Kauai South Shore - Poipu

Island of Kauai

What To See - Introduction

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Driving to the southern part of the island from Lihu`e is a terrific journey. It’s here in this area where the new and old worlds of Kaua`i converge
to create a spectacle of beauty and fun that you won’t get anywhere else on the island. If you love action, this is the place to be because there’s plenty of it.First-class restaurants, accommodations, beaches and a tremendous number of activities await. The South Shore is the sunny side of the island, so you can feel free to work on your tan, cool off in the ocean or enjoy the trade winds blowing in from the ocean.

Kauai

Turning on Highway 520 from Kaumuali`i Highway (Highway 50), the first thing you’ll notice is the Tunnel of Trees towering over you. After a few minutes heading down the winding road, you’ll get to Koloa Town, which represents the old world of Kaua`i.

The area was a prime destination for whalers who landed at Koloa Landing, as well as for sugar plantation workers, which made Po`ipu a bustling economic center. While today Lihu`e has the county seat, Po`ipu has the attractions and activities that are a draw for visitors from all over the world.

Koloa was the site of Hawai`i’s first successful sugar plantation, called Ladd & Co that was established in 1835. That history is evident as you see renovated plantation buildings, old mom and pop shops that go back for generations. There are plenty of old churches and homes (especially down Waikomo Road) that maintain the charm of this town. The population is made up of immigrants and descendants of immigrants from Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Koloa’s residents show their appreciation for the area’s history by hosting the Koloa Plantation Days Festival every July. It’s a week-long event that celebrates the sugar plantation heritage and immigrant cultures.

Most people stay in Po`ipu when they visit Kaua`i. Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your day as you drive around the island.

Today, the region is bustling with Hawai`i’s new cash crop tourism. The one drawback here is that everything is geared to tourists. Koloa still maintains the old Hawai`i feel, but the area overall has a commercial feel to it. Despite this, the beauty of the sun’s rays, the gentle breezes and the lushness of the area are hard to ignore.

The tiny hamlets of Kalaheo, Lawai and Omao are also part of the South Shore. These upcountry communities still have some remnants of the time when sugar was king. However, the lush upcountry area is now home to a new crop: not tourism, but coffee, which you’ll see everywhere as you head west on Kaumuali`i Highway.

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Stories of Hawaii provided courtesy of the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.