Two hour guided exploration through our gardens and processing facilities. On the North Shore of Kaua‘i, there’s a farm where plants are called allies and the farmers are herbalists. Kaua‘i Farmacy creates plant-based medicine from crops grown on the company’s Kīlauea organic farm.  In 2017 Kaua‘i Farmacy began offering tours. The company employs a unique in-house farming model where it grows, processes, cures, packages and sells over 50 healing remedies, ranging from teas to culinary powders and moisturizing balms. Kaua‘i Farmacy offers a two-hour tour twice a week, and its apothecary is open on weekdays. All of the company’s products are available online.  Kaua‘i Farmacy founders are Doug and Genna Wolkon. They credit their herbal lifestyle to the noni (indian mulberry) leaf, which they began using early on in tea and as a poultice for sprains. The Wolkons moved to Kaua‘i in 2007 with their first child, abandoning an intense city lifestyle on the East Coast. Within four years, after what he called an “immersion” in herbs, the couple bought the 4-acre property along Kīlauea Stream. On the organic farm today, 15 gardeners and herbalists grow, hand-pick and process it all using solar dehydrators. It took the Wolkons years of trial and error, discovering each plant’s optimal growing condition and how they work together, before they opened the garden to visitors.  Tours from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays. Cost is $55 for adults, $10 for children. Reservations required. The apothecary is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Kaua‘i Farmacy, 4731G Kūawa Road, Kīlauea, (808) 828-6525, kauaifarmacy.com

Kauai Blood Drive at the War Memorial (4191 Hardy Street) hosting their first Neighbor Island drive since February. They are excited to reunite with their donors on Kauai and have implemented many additional safety protocols to protect donors and staff. Check below to find dates and times!

Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Make an Appointment

Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Make an Appointment

Thursday, Aug. 27 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make an Appointment

Click a link above or call (808) 848-4770 to make an appointment. 

The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon are one of the most beautiful destination races in the world today. Taking place on September 6, 2020 this race is a great way to combine a unique experience and a get-away that only Kauai can offer. Participants pass hula dancers and Taiko drum troupes along the course while viewing striking mountain views. Each runner concludes his or her journey along one of the most beautiful oceanfront finish lines in road racing. The mission of the event is simply to gather residents and visitors together for a world-class race experience that fosters camaraderie, friendship, and charitable giving. While the main event is the Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon, there are so many other festivities throughout the race weekend that bring people of all ages together to make this one of the most unique destination races in the world.  From the Fun Run and Keiki events on Saturday morning to the Sports and Fitness Expo complimentary presentations to gorgeous dancers, cultural course entertainment, and volunteers and spectators on race day that inspire and encourage participants to keep going. This aloha spirit and community generosity make this a truly special event.  Fitness enthusiasts and families from all over the U.S. and several countries will gather on Kauai to see and try what’s new in athletic footwear, apparel, fitness equipment, nutrition, and cross-training...prior to experiencing The Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon. Register Here Today!

Koloa Plantation Days Family Fun Run Race Description
The best views on Kauai await in this fun event for the whole family. Koloa Plantation Days Family Fun Run race is in Poipu, Kauai on July 26, 2020. On Kauai's south shore, you'll travel along the coastline with picturesque views all along the way. There are five water stations along the route, with happy helpful support people cheering you on.

At the finish you're invited to have a small bite of breakfast and refreshments while perusing the silent auction tables for the Kukuiula Outrigger Canoe Club fundraiser.

Start Times

6:00 am: 10 mile walk

6:30 am: 10 mile run

6:45 am: 10K

7:00 am: 5K

8:30 am: 1 mile keiki run 

Awards for the top three men/women finishers overall for each event, plus first place men/women in each age division will take place at the finish of the keiki one mile run...approximately 8:45 am. For more details about this and other Koloa Plantation Days events please visit:

Koloa Plantation Days Family Fun Run

Please note that in-person festivities for this year have been canceled due to Covid-19
Please follow them for a virtual event on Saturday July 25th, 10am to get together plantation style!

Click Here for more information. Save the date for next year’s festival July 23 - August 1, 2021. 

Koloa Plantation Days are held on Kauai's south shore every year in July. The many ethnic groups that came to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations, and the Hawaiians who welcomed them, are celebrated through music, dance, costumes, and food throughout this ten-day festival. Held in the area where Hawaii's first sugar plantation was founded in 1835, Koloa Plantation Days comprises a lively, family-oriented slate of events that showcase the area's social history, its natural history, and its diverse cultural traditions. In addition, numerous events allow attendees to enjoy the sports activities and entertainment available at the gracious resorts in the Poipu and Koloa area. Most events are outdoors and free of charge. 

