'alo Road/Highway 583 and drive roughly three miles. You can view the falls from the car or on foot via a variety of kayaking/hiking packages offered for the Wailua River. 

View of Wailua Falls from hiking trail

 

The Eastern Seaboard: Kapa'a

Good Eats

If you are driving around on the East Coast of Kauai, here are some places to stop and fill up your tummy with delicious goodness:

Pono Market in Kapaa is a great place to get a great plate lunch. It is known for its fabulous lau lau and kalua pork and is budget friendly. If you are interested in a quick bite to eat, it is located at 4-1300 Kuhio Highway in Kapaa.

Also located in Kapaa is our family's favorite Asian eatery, House of Noodles. While looking up their menu and their address online, I browsed their recent Yelp reviews and noticed that their reviews which had been consistently positive over the years have taken a sharp nose dive since the beginning of 2013. While I won't be able to pry my husband away from the House of Noodles, I do find it a bit concerning as the management or owners may have changed since last year. In my upcoming trip, I will definitely investigate and report back but for now, I would check it out but bring some Tums just in case. House of Noodles is located at 4-1330 Kuhio Highway in Kapaa.


Get Your Shop On

Kapaa has a great selection of shops that range from the generic ABC store to the handcraft souvenir collective known as the Kapaa Products Fair. Most of the shops in Kapaa are located along the main stretch of the Kuhio Highway and I would suggest walking around the main road and browsing the shops and restaurants. Usually, we grab lunch and then stroll around Kapaa wandering in the different shops. 

If you are looking for trinkets to bring back to friends and relatives, the ABC store in Kapaa is a cheap and condensed shop that hits most of the different types of souvenirs- postcards, leis, sarongs, coconut banks, and key chains. An added bonus with the ABC store is that it doubles as a Hawaiian 7-11 so you can grab a cold soda or a bag of chips if you are heading up or down the Kuhio Highway. When it comes to authenticity, this is obviously not the place to get souvenirs but if you are buying trinkets for a lot of people, this store (along with Walmart) is the most economical place on Kauai. Located at 4-831 Kuhio Highway, this location has the very rare parking lot so take advantage of the lot.

For those of you looking for more unique gifts and souvenirs, head up the Kuhio Highway a couple of minutes to the Kapaa Products Fair that offers a range of handmade and generic souvenirs. This is a larger version of the Spouting Horn vendors and my husband and I prefer the Kapaa fair over its southern counterpart as there are more handmade crafts at the former. The Kapaa Products Fair is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm and is located at 4-1621 Kuhio Highway.

Another great shop that provides a wide range of goods is Hula Girl in Kapaa. I always love stopping in here whenever I am in Kapaa and usually find myself walking out of the store with a bag full of goodies- most of which I am not sharing. Located at 4-1340 Kuhio Highway, Hula Girl will not disappoint!

For those of you interested in picking up multiple Hawaiian shirts on the cheap, the Hawaiian Wear Factory is the place to be. At prices similar to those found at the ABC store or Walmart, the Hawaiian Wear Factory has a wide range of Hawaiian shirts and dresses for the entire family in a staggeringly wide range of sizes- you will not find a one size fits all shirt in this place! The shop itself looks abandoned from the street but trust me- there is a warehouse full of clothes inside the cramped storefront. I absolutely adore the owner, an elderly Hawaiian woman who seems to the be the only employee- whenever we stop in over the course of a decade- she has been there with a fan behind her, tending the store. The Hawaiian Wear Factory is located at 4520 Kukui Street off of the Kuhio Highway. 

Northern Exposure: Seeing the Sights

An interesting hike towards the coastline near Princeville will give you one of your most memorable bathing experiences of your life. Queen's Bath, an enclosed tidepool on the Northern Coast of Kauai, has eerily warm water that you can happily float in while watching the waves crash up against the wall of lava rock that keeps you safely enclosed from the treacherous ocean currents. During high tide, the waves will rock up against the lava rock and can push you out into the ocean. Unlike many tourist destinations in Kauai, the road to Queen's Bath takes you through an upscale residential neighborhood in Princeville. The parking to Queen's Bath is located on Kapiolani Road and to get to your destination, you will need to hike a bit to the coast so make sure you have adequate walking/water shoes. To get to Queen's Bath, take Kuhio Highway to Ka Haku Road; once on Ka Haku, turn on Punahele Road and then onto Kapiolani Road.

Queen's Bath 

Open Tide Pool On the Way to Queen's Bath

Heed the Warning! 

