If it’s Friday night, that means there’s a party going on in Hanapepe on Kauai’s west side, and, despite its name, it’s not only for art aficionados.
From 6 to 9 p.m., the usually sleepy enclave comes to life with activities, entertainment and great food galore!
Started in 1997 by the Hanapepe Economic Alliance, a dedicated group of gallery and shop owners, the weekly festivities feature nonstop music — blues, jazz, Hawaiian, classic rock, even a string quartet on occasion.
Palate pleasers include sushi, smoothies, pizza, tacos, Thai food, homemade soups, malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) and huli huli chicken sizzling on a grill outside Bobbie’s restaurant.
In addition to karaoke, fashion shows and cultural demonstrations such as poi pounding, don’t miss machinemachine, a studio in an auto repair shop where owner Shannon Hiramoto “up-cycles” vintage clothing into one-of-a-kind apparel.
On Art Night, she often projects surf movies on the big wall next to her studio.
Offerings at this down-home celebration constantly change: you could attend it every week and still find something new to see and do.