Cultural Heritage

Koloa Plantation Days will also celebrate the immigrants who came from Philippines, Europe, the Azores, Japan, Korea, China, and elsewhere who contributed traditions, music, dances, and foods to the rich melting pot that is Hawaii. You'll experience these cultures throughout the week from the first walk down Hapa Trail and a rodeo weekend featuring paniolo culture, through a variety of live music events and cultural performances, a historic exhibit and film night, craft fairs, culinary demonstrations and tasting events, Polynesian revue, and the historic parade and park celebration which brings all these elements together. Hawaiian culture, traditions, crafts, and music are the foundation of this island, and various events will remind us and teach us about this culture and history. There are nature walks that reveal the unique flora, fauna, geology, and archaeology of the south shore, hosted talk stories including a guided view of Kaniolouma and a watercolor painting workshop in a pristine part of the coastline.

Koloa Plantation Days also celebrates the present-day vitality of Koloa and Poipu, a major visitor destination on Kauai. Resorts and businesses welcome visitors and residents to enjoy guided walks and talk stories, outdoor sports and a variety of themed keiki activities, live music and celebrations, and play golf and tennis. Everyone can also watch top rodeo competitors from the state and mainland. Many community organizations, foundations, businesses, resorts, and residents provide many hours of volunteer work, locations for events, and financial support for this festival. It is also sponsored in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. 

Hawaii State officials will postpone a plan to permit tourists to travel to Hawai‘i if they obtain a negative test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure for at least 30 days, until Sept. 1. The announcement was made Monday by Gov. David Ige, apparently bowing to increasing pressure from the state’s four mayors, doctors and the public to put off the option for tourists to come to Hawai‘i if they test negative or, if they decline to take a test, accept a 14-day quarantine after they arrive. At a news conference, Ige also said Hawai‘i schools are still on track to reopen on Aug. 4, utilizing a so-called “blended” approach mixing in-person instruction and distance learning. He said delaying allowing tourists to come to the state based on a single negative COVID test would avoid having the new tourism standards and reopening of schools occur during the same week. “We obviously are talking to the mayors and (the Department of Education) about whether it’s safe to reopen the schools,” Ige said. “At this point, we do believe it is safe.” Eliminating the testing option will leave in place the mandatory quarantine for all tourists, as well as residents who travel outside the state and return. Ige’s decision came after more than a week of growing controversy over whether the state is ready for tourists who would avoid quarantine entirely. Reaction to Ige’s announcement was swift. Mark Perriello, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, said, “the state and counties must recognize the tremendous sacrifice that our small businesses are making in order to help safeguard the health of Hawai‘i’s residents.” Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, in a statement after the announcement said, “The governor and his team put together a good plan but unfortunately, circumstances on the mainland changed drastically these past few weeks and I believe the governor made the right decision. Quite frankly, now is not the time for leisurely travel. And if you absolutely must travel, you need to quarantine for 14 days.” The governor acknowledged that the postponement of the new tourism rules would increase already significant economic hardship throughout the islands. He said the ramifications for people and their families meant it was “not a simple decision. “Our economy has suffered. This will make our economic recovery more challenging, but your health and safety comes first. I know these are difficult times. I am confident that, together, we will prevail.” There was also concern within the medical community. Dr. Lee Evslin, an organizer of an ad hoc committee of doctors and community leaders that has been pressing for a requirement for not just one, but two COVID tests, separated by a mandatory six-day quarantine, said “I am glad it has been delayed. I think it is the only choice at this time. “I remain very worried that the current plan for reopening, whenever it happens, will not provide enough safety.” Ige said the change in policy was necessitated by the explosive growth of COVID cases on the mainland, especially in California, Arizona, Texas and Florida. A second factor, Ige said, was the abrupt decision by a leading manufacturer or COVID testing reagents to strip Hawaii of half the supply the state was receiving so the chemicals can be reallocated to more severely affected states, like California. “We have always said we will make decisions based on the health and safety of our community as our highest priority,” Ige said. “On the mainland, we continue to see uncontrolled outbreaks and surges. We do not believe that will change significantly by Aug. 1.” Ige made the decision after at least three virtual meetings with the state’s four mayors last week at which the mayors urged delay. Despite the governor’s announcement, American Airlines confirmed it still plans to restart nonstop service to Lihue from at least Los Angeles that day. United Airlines did not respond to requests for comment. Alaska Airlines, whose flight schedules showed on Monday that it, too, would resume nonstop service to Lihu‘e from as many as three airports on Aug. 1 said its plans were being “reevaluated.” Southwest Airlines, which has been flying to Lihu‘e through Honolulu for several weeks, said, “we don’t have any updates specific to our Hawaii schedule.” Delta Airlines did not respond; Hawaiian Airlines said it would be “scaling back” its previously announced plans to resume service from the mainland in the wake of Ige’s announcement. Resumption of direct flights from the mainland to Lihu‘e could substantially increase the number of tourists flooding the island. Ige said the COVID testing system in Hawai‘i was unexpectedly thrown into chaos last week by Roche Diagnostics’ withdrawal of half the state’s supply of testing reagents. He said tests processed in Hawai‘i can return results within 24 to 48 hours, but if testing samples have to be sent to the mainland, the turnaround time can be between five and 10 days—so long that test results might be useless to public officials trying to track active cases.

