Check this list to see what’s happening in Kauai, Hawaii.

• North Shore Update: Access beyond the five-mile marker past Hanalei Town to the end of the road (which includes the areas of Wainiha and Hā‘ena) is currently closed to visitors. Updates continue to be posted at gohawaii.com/Kauai.
• Hanalei Town is still open for business! Visit www.HanaleiTown.com to see a list of quaint shops and the variety of restaurants. The new website will soon feature Special Events happening in Hanalei town.
• Avalon Gastropub opens on Kaua‘i. Located in Wailua, this restaurant is Kaua‘i’s first and only gastropub, offering elevated food, a great selection of craft beers and craft cocktails. Their mission is to be a welcoming place for the community and visitors alike to enjoy classics presented with a twist. All their food offerings are made in-house (except for their buns, which are sourced by a local bakery).
• Kiawe Roots Grill is now open at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, bringing its twist on a modern island eatery serving local-style barbecue staples and brunch all day. For more information, visit eatatkiawe.com or follow @kiaweroots on Facebook and Instagram.
• Monkeypod Jam offers weekly JamTasting Experiences every Thursday at their store in Lāwa‘i from 3:00 pm –3:45 pm. Cost is $20 and includes a sample flight of three pūpū highlighting its preserves, fruit prep demonstration, and details about Monkeypod’s history. Participants receive a10% discount on any purchases made that day. www.monkeypodjam.com.
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House opened its sixth restaurant in Hawai‘i and first on Kaua‘i at The Shops at Kukui‘ula on the island’s South Shore. The restaurant opened in October in the vacant space formerly occupied by Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill. Ruth’s Chris currently has restaurants on Oahu, Maui and on the Island of Hawai‘i.
• Holo Holo Charters and National Tropical Botanical Garden have partnered together to offer a brand new tour, called Na Waiwai(Treasured Values)! This tour is a one-of-a-kind Native Hawaiian cultural experience you will never forget. Fill the void for an authentic traditional Hawaiian activity as we take you off-the-beaten-path for a unique land and sea exploration. This tour includes a private tour of McBryde Garden, an exclusive hula performance and a south shore dinner cruise.
• National Tropical Botanical Garden now offers a free hula performance at the South Shore Visitor Center every Thursday from 2:00-2:45 pm. Performances are by Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala. www.ntbg.org.
• Local Chocolate Farm and Vanilla Plantation is still expanding and recently welcomed even more chocolate trees to the estate. Lydgate Farms, formerly named Steelgrass Farm, offers certified Kaua‘i-made products such as chocolate bars, cacao nibs, honey and hand-pollinated vanilla beans. Their Branch to Bar tour is now available four times weekly from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the estate where guests enjoy samples of over 14 different chocolates from around the world, tastings of fresh tropical fruit grown on-property, ripe chocolate fruit directly from the chocolate farm and more.
• Courtesy Shuttle Service Offered by Just Live! Zipline Tours. Visitors to Kaua‘i staying in Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a and Po‘ipū resort areas, on cruise ships, or arriving at Līhu‘e airport can now catch a shuttle to and from Just Live! Zipline Tours’ course location. The shuttle must be reserved for a party of four or more at the time the tour reservation is made.

HOTEL UPDATES

The Courtyard by Marriott is undergoing a complete transformation from guest rooms, public space, pool, and resort activities:

The resort will be converted to a full-service property and rebrand to a Sheraton. The project is currently underway and slated to be completed by June 2019 with the new name of Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort.

The Westin Princeville Resort Villas and the Waipā Foundation launched He ‘Aina Ola, a farm to table dinner highlighting Hawaiian history, culture and Kaua‘i’s bounty:

After a tour of Waipā’s orchard and gardens, continue in Waipā’s Laukupu Hale Imu with a three-course dinner and wine pairings. The Westin Princeville’s culinary team prepares a dinner showcasing seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Offered the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at4:30 p.m. $135 per person.

Grand Opening of Timbers Kaua‘i at Hōkūala:

The Garden Island’s newest luxury resort is celebrating its grand opening. Guests and owners can enjoy oceanfront residences with breathtaking views, an award-winning golf course, two-tiered infinity-edge oceanfront pool, the club’s Hōkūala spa, cultural and adventure activities, and more. In celebration of the grand opening of Timbers Kaua‘i, guests can receive a $1,000 experience credit to explore all the amenities on property.

Hilton Garden Inn Rebrands Aston Aloha Beach Hotel:

The Aston Aloha Beach Hotel underwent a major renovation and officially re-opened under the Hilton Garden Inn brand. Improvements have been made to the 216 guestrooms, lobby, approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting space, exterior, fitness center, indoor pool and 24-hour business center. The renovated property is the only Hilton-brand on Kaua‘i and the second Hilton Garden Inn in Hawai‘i.

Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū Welcomes Kaua‘i’s First Sam Choy Restaurant:

The resort opened Holoholo Grill, with James Beard Award-winning Hawai‘i ChefSam Choy. The menu features a selection of island cuisine dishes incorporating fresh, local ingredients and original recipes crafted by Choy. Complimenting the menu’s variety of island favorites are a selection of signature cocktails.

New and Refreshed Guestrooms and Suites at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort:

The Resort announced the completion of their guestrooms and suites in its Ocean Wing. Refreshed rooms feature modern furnishings with an island-inspired colour palette throughout its guestrooms and suites. Room categories will encompass deluxe garden view, deluxe oceanfront, luxury oceanfront and ocean suite categories. Renovations of the resort’s Beach Wing are expected to be completed in late April.

Upcoming Kaua‘i Festivals:

Year round, Kaua‘i plays host to many festivals and events highlighting Kaua‘i’s unique culture and/or history. Here are a few upcoming events not to be missed. For a complete list and for more information on these festivals, visit www.kauaifestivals.com

• Waimea Town Celebration-February 16-24, 2019
• Spring Fantasy Orchid Show –April 5-6, 2019
• May Day Celebration –May 1, 2019
• Banana Poka Roundup –May 26, 2019