Post #421267 by Hibiscus on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 12:35 PM

Our first stop - Tahiti Nui, or Da Nui, as it's known locally, bills itself as the oldest bar in Hawaii. Their website is http://www.thenui.com for more detailed info.

We set out from our hotel in Poipu on the south coast of Kauai and wanted to drive as far as the road let us go to the north, knowing that it ends abruptly at a beach and the start of the Napali Coast, where roads cease to be possible because of the massive, gorgeous cliffs. We knew we'd be driving through Hanalei, so we wanted to make sure we stopped at the Nui. It was still closed when we first arrived in the afternoon, but after driving to the end of the road and back through Hanalei again, it had luckily opened. We were still too early for the entertainment which comes on later at night, but the mai tais and the vibe were terrific nonetheless...

The bar is very eclectic and "homey", for lack of a better word. Photos of the owners, random memorabilia, and wonderful old school tiki touches were everywhere.

Here's one of the carved tabletops -

Carved bar stools (with random feet!) -

Enjoying the mai tais -

Tiki outside -

Nearby was a small shop called Havaiki, which sold all kinds of amazing South Pacific art and artifacts, from carved bone jewelry to rare antique weapons from Papua New Guinea. There was even a skull exhibited from headhunting times (didn't get a picture - sorry!)

One of the cool tikis outside the shop -

Next up - Don the Beachcomber's in Kona!

[ Edited by: hibiscus 2008-11-29 12:27 ]