In fact, shopping can be a great alternative to inclement weather, bad sunburns or anything else that keeps you from being outside. So here is a list of some of the best shopping centers all over the island.

South Shore

If you’re on the south shore, you’ll find the best shopping concentration in the Po’ipu Shopping Village that is nearby Koloa town and amongst the resorts. With a 90,000 square foot mall in the Kukui’ula Village Shopping Center, you’re sure to find stores you have at home as well as ones that are brand new.

In addition, this shopping complex is part of a 1,500 unit housing and golf course project, meaning that it will not only provide great views, but you also might be able to let dad get a couple holes in while the girls go shopping.

East Side

Near Kapa’a you’ll find a visitor-friendly shopping center with over 60 restaurants and shops. This means that if you’re passing through on your way to somewhere else, feel free to drop in for some lunch and some browsing.

If you’re near Bambulei, you’ll find more small apparel and antiques boutiques in Wailua. These shops are a great place to find a unique souvenir for someone, as well as yourself!

Lihu’e

By far the largest shopping center of the island, Lihu’e is definitely worth spending a day in. Here, you’ll be able to find large retailers like Macy’s and Costco, but you’ll also find smaller shops at Anchor Cove Shopping Center and Harbor Mall.

To find the more obscure stores you can go to the shops of Kilohana which are on the north end of Lihu’e grounds on a 1930s plantation estate. Here you’ll find offer art and gift shops, as well as pleasant ambiance.

With the global economy in the deepest rut since the Great Depression, most families don’t feel like they can blow a lot of their hard-earned cash on vacations anymore.

But we’ve found some of the cheapest things you can do in Kauai to make your dream vacation worth every penny that you spend.

Snorkeling

With equipment on sale at almost any retailer, including Wal-Mart, you can usually get goggles, snorkel and fins for under $20.

If you go to a specialty store you’re going to feel like you have to spend hundreds of dollars on all of the top of the line gear, but when it comes down to it, the fish don’t care what you wear, neither should you.

As long as the goggles keep most of the water out and your snorkel doesn’t have any huge cracks in it, you’ll most likely be fine. You could even go second hand if you know of a good thrift store.

There are excellent snorkeling places on the north shore of Kauai, but almost any cove or reef will have great underwater views.

Hiking

Since most of us already own a good pair of hiking books, this activity should be almost free. Even if you don’t already have boots, any shoes you’re comfortable walking in will do for a more mild hike.

Although it is one of the most popular hikes, the Kalalau trail isn’t all that crowded because it is not exactly a walk in the park.

Even though it will have you huffing and puffing, this trail offers one of the most spectacular views of the Na Pali coast.

Be warned that this hike will inevitably turn your shoes red with volcanic mud. All the more reason to use your old sneakers!

Beach

Although it might sound redundant to recommend spending time at the beach when you’re in Hawaii, there are definitely some better beaches to take advantage of than the one just outside your hotel.

If you’re looking for a stretch that leaves you all by your lonesome, try the Polihale State Park that offers a two-mile long beach with very few tourists, or natives for that matter.

When you think of Kauai, it’s hard to imagine a trip without water. But most people don’t think about the opportunity to go tubing on this lush island.

However, one of the best kept secrets about Kauai is the tropical tube ride along the old waterways.

What It Is

This tube ride takes you for an epic ride along tropical waterways that are situated on private lands that aren’t usually open to the public. This gives you a view of the island that few tourists ever really see; allowing you to glimpse lands that are only open to the natives.

Who would think that it would be on a tube that you’d get to see the pristinely emerald green interior of the garden island?

Starting at the Old Lihue Sugar Plantation you’ll float through old waterways that wind through some of the most beautiful country the island has to offer.

With a headlamp, you’ll be equipped to glide through the island’s mysterious underworld. And at the end of your tubing adventure you’ll be able to enjoy a picnic right next to a natural swimming pool. This means that you can relax the whole ride, knowing that lunch is all provided for.

Can the Whole Family Go?

Absolutely. The ride features mostly slow moving water which allows you to float along in peace, soaking in the beautiful scenery.

This makes the ride not too scary for young children, but enough of a thrill to keep them entertained.

If you’re more of a history buff than a thrill-seeker you’ll enjoy knowing that these open ditches, tunnels and flumes which the waterway winds through were all painstakingly dug by hand way back in the 1870s.

You’ll want to book this trip early, though as spots fill up fast! So if you’re looking for a unique way to view Kauai look no further than the mountain tube ride!

In fact, Elvis Presley, King Kong and Indiana Jones all made a big-screen splash on the famous “Island of Discovery.”

Why Kauai?

Despite its remote location, Kauai has been the backdrop for many movies. This is mainly due to the fact of its unrivaled beauty.

Even among the other islands in the Hawaii chain that are renowned for their beauty, Kauai’s rugged splendor stands out from the crowd.

With bursting shades of green and unspoiled terrain, Kauai has become an ideal setting for many Hollywood filmmakers.

