Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [408]
Kilohana Plantation (Map; www.kilohanakauai.com/shopping.htm; Kaumuali′i Hwy; most shops 10am-9pm Mon-Sat, to 4pm Sun) Nestled in an elegant historic manor, these classy shops will please the discriminating shopper. Find high-end jewelry, original art, woodwork, raku pottery and aloha shirts. The picturesque historic setting is reason enough to stop here.
Two statewide chain stores are worth mentioning: on the positive side, Longs Drugs (Map; 245-7771; Kukui Grove Shopping Center, 3-2600 Kaumuali′i Hwy; 7am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm Sun) is much more than drugstore. Go here for an impressive selection of locally made products, from children’s books to macadamia nuts to snacks galore.
As for Hilo Hattie (Map; 245-3404; www.hilohattie.com; 3-3252 Kuhio Hwy; 8:30am-6:30pm), that tourist beacon along Kuhio Hwy, all we can say is caveat emptor. While it is a convenient one-stop shop for generic souvenirs (for example, macadamias), beware of exorbitant prices and a plethora of mediocre items made in China and the Philippines. Decades ago, Hilo Hattie hired local seamstresses to sew aloha attire, but that is not the case these days, with foreign-made clothing. Better value can be found elsewhere.
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TOP PICKS – KAUA′I-MADE GIFTS
Nature CD recordings (www.soundshawaiian.com) of Kaua′i birdsong and other enchanting soundscapes
Botanical bath and body products by Malie Organics Boutique (Click here)
Koa handcrafts and furniture at the Koa Store (Click here) and Davison Arts (Click here)
Recycled-fabric bags by Denise Tjarks (www.denisetjarks.com)
Fresh homemade chips from Taro Ko Chips Factory (Click here)
Silver and sea-glass jewelry by Caitlin Ross Odom (www.caitlinrossodom.com)
Award-winning liliko′i-wasabi mustard from Aunty Lilikoi Passion Fruit Products (Click here)
Kaua′i-themed T-shirts from Pohaku T’s (Click here) and Puahina Moku o Kaua′i (Click here)
Genuine Ni′ihau shell jewelry (www.niihau.us)
′Alaea salt and other seasonings from Aloha Spice Company (www.alohaspice.com)
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If you’re seeking cheap shirts and trinkets, Costco (241-4000; www.costco.com; 4300 Nuhou St; 11am-8:30pm Mon-Fri, 9:30am-6pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun) is far superior and carries some quality locally made merchandise.
Lihu′e’s only major mall is Kukui Grove Shopping Center (Map; 245-7784; 3-2600 Kaumuali′i Hwy), which contains mostly chain stores such as Macy’s, Sears, Longs Drugs, Borders, Kmart, Radio Shack and banks. Near Nawiliwili Harbor, Anchor Cove Shopping Center (Map; 246-0634; 3416 Rice St) and Harbor Mall (Map; 245-6255; 3501 Rice St) draw mainly tourists from cruise ships and the nearby Marriott. Take a pass.
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GETTING THERE & AROUND
Bus
The Kaua′i Bus serves Lihu′e with a shuttle that runs hourly from 6am to about 7pm, with stops at all the obvious destinations, such as Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Lihu′e Airport, Vidinha Stadium, Wal-Mart, Wilcox Memorial Hospital and Big Save. In addition to this, there is a lunch shuttle that runs at 15-minute intervals within central Lihu′e.
Car & Motorcycle
Kaua′i is a driving town, so most businesses have parking lots and street parking is relatively easy to find. Metered parking in Lihu′e costs 25¢ for 30 minutes. For information about car and motorcycle rentals, Click here.
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EASTSIDE
If you look past the strip malls and highway traffic, the Eastside will fascinate you on many levels. Its geography runs the gamut, from mountaintop forests and grassy pastureland to pounding surf and a majestic river. In ancient times, the Wailua River was sacred and royalty lived on its fertile banks; today, Kaua′i’s population is concentrated here, creating enough critical mass for varied restaurants, shops, accommodations and people. From Wailua to Kapa′a, the ‘Coconut Coast’ has a busier, more workaday vibe than swankier resort