The Maniniholo, Waikanaloa, and Waikapalae Wet Caves and the Maniniholo Dry Cave or the Wet and Dry Caves as they are known are a beautiful set of caves at the end of the Haena Beach Park in the town of Haena. While you can explore the Maniniholo Dry Cave, it is not safe to swim in the wet caves despite their allure. To get the most out of your experience, time your visit to the Wet Caves to when the sun lays directly north of the caves. The sunlight against the caves creates a beautiful bluish glow to the water so be sure to pack your camera! The Wet and Dry Caves are located at the very end of the Kuhio Highway in Haena.

Maniniholo Dry Cave

Waikapalae Wet Cave 

Farmer's Markets

There is nothing better than waking up to a beautiful Hawaiian morning, taking a stroll on the beach and then heading home to eat a freshly farmed mango or mountain apple. One of the best ways to get the best produce Kauai has to offer is by visiting their many farmers' markets. The produce is often limited at the farmers' market so it is first come first serve- there have been a couple of times in which I have sprinted toward a specific vendor to get the precious. Learn from my failed attempts at running and make sure that you get to the farmers' market early! Below is a breakdown of the markets but schedules and locations can change so double check with your concierge, the visitor's kiosk at the airport, or one of the many visitor's desks around the island- they will most likely have an up to date print out of the farmers' markets.

Monday

Anne Knudsen Ball Park  (SOUTH)
Off of Maluhia Road in Koloa
Market starts promptly at 12pm

Kmart Parking Lot (SOUTHEAST)
4303 Nawiliwili Road in Lihue
Market starts at 3pm


Tuesday

Coconut Market Place (EAST)
4-484 Kuhio Highway in Kapaa
Market runs from 9am-noon

Kalaheo Neighborhood Center (SOUTH)
4480 Papalina Road in Kalaheo
Market starts at 3:30pm


Wednesday 

Kapaa Town Park (EAST)
4669 Kahau Road in Kapaa
Market starts at 3pm

Kauai Culinary Market (SOUTH)
The Shops at Kukui'ula
2829 Ala Kalaikaumaka in Koloa
Market runs from 4pm-6pm


Thursday

Coconut Marketplace (EAST)
4-484 Kuhio Highway in Kapaa
Market runs from 9am-noon

Hanapepe Park (WEST)
Old Town Hanapepe
Market starts at 3pm

Kilauea Neighborhood Center (NORTH)
4620 Keneke Road in Kilauea
Market starts at 4:30


Friday

Vidinha Stadium (SOUTHEAST)
Kaana Street in Lihue
 Market starts at 3pm


Saturday 

Kauai Community College (SOUTHEAST)
3-1901 Kaumauli'i Highway in Puhi
Market runs from 9:30am-1pm

Kekaha Neighborhood Center (WEST)
8130 Elepai in Kekaha
Market starts at 9am

Hanalei Market (NORTH)
5-5299 Kuhio Highway
Market runs from 9:30am-noon

Big Fun at the Kauai County Fair

This year, the Kauai County Fair will be raging on from Thursday August 22 to Sunday August 25th at the Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. Working off the schedule from last year's county fair, I am speculating that the hours on Thursday and Friday will be from 6pm-midnight and from noon to midnight on the weekend. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for children, and $4 for seniors and for those wanting to save a couple of bucks, admission on Sunday from noon-6pm is only $2 (and is free from 6pm-midnight). Rides, exhibits, vendors, and great food await this August!

The Wild Wild West: Hanapepe, Eleele, and Kalaheo

On the Western Coast of Hawaii rests three small towns on the way to Waimea: Kalaheo, Eleele, and Hanapepe that have great places to adventure, shop, and eat. Follow along as I take you a virtual tour of the hot spots located in these three towns.

One of the most fascinating towns in Kauai is the small artist town of Hanapepe. If you are a connoisseur of art or Hawaiian history, this is the place for you to spend a chunk of your time. Known as the art capital of Kauai, Hanapepe offers numerous art galleries and holds a weekly Art Night every Friday from 7-9pm. To get to Historic Hanapepe, turn off of Hawaii Route 50/Kaumualii Highway onto Hanapepe Road.


Get Your Shop On

One of my mom's favorite shops is the Banana Patch Studio located at 3865 Hanapepe Road and offers a wide selection of hand crafted items. An annual purchase is one of the many hand painted ceramic tiles that now line the wall of my mom's office.

