Posted a request in the wrong area - so will try here

Aloha
- we will be in The Kapaa area from Sept. 15 to 22 this year and B.I from 22 to 29.

Looking for some NICE - but not $$$ dinning. We have not been to Kauai for 10 years, but this will be our 4th or 5th trip to both. We are staying at the same places that we have stayed before, but wondering about some "NEW"stuff to see & do.

We will do a Smith Luau (for old times sake) and have added The Kipu Ranch overland trip - plus all the other wonderfull K treats.

Any updates we should know about (did Heli tour of the canyon, etc).

On B.I. we will be in Kona - again it's been 10 year so I suppose there are some "new"attractions - although - nothing wrong with revisiting all.

Will try for a Heli flight from Hilo - over Madam Pele's domain (never done by heli).

We are both "out of our JIVE stage" - so much hikeing will not be attempted.

Other than that ? - any suggestions - all you kamaiana.
Mahalo Nui- Loa.

BBT

In Kapa'a try Kauai Pasta. I also enjoyed House of Noodles -- but I'm not sure what you consider NICE. These are reasonably priced and delicious. On the north end of Kapa'a I love Scotty's BBQ.

I'm getting hungry just thinking about these places. Enjoy!

Have not eaten here yet, but Hukilau Lanai gets rave reviews over on TripAdvisor (lots of folks on the Kauai forum there) and I also liked Scotty's. Also like Duke's in Lihue in the Marriott hotel there. Good salad bar, great fish and beef.

Aloha! Just returned from a week on Kauai. A must for us is Roy's in Poipu. The food is always delicious. It is a little pricey but worth it. On the other end of the scale is a new place we discovered this trip. It's a shrimp truck called "Savage Shrimp" and is located on Poipu Rd heading towards Spouting Horn just past the rotary (traffic circle). We had the garlic shrimp and it was wonderful. Think the truck is only there for lunch. Another must for us is Bubba's Burgers in Kapa'a. In Koloa, try the Koloa Fish MArket. Great local Hawaiian plate meals (kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice...) Ono food! It's counter service and they only accept cash.

For breakfast, we went to Dani's Restaurant on Rice Rd in Lihue. It's a local place with great papaya pancakes and kalua pig omelettes.

Have a wonderful vacation!

If you venture up to North Kohala, there are some nice restaurants in Hawi and Kapa'au.

Bamboo is the best known, and there is music on Friday or Saturday night. http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/restaurant.html

Also in Hawi, with an excellent reputation for fresh, local and very innovative food, is Sushi Rock. http://sushirockrestaurant.net/

In the next town over, Kapa'au, there is a newer restaurant called Pico's Bistro. It's also very fresh, homemade Greek & Hawaiian grilled meats & fish, with just a few outdoor tables. It's part of a complex with a tiny museum dedicated to a local fisherman, and an artist cooperative. http://picosbistro.angelfire.com/

There are several new ziplines on the island which are getting good reviews. When I go, I also check out the Full Moon Talk Story at the Mauna Lani (Saturday nearest the full moon, so it might be on the 25th) which is a free evening of Hawaiian music and dance near a cottage by the beach. Call the concierge to check.

Sorry I don't know Kona restaurants that well, but I hope you have a magical time!

In Kauai you will also want to go to Josselin's, in Poipu, which is about 8 months old. Lots of good options, very good sangria. If you take a drive north, to Hanaelei, visit Hanalei Dolphin for lunch or dinner (we preferred the latter). Have fun.

Great suggestion from tengohambre for Josselin's, if you have been to Kauai before, he used to be the chef at the famous A Pacific Cafe in the shopping center where the Safeway is in Kapa'a.
cAlso new to Kauai is Merriman's in the same new Poipu shopping center as Josselin's, the downstairs is less $$$ than the upstairs reportedly - these are both new since my last visit in Sep. 2009.

for fun try tubing in Kauai. We have done it 2x now and love it. You can make reservation on line.....New restaurant Red Salt in Poipu - very good, pricey however - maybe a special night out. And as touristy as it is, the food is actually good at Keoki's Paradish in Poipu and I love the atmosphere....

T Y V M - or as they say - Mahalo nui loa.

Made note of suggestions - will try a few out - starting next Wed.

bbt