As many as 50 box office productions have been shot on the island of kauai in the past half century.

Even though they’re all very different movies with unique plots and settings “Blue Hawaii,” “King Kong,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Jurassic Park” have all been shot here.

History

Ever since 1933 when Lois Weber sailed to the island with Cecil B. DeMille to film “White Heat,” Kauai has been considered for all different types of movies.

“White Heat” was a smashing hit and catapulted Lois Weber into one of the industry’s most influential female directors.

The movie talked about miscegenation and racism on a sugar plantation and attracted intellectual interest as well as the aesthetic beauty of the island.

Needless to say, this made many more people excited to film there and made Kauai one of the most famous islands in the Pacific.

Tourism

Not only has this attracted directors, but many film buffs enjoy coming to Kauai to see with their own eyes the world that has been opened up in many of their favorite movies.

Kauai has specific tours that take people to sites from different movies and points out the memorable parts of the landscape. Just another thing to do on one of Hawaii’s most exciting island!

Hanalei Dolphin

As a north shore favorite for over 30 years, the Hanalei Dolphin is known for fresh seafood and pleasant ambiance. Whether it’s a peaceful lunch, a ritzy dinner or just a casual trip to the sushi lounge, this restaurant offers the best of Kauai’s eating opportunities.

Tahiti Nui

Although it might look humble on the outside, Tahiti Nui is truly a local hot spot on Kauai’s north shore. Not only does it offer a wide variety of seafood and Hawaiian cuisine, but there is also impressive live entertainment that ranges from hula to Hawaiian music.

The Bull Shed

The Bull Shed consistently wins the best steak award and it easily takes the ribbon this year. With many meaty menu options, The Bull Shed is an easy option for the hungry carnivore. Some of the most popular entrees include teriyaki top sirloin, garlic tenderloin, top sirloin and beef kabob.

Keoki’s Paradise

If you’re looking for a more casual dining experience, or a fun bar scene, look no further than Keoki’s Paradise on the south shore. Keoki’s Paradise combines the best of pacific cuisine with a pleasant atmosphere to make it a favorite.

Wrangler’s Steakhouse

Located on the West side of the island, Wrangler’s Steakhouse is a local favorite that has pulled regulars and tourists in from the beach. With specialties such as the sizzling steak and the pulehu steak, this is another carnivore’s haven.

Even though most people don’t travel to Kauai for the food alone, they’ll be happily pleased with this beautiful island’s eats if they know where to look.

This state park includes about 6,175 acres of the northwest part of Kauai’s coast.

Although this state park is inaccessible to vehicles, due to the steep and rugged Pali mountains, most people enjoy this state park by hiking, biking, kayaking, and even helicoptering through.

Nā Pali Coast State Park is one of the most popular attractions for tourists because it not only offers an opportunity to view nature around you, but you’re able to reach beautiful landings that look out over miles.

Because the trail rises steeply away from the beach, just twenty minutes of climbing will bring you to one of the most iconic viewpoints in Hawaii.

But make sure to bring an umbrella if you’re planning a picnic, because this area rains often and gets extremely muddy very quickly.

If you’re looking to access this park in a boat, make sure to eat a light breakfast as there can often be a lot of turbulence on the waves due to trade winds.

However, people say the bumps are worth it because the 5 hour roundtrip ride takes you to a point where you can truly enjoy the majesty of Kauai with the green mountains set against the blue ocean.

If you want to see the island from a different vantage but you don’t have five hours to kill, then the helicopter ride is for you. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers state of the art enclosed/air-conditioned helicopters to take you around the island.

From the chopper you’ll be able to see pristine beaches, beautiful cliffs, and the seemingly endless blue water that surrounds Hawaii’s oldest island.

You can reach this park by heading Northwest on Highway 56 until you reach West Side Kauai, 96714, just on the other side of Hanalei Bay.

Translation

The oldest and fourth largest island of Hawaii, Kauai has been around long enough to have garnered several translations of its name.

Presently, Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” but native Hawaiian tradition believes this island use to hold a different meaning. According to Hawaiian folklore, the man who discovered the Hawaiian Islands by the name of Hawai’iola, actually named the island after his favorite son.

Now, his son’s name was not Kauai. Rather, Kauai is also translated as “place around the neck” or the place where Hawai’iola would carry his favorite son when they would go places together.

Historians also believe that another possible translation of Kauai is “food season.”

Extinct Language

Natives of Kauai use to also speak a distinct dialect of the Hawaiian language. After a period of time, this language became extinct and, subsequently, was replaced by the dialect that many native Hawaiians still speak today.

Interestingly enough, Kauai itself would have been called Tauai in the now extinct Kauaiian language. That’s because ancient Kauaiian’s pronounced the beginning of their words with a “T”-like sound. The natives of today actually changed that “T” sound to a “K” sound in many of their words.

Last to Join

The island of Kauai was actually the last to join the “Hawaiian Islands” under the rule of the late King Kamehameha. Kauai actually didn’t become part of Hawaii until 1824.

