Culture Trip! How to Travel to Kauai Before Packing Your Bags
Beats, Bites & Beyond: Kauai Island Edition
*Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Aloha! Welcome to the launch of our exciting new series: Beats, Bites & Beyond. We choose a destination to spotlight and help you discover more about its culture through music, flavor, and entertainment that provides a sense of place. We hope this series will inspire you to live a life of travel every day while at home and enrich your travel experiences when you’re ready to commit to buying a plane ticket.
Ready to go? Great! This week, we're whisking you away to a unique and tropical destination: the breathtaking Hawaiian island of Kauai. Below, you’ll find travel inspiration in the form of a Hawaiian-inspired playlist, an authentic recipe, book suggestions, movie recommendations, and an absolutely-can’t-miss epic Kauai experience – all curated to help you embrace the aloha spirit and get excited about a place widely considered to be one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Waves hitting the shoreline in Kauai, Hawaii
The next best thing to traveling to Kauai is to anticipate how much fun you will have once you are there.
We believe that travel is always enhanced when you take a moment to understand the history, landscapes, cuisine, and way of life of a place. While we created this edition to bring you a taste of Hawaii from the comfort of your home, don’t be surprised if you find yourself eyeing your luggage and opening a new tab to set a few flight alerts. Our advice? Follow that spark of inspiration and choose to live your life fully. If you need help with the details, we’re here for you.
So, enjoy exploring the list below, and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments once you've tried any of our recommendations! Ok, ok… let’s get this luau started! 🌺🍍🎶
1. Listen to Hawaiian-inspired music
ENJOY A LAID BACK ISLAND TRAVEL PLAYLIST
Mele, meaning music in Hawaiian, sets the rhythm for your journey ahead! No boarding pass required here – we believe that a great way to start to any kind of adventure is to turn on a playlist that sets the mood for your destination.
This Kauai soundtrack includes traditional songs and ukulele serenades by Hawaiian artists past and present, mixed in with a healthy dose of tunes that just feel like a tropical island vacation.
So whether you're tackling your to-do list, assembling a mouthwatering Hawaiian dish (hello, ahi tuna poke bowl below!), planning your vacation to Kauai (click here to significantly streamline your efforts), or packing your bags for the adventure of a lifetime, just press play and let the music transport you to the land of aloha.
Get on the list.
Ahh… a vacation in your inbox. Subscribe to open occasional emails filled with fun & helpful travel content.
2. Make an easy ahi tuna poke bowl recipe
When you think of Hawaiian cuisine, your mind might drift to a vibrant açaí bowl filled with fruits that mimic the colors of a Hawaiian rainbow. Or maybe you're already salivating over thoughts of a heavier-than-you-thought-it-would-be Hawaiian plate lunch, with succulent pork kalua, crispy chicken katsu, and a glorious scoop of Hawaiian macaroni salad. *See very important tangent below.
VERY IMPORTANT TANGENT: If you haven't had the pleasure of indulging in the mayonnaise-based blessing that is Hawaiian macaroni salad, it's high time you get yourself to Hawaii or locate a salad bar at any all-you-can-eat buffet in the Midwest. Only you can decide which trip to prioritize.
Ok. Time to get back on track. For today's culinary adventure, we're shining the spotlight on another truly delicious Hawaiian gem: the poke bowl. Originating in Hawaii, poke (pronounced poh-keh) was first crafted by indigenous fishermen who enjoyed raw reef fish seasoned simply with sea salt, inamona (a relish made from candlenuts), and limu (edible seaweed or algae). While mainland poke bowls often come piled high with colorful toppings, we’ve learned that leaning a bit closer to tradition and allowing the fish to shine with a simple marinade is the key. Here, we’ve opted for ahi tuna because, well, it just seems right to eat it raw.
It goes without saying (but hey, this is the internet, so we'll say it anyway) that you'll need to snag sushi-grade fish from your trusted grocery store, fish market, or nearest ocean to whip up this dish. If you're not blessed with access to these in your neck of the woods, fear not – just click here, and we'll help you orchestrate a trip to Kauai for the real deal.
EASY AHI TUNA BOWL RECIPE
(Serves 2-4)
-
Time Commitment: 1 hour 20 minutes
15 minutes to prep
1 hour to marinate
5 minutes to assemble
FOR THE AHI TUNA POKE:
1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna, diced into bite-size pieces
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons soy sauce (here is a great version that’s made in Hawaii) or tamari (for gluten-free)1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon macadamia nuts, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
FOR THE RICE:
1 cup short grain white rice
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
TOPPINGS:
Diced cucumber, avocado and furikake seasoning are great toppings.
Wasabi mayo can be a fun addition too, but we recommend not adding so many toppings that the flavor of the ahi tuna is diminished. It's the star of the show! -
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced ahi tuna, sliced green onions, sliced sweet onion, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, chopped macadamia nuts, sea salt, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
Mix gently until well combined.Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
While the tuna is marinating, rinse the rice in a sieve for 1-2 minutes until the water runs clear.
