The Prince, the Prince, the beautiful Prince Golf Course on Kauai has just re-opened after a $5 million renovation overseen by the original architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
All the greens and practice areas have been replanted with Seashore Paspalum, the tee boxes are either new or renovated, and the bunkers now have buff-colored sand—to blend better with the environment. There are five sets of golf tees at each hole (several have nine different tee areas), giving everyone a choice of how to play.
Located on 350 acres, the award-winning Prince course was ranked as Hawaii’s #1 Golf Course by Golf Digest. If you’re a golfer, you have to play the Prince. Period. With amazing ocean and mountain views, it’s one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world—not to mention one of the most challenging.
(For you history buffs, the par 72 course was named for Prince Albert, the son of King Kamehameha IV and Hawaii’s beloved Queen Emma.)
The Clubhouse at the Prince Golf Course has also been completely renovated, and it’s stunning. The Tavern, one of our favorite restaurants, is on the the lower level, and everything on the menu is delicious (well, the chef is Roy Yamaguchi, after all). Try the fried calamari appetizer with one of their signature Mai Tais. Progress to the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and kale. And don’t even get me started on their desserts!
You will find, as you spend time on Kauai that this little island is full of inspiration – great and small. The obvious include sand, sea and surf; mother nature’s gift and artistry. Then there are those man-made interpretations/tributes to the unseen energies that surround us.
From early memory the land around the temples have been a refuge and a place of healing for the earliest Hawaiian and then later Asian immigrants. The Japanese workers in the sugar plantation days carved these shrines but since the shutting down of the sugar industry on the Island the shrines came into disrepair. One of the founding ‘mothers’ of the property’s restoration and preservation was one of those early Japanese immigrants; Grandma Takano Nonaka, who on a regular schedule would visit these shrines with family members even though the uncared for shrines were covered with brush and overgrowth.
I’ve been going to Summer for personal training and OMG, she is amazing… so knowledgeable. I had a hurt knee and she has REALLY helped me strengthen that area and my overall body…. but I’m warning you: if you take her “Boot Camp,” no wimps allowed!
Who wouldn’t want to go to Elfland?
And if you’re looking for an economical place to stay with your little elves, look no further than the 
Camping on Kauai
Looking for a super special Christmas gift?
A culinary romp through paradise? Why not?
Consider your interests and that will help a little when making the difficult decision of which Kauai beaches to visit, unless you’re fortunate to have the time to visit them all! The island’s beaches are idyllic for walking, sailing, 
One of the most amazing and at least in my opinion, life changing things that Kauai has to offer is its bountiful “Napali Coast” (Pali comes from the Hawaiian word for “cliffs”).
Visitors to Foodland in Princeville and Bubba’s Burgers in Hanalei have been surprised lately by more than the prices.
A rainbow of fiberglass, wood and plastic is spread out, laid down, propped up and stacked waiting for the 9 a.m. “starting gun” and for the haggling at the The Hanalei Surfboard Swap-Meet to begin.
Want to hear some real Hawaiian music?
Just past mile marker 8 on the way up to Waimea Canyon is the trail head and parking area for the Kukui Trail and Iliau Nature Loop. The nature loop is about .3 of a mile that takes you to the rim of the canyon then winds you back to the road. The nature trail identifies many trees and plants and has spectacular views on the canyon. 
If you’re on Kauai this weekend and want a glimpse into a very interesting part of the island’s history, there’s an event at Art Cafe Hemingway on Saturday at 7pm that you don’t want to miss.
What is Hula?
Not to worry, because Kauai’s dance community is ‘alive and kickin’. Whether it be tango, salsa, hip-hop, ballet or a good ‘ol hoe-down line dance – you can find it here on the Garden Isle.
Every Wednesday the Kauai Culinary Market in Poipu is hosted at 
Aptly named the Garden Isle, Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian island chain has taken advantage of it’s “ripe old age” and an average 400 plus inches of rain a year pouring down onto Mt. Waialeale, to develop Kauai’s flora into one of the most bountiful, lush, tropical environments in all the United States and some say in the western hemisphere.
nyone up for a culinary romp through paradise! Hop in your car and follow the guide on a tasting adventure through 
These tours are designed by, Marta Lane, founder of Tasting Kauai. Marta, a Kauai-based food and farm writer since 2010, is the author of “Tasting Kauai – An Insider’s Guide to Eating Well on the Garden Island.” Tours are expertly led by, Michelle Lemay, a professional tour guide for 10 years who has led adventurous visitors on trips around the world.
Kauai is home to the wettest place on earth. With an average ofover 472 inches or 39 feet (12 meters) of precipitation each year, Mt.Waialeale gets enough rain and constant precipitation to give it such a remarkable title. But not all of Kauai is wet and rainy. Hiking in the Waimea Canyon is arid and in some ways resembles Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Depending on where you decide to go hiking (Waimea is one of my personal favorites) you will encounter fantastic versatility to the land and plant life. Kauai is the oldest of all the Hawaiian islands and has a reputation for being much greener than some of it’s neighboring islands. This in part, is due to the towering lush mountains that catch more of the clouds containing precipitation. This means that hiking on Kauai’s brilliant mountains is second to none!
Aloha Guests! Kauai has SO many wonderful things to do, see and eat! Where to start… it gets overwhelming with all of the activity books, magazines, online sites… where does one begin in figuring out what to do with each precious vacation day on the island? I have a few top recommendations of things I THINK should not be missed while visiting the garden island. Take a look at the below and please let us know your thoughts? If you have any tips or suggestions please let us know so we can add these to our growing list. 
I’ll never forget the sinking feeling in my gut when I heard ambulance sirens screaming toward Princeville. It was a perfectly clear, crisp late October morning – way too beautiful of a morning for anything bad to happen.
