LIHUE, KAUA'I – Kauaʻi welcomes back travelers! Now is the perfect opportunity to shake those quarantine blues and recharge on the beautiful Garden Island. With an expanded selection of outdoor activities, luxury accommodations, and safety and health guidelines in place, Kauaʻi is a great destination to rejuvenate after a long absence of travel. 

“Kauaʻi has worked hard to keep the island safe and is excited to welcome back mindful travelers with safety and health guidelines in place, including mask mandates, practicing social distancing and limiting group sizes,” said Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau.

Kauaʻi rejoined Hawaiʻi’s Safe Travels Pre-Travel Testing Program allowing transpacific travelers to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine by taking a test within 72 hours from their last leg into the State of Hawaiʻi from a Trusted Testing and Travel Partner. Upload the test results to their Safe Travel profile, get screened at the airport and enjoy the island while masking and social distancing. Please note: You must have your test results before boarding your transpacific flight. Pending test results will not be accepted and results in a 10-day quarantine. 

You can also enjoy Kauaʻi if you are already in the state by taking a test from an Inter-County Trusted Testing and Travel Partner within 72 hours of your inter-island departure flight and upload your results to your existing Safe Travel profile. For more information, visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/. 

Check out the following updates and information about the newest happenings, special deals, and events “blooming” on the Garden Island. 

WHAT’S NEW
Get Rewarded For Taking A Voluntary Post-Arrival COVID-19 Testing on Kauai 
Kauai County is encouraging transpacific travelers to take a voluntary post-travel COVID-19 test 72 hours after arriving to the Garden Island at selected testing locations. Travelers who post-test will receive a Kōkua Kaua‘i Card. Use the QR code to access offers and discounts at participating local shops, restaurants and activities! For more details and a list of testing sites, visit www.kauaiforward.com and www.kokuakauaicard.com.  

New Entrance Fee at Kauai State Parks 
The State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources(DLNR) has introduced new rules to access three State Parks on Kauaʻi. All visitors are now required to pay an entrance fee of $5.00 per person at Hāʻena State Park, Kōkeʻe State Park and Waimea State Park. In addition, where applicable, there will be a parking fee to park a noncommercial vehicle. Visitors who enter a park on foot, bike or vehicle drop-off will only need to pay an entrance fee. For more information, visit Hawaiʻi.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/" style="color:inherit" target="_blank">https://dlnr.Hawaiʻi.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/. 

Reservations Are Now Required at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Don’t miss your chance to visit one of the best places to view wildlife in Hawai‘i! With a dramatic view in every direction, the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds found in Hawaiʻi, native Hawaiian coastal plants, and offers visitors a glimpse of marine life spotted only in the islands. As a way to welcome back visitors safely and mindfully, the refuge now requires advance reservations to ensure limited group sizes and social distancing. Additionally, face coverings are mandatory prior to entry. Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is currently open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., however, this schedule is subject to change. An entry fee of $10 is required for adults 16 and older. Children under 16 are free. To make a reservation, visit www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300018 or call (808) 828-1413.

Nā Aina Kai Botanical Gardens Adds New Tour
Located on the North Shore of Kauaʻi, Nā Aina Kai Botanical Gardens has created a new self-guided walking tour. Visitors are given a pamphlet guiding them through the Formal Gardens, a 12-acre tropical wonderland including Kaula Lagoon with its plunging waterfall and endearing Hula Island.  The pamphlet contains a brief history of the garden, a description of unique areas of interest, and a map locating almost 50 bronze sculptures. Reservations are required for the walking tour, $20 per person and offered every Wednesday. To book this new walking tour, visit www.NaAinaKai.org or call (808) 828-0525.

Monkeypod Jam Creates New Agriculture Program 
Monkeypod Jam developed a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program from scratch to support surrounding local farms. This new CSA program offers access to the best and freshest produce available through a Produce Box that is filled with a bounty of produce grown by Kauaʻi's farmers. Are your tastebuds craving Kauaʻi specialties? Order one of Monkeypod Jam’s tropicals online including Liliko‘i Curd, White Pineapple Ginger, and Guava Butter. For more information or to place an online order, visit https://monkeypodjam.com/ or call (808) 378-4208.

Set Sail with Holo Holo Charters
Travelers get ready to sail Kauaʻi’s pristine waters and experience the best combination of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty with Holo Holo Charters. Beginning May 1, witness breathtaking and up-close views of the Nāpali Coast, the island of Niʻihau and Lehua Crater aboard Holo Holo Charters’ fleet of catamarans equipped with environmentally friendly marine diesel engines that produce zero emissions. To make a reservation, visit www.holoholocharters.com or call (808) 335-0815.

KAUA'I SPECIAL OFFERS
Experience the Best Views of the Garden Island with Wings Over Kauaʻi
Take advantage of these soaring deals while they last! For a limited time, Wings Over Kauaʻi is offering guests a discounted rate when booking directly for a one-of-a-kind, Grand Deluxe Air Tour around the entire island of Kauaʻi. Fly safely and comfortably with a fully certified and vaccinated staff, and witness some of the most amazing scenery in the world. For a sneak peek of Kauaʻi’s unique and exciting landscapes and livestreams of flights, visit Wings Over Kauaʻi on Facebook. To book a tour, visit www.wingsoverkauai.com or call (808) 635-0815.