Cook rice according to package instructions.
Allow rice to set after cooking, covered, for 5-10 minutes.Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat rice vinegar to a simmer.
Remove from heat and mix in sugar and salt until dissolved.
Place vinegar mixture and cooked rice in a large bowl and toss to combine.To serve, portion rice into individual bowls and spoon the marinated ahi tuna poke over it.
Garnish with toppings of your choice, such as cucumber, avocado, furikake, edamame, wasabi mayo - whatever you like!Serve immediately and enjoy your authentic ahi tuna poke bowl!
-
This dish is best served and eaten immediately, although the marinade can last in the refrigerator up to 2 days.
We learned about authentic Hawaiian poke and adapted this recipe from @playswellwithbutter.
Please let us know in the comments if you enjoyed making - and eating - this recipe!
3. Read books about Hawaii’s history, mythology, food & culture
LITERARY GEMS TO LEARN ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Is there a greater joy than stumbling upon the perfect book to immerse yourself in a destination's culture, possibly even accompanying you on your trip there? Now that our stomachs are full of poke, we think not. Choose your adventure and connect with Kauai's culture through our recommendations below. Let us know in the comments which book and genre you’re drawn to most!
HAWAII’S HISTORY: Discover Hawaii's past with "Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America's First Imperial Adventure" by Julia Flynn Siler. This gripping narrative spills the tea on the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and Hawaii's bumpy road to becoming a U.S. state. Siler expertly uncovers this important piece of Hawaii’s past. If you’re a history lover, you will be hooked.
FOOD & CULTURE: Pack your appetite before reading "The Food of Paradise: Exploring Hawaii's Culinary Heritage" by Rachel Laudan. From traditional poi to tasty loco moco, this book dishes out delicious details of Hawaii's diverse food scene. Reading this may lead to spontaneous cravings for shave ice – you're welcome!
BEACH READ: "Shark Dialogues" by Kiana Davenport is a good choice to accompany you to Kauai’s stunning beaches. This epic novel weaves a multi-generational saga as four Hawaiian women navigate their family's tumultuous history. Just remember to reapply your SPF – this is one that may be difficult for you to put down.
4. Watch movies filmed on Kauai
OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED TO REWATCH JURASSIC PARK BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO KAUAI
We do our best to build your anticipation for your upcoming travels to Kauai, but we also know that Steven Spielberg can really do most of our heavy lifting. To no one’s surprise, we are insisting that you watch Jurassic Park (1993) before and after you travel to Kauai. Full disclosure: we also watched it while we were there, and can recommend that, too.
We know that life finds a way to fill your calendar, but we urge you make time to rewatch the best movie ever – or at the very least, treat yourself to a quick dopamine boost by catching the island arrival scene we've included above. We challenge you to watch it without feeling an overwhelming urge to hop on the next flight to Kauai and book yourself a helicopter tour (more on this in the next section).
It’s hard to pinpoint what makes Jurassic Park most impactful… is it the dinosaurs? The jaw-dropping scenery of Kauai (masquerading as Isla Nublar)? Or could it be John Hammond’s effortlessly chic white matching set? Cast your vote in the comments, please.
SHOP JOHN HAMMOND FASHION: Due to popular demand, here are a few ways to get John Hammond’s stylish look for less! While John would spare no expense, we were mindful of selecting high-quality items that are reasonably priced so you can look like the “clever girl” that you are. 😉
A FUN LITTLE FACT: Did you know that Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai during Jurassic Park’s scheduled final day of filming in September 1992? Steven Spielberg actually included footage of the hurricane’s aftermath in the completed film.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jurassic World (2015), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), The Descendants (2011), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), King Kong (1976), and Blue Hawaii (1961).
5. Go on an open-door helicopter tour over Kauai
TRUST US, AN AERIAL VIEW OF KAUAI IS THE BEST EXPERIENCE YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF
There are so many experiences on Kauai that are ultra fun and packed with adventure (surfing, hiking, and snorkeling are just a short list), but an open-door helicopter tour in Kauai is hands down one of the coolest experiences you can have in this lifetime. (For the record, closed-door tours are cool too, but let's be real, open-door is the fast track to street cred.) Not to worry, it's not nearly as scary as it might sound.
At Questy, we've got a foolproof formula for every trip: a perfect balance of exploration and relaxation, further enhanced with local dining, and one epic, potentially life-altering experience unique to the destination. With an open-door helicopter adventure, you'll soar right up close to Kauai's most jaw-dropping sights, from the iconic Na Pali Coast to the vast expanse of Waimea Canyon. It's a thrill ride and a spiritual journey all rolled into one – and trust us, the only tears you’re likely to shed will be tears of happiness. Just do it. 🚁
