Life on Kauai

Life on Kauai Now | 18 Months Later

Culture and Events / / 159 Comments

Our third installment in this popular series.

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159 thoughts on “Life on Kauai Now | 18 Months Later”

  1. Susan G

    Hello Kauai
    I hope all is well as can be there. I have a question on survival there. Here on the mainland there is the on going fight of wanting to shut everything down, therefore It makes me wonder how are you feeding your families and paying your bills there without the tourist support? Thanks for any answers to this question.
    Susan

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Susan.

      Yes the tourism sector is the driver of the economy. It will be a mess for years after what has happened, much as is the case in similar tourism-reliant economies globally.

      Aloha.

  2. Carol V

    Hello from the mainland! Our family was scheduled to vacation in Kauai in May, then again in July. We are all so disappointed that we had to cancel, twice. We have a slim window in August when we could come when the 14 day could be lifted if you test negative prior to travel. Could you please let me know what it would be like to vacation on your beautiful island the beginning of August? Would restaurants, farmers markets, beaches and boat tours be open? Also would face masks be mandatory in out door settings? Thank you and aloha!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Carol.

      Since this was just announced late yesterday, it will take some time to know what will be open. Mask are not required at the beach but rather when entering businesses.

      Aloha.

  3. Michael M

    Aloha Jeff and Rob.
    God, how I miss my visits to the Islands! So much.
    Here’s a little bit of nostalgia. In the absence of weekend sport here in Ireland, particularly soccer, as a result of the Covid crisis, TV has taken to showing films and yesterday BBC showed ‘South Pacific’- the first movie my dear mom brought me to. I was transfixed then (1964) and was again yesterday. I, like many others, fell in love with Mitzi Gaynor. I also fell in love with all those lovely vistas, of Kauai, as it turned out. That was my first ‘encounter’ with Hawai’i. Yet another view of the Islands at the same time was again on TV. There was a series of Golf programmes shown with the then big three – Arnie Palmer, Jack Nicholas and Gary Player – playing courses all over the State. Such lovely places and that, I felt, was the closest a lad from Ireland would ever get to Hawai’i. Fate, however, intervened and mom and I did get to visit this Paradise on many occasions. She loved the people, the sights and the shopping. When I got there, I felt as if I couldn’t leave without a piece of the place and so invested in a few weeks of Timeshare (the best I could do) and though mom is no longer around, I treat myself to those visits I mentioned – to Kaua’i, to Oah’u and Maui. So it all began with South Pacific. Thank you lovely Islands, friendly Islanders…Aloha and Mahalo.

  4. Larry S

    Looking forward to our next visit, scheduled for early November, if that’s possible. Love and best wishes to you all. Mahalo

  5. Brenda D

    We’ve been to Kauai for the last two years. In 2021 we are going to try the Big Island and I hope I’m not disappointed because Kauai has set the bar so high! Do you know of a blog similar to yours that is about the Big Island? I love reading your blog as it’s like getting to revisit with every read!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Brenda.

      Thank you! We’re not aware of anything like Beat of Hawaii period. It’s just developed on its own into today’s quirky Hawaii travel news, deals and culture focus. It is both a lot of work and a lot of fun. Hopefully that shows. We appreciate your participation.

      Aloha.

  6. Gary L

    Hello.
    When will the 14 day arrival quar antine end. I’m booked to come in June.
    Does anyone have an answer.
    Thanks 🌺

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Gary.

      No one has the answer yet but we expect to in the next few weeks.

      Aloha

  7. Lupe C.

    Can you please let me know.. we have reservations in Kauai for July 18th thru 25th. Will it be opened by than. Thank you a little worried.

  8. Adele M.

    Are you getting any info on when the 14 day quar antine will end? I know it goes through the end of May at this point. My family has a late June/early July trip planned but would cancel if this is still in effect.
    Thank you!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Adele.

      No word yet, but we expect to learn a great deal more in the next couple of weeks.

      Aloha.

  9. Anne W

    I would swear I jut read testimonials on your website from travelers who were able to obtain
    refunds recently from HA for cancelled flights without much trouble. Could you please let me know how I can find these testimonials. Everything I read was very helpful and I would be
    very thankful if you could let me know how to find them. Thanks you very very much for your help.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Anne.

      Have a look here. You can always subscribe to comments on any post if you find something you’d like to follow up on.

      Aloha.