Hand-painted Dining Set 

Hand-painted Ceramic Tile 

Before you reach the town of Hanapepe, you drive through the small town of Eleele that is home to Port Allen, the docking point for Captain Andy's Na Pali Coast sailing tours and the location of one of Kauai's Red Dirt Stores. Unlike the dirt on the mainland, the dirt in Kauai has a red pigment to it and is thought to have healing qualities by the natives. All of the items sold at the Red Dirt Stores have been dyed using the Island's dirt and adds a unique hue to all of the products. The Red Dirt Store is located at 4350 Waialo Road in Eleele. Traveling down Hawaii Route 50/Kaumualii Highway, turn onto Waialo Road. 

 Eleele Red Dirt Store 

A Rack of Red Dirt Shirts

Seeing the Sights

Amidst the art galleries lining Old Hanapepe Town lies a relic of the past- a suspension bridge built in the early 1900's as a way to cross the river. I thought it'd be a slight thrill but it wouldn't give as much as the plastic bridges in your local park. Wrong. When you walk onto the bridge with someone else, you sway! It is definitely a bunch of fun but if you are fearful, make sure your bridge buddy is someone you trust! 

Good Eats & Drinks 

After a long day on the water on one of Captain Andy's Na Pali Coast tours, you may be craving some fast food or a tall (plastic) glass of $1 iced tea. You're in luck! The Red Dirt Store and Port Allen share the western-most McDonalds in the United States located at 4469 Waialo Road in Eleele. Unlike many of the McD's on the mainland, this location offers local meals such as spam, eggs, and rice and their taro pie. 

Off of their Breakfast Menu: Spam, Eggs, and Rice

Between the towns of Kalaheo and Eleele sits the Kauai Coffee Company at 870 Halewili Road. The 3,100 acre coffee plantation grows four million coffee trees that produce the island's signature coffee. If j'adore coffee, you can visit their plant and enjoy a coffee tasting that includes the entire line of the company's coffee or take one of their guided walking tours that occur daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. The coffee tasting can be enjoyed at any time during their regular business hours of 9am-5pm. To visit the Kauai Coffee Company, take Hawaii Route 50 to Hawaii Route 540 (also known as Halewili Road).

Visitor Center at Kauai Coffee Company 

Tasting Room at the Visitor's Center 

The Wild Wild West: Na Pali Coast

Arguably the most beautiful stretch of land in all of the Hawaiian Islands, the Na Pali Coastline offers absolutely breathtaking views and is completely inaccessible from any roads. If you want to see the beautiful landscape you have two options- boat or hike. I have never had the courage or endurance to test my ability to hike through the Na Pali coastline and as long as there are boat tours that give me a similar experience, I am going to opt for the option that won't wreak havoc on my lumbar spine.

With the exception of one year, I have found myself boarding a catamaran in Port Allen. There are a couple of companies that offer tours of the Na Pali Coast but I tried Captain Andy's once and haven't strayed from their amazing tour since. There are multiple tours available depending on what type of adventure you are looking for that vary in price: a dinner cruise, a BBQ and snorkel, a tour of the caves in a raft, or a trip up the coast on a catamaran followed by snorkeling and a picnic lunch. I fell in love with the latter. On the ride up the coast, you can see turtles swimming in the ocean or a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the boat. On one of the snorkeling trips, we encountered a massive sea turtle in the waters which is difficult to describe as the difference between seeing a turtle in the water from a distance is one thing while having one zip past you is indescribably beautiful.

Captain Andy's is located at 4353 Waialo Road in Eleele at Port Allen. Take Hawaii Route 50/Kaumualii Highway and turn at Waialo Road (there's a McDonald's at the stop light).

Na Pali Coast Tour

Inflatable Tour of the Na Pali Coast 

The Wild Wild West: Waimea

Seeing the Sights

One of the most notable landmarks on the Western Shore of Kauai is the Waimea Canyon that is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Once you arrive in Waimea, your journey will continue for roughly a half an hour up a winding road to the scenic look out point for the Canyon. If geological wonders aren't really your thing (or you don't want to drive your friend to Waimea Canyon), you can always pull off to the side of the Kaumualii Highway (Hawaii Route 50) and view some of the smaller canyons that have formed along the western coast.