Twice, King Kamehameha tried to overtake the island, but failed to do so. The first attempt failed due to a storm which destroyed his fleet, and the second attempt failed because of a deadly epidemic which swept through his armies and people.

Eventually, afraid of what would happen to his people and land if another invasion were to occur, the king of Kauai ceded his island to Kamehameha.

The Legend

It is said that once King Kamehameha was at war and was chasing two fishermen, probably with the intent to slay them. However, his foot was caught in the reef and one of the fishermen beat Kamehameha over the head with a paddle. The paddle splintered and Kamehameha survived.


Years later the same fisherman was brought before King Kamehameha. Where the King could have had the man killed for many reasons, he instead let the man go, because the man had only been defending himself, his family and his home.

The Law

E nā kānaka,
E mālama ‘oukou i ke akua
A e mālama ho‘i ke kanaka nui a me kanaka iki;
E hele ka ‘elemakule, ka luahine, a me ke kama
A moe i ke ala
‘A‘ohe mea nāna e ho‘opilikia.
Hewa nō, make.


O my people,
Honor thy god;
respect alike [the rights of] men great and humble;
See to it that our aged, our women, and our children
Lie down to sleep by the roadside
Without fear of harm.
Disobey, and die.

Let us concentrate a little on the west side of the island. After all this is where the famous Captain James Cook first landed in 1778. And despite his voyages around some of the most exotic lands to be found on earth even he must have been impressed. After all Kauai is a metaphor for heaven. And west Kauai is an intoxicating blending of nature’s wonders and cultural delights. The monument to Captain Cook is in Waimea and just north of Polihale State Park is sacred Polihale heiau from where the souls of the dead depart into the setting sun. You will find what you have been dreaming of, and yearning for with the white sandy beaches and the lush rain forest of the uplands.

And here is just one tempting tit-bit.

Polihale State Park
Just past the Pacific Missile Range Facility gate on Highway 50, a sign posted by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau points to a dirt cane-hauling road angling off to the left. Follow the road for about five miles and you’ll arrive at Polihale State Park. The park has a beautiful 3-mile long beach. However, the ocean here can be dangerous, with a severe shore break and rip currents.

A better bet is found at the 3.4 -mile mark along the cane road, where the road curves near a large monkeypod tree. Take the fork to the left and park almost immediately. Walk north along the beach until you come to a hollow in the coral. This is Queen’s Pond. It’s usually calm here except when high winter surf comes over the reef.

Periodically this area will be shut down due to the condition of the roadway into Polihale. Please check at (808) 274-3444 for updates. You can also check at http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/announcements

Princeville at Hanalei is a world-famous Ocean View Resort Community that features all the amenities you would expect from an island destination considered by many to be one of the most spectacular in all the world.

A Fascinating Past
Princeville at Hanalei still retains the peace and beauty of ancient days, when Hawaiians farmed in the green valley below. Named ‘Princeville’ in 1860 in honor of Hawaii’s crown prince, Prince Albert, this one of a kind, Ocean View Resort has been home to Sugar Plantations and Cattle Ranches.

Living the Ocean View Resort Lifestyle
Imagine living in this thriving Ocean View Resort Community where the natural beauty of Kauai is enhanced by carefully planned landscaping, architecture and all the amenities you could wish for a gracious island lifestyle.

Learn more about Real Estate opportunities at Princeville at Hanalei by calling us at: 808.826.1588.

Hawaii’s Championship Golf at its Best
Princeville at Hanalei offers 2 of Hawaii’s best Championship Golf Courses: the Makai Golf Course and the Prince Golf Course. The Prince Golf Course and Makai Golf Course are world-class Championship Golf Courses featuring breathtaking coastal views of our beautiful, Ocean View Community.

Exciting Resort Activities
Whether you want to lounge on the beach at Hanalei Bay, ride horseback through open pastures with lush Sea Cliffs towering above, browse eclectic shops or view the many natural wonders, hypnotizing waterfalls, Princeville at Hanalei is the perfect island destination.

Then, as the sun goes down, recall your adventures over a cocktail at the Tavern at Princeville located on the lower level of the beautiful Prince Clubhouse.

That is the official promotional piece about the St. Regis Princeville, but…

…one negative remark from a guest concerned pricing. He mentioned that the prevailing rates for the hotel were higher than he would have anticipated given the experience; around Christmas, they approached $1,000 per night for a standard room. He didn’t normally anticipate resort prices to reach such levels outside of the Maldives or Bora Bora.  Others have described the place as a “Slice of Heaven,” with incredible staff. Someone else thought that after a stay at  the Four Seasons in Maui the room rate was very similar but the experience certainly wasn’t. “The St. Regis simply doesn’t provide the same kind of service, or attention to detail.”

For some Princeville at Hanalei will be all they expected and they will want no more from a resort yet others will be to some extent disappointed. And that is just about the same wherever you go!