  10. Marty W

    My heart goes out to the residents there on Kauai. While we all have challenges right now, the added layer of extremely limited resources is akin to a wartime era. I am torn between wistfully looking at the natural beauty and uncrowded areas and the reality of preventing the spread of this. We will all be in a better world after this. I hope we appreciate each other more when we get there.

  11. Jan W.

    We were in Kauai/Maui from March 5-22 celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary “year”. We vowed to experience 50 new things this year but a quar antine wasn’t on the new things-to-do list. My question, please, is about the restaurants on Poipu such as Kalapaki Joe’s. Are these places still open for carry-out? What about the golf courses…are they allowed to remain open?

    Second question, we met a couple from New Jersey in Crazy Shirts that had just arrived on Kauai the day Crazy Shirts were forced to close. They said they were staying through Easter. Would that have even been possible?

  12. Dianna C.

    Husband and I retired on Kauai in mid-October after 45 yrs in Alaska. I’m proud to be on Kauai. We rented in Koloa and have the best landlord! All Kauaians are family and we are lucky to be here. If it wasn’t for our mayor who knows where Kauai would be now…like Oahu and Maui. We GIVE A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MAYOR. OUR POlUCE, FIRE, MEDICAL AND ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS. When taking our daily walk. You can see 99% are following the rules. Our problem is the tourists who seem to believe they are entitled and disrespect all rules on Kauai. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR LOVING AND CARING FOR EACH OTHER! AND TO OUR MAYOR…WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!

  13. Leo C.

    Why don’t they have mandatory testing or someone going house to house to test people instead of waiting for next case to show up I’m sure that alot of people would be all for something like that I know I would.

  14. Sandra D.

    I am a long time many visits to Hawaii we were coming in March but that got cancelled we have rebooked for august hope it is all finished Kauai is my favourite island it’s beauty still takes my breath away what do I miss about Hawaii is the aloha

  15. Dave R

    Aloha, Beat of Hawai’i,

    Any thoughts on why Kawa’i is being so much more hard-core about restrictions than other islands (notably O’ahu)? Could it be a remnant of the “we were never conquered” mentality that seems to sometimes make Kawa’i attitudes a bit different from other islands?
    Mahalo

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Dave.

      Thanks for your comments. It is interesting to see that in the past days the other islands have implemented most of the same restrictions that started here on Kauai. Derek, our mayor, is definitely different and in this area extremely proactive. Can’t say if any of it is related to Kauai’s sense of independence, but it doesn’t feel that way here.

      Aloha

  16. Neal M.

    WE miss you Kaua’i and look forward to our visit in September. Take care and be well… a hui hou!

  17. Bill C.

    Dear BOH, I’m a recent follower of a few years. Here on the left coast, in Santa Clara, we have our restrictions which I think are dumb, but yours are even more Draconian. Can’t wait to visit again from SJC. Thank you for your posts. I enjoy them

  18. Mark H

    Thanks for the unique look at the island. I agree with the postcard writer. It’s something we may (hopefully) never see again. Further updates about what’s going on would be cool.

  19. Ann W.

    Aloha! One of my favorite things about coming to the islands is the music and Hula of course! So I was wondering how the musicians and performers are faring. Here in Santa Cruz county the beaches are closed for a week including Easter weekend, so the surfers are unhappy. I think it is an effort to keep folks from driving into the area. State parks were already closed. Parking lots taped off. Most people are aware of how serious it is to stay at home. We are really enjoying the video’s that Oahu’s North Shore surfers are putting out there for us, hope they can continue to entertain us!
    Thank you for keeping us informed.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Ann.

      Yes true about musicians and performers among others. Every day we realize how many more people are being impacted by this.

      Aloha.

  20. Steve G.

    Thanks so much for the update. Stay safe and well and we look forward to our next trip to your paradise!

  21. Kim C

    May I please get the name of the company that will order IKEA and send to Hawaii for when this is over. Mahalo

  22. Donna Z

    Aloha,

    I love reading these updates. Kauai is like a second home to me.Mahalo for your ongoing communications!

    We had reservations for May and have postponed to August. I’m optimistically hoping things will be better on Kauai as well as the mainland by then.

    I just ordered some coffee from Kauai Coffee Company and am wondering if there’s anything else we can do to help support small businesses during this time?

    Happy Easter, please keep the updates coming!

    Mahalo Nui Loa,

    Donna from Florida 💞🌺

  23. John H.

    Life is certainly different now and we can appreciate the caution. We are praying things open up in the Fall as we have a two week vacation planned in Kona and Kauai. Our usual vacation plans are first two weeks in October.

