A Culture Lover’s Guide to Kauai

You can begin your immersion into Kauai’s culture without even leaving the terminal by arranging a traditional lei greeting right when you arrive at Lihue Airport. Leis are traditional Hawaiian garlands typically made from fragrant flowers or shiny kukui nuts that are placed over the shoulders of a recipient, often to mark special occasions such as welcomes, birthdays, or graduations.

While some high-end hotels present welcome leis at check-in, the practice is less common for those staying in vacation rentals or budget hotels. So if you want to experience this Hawaiian tradition in Kauai, your best bet is to book in advance, followed by reserved transportation from the airport to your hotel.

While the Hawaiian food of today is strongly rooted in Polynesian culinary traditions, it’s also heavily influenced by the many cultural groups that migrated to the islands in the 18th and 19th centuries from Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, and beyond.

Many traditional Polynesian staples such as taro (known locally as poi) are widely available both at local restaurants and at luaus, and Japanese-influenced specialties such as spam musubi and poke bowls (bite-sized pieces of marinated raw fish over a scoop of rice) are also among the most popular snacks on Kauai. Try them for yourself on a food tour, or sign up for a traditional cooking class and learn how to prepare your own tasty Hawaiian dishes.

Kauai is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, but there are also plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the island’s local art scene, too. Art galleries abound in larger communities such as Hanalei and Lihue, and many specialize in paintings, photography, and sculptures by artists from the island.

Lihue’s Kauai Museum is a particular must if you’re interested in the cultural heritage of the island, though another great way to check out local art is by heading to the Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk, a weekly market that’s been going on since 1997.

Insider tip: Check out a monthly or weekly Kauai festivals and events calendar online ahead of time to see what special events are happening during your visit.

For many visitors, attending a luau is among the top cultural experiences Kauai has to offer. These evening events typically include a traditional feast paired with a live hula show, fire dancing, and musical performances. Meals are generally served buffet-style and feature local dishes such as poi, poke, and tantalizingly tender pork that's been slow-cooked in an underground oven called an imu.

One of the most popular luau options on Kauai is the Luau Kalamaku, which is held at the Kilohana Plantation near Lihue. Just make sure to book ahead, as this popular experience—which can be booked with or without a train ride through the plantation—is known to sell out well in advance.

When most people think of Hawaiian coffee, Kona on the Big Island comes to mind, thanks to popular attractions such as the Kona Coffee Living History Farm. However, Kauai is an equally special place for coffee lovers, owing largely to the presence of the Kauai Coffee Company.

This sprawling estate on the southwestern coast of the island is a great place to stop for a bag of beans or a freshly brewed cup of Joe, and you're also welcome to sample brews at the visitor center or explore the grounds on a self-guided walking tour. While the farm is a destination unto itself for anyone interested in coffee culture, many people visit en route to nearby Waimea Canyon.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Waimea Canyon

If you prefer sweet concoctions to rich coffee drinks (or are looking for family-friendly activities on Kauai), a visit to Lydgate Farms near the town of Kapa’a might be just the ticket. Prebook a chocolate tour and tasting that combines an educational introduction into chocolate production, from bean to bar, led by a guide who knows the ins and outs of cacao farming and chocolate making.

Along the way, you'll get plenty of opportunities to taste a variety of chocolate delights made from award-winning cacao beans grown right at the estate. Culture never tasted quite as sweet.

Kauai boasts a huge number of artisans and craftspeople, and locally produced souvenirs are an excellent alternative to mass-produced keychains and other knick-knacks. There are plenty of boutiques across the island that specialize in selling island-made treasures, and one place to start shopping is in Old Koloa Town, a picturesque historic village about a 20-minute drive from Lihue.

Here, you can stroll through The Shops at Kukuiula (which hosts live music on Fridays), and when you need a break from browsing store shelves, pop into Koloa Fish Market for a quick bite of fresh fish or a Hawaiian plate special.

Surfing dates back thousands of years, but the modern sport as we know it originated in Hawaii around the early 20th century. Today, travelers from around the world descend upon the islands every year to learn how to surf or improve their skills.

Kauai is a great place to start, and surfing lessons are available at beaches across the island. Options range from group lessons for beginners to private experiences for visitors of all levels who want the personal attention of an instructor. As a bonus, many surf schools offer extras such as loaner rash guards and water shoes at no additional cost.

Kauai has a strong culture of gardening and landscaping—and is home to much glorious foliage and colorful flowers—all of which helped contribute to its “Garden Island” nickname. One of the best-known examples is McBryde Garden, a massive expanse with themed paths that take you past spices and other culinary plants along with beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve is another excellent option for culture and history fans, and is a good place to learn about traditional agricultural techniques, while Allerton Garden boasts a fantastic mix of both vibrant foliage and pretty architectural and hardscaping features.