Panoramic View of Waimea Canyon

Right before you enter the town of Waimea, you pass by a historic landmark- the Russian Fort Elizabeth. Built in 1817, Fort Elizabeth was built in concert with Kaumuali'i, the chief of Hawaii, who discreetly opposed the ruling of King Kamehameha. Once Kaumuali'i and his supporters were defeated and Kamehameha gained control of the Waimea Valley, Fort Elizabeth was dismantled with only its foundation remaining. Many visitors glance at the measly foundation that resembles a jumble of volcanic rock and wild shrubbery and walk back to their cars. If you talk a walk around the perimeter of the foundation, you can see the entrance into the fort and while inside, you can walk up the stone steps to look out upon a view of the Waimea River that has been unchanged for nearly two centuries. One of my favorite parts of Fort Elizabeth is how nature has eaten up the Russian remnants. Standing inside the Fort is absolutely surreal and while it might not be everyone's cup of tea, it is definitely one of my favorite places to visit when I am in Kauai. If you want to check out the remnants of the Fort, turn left off of Hawaii Route 50/Kaumualii Highway and park in the vast parking lot and remember to walk around the foundation to get inside.

Entrance to Fort Elizabeth

Good Eats

After a trip to Waimea to see the canyon or the fort, we always stop by The Shrimp Station off of Hawaii Route 50/Kaumualii Highway. Located at 9652 Kaumualii Highway, this is the place for coconut shrimp or hot garlic shrimp. 

Coconut Shrimp and Fries

Let's Get Physical 

The Waimea area offers a lot of different activities for a range of individuals. I have gone on the Waimea Bicycle Downhill from Outfitters Kauai. For the adventure, you drive and park at their Poipu location and are then transported with the rest of the party to Waimea Canyon. I thought that it would be a bit physically exerting but gravity does all of the work for you. It is a pleasant but surprisingly fast activity that wasn't worth the price tag in the end as you aren't really looking at the scenery but focusing on not braking too hard so you don't fly over your handlebars.

Southern Comforts: Good Eats

Raise your forks in the air because it's a food revolution! Here's to all the great grub that we have encountered over the years.

Poipu Dining & Grocers

A classic and beautiful restaurant to visit after a long day at the beach is Brennecke's Beach Broiler that is located on the second floor overlooking the beautiful Poipu Beach. Downstairs is a small business that sells handcrafted wind chimes and other outdoor decor. Located at 2100 Hoone Road, this is a great place for a romantic dinner overlooking the sunset.

Puka Dog is one of the favorite eateries on the island. Friendly to meat eaters and vegetarians alike, this unique hot dog stand is extremely popular with the locals and tourists alike so be prepared for a line but the end result is definitely worth the wait. Each hot dog is delicately placed in a blanket of dough and cooked to order. I have never been a fan of hot dogs but whenever I visit Kauai, I always find myself chowing down on a veggie dog or two. Puka Dog is located in the Poipu Shopping Center at 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive.

Line Forming Outside Puka Dog

Poipu Tropical Burgers is located adjacent to Puka Dog in the Poipu Shopping Center. While this restaurant has been slammed on Yelp, I stand firmly behind it as it offers a vegetarian friendly menu and creates a house made veggie burger.

Entrance to Poipu Tropical Burgers and Outside Dining Area

Kukui'ula Market is a vegetarian grocer that offers a limited selection of vegetarian and vegan foods. If you have any dietary restrictions, I would suggest swinging by this market as it (along with the Living Foods Market & Cafe in Koloa) are more likely to have the product(s) you are looking for. Located at 2827 Poipu Road next to Outfitters Kauai.

Koloa Dining & Grocers

Old Koloa Town 
Pizzetta is on the main stretch of Old Koloa Town and is one of the only Italian restaurants on the Island. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and you are more than likely to come across a couple of chickens or kittens while you eat your dinner on the terrace.

Inside Dining Area and Outside Terrace

Sueoka is a small grocer in the heart of Old Koloa Town that has an added feature- a small shack attached to the outside of the market that offers some of the Island's cheapest and ever so delicious eats. This is by far one of the secret hole in the walls on the island and is a must stop for a quick snack or an early lunch.

Street View of Sueoka

Snack Shop Located Outside Sueoka's

Koloa Fish Market is located at 5482 Koloa Road and is next to the Wine Shop. It is not in the same strip of stores in Old Koloa Road but is further up the road near the Post Office. If you are in the market for the freshest fish on the Island, take a stroll into the Fish Market but be warned that they do sell out quickly so don't expect much if you roll in the late afternoon.

