Category: Things to do

December 2018 Events for Kids and Family on Kauai

Hanapepe Friday Night Art Night

Every Friday, the Historic Hanapepe Town turns into one of the most vibrant places to be on Kauai.  Artists showcase their work throughout the galleries and entertainment can be found throughout the historic main street. A popular food truck post on a Friday night, you can find the best Food Trucks staking there spot here.  With restaurants and food trucks lining the streets there are lots of food choices to satisfy anyone’s palette. It is definitely a great place to come if you are looking for a bite to eat. Furthermore, there are many pop up shops, galleries and stores that is a great way to find local made gifts for the family back home.  The Art Night has been growing significantly over the years and is a must do when visiting Kauai. A one stop shop for food, fun and gift finding. It’s fun for the whole family to enjoy!

Where: Historic Hanapepe Town (Main Street)

When: Fridays from 6:00-9:00 pm

This is a FREE event.

Kukui Grove 25th Annual Christmas Parade

Where: Kukui Grove Center

When: November 24 from 4:00-6:00 PM

This is a FREE event.

Waimea Tree Lighting

Where: C.B Hofgaard Park right in the center of Waimea Town

When: December 1 at 6:00 PM

Mayor Bernard Carvalho will light the Community Christmas Tree in the park.  Keiki activities will be provided. This is a FREE event.

Kukui Grove’s “Holiday Light Specatacular”

Where: Kukui Grove

When: Starts December 1 and runs each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00 PM

This is a FREE event.

The Kauai Coffee Holiday Open House

Where: Kauai Coffee Visitors Center

When: December 8 from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM

Fun for the whole family, this event will have bounce houses, entertainment, farm tours and Santa for the keiki.  This is a FREE event.

Jazz Ensemble and Wind Symphony

Where: KCC Performing Arts Center

When: December 14 at 7:00 PM

This is a FREE event.

Annual Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade

Where: Waimea Town; Entertainment at Hofgaard Park

When: December 15 from 6:15 until pau

Fun for the whole family, this event will have community organizations, families and schools lighting up Waimea town with their unique custom made floats.  To kickoff the festivities

Fire engines take the lead of this Lighted parade.  There will be live entertainment at Hofgaard Park and many will be out celebrating their Christmas cheer on the main street of Waimea Town.  It is one of the biggest events on the Westside that you surely can’t miss! This is a FREE event.

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Where: Poipu Beach Park

When: December 31 from 5:00-9:00 PM

Fun for the whole family, this event will have food trucks, live entertainment, movie in the park and activities for the keiki.  Rounding out the celebration will be a spectacular fireworks display. This is a FREE event.






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Kauai Mini Golf

Learn and Discover the Hawaiian Islands while playing at Kauai Mini Golf

This miniature golf course is like no other.

Whether you are looking for something recreational to do or just visiting the North Shore.  Kauai Mini Golf is a great place to take your keiki. In addition, it is a perfect stop when visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse. Open from 9:00 am to 6:00pm this Par 47 miniature golf course is ADA accessible and is fun for the whole family. Located at Anaina Hou Community Park you will find Kauai Mini Golf. Furthermore, besides the playground and the skate park, the Kauai Mini Golf is another feature that Anaina Hou provides the community.

Educational displays are provided that offer fun facts about the islands.

Each hole at Kauai Mini Golf provides an informative fact about the Hawaiian Islands and its culture.  Moreover, the themes provide an insight to Hawaii’s history providing a combination of education and recreation throughout the course. Additionally, throughout the the course, tropical plants are displayed and origins of the plants are provided.


















Themes include: In the Beginning,
Journey to the islands,
Explorers in Hawaii,
Cultural diversity and Hawaiian Cultural renaissance





A great place to take pictures of the keiki

Both native and invasive plants are present in the garden, providing an insight and education to Kauai’s plant diversity. Nestled within a tropical botanical garden, the lush scenery and beautiful tropical flora creates a beautiful setting and provides a truly unique experience for both kama’aina and visitors. In addition, there are water features and a koi pond that provides a tranquil setting for those looking for a place to relax.




Fun for the Whole Family

Water hazards, pipe shots, obstacles and different slope grades make the putting style green a fun and challenging experience.  Choose your own putter and colored ball. Let the adventure begin at Kauai Mini Golf!



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Poipu Beach Park Playground

A Playground at the Beach

On the sunny south side of Kauai, Poipu Beach Park offers keiki a great place to play.   Ranked among one of the 10 best beaches, Poipu Beach Park provides keiki with a play structure, plenty of open space to run around and a shallow swimming area.  Furthermore, Poipu Beach Park Playground is the newest playground structure built on the island of Kauai.