Some of the best local, tropical fruit and produce can be found at Kauai’s Farmer’s Markets. Buy fresh vegetables from the local growers and sample some of Kauai’s exotic fruits, flowers and home-made treats! We highly recommend taking a few moments to explore our the local markets here on the Garden Island, it’s well worth the time! Here is a list of the locations and times of the Kauai’s Farmers Markets.
Like much of the flora flourishing on the island Kauai’s animal and mammal species have arrived via sea and air along with their human counterpart as far back as Captain Cook (possibly even further) and we’ve come to embrace their presence on the island as one of our own.
There are those residents of Kauai and in Hawaii that have reached the endangered species list.
There is no secret to Kauai’s spectacular golf offerings. Take the islands lush beauty– it isn’t called the Garden Isle for nothing and add challenging courses designed by some of the sports finest architects. Its a winning combination that adds up to a true golfer’s paradise.
West of Princeville, on Kauai’s 
And I am so grateful to be living on Kauai. I hope I never take the beauty of this island for granted: rainbows, waterfalls, and the ever-changing ocean and mountain views. 
Some ancient Hawaiian customs may have disappeared, but not the tradition of lei giving.
‘Tis the season, so if you love mangos—and who doesn’t?—head to the north shore on August 19. Next Sunday, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Waipa Mango Festival (just north of Hanalei town) will celebrate the “king of fruits” with all things mango.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden
Oskar’s covers the gamut of the girl wanting the latest trends, to the young adult trying to dress for work and transform into dinner attire. From the mom looking for cute clothes for her carpool or an evening out with hubby… to the woman looking for a sophisticated but hip outfit for her island luncheon, Oskar’s has it all. (Oh… there is even the ‘Oskar’s Tots’ area for the mini Fashionistas… from mini-me Bell Bottoms to baby Rocker-T’s… they have the kiddies covered!)
You could tell that our tour guide, Jesse, was passionate about this business and the environment and though chocolate was the focal point of the tour we were introduced to, learned about and tasted (yum) island fare like mangosteen, coconut, breadfruit, atemoya, (you must try this one in season) vanilla, coffee, rambutan, avocado, blood red orange, tangeloe, tangerine, white pineapple, macadamia nut, sugar cane, breadfruit, and pomelo – just to name a few. All on a farm that prides itself in using and exploring the most up-to-date techniques in sustainable, organic agriculture.
Family, fun, fireworks, the beach… if you’re looking for a great place to “camp out” this Fourth of July, this five bedroom “old Hawaii” style beachfront estate has it all (and it sleeps up to ten).
We’ve told you about E Kanikapila Kakou – a chance to hear real Hawaiian music.
Three bedroom suites with lanais connect to a courtyard with a custom pool, grotto and an outdoor spa. The master suite (with a private outdoor shower garden) is accessed by a covered bridge, and there’s a secluded knoll that’s perfect for reading, sunbathing – or painting – and a private walking trail to Kalihiwai beach.
One treat everyone should try on Kauai is Shave Ice. Lest you be confused, shave ice is not a snow cone. Snow cones are made from crushed ice with a little fruit syrup sprinkled on. True Kauai style shave ice (that’s shave, not shaved) uses a sharp blade to literally “shave” a large block of ice, creating an infinitely fine powder. (Keeping the blade sharp is vital.) Add to this copious amounts of exotic fruit flavors, put it all on top of a big scoop of ice cream, and you have an Kauai island delight that is truly ‘broke da mouf’. In my family’s constant quest to fine the best shave ice possible , we have unselfishly tried nearly every combination of shave ice. The result: My family recommends the rainbow shave ice with macadamia nut ice cream. But by all means, engage in research of your own to see if you can come up with a better combination. The best shave ice on the island is at 
Things to do on Kauai:
There’s no better way to experience the Hawaiian Islands like a local than through the universal language of food. Many agree that Hawaii is a food lover’s dream and with local comfort food coming in many shapes, sizes, (and tastes), it’s easy to dig in and leave oh-so satisfied.
On the northshore, experience Pilates like you never have before—in paradise. Tucked away in a lush, tropical setting, former dancer Laurie Antonellis offers private, semi-private and group classes at 
What happens when a local author takes a detour from her New York Times best-selling romance novels and applies her skills to the mischievous exploits of a troupe of post-menopausal hula dancers? Find out on August 19 from 3-5 pm at a book-signing bash for
It’s been described as long, challenging, strenuous, muddy, rocky, steep, wet, treacherous, slippery—and the most beautiful place in the world.
Schedule a tour or charter a boat with our concierge to spot these magnificent creatures! Treat yourself to scenic ocean views as guides take you to the best spots to observe whales playfully surfacing, tail slapping, or blowing spouts in the air. Regulations prohibit boats from approaching within 100 yards of a whale and you should never swim with or touch whales or any other marine animals.
Want to learn how to surf or stand-up paddle while on your Kauai vacation?
Farther North a sign is posted and although the word Kapu is not used it is fairly clear this beach and it’s surf are not to be trifled with. If we are to believe the reports – the death count is now upwards of 80 people many of whose bodies have been lost to the ocean and never recovered. The beach is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) from the start of the Kalalau Trail, and during the summer months Hanakāpīʻai’s sandy shore line is clearly visible; but again with the winter swells this area shows its’ “dark side” as powerful waves, high tides and rip currents wash away the shore line. There are no major reefs to calm the surf conditions and Kauai’s geography makes Hanakāpīʻai even more perilous. If one gets caught in a rip current (or otherwise swept out to sea) the nearest safe shore area is approximately six miles away.
