October 19–25, 2026

Aloha from Kauaʻi! The Garden Isle is heading into a lively October week, and Saturday is the day to circle on your calendar. Downtown Līhuʻe will host the free Rice Street Block Party, with live music, local food, artisans and family activities. Earlier that day, Kauaʻi Museum’s Heritage Jamboree offers a chance to explore the island’s many cultural traditions.

The weather starts with breezy trade winds and passing showers, while park access continues to improve following Hurricane Lowell. Hāʻena State Park has reopened for reserved day visits, although some well-known trails and mountain parks are still closed. With a little planning, there is plenty to enjoy this week—from local markets and coffee shops to community celebrations and beach time.

Weather & Ocean Outlook

Monday brings coastal temperatures mostly in the upper 70s to upper 80s, depending on location. Moderate to locally strong easterly trade winds will keep showers focused on the North and East shores and in the mountains, especially overnight and in the early morning. The trades should ease Tuesday and Wednesday.

From Thursday into the weekend, winds may turn southeasterly as a low-pressure system develops north of Hawaiʻi. The exact timing and rainfall pattern remain uncertain, so keep an eye on the daily forecast before making longer outdoor plans.

East-facing beaches will be choppy early in the week, with Monday surf around 4–6 feet in the morning and 5–7 feet in the afternoon. North-facing surf is forecast to ease Monday, but another north-northwest swell may arrive over the weekend. South-facing surf should be smaller through much of the week, with a new swell possible toward the weekend.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for Kauaʻi coastal waters through early Tuesday, October 20. Always check the latest ocean forecast and ask a lifeguard before entering unfamiliar water.

Community Events This Week

Monday, October 19 — Anahola Farmers Market

Start the week at Anahola Marketplace, where the Anahola Farmers Market is scheduled from 3:00–6:00 p.m. Browse local produce, prepared foods, baked goods and handmade products.

It is a relaxed way to meet island growers and pick up something delicious for the week.

Tuesday, October 20 — Kauaʻi Made Craft Fair & Free Hula

The Kauaʻi Made Craft Fair at Kauaʻi Shores Hotel in Kapaʻa is scheduled from 3:00–7:00 p.m., with island-made art, gifts and crafts.

In Līhuʻe, the YWCA’s free hula lesson at Hale Līhuʻe runs from 4:00–5:00 p.m. Advance registration is requested. Both are good alternatives to an afternoon at the beach if trade winds remain strong.

Wednesday, October 21 — Makai Music & Art Festival

The free Makai Music & Art Festival returns to Princeville Makai Golf Club from 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Expect live music, local artists and vendors in a beautiful North Shore setting. Combine the festival with a morning in Kīlauea or Princeville, and check current road conditions before driving farther west.

Friday, October 23 — Family Movie Night in Līhuʻe

The Kauaʻi Police Department hosts a free Halloween-themed movie night from 5:30–8:00 p.m. at 3990 Kaʻana Street in Līhuʻe.

The evening features a screening of Minions & Monsters, trick-or-treating, games, police vehicle displays and a pumpkin giveaway while supplies last. Wear a costume and bring a blanket or lawn chair for the outdoor movie.

Saturday, October 24 — Kauaʻi Museum Heritage Jamboree

From 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Kauaʻi Museum at 4428 Rice Street hosts a free outdoor Heritage Jamboree.

Families can explore interactive cultural stations, collect stamps in a voyaging passport, learn about genealogy and enjoy performances representing Hawaiian, Okinawan, Filipino, Samoan and other island communities. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Saturday, October 24 — Rice Street Block Party

This is the week’s biggest recommendation. The free Rice Street Block Party takes over downtown Līhuʻe from 4:00–8:00 p.m., with three music stages, more than 100 local vendors, food trucks, artisans and a dedicated keiki play area.

The published entertainment schedule includes hula, local musicians and performances by Hawaiʻi Children’s Theatre and the Chiefess Kamakahelei ʻUkulele Band.

Plan around the road closure: Rice Street between Umi and Kalena streets and part of Kress Street will be closed from 2:00–10:00 p.m. Event parking is available at Wilcox Elementary School, the Līhuʻe Civic Center and Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall.