Welcome to a Biba Playground

In addition, the new playground structure is a “Biba” Playground. The Biba app is a Free downloadable App on Google play and Available on the Apple App Store.  This App includes games that keiki can play. Games include Biba Drive, Biba Relay, Biba Collectobots, Biba Butterfly Bounty and Biba Dino Dig. Exclusive to the playground structure, the Biba App enhances the playground experience at Poipu Beach Park.

Playground Open for Play in February 2018

The upgraded playground structure has definitely been a long wait coming for locals, as the area remained vacant for quite some time.  In addition, the updated playground structure is also accompanied by newly renovated restrooms nearby. These renovations have made Poipu Beach Park one of the best places to take keiki and has rejuvenated the area because of the improvements.


Renovations leads to Rejuvenation

Besides the Playground and Restroom renovations, ironwood trees and other trees in the grassy park were also cut and trimmed. The landscape provides a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and still provides shade in the area for hot sunny days.  Furthermore, shade can be found along the ironwood trees near the beach, picnic tables under coconut trees and shaded pavilions provide the extra comfort.

Lifeguards Provide Safety for All

Although a Poipu Beach Park can get crowded, lifeguard stands on the beach have made Poipu Beach Park safer for keiki and adults.  The lifeguard stand centering the beach has now moved closer to the kiddie area. An additional lifeguard stand was added to the western end of the beach towards Waiohai Beach Resort.  The additional lifeguard stand on the western end provides beach safety for those crossing to the island near Nukumoi Point and for those swimming at Waiohai Beach.


Kauai’s Most Popular Hang out on the South Side

Poipu Beach Park is a favorite place for parties, community events as well as for family activities.  The most popular beach on the South Side of Kauai, Poipu Beach Park is a central meeting place and hangout.  Those who are L.O.C.A.L flock to the south shore for great surf during the summer months. The Sunny South Side has many amenities and accommodations nearby Poipu Beach Park.  Brennecke’s Restaurant and Deli provide snacks, drinks and food. Nukumoi surf Company is also nearby, selling and renting beach gear and equipment.

Parking and Shopping Nearby

Poipu Beach Park has an expansive parking area that can be found near the Waiohai Resort, next to Brennecke’s Restaurant and Deli as well as next to Brennecke’s beach. Although crowded during any time and any day of the week, patience is the best solution for finding a parking near to the beach.  In addition, if Poipu Beach Park is crowded head to the nearest shopping area down the road. Poipu Shopping Village is a great place to kill some time before going back for better parking. Moreover, Restaurants and stores can be found in the Shopping Village. In addition, this is also a great stop to get snacks and drinks at Whalers General Store. Starbuck’s is also located in the Shopping Village.

Beach Safety

Remember to follow the beach safety guidelines, check surf and weather reports for current conditions, and observe posted signage.  Keep a constant watch on keiki who are playing in or around the water.  Never leave children unattended.  Small children should wear safety floatation devices unless they are avid swimmers and are being closely supervised.  



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Opaekaa Falls and Wailua River State Park

Opaekaa Falls is located on the east side of Kauai in the town of Wailua. The waterfall is visible from a lookout and is great for all ages.  Ample parking is also available as well as restrooms. Furthermore, there are picturesque views and photo ops of the Opaekaa Falls and Wailua River. Unlike many waterfalls on Kauai, Opaekaa Falls does not require a hike and is easily accessible.  In addition, there are handicap accessible ramps and sidewalks that are great for strollers.

Opaekaa in English is translated into “rolling shrimp”.

An abundance of shrimp in the stream was how the waterfall got its name. The Opaekaa Falls is a quick stop off to the side of the road in Wailua.  Therefore, if you are trying to get in as much as you can within a short period of time it is a great place to visit. The views of the Opaekaa Falls is from a distance.  However, the natural beauty is worth a look if you do not live in an area where there are waterfalls.  In addition, since it is free of charge the Opaekaa Falls will not disappoint.

Opaekaa Falls is a 151 foot tall, 40 foot wide waterfall that cascades down to a hidden pool. 

Two Lookouts: Opaeekaa Falls and Wailua River


There are picnic tables and shade across the street where you can view the Wailua River. Directions to the falls cannot be missed as it is on signage heading toward the area.  Turn up to Kuamoo Road (580) and travel up the hill to the lookout which will be located on the right hand side.  The drive from the main Highway is about two miles up Route 580. The Wailua River State Park is  across the street from Opaekaa Falls Lookout.  You will see informational boards at the Wailua State Park providing descriptions of the area.   



