Kauai Poke Fest - June 3

Is named one of the top-five food festivals in America. Get tickets now - they sell out fast!

KOLOA LANDING - More than 500 pounds of fresh ahi tuna poke is served with professional and amateur cooks competing for the title. James Beard Award-winning chef Sam Choy — revered as the godfather of poke — hosts this event; super inventive variations on the iconic Hawaiian dish make this one of the most fun and underrated food festivals around.

Celebrity chefs Aarón Sánchez and Ronnie Rainwater will also be in attendance. The festival will include live entertainment, 20 professional and amateur chefs creating unique and delicious dishes for everyone to try. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

Kauai has never been as popular as Honolulu or Maui, but it’s a favorite island among nature lovers and adventure seekers for tranquil waterfall hikes, deserted beaches, cliff diving and rich local culture. Kauai is the same size as O’ahu, but home to less than 75,000 people. With Mālama Hawai’i, guests can earn free or discounted nights or other hotel perks at participating hotels when completing beach clean-ups or volunteering at a local nursery with reforestation efforts. For more information, visit https://kauaipokefest.com/

Where to Stay: Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection is an excellent choice for families, casual and fun with great service. The villas are well-appointed for extended stays with large private lanais, ensuite laundry and gourmet kitchens equipped with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. For more information, visit https://koloalandingresort.com/

Bruneau Dunes Park boasts the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America with a peak rising 470 feet above the surrounding desert floor. Explore the dunes in your hiking boots or rent a sandboard from the Visitor Center, but off-road vehicles are only permitted on the main road.

You can also fish for bluegill in the lakes at the foot of the dune; unlock the mystery of the desert with a breathtaking hike or horseback ride; plan a group picnic or visit the Bruneau Dunes Observatory and gaze at the night sky through the Observatory’s collection of telescopes.

With one of the longest camping seasons in the Idaho Parks system, Bruneau Dunes State Park offers camping opportunities throughout