Planning a trip to Kauai? Learn about Kauai from local Kauai writers. Fun stories, events and things to do on Kauai.

Kauai Chocolate Company

Kauai Choclate Company Treats

Kauai Choclate Company TreatsJust open the door at 4341 Waialo Road, Suite 1B in Ele’ele.  Stop.  Enjoy the fragrance of chocolate surrounding you, swirling through the air.  At this point a real chocolate lover is hooked!  There is a pure chocolate river running from some magic machine behind the counter—but who can concentrate with all of the choices before you in the display cases?

Mounds of Kauai Chocolate, square chunks of chocolate sitting on top of macadamia nuts, fudge, toffee sitting under milk chocolate, dark, mysterious chocolate mixed with Kahlua all meet your hypnotic gaze.

This magical store is somewhat hidden in a shopping center across the street from the Red Dirt Shirt factory and Outlet store on the way to Port Allen.

These chocolate confection inventors are Don and Marleen Greer, a local family. They have been in business since 2003.  Their ‘Chocolatiers’ at the Kauai Chocolate Company are primarily students from Waimea High School.  Ohhh I think I want to be one of those someday!!

I understand they have ice cream with local fruits and things—and I noticed some cute t-shirts for sale, but it was difficult to concentrate with that chocolate before me, in the air and being created.  Their coffee products are from the Kauai Coffee Company, just down the road.Kauai Chocolate Company

What to choose?  What to take and eat in the car and what to buy for later?  The chocolate Ophihi—not related to the ocean ones except in shape, the layered toffee—peanut butter—thick chocolate one?  “Chunk-O-Love,” or Chocoholic?  There is a box of fudge I probably should send to the mainland? Naw.  Let ‘em come visit.  I’ll get my own fudge.  Three varieties??

Well, I had to choose.  Now it is your turn, if you happen to be a person who delights in the smell and taste of chocolate, see you there!

P.S. Tried the S’more and the peanut butter ones.  Excellent.

Waimea Historic Walking Tour

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Waimea Hawaiian Church

Waimea Hawaiian ChurchWhat a treat to learn more about the historic town of Waimea from a woman who grew up in the area. This tour is available Mondays at 9:30am, and is about 3 hours long.  The first hour of the tour takes place inside the West Kauai Technology and Visitor’s Center, which is easy to find along the highway, at the corner of Waimea Canyon Road.  This is where you sign in and meet your guide.  The hour is spent going through artifacts and old photos.  There are chairs around the museum area, in case you need to sit for a bit.  The information would be fairly standard, except for Puna, the charming guide with a great sense of humor!

There is so much information in the fairly short session.  Who are the pioneers of the Waimea area?  What are the attitudes of the modern descendants of the ancient Hawaiian people? How did they regard the land, the aina? What happened when the native people encountered Western civilization through the sailing ships and missionaries who arrived Hawaii?

West side Waimea Pier KauaiThere were no mosquitoes on Kauai before the European sailors emptied their brackish water containing mosquitoes and larvae into the local rivers!

In case you were wondering about the strenuousness of the walking portion of the tour, our group included a spunky 91 year old lady from Chicago. She led the pack most of the way.

The walk took us past rebuilt churches and businesses damaged in hurricane Iniki.  The tour will take you through a garden of beautiful orchids and hibiscus in all the colors of a rainbow.

Old Waimea TheaterWe heard humorous stories to entertain us along the walk. The uncomplicated way of life Puna described made everyone wish they had grown up in the Waimea Valley of Kauai.

If you wish to take this Monday morning tour, it is free, but you have to call

808 338-1332 to make a reservation.

Don’t forget the  Waimea Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonyand the  Waimea Town Christmas Parade

Kapaa Town Salutes our Veterans

Commander Sergeant Major Johnny Rabasa and First Sergeant

The skies above Kauai Today were filled with grey clouds, a little thunder and the occasional flash of lighting, but that didn’t stop the hundreds of participants and spectators from lining the street of downtown Kapaa to take part in Kauai’s 43rd Annual Veterans Day Parade. Rain or shine local families and visitors lined the sidewalks with beach chairs and umbrellas reserving spots for good viewing.

The parade began at the south end of Kapaa and concluded at the Kapaa Town Park.  Preceding the parade, Kauai Classic Cars led by president Richard Aki honked and threw candy to smiling spectators with a colorful assortment of vintage cars. The Kapaa Junior ROTC led the Posting of the Colors and the official start of the parade.

A special Horse-drawn carriage, provided by Dr Christopher Lyden, carried honored veterans Command Sergeant Major Johnny Rabasa and First Sergeant J.Q Smith, the co-Grand Marshals of this year’s parade and festivitiesCommander Sergeant Major Johnny Rabasa and First Sergeant. Next came the colorful procession of community groups, Boy Scout Troops, High School Marching Bands, Korean War Veterans, US Coast Guard, active military marching units, and members of county government walked in support of our veterans.

The music, laughter and an outpouring of community support lit up the faces of the crowds while the abundance of Aloha Spirit cleared the sky’s for an enjoyable rain-free morning in Kapaa. Keiki Hula Dancers helping honor VeteransThe parade festivities continued at Kapaa Town Park with Master of ceremonies William Honjiyo directing a formal program honoring our Kauai veterans. The National Anthem was sung by Christine Calzado and  Mayor Bernard Carvalho presented proclamations and a plaque honoring the Vietnam Era Veterans  to be showcased at the Kauai Veterans Center in LIhue.

Mahalo to all the supporters of this years 43rd Annual Veterans Day Parade. For more information on upcoming events for Veterans Day contact Aida Cruz at the Kauai Veterans Center or call 808 246-1135.

Kauai in October

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The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are turning and the days are getting shorter. It feels like fall. Not on Kauai. Right now, the temperatures are mild, just a few degrees shy of the summer heat. The skies are clear and the ocean conditions outstanding due to temporary pauses in trade-wind activity. All the kids are back to school, so the beaches are empty, but the water is still warm enough for swimming.

The nice thing about late September and October is that the summer crowds have disappeared and it feels like Kauai should…PEACEFUL! Today, my son and I had the beach to ourselves. We went boogie boarding, built sand castles, frolicked in the water, and shared lunch under the shade of a coconut tree. It was a spectacular day!

If you are planning a trip to Kauai, fall is a pleasant time to be here. Since peak season has just passed, airfares and hotel rates have subsided a bit. Kauai is also a great place to bring kids, so don’t be afraid to take them out of school. They can learn about a different culture, and a different environment and there are several unique and endangered species to learn about. Snorkeling offers them a chance to see a whole other ecosystem. Buy them a copy of The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book for a lesson on Kauai’s coral reefs. Vacationing with the family during the off-season is a nice way to spend time together, and when is quality time with the family ever a bad thing?