Calendar of Events: Kauai
Discover some of the best things to see and do in the garden isle—seasonal offerings at The St. Regis Princeville Resort.
At the St. Regis
Champagne Brunch
Sundays; Makana Terrace
Start your Sunday slowly with an elegant brunch on the Makana Terrace overlooking the peaceful water and Mount Makana. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (808-826-9644; stregisprinceville.com/dining)
Sunday Afternoon Jazz Jam
Sundays; The St. Regis Bar
While the sun sets over Hanalei Bay, catch exciting live music from Treysara, a jazz duo made up of Rick Avallone and Tony Rodarte, every Sunday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Every week brings something new—be it drink specials created exclusively for The St. Regis Princeville Resort or visiting jazz musicians from across the Hawaiian Islands and beyond. (808-826-9644; stregisprinceville.com/dining)
Festivals and Events
Eo e Emalani i Alakai
Oct. 13; Kokee State Park
Join this free annual festival in celebration of ancient Hawaiian culture with Hawaiian music and traditional chants. Queen Emma and her friends enter on horseback, accompanied by hula halau, who perform chants and dances as gifts for the Queen. (3600 Kokee Rd., Kekaha; 808-587-0300; hawaiistateparks.org)
Malie Awards Luau
Nov. 3; Smith’s Tropical Paradise
For more than 10 years, the Malie Foundation has honored musicians, groups and local businesses that have contributed to the preservation of Hawaiian music in Kauai. The foundation celebrates the recipients with an annual gala; this year at the stunning 30-acre botanical garden and cultural center in Kapaa. Proceeds go toward the Malie Scholarship fund, which helps pay school fees for students at Punana Leo Preschool. (3-5971 Kuhio Hwy., Kapaa; 808-822-2166; maliefoundation.org)
Warrior Wave Intercollegiate
nov. 4 – 7; makai golf club
The Warrior Wave Intercollegiate,
presented by The St. Regis Princeville Resort, is a men’s collegiate golf tournament. All golf aficionados are welcome. A banquet will also be held on Nov. 5 for participants and invited guests. (4080 Lei O Papa Rd., Princeville; 808-826-1912; makaigolf.com)
15th Annual Festival of Lights
Dec. 7 – Jan. 1; Kauai County Building
Elaborate light designs decorate the inside and the outside of Kauai’s historic county building in downtown Lihue. The inside displays, complete with a visiting Santa, are open for viewing every weekend night from 6 to 8 p.m., while the exterior lights can be seen daily from 6 p.m. through New Year’s Day. (4444 Rice St., Lihue; 808-639-8564; kauaifestivaloflights.com)
Art and Surf Culture
Second Saturday of each month; Hanalei Town
From 4 to 9 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month, enjoy local Kauai artist displays, complimentary surf movies and live music, for guests of all ages. This community event welcomes all visitors with an affinity for good art, good company and good friends, all set in paradise. (808-634-2074)
Kauai Community Farmers Market
Saturdays; Kauai Community College
Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Kauai as local artisanal farmers and small cottage businesses come together every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with live music and vendors offering everything from local produce and coffee to spices, jams and cheeses. These delectable offerings are sure to please the palate and give you a true taste of the islands. (3-1901 Kaumualii Hwy., Lihue; 808-337-9944)
Tours and Excursions
Sunshine Helicopters Princeville Adventure
By reservation only; Departing from Princeville Airport
Much of Kauai’s ecological wonder cannot be accessed by car or even by foot; the Napali coast, for example, is famously only accessible by boat or by hiking trails—but Sunshine Helicopters offers an inimitable chance to see all of Kauai from above. Enjoy breathtaking views of lush valleys, waterfalls and the intricate Waimea Canyon on this 40- to 50-minute helicopter tour of the island. (808-270-3999; sunshinehelicopters.com)
Napali Sunset Sail
December through March; Port Allen Small Boat Harbor
Take a sunset cruise off Kauai’s West Shore and catch a glimpse of the magnificent kohola or humpback whales that come Hawaii each year in the winter. This two-hour cruise from Blue Dolphin Charters offers drinks, appetizers and fun for the whole family. (4353 Waialo Rd., Ele’ele; 808-335-5553; kauaiboats.com)
Seabird Tour
Wednesdays beginning Dec. 5; Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden
Bear witness to the extraordinary albatross mating rituals and courtship dances as you tour through several different gardens at the Na Aina Kai, all boasting a sizeable population of Laysan Albatross, a protected species. The magnificent albatross cycle through their mating, nesting and breeding cycles annually at Na Aina Kai when they’re not at sea. (4101 Wailapa Rd., Kilauea; 808-828-0525; naainakai.org)
Kayak, Zipline and Hike Tours
Daily; Princeville Ranch Adventures
Kayak through a serene rainforest valley,
and then have the option to ride two 400-plus-foot ziplines and connecting bridge over a pristine twin waterfall and swimming hole. After ziplining, swim, jump or float on inner tubes and enjoy a delicious picnic. Hiking is considered moderate and just over one mile. Tours daily at 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (5-4280 Kuhio Hwy., Princeville; 808-826-7669; princevilleranch.com)
