Explore Culture and Arts on the Royal Coconut Coast
Kauaʻi’s diverse cultural heritage developed as the island’s population grew during the agricultural expansion of the 1800s. Plantation work brought laborers from Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, and the mainland United States, creating the rich cultural mix that shapes the island today.
In 1953, the opening of the Coco Palms Resort on the Royal Coconut Coast helped launch Kauaʻi’s visitor industry and introduced cultural attractions that celebrated both Hawaiian traditions and the many cultures that had become part of the island’s story.
Today, visitors can experience a luau, a traditional Hawaiian celebration featuring island cuisine and cultural entertainment. A typical luau may include foods such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, ʻopihi, haupia pudding, and tropical drinks such as mai tais. Entertainment often features traditional Hawaiian music and hula alongside other South Pacific dances, songs, and chants.
Cultural Festivals and Events
In July, Kapaʻa Hongwanji Mission hosts its annual Bon Dance, a Japanese tradition honoring the spirits of ancestors. Bon dances in Hawaiʻi are welcoming, festive gatherings where residents and visitors alike can observe or participate in the dances that circle the temple grounds.
In August, the lively Heiva I Kauaʻi festival brings an exciting weekend of Tahitian dance and drumming competitions. Participants from Hawaiʻi, the mainland United States, and Japan compete in solo and group performances representing legends and stories from Tahiti. Dancers range in age from toddlers to elders, making it a vibrant celebration of Polynesian culture.
Throughout the year, visitors can also enjoy slack-key guitar music, traditional crafts, Hawaiian dance and music performances, art shows, and local cultural events across the Royal Coconut Coast.
Museums and Exhibits
Art and history enthusiasts should also consider visiting the Kauaʻi Museum in Līhuʻe, which regularly hosts special exhibits highlighting the island’s culture and heritage.
Museum hours are:
- Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Guided tours are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m. as well as the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m.