Koa Kea Hotel & Resort Encourages Guests to Mālama Hawaiʻi
In an effort to inspire mindful travel, industry partners and volunteer organizations across Hawaii have come together with an initiative called Mālama Hawaiʻi. Mālama means “care for” in Hawaiian, encouraging visitors to leave Hawaiʻi better than when they arrived. Koa Kea is welcoming guests to care for the island and get rewarded with a new package. Sign up for a beach clean-up activity and get a 4^th night free and a $10 donation, per stay, is contributed to the Surfrider Foundation on behalf of the traveler.  To book this package, visit https://www.meritagecollection.com/koa-kea or call (808) 742-4271. 

Kōloa Landing Resort Says “Aloha Kaua‘i” with New Room Package 
Travelers can say “Aloha Kauaʻi” with Kōloa Landing Resort’s exclusive Aloha Kauaʻi Package. It starts at $289 per night and includes a 7^th night free, 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and daily food & beverage credit for breakfast for two at Holoholo Grill. Experience the Best Pool in America (voted by USA Today's 10Best) – the 350,000-gallon main pool features waterfalls, waterslides, a walk-through grotto, multiple Jacuzzis, an infinity edge with an ocean view sun deck, and more. Poʻipū’s all-villa, luxury resort is offering the Aloha Kauaʻi room package now through December 31 for stays between April 5 to March 2022. To book a reservation, visit https://koloalandingresort.com/kauai-packages/ or call (808) 240-6600.

Unwind at Historic Waimea Plantation Cottages
Celebrate summer with 25% off best rates at historic Waimea Plantation Cottages on the west side of Kauaʻi. Far from the bustling resort scene, there are 59 authentic plantation homes on 43 oceanfront acres along a black-sand beach. Stay in a one, two, or three-bedroom ocean-view or oceanfront home with a fully equipped kitchen and private lānai (porch). Additional amenities include an oceanfront pool and an on-property restaurant. Waimea Plantation Cottages has special inclusions, no check-out cleaning fees, free parking, free guest laundry, and more. This special offer is good through August 31, 2021. To book or make a reservation, visit www.coasthotels.com/waimea-plantation-cottages or call (808) 716-6199.

UPCOMING KAUA'I EVENTS
Stride for Kauai 100-Mile Challenge with the Kauaʻi Marathon
The Kauai Marathon has gone virtual for the 2021 spring and summer season. The Stride for Kauaʻi 100-Mile Challenge is now open for registration. Runners and walkers may start their journey today and will have four months to complete their virtual adventure. Feel Kauaʻi’s aloha every step of the way to your virtual finish line. After completing the challenge, participants will earn a race bag, super comfy cotton tee and surfboard themed medal. To register for the Kauaʻi 100-Mile Challenge, visit www.thekauaimarathon.com.  

 36^th Annual Kōloa Plantation Days Festival, July 23 – August 1, 2021
Celebrate the plantation heritage and modern-day vitality of old town Kōloa during a 10-day family-oriented festival on Kauaʻi's South Shore. This year is the 36^th annual festival and takes place from July 23 through August 1. Founded in 1835, Kōloa Plantation was Hawaiʻi's first sugar plantation where laborers from Asia and Europe lived together in plantation camps sharing food, music, stories, and traditions of their homelands. Kōloa Plantation Days brings visitors and residents together at over 30 events including live music, “talk stories", cultural and keiki (children) activities, area hikes, historic exhibits, Kōloa Plantation Days rodeo, craft fairs, a Family Fun Run and the annual Parade and Park Celebration. For more information, visit http://www.koloaplantationdays.com/ or call (808) 652-3217.

Kauaʻi’s Culinary Market Adds Flavor to The Shops at Kukuiula, Every Wednesday
Don't miss your chance to meet local farmers and taste the freshest culinary offerings from Kaua‘i chefs during this gourmet farmer’s market at The Shops at Kukuiula. Soak up the sunshine on the South Shore of Kauaʻi in the Beer & Wine Garden, experience exciting cooking demonstrations from some of the Island’s most talented chefs, enjoy live contemporary Hawaiian music, and shop at the Garden Island’s popular retail shops. The Culinary Market is open every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.theshopsatkukuiula.com/. 

KAUA'I – HAWAI‘I’S ISLAND OF DISCOVERY
Also known as the Garden Island, Kauaʻi is green and lush with flora from mountain to ocean. The island offers more than 50 miles of white sand beach – adding up to more beach-per-mile than any island in Hawaiʻi. Other Kauaʻi natural wonders include 3,567-foot-deep Waimea Canyon (often called The Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the towering 3,000-foot sea cliffs of the Nāpali Coast.

Kauaʻi’s abundance of outdoor activities – which includes helicopter and boat tours, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, and zip-line tours all offer memorable vacation experiences for the entire family.

For information about Kauaʻi – Hawaiʻi’s Island of Discovery – visit www.gohawaii.com/kauai, or call the Kau‘i Visitors Bureau at (800) 262-1400. You can also follow updates about KauaI on Twitter (@kauaidiscovery), Instagram (@kauaidiscovery) or by liking the Facebook page of the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau. 

The Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted for marketing management services in North America by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of HawaiI’s tourism agency. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaiʻi tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaiʻi’s economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

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