Kaua‘i: What’s Blooming on the Garden Isle

LĪHU‘E, KAUA‘I – It’s an exciting time for Kaua‘i with another blockbuster Hollywood movie production making plans to begin location filming this summer and utilize the spectacular beauty of the “Garden Island” in telling its story.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Disney coming to Kaua‘i to film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and fans can expect our island to look as gorgeous and inviting as ever when the movie hits the big screen,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director for the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. “Being in the midst of Kaua‘i’s beauty is always such an enjoyable and inspiring experience. It’s by far the quality that visitors and Hollywood find most appealing whenever they come here.”

Following are newsworthy events and items that are “blooming” on the Garden Isle of Kaua‘i.

WHAT’S NEW
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” Filming on Kaua‘i
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the newest sequel in Walt Disney Pictures’ hit series, is scheduled to begin filming on Kaua‘i this summer. The movie stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa, and is scheduled for release in 2011. Pirates is the latest in a long string of movies and television shows to use Kaua‘i’s tropical beauty as a scenic backdrop, following such popular hits as South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Thorn Birds, Jurassic Park, Tropic Thunder, and Avatar.

Kaua‘i is Pandora?
Avatar, the science fiction movie blockbuster, drew on Kaua‘i’s lush, rainforest environment for inspiration in depicting the earth-like moon Pandora where much of the story takes place. Three years ago, Avatar director James Cameron and some of the film’s actors, including Sigourney Weaver, spent several days shooting scenes in the area above Keahua Arboretum at the base of Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale. Cameron wanted a jungle-like setting and pristine waterfalls shown in Avatar, and Kaua‘i helped fill that role.

Kaua‘i is Hawai‘i’s Best Island – Travel + Leisure
Popularly known as the Garden Isle, Kaua‘i can now add the title of “Hawai‘i’s Best Island” as voted on by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in the latest World’s Best Awards. Travel + Leisure surveyed its readers asking them to rate the islands of Hawai‘i on their natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people, and value. Kaua‘i was the choice for #1.

The St. Regis Princeville Resort Debuts
The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kaua‘i’s picturesque north shore is open following a top-to-bottom renovation of the 252-room property in keeping with Starwood Hotels’ most exclusive brand. An exciting new attraction is Kaua‘i Grill, the signature restaurant by world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Guests will enjoy Asian-influenced dishes and the distinctive flair that Jean-Georges has brought to his first restaurant in Hawai‘i. www.stregisprinceville.com/kauai

Waimea a Top Five Destination – TripAdvisor®
TripAdvisor®, the popular website for travel advice, has named Waimea, Kaua‘i, a top U.S. destinations for 2010, making it one of only five U.S. destinations to be so honored. TripAdvisor conducted a travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers in determining its five top destinations for the year. ≈

“Jurassic Falls” Exclusive Helicopter Tour
Steven Spielberg made the 400-foot Manawaiopuna Falls famous in his film classic, Jurassic Park, and now Island Helicopters offers an exclusive tour to this remote, magnificently beautiful site. The helicopter lands near the base of “Jurassic Falls,” from where visitors can take photos and experience the grandeur of the area. The helicopter ride includes a 90-minute tour of Kaua‘i. www.islandhelicopters.com

Zip Trek Nui Loa – Outfitters Kaua‘i
Outfitters Kaua‘i has introduced a new zip line tour called “Zip Trek Nui Loa” highlighted by a new 1,800-foot zip line course that takes guests on a soaring ride above a scenic forest canopy. www.outfitterskauai.com

Kaua‘i’s First Homegrown Rum by Kōloa Rum Company
Kōloa Rum Company is now offering Kaua‘i’s first-ever homegrown rum made from molasses of high-quality sugarcane grown on island. Distilled and blended on Kaua‘i, this authentic, premium rum produced by Kaua‘i’s first commercial rum company was recently introduced at Kilohana Plantation in Lïhu‘e and features a full tasting room and tour. www.koloarum.com

Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort Open on Po‘ipü Beach
From its prime location on beautiful Po‘ipü Beach, the recently opened Ko‘a Kea Hotel & Resort offers stunning ocean views and a contemporary design in the guestrooms and suites of this luxurious, boutique 121-room hotel. Highlights include the Spa at Ko‘a Kea and Red Salt restaurant, which features a menu created by Executive Chef Ronnie Sanchez who comes from the three-star Michelin-rated El Bulli restaurant in Spain. www.koakea.com

The Grove Café Opens at Waimea Plantation Cottages
The Grove Café presented by Waimea Brewing Company offers tropical delicacies under the palms of the serene, classic island setting at Aston Waimea Plantation Cottages. On Thursday and Friday evenings, guests can enjoy live Hawaiian music and relax with Lilikoi Ale, a local favorite and one of eight beers brewed by Waimea Brewing Company. www.astonhotels.com

Merriman’s Kaua‘i Opens at Kukui‘ula Village Shopping Center
Chef Peter Merriman has opened his newest restaurant in Po‘ipü at the brand new Kukui‘ula Village. Chef Merriman serves Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine in an elegant, but island-casual setting for an exquisite dining experience with his signature ‘Farm to Table’ concept. Ninety percent of his products are locally grown or caught using sustainable methods.
www.merrimanshawaii.com

“King Kong” at Princeville Ranch Adventures
“King Kong” has come to Princeville Ranch Adventures in the form of a thrilling new giant aerial zip line course. The 1,200-foot zip line allows guests to “fly” while enjoying magnificent views of Hihimanu Mountain. www.adventureskauai.com

North Shore’s New Weekly Lü‘au
Hanalei Colony Resort on the north shore is offering a lü‘au every Tuesday evening featuring a lavish buffet of Hawaiian favorites, including lomi lomi salmon, taro rolls, poi, fresh island fish, kalua pork, and haupia cake, along with a variety of other dishes. Guests also enjoy the music and dance of Hawai‘i and Tahiti. Advance reservations are required. www.hcr.com



For more information about Kaua‘i – Hawai‘i’s Island of Discovery – visit www.KauaiDiscovery.com or call the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau toll-free at 800-262-1400.

Follow updates about Kaua‘i via Twitter (@kauaidiscovery) and as a fan on its Facebook page as Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.

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