Kaua'i Invites Visitors to Garden Island's New Attractions and Experiences

Jacuzzi at KoaKea (Photo:provided)

The Kaua’i tourism board hosted a press luncheon at Palm Restaurant to update media on the latest happenings on the Garden Island. The afternoon featured a few speakers and presentations over the course of a casual supper enjoyed together and blessed by one of the staff members. Kaua’i is the northernmost island and the oldest of the islands. It is the fourth largest and has a human heart shaped appearance on the map. 

The majority of development is all along the coast so the interiors of the island are left untouched. No structure can be built higher than a palm tree and the only navigable river of the state is located here. It is also known for many movie productions shot here as well as taro production in Hanalei. The area is also known for its diverse range of offerings in terms of activities – aerial and agricultural tours, ATV and boat tours, eco tours and fishing adventures, horseback riding and mountain tubing, train tours and spectator sports, and much more. 
 
Among new highlights in the area:
There are now new rules restricting visits to Ha’ena on the north shore as the highway there was affected by flooding in early 2018. There is now limited daily entry, advanced reservations and parking by advanced permit required. 
A new farm tour has been added by the Kaua’i Coffee Company so that’s two hours of all the coffee knowledge you’ll need culminating in the best part – you get to plant your very own coffee tree.

Planning my trip next year! (Photo:Ruksana Hussain)

Wondering where to stay on your visit? Waimea Plantation Cottages, part of Coast Resorts, was established in 1884, and has many offeirngs including proximity to the Waimea Canyon a.k.a The Grand Canyon of the Pacific, beaches, hikes overlooking Na Pali Coast a.k.a paradise on Earth as well as boat adventures, sunset sails and deep sea fishing. The plantation-style cottages provide a journey to the past when this location was once a sugarcane plantation. The authentic Hawaiian homes are restored with period-inspired furniture for a look and feel unlike any other property. This is the westernmost resort in the US and known for stargazing opportunities. 
 
If you stay here then you are also in the right location for the grand Waimea Town Celebration, Feb 15-23, 2020. The 43rdedition of the festival features 9 days of events including a bike race, film festival, fashion show, cuisine and cocktails. If you live in Los Angeles then you are in luck! Until December 30, 2019, you can use the promo code #KVB2020 at this link hereto enter to win a trip for two from L.A., 7 nights stay at the plantation cottages and an “all access” pass to all ticketed events at this celebration. 

Firepits at Koakea (Photo:provided)

​For a more adult-leaning experience, KoaKea Hotel and Resort on Po’ipu Beach is an option, highlighting a more romantic ambience with a majority of the crown here being honeymooners or those on a baby moon. Located on the site of the 1992 hurricane, the hotel has been revamped and refurbished so the general theme of stays here is to rejuvenate, rebirth and replenish. The Red Salt Restaurant onsite is quite the draw sunny beachside activities are up for grabs.
 
Additionally, if you are in the Los Angeles metro area then you might want to mark your calendars for May 16 and 17, 2020 when the Heritage of Aloha Festival takes place at Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs. The two-day festival will feature island cuisine, cultural workshops, and music and dance. Kaua'i has a pretty full list of annual events through the year so planning a visit at any point should be a fun experience I bet. If you’ve been, I’d love your recommendations while I plan my own adventures over. Comment below!

Beaches by KoaKea (Photo:provided)