  24. Christina B

    If you have time, tube the old plantation canals. We did this with our teen kids and had a blast. We went through the tour company Kauai Back Country Adventures.
    Out of all of the islands Kauai is my favorite. ❤ Have fun!

  25. Charles C.

    Thank you for all your wonderful information. We are planning still to visit Kauai again in November, hopefully, with our daughter. While we have been many times, we have never been able to put together a list of reasonable prices places to eat. Love you list of beaches, could you please let me know where you would go or recommend to eat at. By the way popular beach was our 1st stay on Kauai, in 1976, and even though it has changed greatly since it is still our favorite place on the island. Thanks again for all you do.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Charles.

      Thank you. Let’s see what others suggest on reasonable places to eat, since it is different for everyone.

      Our take is that the food you can buy at the many new produce stands, and normally at farmers markets, far exceeds the quality of restaurants here. That having been said, sometimes you just want to go out to eat.

      Aloha.

      Aloha.

        1. Beat of Hawaii

          Hi Charles.

          Many visitors love Hamura Saimin. The view from The Beach House is fabulous. We occasionally met up with friends at Kalaheo Cafe. But honestly, we neither of us really go out on Kauai and save that for our own travels. And we don’t focus on food here either. Hoping others will add suggestions.

    2. Trudy C

      Hi Charles,
      One of my fav local spots is Kountry Kitchen in Kapaa. Great breakfast spot.
      There are some great little roadside stands in Waimea town. Definitely worth the trip there. The Shrimp Station ,Jo Jo’s shave ice and my all time favorite in Waimea is Island Taco. Enjoy!

  26. Andrea E

    We have been visiting Kauai annually since 2004. This may be our first year that we will be unable to visit since then. We were supposed to arrive 4/4 and leave yesterday. We would love to reschedule but will have to wait to see what happens. We live in one of the hot spots in NJ, which is super stressful. We haven’t left the house in weeks except for food and other essentials. Our county alone has more cases than 37 states. All state, county and local parks here are closed. We were glad to see Kauai take such strong actions early on. Be safe. Thanks for the updates. We miss Kauai so much. If we can’t make it later this year, we will see you next year.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Andrea.

      Thanks for your comment. We look forward to welcoming you back next time.

      Aloha.

  27. Ivy W.

    Aloha from Minnesota!
    Thank you so much for all of the info you share every day about everything. I’ve relied on your posts for years as we try to visit one of the islands every year, but keep going back to Kauai. In fact we just left there in mid/December as this all ramped up. So glad we got rolls daily (the edible kind that end up maybe around the waist) from Kalaheo.
    Be well, take care of yourselves and that beautiful place you get to call home. We look forward to when it’s safe for everyone for visitors to return.

  28. Kitty K

    Hello from PA. We have been frequent visitors to Kauai since the late ’90s and annual visitors for 3-4 weeks since 2005. A friend sent us your newsletter and we have subscribed, we are very grateful for the information. We echo what the visitor from Phoenix said, we are very curious about life in Kauai without visitors.
    One question, would you please tell us what the checkpoints are for ?
    Thank you very much, we appreciate the information. We hope to see you in August, if all is well and visitors are welcome again.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Kitty.

      Thank you. The checkpoints are to assure that travel around the island is essential in nature, as is currently mandated.

      Aloha.

  29. Jeri J

    I cancelled my trip to Maui in Feb. this year. It is the first year in over 20 years I have not had the soul rejuvenating experience of traveling to one or usually two islands in Hawaii. I long to be there! It will make my trip Feb. of 2021 all the more memorable having experienced two years without the spirit of Aloha. Stay well everyone!

  30. Jennifer B

    Aloha,
    Our family of 5 is scheduled to come on Alaska Air from NJ on 6/15. We cane to Kauai on our honeymoon and want to celebrate our 25 year wedding anniversary. We are hoping flights resume by mid-June.
    We loved our time in Kauai and want to show our 3 boys this beautiful island.

  31. David W

    What is the purpose of the roadblocks? Not being critical, just wondering why they were implemented. We don’t have anything like that in Georgia. Our first trip to Hawaii is planned for the end of September – assuming this thing is over by then.

    1. Wendy S

      Hopefully they are checking for tourist who should be in quar antine for 14 days. If they are out and about send them back home on their on dime for breaking the rules.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Diane.

      Yes the road to Kee beach is open. Entry and parking now require permits.

      Aloha.