Underwater videographer Terry Lilley said he had a recent surprising encounter in Hanalei Bay while diving to check out reef health at a place known as “the bowl.” He was joined by a young hawksbill turtle, he said “only the fifth one I have ever seen on Kaua‘i after 20 years of diving here.” Hawksbill turtles are endangered and protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. They are smaller than green sea turtles, and have a unique beak and a beautiful shell. According to the Maui Ocean Center, the majority of the hawksbills in the state live near Hawai‘i Island, and a few live on Maui and Moloka‘i. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says they monitor 20 to 25 females who nest annually on Hawai‘i Island. NOAA Fisheries says hawksbill turtles can be found throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, but loss of reef habitat has affected population numbers. Hunting has also led to the ESA listing of the species. Lilley was thrilled to see the endangered turtle at Hanalei Bay, but said he was just as excited to see “hundreds of new antler corals” near the bowl. “Some were already 15 inches tall, and these corals have made a whole new habitat for marine life,” Lilley said. “These corals are so important, as they grow up to three foot tall and are what make the wave hollow at the bowl.” Signs of healthy coral are being seen all over the island, according to citizen divers and reports from the state’s aquatic team, which has been doing underwater monitoring in ‘Anini Bay and has observed signs of recovery since coral disease was recorded in September 2019.

Starting Aug. 1st, travelers who test negative for coronavirus no more than 72 hours before arriving in Hawaii will be able to avoid the state’s mandatory quarantine. Gov. David Ige said the pre-testing plan will allow the tourism industry to reopen without a significant spike in new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii. “We recognize that there are many concerns that continue,” Ige said. “We believe this process of pre-testing does allow us to bring travelers back to Hawaii in a way that maintains a priority on the health and safety of our community.” Ige and other administration officials have pointed to a similar model being used in Alaska as proof that a pre-testing requirement can work. Alaska also provides testing upon landing, but Ige said that wasn’t practical for the islands. Mayor Kirk Caldwell acknowledged trepidation at the prospect of reopening tourism, especially given a worrisome surge of coronavirus cases in some parts of the mainland. But he said the safeguards in place, including contact tracing and widespread testing, will allow Hawaii to “live with the virus.” “We need to return to welcoming visitors to our shores,” Caldwell said. “For the state of Hawaii, we have approximately 240,000 unemployed people. We’re not going to see a return to a level of employment that we had before unless we open up to visitors.”
Pre-test part of multi-layered system
Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who helped develop the plan with the help of the health care professionals and business leaders, said it’s not a silver bullet but part of a “multi-layered system.”That system also includes a travel form, health screening questions, and a temperature check. He added that Hawaii is working with CVS and others to stand up a system to access traveler testing results to ensure they’re legitimate, but the details are still being hammered out. At the news conference, House Speaker Scott Saiki also said lawmakers have set aside $90 million for thermal screening machines at airports, a web-based traveler information system and supplies.

Out of state visitors will have to wait until at least August, as Hawaii has extended its mandatory 14-day quarantine through the end of July. The news has been greeted with mix results, as expected. The absence of tourism is very good for the overall health of the islands, but also very difficult for those who work in tourism. Some business leaders have been frustrated by the lack of a clear plan about when tourism will open - you can’t plan without a plan. But for now, the State appears content operating on a month-by-month basis, which, to be fair, also makes sense given the uncertain nature of things.
Hawaii’s government said that “safe routes” are being considered as a potential option upon reopening. That is, that tourism could restart in stages, with only specific “safe routes” being able to fly to the islands - for example, places such as New Zealand, which has reported zero cases. “The trouble for us is the novel coronavirus is spreading around the world, and we’re at different stages within the U.S. and around the world,” Ige said. Indeed, the coronavirus remains a moving target, and even “safe routes” could quickly become “unsafe routes” in the blink of an eye if new cases emerge. For now, cancel any travel plans you may have been envisioning for July, and keep an eye out to see what August might bring.