Big Save is located at 5516 Koloa Road and is next to the Koloa Fish Market on the other end of Old Koloa Town. This is the nearest grocer to anyone staying in Poipu and is cheaper and has a greater selection than Living Foods, Sueoka's, or the Whaler's General Store. There is a hot foods section that offers fresh sushi (including spam musubi) and an in house Subway if you aren't looking for a sit down lunch or dinner.

The Wine Shop offers a selection of wines that are not sold in the other grocers or at Costco. The supply of the store is dependent on the shipment of wine so it is possible that they may be out of a certain wine for longer than anticipated. If you are looking for a specific wine, you may be able to request to have it shipped there rather than carrying on the plane with you.

Shops at Kukui'ula 
There are a couple Bubba Burger locations across Kauai (Kapa'a and Hanalei) and it has had rave reviews from locals and tourists alike. At Bubba's, the lettuce and tomatoes on their hamburgers are extra as they need to ship those veggies in from the mainland. You may want to forgo the extra ingredients as the lettuce and tomatoes aren't always as fresh and oh so delicious as those found on the mainland.

Greasing up the Ol' Arteries

Living Foods Market & Cafe is as close to a Whole Foods as you are going to get in Kauai. The beautiful shop offers organic, vegetarian, and vegan foods. There is also a made to order cafe in the market that offers flatbreads, sandwiches, desserts, and a cold bar.

Cafe Menu

Marketplace

Located in the parking lot of the Shops at Kukui'ula (just go with me on this), is the best food truck in Kauai- the Savage Shrimp Food Truck. Their menu includes tacos, salads, po-boys, and an amazing plate of garlic shrimp that makes for an amazing lunch after a day at the beach. Make sure to check out this food truck- you can thank me later. 

The Food Truck 

Garlic Shrimp 

Lihue Dining & Grocers

Kukui Grove Shopping Center 
Genki Sushi is a popular sushi chain in the Hawaiian island that charges sushi by the plate. I made the mistake of challenging my younger brother to see how many plates of sushi he could eat and my mom ended up paying the hefty price. Each plate of sushi or other Japanese appetizer is labeled as either yellow ($1.55), green ($2.30), red ($2.90), silver ($3.95), or black ($4.95). You can either pull sushi off of the conveyor belt that wraps around the restaurant or order from the waiters. Once you are finished, they tally up your plates and you are off.

Challenge Accepted

Sushi Conveyor Belt

I had my first sandwich from Deli & Bread Connection after a kayak and hiking adventure and couldn't believe how amazing it was- I convinced myself that I must have been so hungry that I imagined its superiority over all sandwiches. I went back and much to my surprise, the sandwiches really are that good!

Register at Deli & Bread Connection

If you have a sweet tooth, the Kauai Bakery is definitely for you! They offer a range of baked goods from cookies to malasadas (a delicacy that never lasts the night in our condo). They also offer the most amazing dessert that has ever touched my lips- the guava chiffon cake. It's fluffy and airy deliciousness has yet to be matched.

Some of Kauai Bakery's Treats

Times Supermarket is the Lihue supermarket for those without a Costco membership and unwilling to travel to Walmart. It has a great hot bar that varies from Italian to Hawaiian and they used to grill up meats in the parking lot although I am not sure if they still do so.

Duke's Kauai is a relaxed restaurant located at 3610 Rice Street near the Nawiliwili Bay in Lihue. Duke's overlooks the ocean and while you wait for a table you can walk 200 feet to the ocean and let the ocean waves crash against your legs.

Entrance to Duke's 

Duke's at Night

Hamura's Saimin is one of the best kept secrets in Kauai. It is located at 2956 Kress Street in Lihue and is a bit difficult to find but if you have a smart phone or Siri, you will be fine. The small restaurant churns out the most delicious saimin, udon, and ramen that you will ever experience.

Food Nirvana Awaits

For those of you with rum cravings, head on over to the award winning Koloa Rum Company that surprisingly is not located in Koloa but rather is in Lihue. Located near the Kauai Community College, the Koloa Rum Company offers its visitors to sample their wonderful alcoholic bounty in their tasting room that is located on the Historic Kilohana Plantation. The tasting room hours vary but each tasting occurs every half an hour during the designated tasting hours. If you fall in love with their oh so delicious rum, you can purchase some of their liquid gold at their store, which is also located on the Kilohana Plantation. The Koloa Rum Company is located at 3-2087 Kaumualii Highway. 