  33. Denis M.

    Aloha.
    Like so many others, I miss getting to the Islands. I consider them my Spiritual Home and am fortunate enough to have some weeks of timeshare on Kaua’i, Maui and O’ahu. I do hope everyone keeps well and safe during this present crisis. Like most of you, I am in lockdown at home here in Ireland, but hopefully, things will improve in the not too distant future and those glorious vistas and stunning sunsets can be part of visitors’ lives again.
    Mahalo for keeping everyone up to date with beloved Hawai’i.

  34. Katrina A

    Thank you for giving us an insight into life on Kauai. My husband and I were there in 2011 and had planned to bring our 2 adult children,our daughter inlaw and our 2 grandchildren there last year through Southwest, we’ve been saving miles for awhile. 2019 didn’t work. We hope to come later this year but if not then 2021!
    We love Kauai! And enjoy hearing about places we visited on the island…although so sorry what yall are going through. Everyone is facing challenges,
    island life seems harder.
    Praying for yall!
    Thanks again for keeping us up to date of life on Kauai!

  35. Deb S.

    We purchased a home in Waikoloa Village on the Big Island in February of this year. We returned to the mainland on February 22nd to finish up our move over and have been stuck here since. We had a flight on AA on April 7th but it was canceled. Any idea how we can return to our new home on the Big Island? Thank you.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Deb.

      Not sure what part you are asking about. Getting a flight? What happens when you get here? There are “essential” flights so that is not a problem. When you arrive you will be subject to the 14 day mandatory isolation.

      Aloha.

  36. Suzanna G

    Thank you for sharing Kauai with us. We are planning a trip in early Sept. My husband & daughter signed up to run the Kauai Half-Marathon. We’re very excited, it will be our 1st visit to your island. Please let me know what would me your top 3 mist see/do items. Mahalo! Suzanna

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Suzanna.

      Thank you. Top 3 (4) for us: Waimea Canyon/Kokee, Polihale Beach, Hanalei Bay, and drive to end of road at north shore.

      Aloha.

      1. Lori G.

        Kauai is my most favorite island!! I am envious that you get to call it home. This September, we will be (hopefully) visiting Maui for the first time. Thank you for your updates and stories. Stay safe!

  37. Mary N

    So glad I get your emails and reading about what’s happening on Kaua’i is appreciated. My family and I have been visiting Kaua’i for 3 wks at time for the last 15 years. We have friends who have lived on island for decades. Our flight to Kauai on 5/20 was just cancelled by American Airlines on Wednesday. We were hoping to wait it out and make a decision next week. So now we have to reschedule. We live in a suburb of Chicago. To say things here are weird would be an understatement however we don’t have checkpoints thankfully and I reminded daily to only make essential trips to the grocery store the hardware store or the pharmacy or to one of the many forest preserves or parks for walks /dog walking or bike rides. We only live 13 miles from the lake but most of the trails around the Lakefront are private and so therefore we’re not missing walking there. It makes me sad to read all the rules that are currently in place on the island I love to visit. I am not sure that checkpoints would work well here because we have traffic issues to begin with even with no traffic. Hope y’all stay safe and have a Happy Easter

  38. Sherri I

    Please tell us how the sea life is doing. My husband and I love Hawaii. We were to travel to Kona and Maui starting April 1 and would have just returned home. We were to celebrate our kids 21st and 16th Birthday but obviously cancelled. FYI, I am in love with Kauai. We have noticed over the years of visiting the different islands the anount of people and traffic. You are never alone even in the remote areas. We live in the country in WI. We see Deer, turkey and so much more that comes out when we are not outside. I imagine the turtles and other do the same. Just curious in what positive things you see during this time. Sending all our love to Hawaii. Mahalo.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Sherri.

      We aren’t based down at the ocean, and haven’t been to the water recently. There were very heavy rains so the water was brown and inaccessible. We’ll give you a report in our next update.

      Aloha.

  39. Dan M

    Thanks for your coverage of current Hawaiian life. Not sure if my prior question was sent. Will the reduction in flights to Hawaii effect the flow of US Mail?

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Dan.

      No we did not receive that. And thank you for your comments over the past five or so years!

      We have not heard anything about a slowdown in USPS service. Things are definitely arriving more slowly, but it is hard to say exactly what is causing that.

      Aloha.

  40. Karen L.

    I so long for a bowl of saimin from Hamura’s. Please get a bowl of “take out” (any flavor) and enjoy it for me. I haven’t been there for quite awhile, but will definitely return in the future. Best simian ever! Blessings and prays to all of you in Hawaii.

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