Kauai Local Customs

  hula show at Coconut Marketplace
by mindcrime
 
  • hula show at Coconut Marketplace
      hula show at Coconut Marketplace
    by mindcrime
  • hula dance
      hula dance
    by mindcrime
  • Kevin and Julie
      Kevin and Julie
    by Travel2write
  • My best friend and I at the airport
      My best friend and I at the airport
    by AprilT
  • My mom and I
      My mom and I
    by AprilT
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Learn some Hawaiian

by cyndyj1

Hawaiian is very simple - it has only a few letters and pronunciation is always the same - every vowel is pronounced, even when two are together (just do a minor glottal stop between them).Mahalo - thank you (Mah-hah-lo with a long "o")Kokua - helpPua - flowerOno - deliciousPali - cliff (hence Na Pali = "the cliffs". Pronounced like Nah Polly)Etc. Just making a small amount of effort will pay off in the friendliness of people around you and in your understanding of signs, names, menus, etc.

Hawaiian Luau Shows

by AliasGirl

Hyatt Regency's 'Drums of Paradise' is a MUST event if you are visiting the island of Kauai. This authentic cultural event is designed to present a fun filled evening with Polynesian entertainment.First, you hear the live music, then you see the torches are burning bright, and then you smell the wonderful International food.The preparations for this luau started long before you even dipped your toes into the warm pool this morning. The Polynesians take these preparations very serious -especially for the Imu Ceremony and the traditional pig. A large pit is dug in the sand. Kiawe logs are placed in the bottom of the pit and topped with river rocks. They start the fire and after a few hours..the bottom of the pit is quite hot. The rocks are evenly spread out and moist banana stalks are placed on top. Then banana leaves are placed into the pit to wrap the pig. The Polynesians place wet...

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Hula shows

by mindcrime

Sooner or later you will see a hula show around. In Kaua’i you wont find it everywhere like in Waikiki(Oahu) but there are specific places that have performances every week. We watched one at Coconut Marketplace on the east side, near Kapaa. In October they had one every Wednesday at 17.00 at the center stage in the middle of the marketplace.The show was for free and lasted one hour. The singer Leilani Rivera Bond has many releases on cd and she dire and musician played popular Hawaiian songs (I have already hear them before except some originals of the singer who also played the ukelele) and the dancers gave a nice show, they were students following their teacher which was the leader dancer. see my video here.Hula dance is a unique dance and although the people confused it with the Tahitian dance (which is basically focused on swaying hips) the hula dance is more an expression of the...

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Island time

by Travel2write

For the typical mainlander, you may have a difficulty in slowing down. The common hussle and fast service that modern society on the mailand doesn't exist here on the island. So remember when you arrive in Hawaii, things are slower. Service isn't fast, it's good! So slow down, don't rush people, the service and just enjoy the experience.

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Try an authentic luau

by GlobalMatt

You think a hogroast is good? Try an authentic polynesian luau. The pig is slowly smoked in the ground all day. It is removed from the ground, cleaned, & prepared for the grand feast. There are many luaus to choose from on Kaua'i...all of which are very similar in price. This being said, do the luau at the Grand Hyatt. You won't regret it. Lots of fun!!!

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Bridge Crossing Ettiquette

by keida84

On Kauai the roads are narrow and at times they come down to one lane especially when crossing bridges. With this in mind here are some generally accepted "bridge rules."Upon approaching a bridge check to see how many cars are lined up on the other side of the bridge. If there is more than 2 car lengths between you and a car ahead of you then you should stop and let the other side pass through. It is generally "known" to allow 3 to 5 cars pass through but when in doubt....defer.

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Is unique ...

by venteeocho

Hawaiian culture is unique in the world. On Kauai, it's as easy to discover cultural sites that have existed for hundreds of years as it is examples of how Hawaiian culture is perpetuated by the Hawaiian people today.A tour of historic cultural sites and museums is one way to experience the essence of what makes Hawaii, Hawaii.Ke ahu a laka HeiauLocated on a terrace above the boulder, this is a heiau that was part of a famous hula school in the area. Chanters came to receive the most advanced training possible. To test their skills, they walked across the smooth boulders at the edge of the sea and chanted their mele (chant). If their voices could be heard above the sounds of the waves and the wind, then their training was completed. Students are still brought here to test their skills.

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Flower Leis

by keida84

On my very first trip to Hawaii, I was told by an native Hawaiian (and there are not that many true native Hawaiians left these days) if you want to ensure a safe return back to the islands, when you leave to toss your lei, but remove the petals first from the string that holds them so no harm comes to the wildlife.Each of the Hawaiian Islands has their own color and flower. Kauai's island color is: Purple and the flower is the: Mokihina (this is actually a fruit but it is strung into leis)Well now after countless visits back to the Islands of Hawaii I make sure that when we arrive everyone gets a lei and that upon our departure we toss the flower petals into the ocean and thank the spirits of the islands for their hospitality.

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Hitch hikers

by sissah

Hitch hiking on Kauai is all over the place. You'll see everyone from old men to young girls with children standing with a thumb out. We picked up hikers the whole time we were there, and judging by the amount who do it, I think it's a pretty safe thing to do. We picked up some of the greatest tips about where to go, what to do, where to eat and good new music to check out just by talking to the folks we were giving a 10-minute lift to. While you always need to use common sense picking up strangers, in a place where it's culturally excepted, it usually is because they don't have any problems with it. We were glad to meet our friendly strangers (and advice-givers!)

Traditional Leis as Gifts

by AliasGirl

It is customary to greet new visitors with a lei of some kind (flowers, shells).Hyatt Regency gave us a flower lei made from white orchids when we arrived at the hotel. What a beautiful gesture. We saw some of our fellow travelers greeted at the airport by their transproation service and were given leis. This is only done if you have this coordinated in advance with your transportation service.However, you can bring back leis to your family and friends..we brought back silk flower and shell leis for our family, friends and co-workers. It was pretty cheap at the local souvenir shops. I think it was a dollar or less for each lei.

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Local traditions and culture in Kauai

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Local Customs: Cities in Kauai
  1. Poipu Local Customs
  2. Hanalei Local Customs
  3. Nawiliwili Local Customs

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Questions and Answers

CassieD profile photo

Q:  My family is traveling to Kauai in August (9 adults) and I'm trying to organize some activities for all of us to do together that... 

KShezz profile photo

A: I dont have any ideas about the non-commercialised adventures that you are looking for but I did look at some adventourous activities and can say that its not cheap..even... 

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