Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [77]
Construction in Poipu
There is major construction going on in the Poipu Resort area. If you are headed that way, be warned that the number of condominium and hotel rooms currently under construction (and not counting the ones still in the planning process) will increase the number of visitor accommodations in Poipu by 25%.
The good news is that Kauai County has very strict guidelines for noise and dust abatement, which is vigorously enforced. Just be aware that you will be facing traffic delays, construction noise, and the general problems caused by a lot of construction work in a small area.
Current construction will add 227,000 square feet of retail space, 423 condominium units, and 190 lots for single family homes to the area.
In the permit process, with no definite construction timetable yet, are plans for another 824 condominium units, 75,000 square feet of retail space, and an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
As we went to press, the projects currently under construction in Poipu are:
• Koloa Landing, 2251 Kapili Rd: 232 condominium units, scheduled for completion in 2010.
• Kukuiulu Development, between Poipu and Lawai Valley: A master-planned resort community on 1,010 acres, including a boutique hotel with 31 cottage units, a resort spa, a 75,000-square-foot commercial village, an 18-hole golf course, and condominiums and homes. Roadways are currently under construction, scheduled to be finished in 2010.
• Kukui’ula Village Shopping Center, off Ala Kalanikaumaka (the new western bypass road): A 90,000-square-foot replica of an old sugar plantation town with plantation-style architecture which will house 45 restaurants, specialty shops, and offices including Merriman’s Kaua`i, Quiksilver, The Josselin Restaurant, Palm Palm, Bubba Burgers Hawaii, Bungalow 9, and Lappert’s Hawaii. The opening is now estimated to be late 2009 or early 2010.
• Pili Mai at Poipu, off Kiahuna Plantation Drive: 191 condo units. Infrastructure has been completed; more construction depends on the sales of the units.
• Poipu Aina Estates, 2800 Ala Kinoki: Infrastructure for the 17-lot agricultural subdivision is complete.
• Poipu Beach Estates, Poipu Road at the roundabout: Landscaping for the 106-lot subdivision is completed.
• Poipu Shopping Village Phase II, Poipu Road: Construction of an additional 62,000 square feet of retail space is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.
• Village at Poipu Phase I, Poipu Road: A 50-lot, single-family subdivision.
• Wainani at Kiahuna, Kiahuna Plantation Drive: This subdivision of 70 single-family homes is under construction.
Projects still in the county planning and permit process are:
• Kiahuna Poipu Golf Resort, adjacent to Kiahuna Golf Course, off Kiahuna Plantation Drive: 280 condominium units and 2 single-family homes.
• Koloa Creekside Estate, Weliweli-Waikomo Road: A 9.38-acre condominium development.
• Koloa Marketplace, Koloa and Maluhia roads: Plans for the 75,000-square-foot retail space are in the final stages of the permit process.
• Poipu Spa and Fitness Center, Poipu Road, fronting the Kiahuna Tennis and Swim Club: Plans are underway for an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
• Royal Palms at Poipu Beach, Kiahuna Plantation Drive: This 164-condo unit project is in the permit process.
For more information, contact the Poipu Beach Resort Association, 88 8/744-0888 or www.poipubeach.org.
Sheraton Kauai Resort For the money, this modern Sheraton (since 1997) has the feeling of Old Hawaii with a dynamite location on one of Kauai’s best beaches. It features buildings on both the ocean side and the mountain side of the road. You have a choice of three buildings: one nestled in tropical gardens with koi-filled ponds; one facing the palm-fringed, white-sand beach (my favorite); and one looking across green grass to the ocean, with great sunset views. The rooms overlook either the tropical gardens or the rolling surf. The rooms and public area were all recently updated (to the tune of $14 million): 32” Flatscreen