Poliahu Heiau

Poliahu Heiau is also located in the State Park.  The Heiau is a temple dedicated to Ku. The temple was created by hand where stones were brought up from the river below.  The area was known for religious ceremonies and rituals. As you visit please respect the sacred site. Stay outside of the heiau and do not climb on the walls.


Wailua is known as a political and religious center of Kauai in ancient Hawaiian times as well as today.  The area was where the Hawaiian chiefs and priests built their houses and temples. The area is a sacred place where many of the births of chiefs occured in the area.  The ahupuaa (Hawaiian Land Division System) of Wailua is the largest on Kauai. With an abundance of water and fertile valley floors, this area provided great farming and hunting.  There was also plentiful fish for fishermen in the freshwater as well as ocean nearby. The resource of the land provided a thriving abundance of food for its people and was very self-sustainable.  



The use of the area has changed over time. A great agricultural area with fertile soil and an abundance of water, the landscape evolved with the times. In the 1600s the land was terraced for taro farms. In the 1800s the same terraces were used by Chinese and Japanese farmers for growing rice. In the 1900s the land was used for raising cattle and horses.  

Located on the Wailua River State Park grounds is also an old cemetery. Entrance to the cemetery is at the bottom of the hill up a flight of stairs near the HoloHoloKu Heiau.  





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Kalapaki Beach

Kauai Marriott Resort: Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach is a great place to take your keiki when visiting Kauai.  One of Kauai’s popular beaches, this beach is located near the Lihue Airport and  Fronting the Kauai Marriott Beach Resort.  Kalapaki Beach is in a very central location to both the South and North of the island.  


Kalapaki beach is clean and well kept as it is part of an accessible beach for the Marriott Resort Visitors. In addition, Many amenities in the area provide a variety of accommodations such as surfboard, boogie board, fins and other beach item rentals.

Kalapaki Beach Boys


Shops and restaurants as well as Surf Lessons can be found near the beach. There are also shops and restaurants across the street in the Anchor Cove Plaza and Harbor Mall.  Furthermore, there are facilities that include restrooms and showers.



Kalapaki beach is good for beginning surfers, stand up paddle boarders as well as beginning bodyboarders.  Kalapaki Beach has a large break wall that protects the bay from the ocean.  Two streams (Nawiliwili Stream and Huleia Stream) flow into the ocean near the beach, therefore the water is not clear and is not a great place for snorkeling.  With a sandy bottom, it is relatively safe for all who like to go for a nice swim or just jump in too cool off on a warm sunny day.

Kalapaki Beach is a quarter mile long and is great for sunbathing, making sand castles, taking a walk or having a family picnic.  The ocean is relatively sandy and drops off gradually, making it safe for keiki when there are no large swells or shorebreaks.  We usually visit Kalapaki Beach if we are staying at the hotel, enjoying a school function or if we are running errands in the area.  Since Kalapaki Beach is not lifeguarded, we only share this beach as another option for bringing keiki if supervised by an avid adult swimmer.


Kalapaki Beach is a local hangout and and draws resident surfers as surf picks up during the winter months. Kalapaki Beach is a great place to play beach volleyball as there are four courts available to play on. On the other side of the beach there’s a park and picnic tables under ironwood trees that provide some shade.  A county park area is where Football practices as well as family gatherings and community events are held. The area is also a local hangout for pau hana get togethers and meeting new people as the cruise ship docks at the harbor once a week.  


The Nawiliwili Harbor area is also connected to the Kalapaki Beach area where there are kayak rentals as well as charters for sightseeing.  Goods come and go out of Nawiliwili Harbor on freighter boats and there many opportunities for your keiki to see boats and ships going in and out of the harbor.

In conclusion, Kalapaki Beach is another great place to visit when on the Garden Island of Kauai.  Since there are many amenities nearby, it is an easy beach location for a family that doesn’t want to haul or pack too much for a beach day experience.  Parking and beach access is located on the grounds of the Marriott Beach Resort.  




Check the Weather at Kalapaki Beach

Before heading to Kalapaki Beach, we always check the webcam for weather conditions.  Planning ahead of time helps us to find an area we know that the kids would enjoy.  Kalapaki Beach is a great place where our boys can catch the small waves and run around in the grassy area with other keiki.

http://marriotthawaii.com/kauai-marriott-resort/webcam/

Beach Safety

Remember to follow the beach safety guidelines, check surf and weather reports for current conditions, and observe posted signage.  Keep a constant watch on keiki who are playing in or around the water.  Never leave children unattended.  Small children should wear safety floatation devices unless they are avid swimmers and are being closely supervised.  

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PLAYGROUNDS

BEST BEACHES FOR KEIKI

THINGS TO DO

L.O.C.A.L.  Loving Our Community And Lifestyle ™ 


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