Visit Kaua`i: Kaua`i Festival of Lights

While on Kaua`i last year, we checked out the Kaua`i Festival of Lights.  

The Historic County Building Park's trees are decked out with lights, resulting in the merriest scene for all that visit or drive by (check out this IG reel on Hawaii Mom Blog).

It was such a festive sight!

I saw lots of families sitting on picnic blankets and just enjoy the night.

Atop the steps of the county building are lovely trees decorated in ornaments made from recycled materials, including SPAM cans!

We visited midweek, but on certain days of the week there are more activities (like a visit from Santa Claus!).

A visit to the Kaua`i Festival of Lights is fun for all ages!

Kaua`i Festival of Lights
4396 Rice St

Lihue, HI 96766

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Visit Kaua`i: Hamura Saimin

It's no secret that the no-frills Hamura Saimin is a must-stop for anyone wanting local comfort food on Kaua`i.  

It's been decades since I went to eat at Hamura, and not much has changed.  You eat at a shared counter with other guests, the menu is small, but focused, and the food is still good.

Oxtail Saimin

The Oxtail Saimin is served Mondays and Fridays only.  My friend said the oxtail was really delicious, but the noodles were overcooked.

Won Ton Mein

I had the Won Ton Mein, which had a decent amount of Won Ton, although I thought the filling was a bit underseasoned.  I enjoyed all the garnishes, which included green onions, ham, fish cake, and roast pork.  The broth was really good.  

BBQ Chicken Stick

The BBQ Chicken was tasty, although some parts a bit too chewy and dried out.

Lilikoi Chiffon Pie

If you have a room for dessert, you must try the signature Lilikoi Chiffon Pie.   It was light, fluffy, and refreshing, which was welcoming on such a hot and humid Kaua`i day.

I thought the food was overall good - comforting and satisfying.  Prices are reasonable and comparable to other places serving similar food.

Hamura Saimin

2956 Kress St

Lihue, HI 96766

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Visit Kaua`i: KCL BBQ & Chinese Restaurant

Another spot for quick and easy local food to-go in Lihue is KCL BBQ & Chinese Restaurant.

Chicken Combo

The Chicken Combo consisted of Chicken Katsu and BBQ Chicken.

Cheeseburger

Mahi Sandwich

Fries

KCL's menu boasts local faves such as chicken katsu, teriyaki steak, beef stew, and BBQ cheeseburger.

If Chinese food is what you prefer, they have lots of dishes to choose from.

KCL BBQ & Chinese Restaurant offered satisfying food at reasonable prices!

KCL BBQ & Chinese Restaurant
3-3100 Kuhio Hwy # 3100C

Lihue, HI 96766

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Visit Kaua`i: Po's Kitchen

We really made an effort to patronize small, local restaurants while on Kaua`i.  One such restaurant was Po's Kitchen, which is a small eatery offering okazu and "box lunches."

We decided to make things easy on ourselves and just got box lunches.  There are three sizes - small, regular, and deluxe.

Regular

The Regular includes 2 musubi, 2 fried chicken, 1 teri beef, 1 corn beef hash, 1 luncheon meat, 1/2 hot dog, 1 tsukemono, 1 egg roll, and 1 mac salad.  The Deluxe has all the Regular has, as well as 2 shrimp tempura. The Small has no egg, and 1 less chicken. 

Deluxe

Overall, I thought there was a decent quantity and variety of food, but the portions for almost everything were small.  My kids ate up nearly all of their box lunches, and I thought the fried chicken and egg were pretty good, so if I do order from Po's Kitchen again, I would definitely order a la carte, and probably just get chicken, egg, and rice.

Po's Kitchen
4100 Rice St

Lihue, HI 96766

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Visit Kaua`i: Kenji Burger

Even if you don't eat burgers (like I don't), there is still a nice variety of options to choose from at Kenji Burger.

There are 3 locations on Kaua`i, and we went to the Lihue one.

Chicken Katsu Bowl

The Chicken Katsu Bowl came with a Sriracha Ranch Slaw.  It was a filling bowl, and the katsu was yummy.  It was tender and flavorful.

Japanese Burrito

The Japanese Burrito is a signature dish - it's like a sushi wrap vs sushi cut into slices.  The "burrito" was filled with spicy tuna, shrimp, tempura, crab meat, cucumber, avocado, unagi sauce, and spicy aioli.