The Route 70 Līhuʻe Shuttle will not serve Rice Street stops during the closure; use the Eiwa Street stops instead.

Saturday, October 24 — Waimea Craft Fair & Halloween Movie

On the West Side, the Waimea Seniors Craft Fair runs from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Waimea Neighborhood Center, featuring handmade quilts, cards, paintings, crochet and other creations by local kūpuna.

Later, St. Theresa Parish’s free Spooky Pop-Up Market at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Church runs from 4:00–9:00 p.m., with local vendors and outdoor screenings of Hotel Transylvania 1 and 2 starting at 6:00 p.m.

Local Business Highlight — Downtown Līhuʻe

Saturday’s events make downtown Līhuʻe an especially rewarding place to spend locally. Stop by Rainbeau Jo’s on Rice Street for coffee and breakfast, or try Ha Coffee at Hale Līhuʻe for a morning pick-me-up.

Then browse Kauaʻi Museum, nearby independent shops and the Rice Street Block Party vendors. These small purchases support the people and businesses that keep downtown lively all year.

For handmade souvenirs, the Kauaʻi Made fairs and Saturday’s block party are excellent places to look for island art, jewelry, crafts and gifts directly from the makers. Check individual business hours before heading over, especially during the continuing hurricane recovery.

Park Reopenings & Visitor Travel Notes

A welcome change for North Shore visitors: Hāʻena State Park reopened on October 15. Day visitors can once again access the park and hike toward Hanakāpīʻai Beach/Valley and Hanakāpīʻai Falls, subject to current conditions.

Nonresident visitors need advance reservations for entry, parking or the shuttle. Overnight camping and travel farther along the Kalalau Trail beyond the two-mile point remain closed until further notice.

Elsewhere, Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon state parks remain closed due to storm damage, and Kōkeʻe Road is still closed.

At Wailua River State Park, paddling to the designated landing and trailhead is permitted, but hiking beyond the trailhead to Uluwehi/Secret Falls remains closed. Individual kayakers may not use the Fern Grotto landing.

Do not rely on older travel guides for park access this week.

Road & Transportation Advisories

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation lists weekday single-lane work October 19–23 along Kaumualiʻi Highway near Kahili Road in Kōloa (8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) and near Piko Road in Lāwaʻi (8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.).

On Kūhiō Highway, expect possible daytime delays in Anahola, Moloaʻa, Kalihiwai–Princeville and Princeville–Hanalei for crosswalk installation, storm-debris cleanup and tree work.

A 24-hour westbound closure of Haleko Road at Nāwiliwili Road in Līhuʻe is also listed for October 19–23. Waimea Canyon Drive has single-lane shoulder-widening work near Kōkeʻe Road from 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., although the state parks themselves remain closed. All construction schedules are weather dependent.

For Saturday’s Rice Street Block Party, avoid driving through downtown Līhuʻe between 2:00 and 10:00 p.m. unless you are attending the event. Use designated parking and expect extra pedestrian activity.

An Easy Way to Plan the Week

Early week: Choose a morning beach walk or open coastal stop, then browse the Anahola Farmers Market Monday or the Kauaʻi Made Craft Fair Tuesday. On Wednesday, spend the afternoon with local musicians and artists at Princeville Makai.

Friday: Keep the evening easy with the Kauaʻi Police Department’s family movie night in Līhuʻe.

Saturday: Make it a full Līhuʻe culture day—Kauaʻi Museum’s Heritage Jamboree in the morning, a leisurely lunch and independent shops in the afternoon, and the Rice Street Block Party from 4:00–8:00 p.m. If you are based on the West Side, Waimea’s craft fair and spooky market make an equally fun alternative.

Visitor Tip of the Week

This is the kind of week when Kauaʻi’s community calendar can be just as memorable as its beaches. Let weather and ocean conditions guide your mornings, and save room for an unexpected market, a conversation with a local artist or a live music performance.

Respect the remaining park closures, allow extra time around roadwork, and enjoy the places that are ready to welcome visitors.

Have a wonderful week on the Garden Isle. Aloha! 🌺