Dominated by the vacation rentals, resorts, and shopping centers in Poipu, the South Shore is undoubtedly the part of the island most geared towards tourists.

The look and feel of the Poipu/Koloa area is similar to other upscale destinations found elsewhere in the United States, yet it still manages to hold on to that island charm that makes Kauai so unique. There are other towns on the South Shore that are much more residential with a local feel, including Kalaheo, the childhood home of Drew’s mother and aunties.

(Must-sees are marked with an asterisk!)

Kalaheo/Lawai

Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company is an excellent restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is casual and dinner is upscale. Their coffee is good and their desserts are divine.

Stop by the Kauai Kookie Bakery and Kitchen to see if they have Drew’s two favorite Hawaiian to-go foods: SPAM musubi and malasadas.

Kukui’olono is a beautiful park just up the road from Drew’s family home. Perched atop the highest point in the area, there are spectacular views of the South and West Shores. There is a little Japanese garden to explore, chickens to run away from, and a pavilion for relaxing and “talking story” with friends.

• Kukui’olono also hosts a 9-hole golf course with a clubhouse, club rentals, golf carts, driving range, and amazing views, at a ridiculously low price (green fees are $15). You can’t reserve tee times but Drew has never waited more than 10 minutes to tee off.

Warehouse 3540 is a collection artisan shops located unassumingly in a residential part of the South Shore. Great for locally made jewelry, clothing, and art, plus some great drinks and eats.

Koloa

Old Koloa Town is a cute place with fun stores and galleries that are great for browsing. 

• Be sure to visit Koloa Fish Market and try their excellent poke, arguably the best on the island.

• We love our coffee, and the new Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is outstanding. The SoCal coffee chain’s first beachhead on the islands, this shop is a really wonderful space that was formerly a Buddhist mission.

• One of the coolest new restaurants on the island is The Tasting Room, with a great wine and cocktail list, an outstanding menu, and beautiful indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Poipu

Enter Poipu in the grandest way — through the Tree Tunnel*! When you're driving from Lihue, turn left off of the highway onto Maluhia Road.

• Living Foods is an upscale general store with cafe items throughout the day and a really nice dinner menu. 

• Lappert’s Ice Cream*, best on the island!

• Keoki’s Paradise Grill* is on the expensive side, but serves outstanding fish, ribs, and a host of other great fare, all with live music. Absolutely must share a slice of Hula Pie.

• Check out Honolua Surf Co if you’re looking for island attire. And keep an eye out for By the Sea, which has a huge selection of our favorite sandals, Olukai.

Poipu Quick Hits:

• Grand Hyatt Resort for fancy drinks and great views

• Shipwreck Beach for fantastic waves, watching surfers, and cliff jumping. Not good for swimming.

• Poipu Beach for all-around family fun. Good snorkeling, a sheltered kiddie pool and playground, plenty of picnic tables and pavilions, and usually a honu or seal laying out on the beach! Very crowded.

• National Tropical Botanical Garden for self-guided and guided tours of Kauai’s most beautiful flora. They filmed a number of Jurassic Park scenes here.

• Spouting Horn for watching turtles (or “honu”), and a natural geyser.

• Little Fish Coffee is the well-known acai-bowl destination in Poipu. If the line is too long, try the excellent acai bowls at the juice bar inside the Kukui’ula Market grocery store.

• Puka Dog* at Poipu Beach serves the best hot dogs Drew has ever eaten in his entire life. Definitely opt for the lilikoi mustard.