Poke Bowl

A friend ordered the Poke Bowl, but asked for greens instead, and also asked for dressing.  He couldn't decide what kind of dressing he wanted, so the server brought him several.

Service was outstanding, and the prices are super reasonable!

Kenji Burger
4454 Nuhou St

Lihue, HI 96766

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Visit Kaua`i: Kawaii Kokoro

I stumbled upon Kawaii Kokoro after eating brunch across the street.  The bakery offers all sorts of delightful confections, such as Japanese Cheesecake, Manju, Scones, and more!

I picked up some cookies - Chocolate Chip, as well as Almond.  They were more on the crispy side (I'm team cherwy), but still so delish!

I also got some Profiteroles - Vanilla, Chocolate, and Green Tea. They were yummy as well!

Kawaii Kokoro was a great stop for sweet finds and omiyage!

Kawaii Kokoro
3184 Akahi St

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 320-8198

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Visit Kauai: Mariachi's Mexican Cuisine

While on Kauai, Chef Mark Oyama recommended we visit Mariachi's Mexican Cuisine.  The restaurant is situated in a very touristy area (Lihue, another location is in Kapa`a), and normally I would avoid such places, but I trusted Chef Mark's recommendation.

Turns out, the food was great!  The staff have roots in Mexico, so the food is as authentic as it can get on Kauai.  

Chips & Salsa

Chips & Salsa are complimentary for the first serving only.  Thereafter it's $6 per serving.

5 Street Tacos

The 5 Street Tacos consist of your choice of carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, or chicken (mix and match to your preference). My friend liked the carnitas the best. 

Carne Asada Fries

The Carne Asada Fries were addicting.  Thick fries topped with steak, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.   - so delish!

Chile Relleno and Burrito

The staff made some great recommendations and were all so friendly!  We had such a fun time at Mariachi's - great food and drink, and really good service.

Don't let the touristy area deter you from dining at Mariachi's.  We were the only locals while we were dining, but I would definitely return!  

Mariachi's Mexican Cuisine

3501 Rice Street
Lihue, Hi — 96746
(808) 246-1570

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Visit Kauai: Mark's Place

Chef Mark Oyama is a friend of mine, and I have been wanting to try his restaurant, Mark's Place, ever since I met him.  However, the past couple of times I went to Kauai, it was on a weekend, when Mark's Place is closed.

On our most recent visit, we arrived on a weekday, so I made sure Mark's Place was our first stop.

It was so crowded! 

Large Bento

SPAM Musubi

Cookies

Mark's Famous Mixed Plate

The food - local-style comfort food, is just so good!  I had to get Mark's Famous Mixed Plate, which includes Chicken Katsu, Teriyaki Beef, and Beef Stew. 

Everything was delish!  I've actually had Mark's Beef Stew before so I knew it was good (I had 3 servings the last time I tried it).

If you go, I suggest call in your order, otherwise be prepared to wait (but it's so worth it!).


Mark's Place
1610 Haleukana St

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-2522

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Visit Kauai: Konohiki Seafoods

Step into the humble Konohiki Seafoods, located in an assuming strip mall in Lihue, and you'll be greeted by a large display case of local eats, such as poke, lomi salmon, and taegu, as well as sweets, crack seed, drinks, and more that line almost every inch of the tiny shop.

We visited Konohiki Seafoods during our Kauai day trip, and the place was busy with patrons ordering plate lunches, picking up catering orders, and selecting their faves from the display case.

One of the most popular food items at Konohiki Seafoods is not even from the sea!  It's the Konohiki Chicken - fried pieces of ginger chicken that are so tasty - you'll be sorry if you order too few pieces.

For some who take a bite of the chicken for the first time, the taste may remind you of the shuttered Hanamaulu Cafe's chicken.

And you'd be right!

Konohiki Seafoods was given the secret recipe for the signature chicken, so locals and visitors alike can continue to enjoy this popular Kauai dish.

Whether you're picking up poke for a picnic, a sushi platter for a party, or a box of ginger chicken as omiyage, Konohiki Seafoods is your one-stop-shop for all things local and delicious.

Konohiki Seafoods
3-4301 Kuhio Hwy #102

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-1707

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