Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORKSHOPS
The Garden Island Arts Council (www.gardenislandarts.org) periodically has a
series of community art workshops for children and adults ranging from water-
colors, ceramic relief tiles, and paper making to life drawing. Check the website
for information on current workshops and classes.
8 Shopping with Your Kids
Shopping with your kids can be an adventure on this island. Where else can you
browse vintage Hawaiiana practically in a cane field, buy exquisite home acces-
sories in an old stone building built in 1942, and get a virtual agricultural tour
of the island through city-sponsored green markets that move from town to
town throughout the week, like a movable feast? At Kauai's small, tasteful bou-
tiques, you can satisfy your shopping ya-yas in concentrated spurts around the
island. This is a bonanza for the boutique shopper—particularly the one who
appreciates the thrill of the hunt.
THE SHOPPING SCENE
LIHUE
Downtown Lihue is not a shopping paradise. I suggest you drive out to the
Kukui Grove Center, at Kaumualii Highway (Hwy. 50) and Old Nawiliwili
Road. The best store here is the Kauai Products Store ( & 808/246-6753 ), a
fount of local handicrafts (about 60% Kauai artists) and a respectable showcase
for made-on-the-island products, such as soaps, paintings, clothing, coffee,
Kukui guava jams, fabrics, and Niihau shell leis.
POIPU
Expect mostly touristy shops in Poipu, the island's resort mecca; here you'll find
T-shirts, souvenirs, black pearls, jewelry, and the usual quota of tired marine art
and trite hand-painted silks. The formerly characterless Poipu Shopping Vil-
lage, at 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., is shaping up to be a serious shopping
stop. Hale Mana ( & 808/742-1027 ) is a glorious collection of hard-to-find gift
items of excellent taste (antique picture frames, beaded bags, unique candles, pil-
lows, Hawaiian handmade paper, and more). Tiny Bamboo Lace ( & 808/742-
1450 ) lures the fashionistas with its resort wear and accessories. Across the
courtyard, Sand People ( & 808/742-2888 ) is great for understated resort wear,
while the newly renovated Overboard ( & 808/742-1299 ) rides the wave of
popularity in aloha wear and surf stuff.
HANAPEPE
Hanapepe Road (the main road through the town) is lined with gift shops and
galleries, including our very favorite Hanapepe store, Banana Patch Studio,
3865 Hanapepe Rd. ( & 808/335-5944; www.bananapatchsutdio.com), which
has the best prices on the island for tropical plates and cups, hand-painted tiles,
artwork, handmade soaps, pillows with tropical designs, and jewelry. They will
pack and ship your purchases anywhere. Hanapepe's gallery owners and artists
recently instituted the Friday Night Art Walk every Friday from 6 to 9pm.
Gallery owners take turns hosting this informal event along Hanapepe Road.
THE COCONUT COAST: KAPAA
“Downtown” Kapaa continues to flourish. On the main strip, across from Sun-
nyside Market, you'll find the recently expanded Kela's Glass Gallery ( & 808/
822-4527 ), the island's showiest place for handmade glass in all sizes, shapes,
and prices, with the most impressive selection in Hawaii. Go nuts over the vases
Search WWH ::




Custom Search