Variations of Koloa Rum: White,Gold, Spice, and Dark

Tasting Room 

Southern Comforts: Get Your Shop On

Poipu Shopping

The only shopping that can be done in Poipu (other than in your resort's general store) is at the Poipu Shopping Village that holds Mom's favorite jeweler Na Hoku along with a Starbucks and the Whaler's General Store that offers up a selection of souvenirs and valuable condo essentials (chip and dip, anyone?). The Poipu Shopping Village is located at 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, which is directly off of Poipu Road. Every Monday and Wednesday at 5pm there is a live Polynesian dance performance on the stage at the center of the shopping center. I have stumbled across the performance during a Starbucks run and was amazed and was kicking myself for not bringing a camera. If you have some spare time, I would highly suggest the free biweekly performance. There is free parking in the lot but during hours, parking can often spill out onto Kiahuna Plantation Drive so carve out a little extra time if you are going to dinner at one of the restaurants in the shopping plaza.

Entrance to Poipu Shopping Village 

Koloa Shopping

Similar to Poipu, most of the shopping in Old Koloa Town is located together. There is the main strip of shops and eateries along Koloa Road that include my mom's favorite art gallery, Christian Riso Fine Art & Framing, Island Soap and Candle Works, and Jungle Girl. Every year, my husband and I stock up on soaps and candles from Island Soap & Candle Works and usually have to ship it home- yes, we treat this shop like Costco. 

Angled View of Historic Old Koloa Town

Panoramic Shot of the Line of Shops and Eateries in Koloa

In the past couple of years, a new shopping plaza has popped up in between Koloa and Spouting Horn that boasts a range of higher end stores and eateries and is also the location for one of the Island's many farmers' markets. The Shops at Kukui'ula has a gorgeous Tommy Bahama storefront, Poipu Surf, and Quiksilver. I have admittedly only browsed this shopping center a couple times while it was still growing so there weren't that many shops up and running but it is an absolutely gorgeous shopping center. The Shops at Kukui'ula are located at 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka. 

The Shops at Kukui'ula 

Lihue Shopping

The main attraction to any visitor staying in Kauai for more than a week is the Island's Costco. This has been a wallet saver for years as you can stock up on food, drinks, adult drinks, and sunscreen without having to pay the exorbitant prices at the local grocers. Remember that most of the products on the shelves in Kauai were shipped into the island so that shipping cost is reflected in the jaw dropping prices (get your ice cream from Costco, trust me). The Costco is located at 4300 Nuhou Street and is accessible from the Kaumualii Highway/Hawaii Route 50. 

The long line outside Costco

Across the street from Costco is the Kukui Grove Shopping Center that is a great place for quick eats and souvenirs. You can usually find Mom rummaging through the racks of the Macy's, shipping home the loads of bedding or clothing that she finds in the surprisingly well priced Macy's. Also of note in the shopping center is  a Kmart, GameStop, GNC, and Foot Locker. The main draw for our family to the Kukui Grove Shopping Center has always been the food but you'll have to wait a bit longer for those juicy tidbits. 

Further in the heart of Lihue is another retailer known for its prices, Walmart. For those without a Costco membership or who don't think they can go through a 24 pack of Pepsi, this is another cheaper alternative for groceries or other items that you either forgot or ran out of while on the island. It is located at 3-3300 Kuhio Highway in Lihue. 

Right down the road from Walmart is a Hawaiian souvenir staple, Hilo Hattie, that offers everything from kukui nut necklaces to hawaiian shirts and pearl necklaces. Hilo Hattie is located at 3-3252 Kuhio Highway in Lihue. When you are at the airport, grab a couple of the guidebooks or travel brochures as they often have coupons for area restaurants or shops. In many of the travel brochures, there is a coupon for Hilo Hattie that offers a "free" mug or travel bag. 

Also along the same stretch of highway is Discount Fabric Warehouse, a must stop for any crafty individual. The fabric hawaiian flowers that adorned the wedding favors from our nuptials in 2011. The warehouse is located at 3-3215 Kuhio Highway.

If the fabric at Discount Fabric Warehouse wasn't what you were looking for, you can head a little outside of Lihue and check out the Kapaia Stitchery located at 3-3551 Kuhio Highway in between Lihue and Hanamaulu. Home to some of the most beautiful fabrics on the island, the Kapaia Stitchery sells premade children's clothes and fabric toys along with guides for sewing the signature Hawaiian quilts. Never a fan of patience, I cheated and bought a premade quilt from Jungle Girl in Koloa.

Kapaia Stitchery 

Handmade Quilts Hang from the Ceiling