After a sunny day on the golf course, you settle into the spacious lanai of your hillside villa to breathe in the refreshing trade winds. You can see the fairway you played earlier and the shimmering water just beyond. Perhaps you’ll start the day tomorrow with a yoga class or take the family snorkeling. Anything is possible in paradise.
With its superb climate, relaxed pace of life, and authentic feel, Kukui‘ula, set on the south shore of Kauai, is one of those special places where you can imagine vacationing again and again—or even permanently moving your family. You’ll find farm-to-table and seafood restaurants, great shopping nearby, a plush spa, and endless activities, plus gorgeous homes for sale and some of the most desirable coastal lots available on Kauai.
You’ll also discover a property that embraces the outdoors and wide-open spaces—not just in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as a way of life—making it a natural choice for families seeking worry-free time together. From the moment you arrive, it’s easy to feel at home.
The Magic of Kukui‘ula
Tucked on Kauai’s south coast in a region boasting beautiful beaches and more than 300 sunny days each year, Kukui‘ula takes its name from the traditional wayfaring practice of burning kukui nut oil to create a beacon—or a rustic lighthouse—to guide voyagers and fishermen back home.
It’s an apt name since so many travelers to Kukui‘ula turn into repeat visitors or even lifelong residents, convinced to return by the brilliant rainbows, migrating whales, and more. The resort and residential community makes the most of its coastal location with homes that complement the scenery. In fact, no building is taller than a swaying coconut tree, ensuring a stunning view whether it’s makai (“towards the sea”) or mauka (“towards the land”).
Guests also find a golf course on their doorstep and The Farm, a 10-acre organic farm, in their backyard, along with an array of resort amenities, including a pampering spa and sparkling pools. Additionally, Kukui‘ula is a place where “homegrown” is taken seriously. You’ll see sustainably grown produce and fish caught just offshore at the property’s two restaurants, ‘Umeke Restaurant + Bar and Makai Grill + Bar.
Perhaps most importantly in current times, Kukui‘ula easily accommodates social distancing. Most amenities are outdoors, homes and homesites are well spaced, and there are endless things to do without having to leave the property, guaranteeing a place that’s as safe as possible for families to gather no matter what’s going on in the world.
Homes and the Land
The magic of Kukui‘ula includes an approach to development where even turnkey homes that are move-in ready are artfully designed. An impressive list of renowned architects, such as Shay Zak, Olson Kundig, and Bing Hu, brought their visions to homes built on the hillside slopes and ocean overlooks. And each house comes complete with all the comforts and luxurious finishes you’d expect from a single-family home. There’s the Olson Kundig-designed Hale Nanea pavilion residence, which sits on a southwest-face slope above an orchard, offering panoramic views and lush landscaping as well as an elevated passage entry, airy gathering spaces, and expansive bedroom suites. Equally stunning is the three-bedroom, three-bathroom Kainani Villa 2, which features a verdant lawn and private pool just beyond a covered lanai.
If you’re looking to bring your own vision to life, Kukui‘ula is the very definition of prime real estate, with meticulously planned homesites offering perfect views of the dramatic coastline. Ranging from a third of an acre to three acres, each is ideally positioned and comes ready for you to build your dream home.
And if you just want to sample the Kukui‘ula lifestyle, renting a home or villa couldn’t be easier. The Lodge at Kukui‘ula offers three neighborhoods of private vacation homes (all with blissful outdoor showers) just steps from the clubhouse, which is the ideal location to experience the best of Kauai.
Whether you choose to stay for a little or settle in permanently, you can expect well-spaced accommodations that allow your family to be together without being too close to others—a fact that makes Kukui‘ula a no-brainer for a safe yet satisfying escape.
Living Well
At the heart of Kukui‘ula, The Club is a hub for fun, fitness, skill-building, and adventure, catering to individuals, couples, and families of all sizes. Anchored by a sprawling, plantation-style building, The Club includes access to the 18-hole, Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course and a 32-foot Yellowfin boat named Mahealani, among other perks. It also connects the community to local island culture through authentic rituals and events like hula, ukulele, and lei-making lessons, and offers fun programming like glow-in-the-dark yoga for teens, jewelry trunk shows, and build-your-own body scrub workshops.
For those who want to stay active, Kukui‘ula offers a plethora of sports and wellness features. Most are fully outdoors and well-spaced, naturally lending themselves to the current situation. Learn to sail a Hawaiian canoe, play Ukulele, or make a body scrub. Go surfing and enjoy snorkeling. Hit the tennis courts or head out on a guided hike. Other programming includes glow-in-the-dark yoga, full-moon dinners, New Year’s Eve fireworks, and jewelry trunk shows. There’s also a special program for kids ages 6 to 12, with activities like shave ice “happy hours,” seashell hunting, lawn games, and more.
Unwinding is taken just as seriously. Relax at the interlinking Makai Pools or book a soothing massage at the Hi‘ilani Spa + Fitness, where treatments are performed in a spacious, open-air setting. And one wall each of the fitness center and yoga studio open to nature, so you can enjoy the ocean view and feel safe and comfortable while working up a sweat.
You can also walk, hike, or bike upcountry to The Farm and pick your own flowers, tropical fruits, and seasonal herbs and vegetables. Get gardening advice from the local team of expert green thumbs and collect fresh eggs from the henhouse. On the way there, keep an eye out for native flora and fauna, including the nēnē goose, the beloved state bird of Hawai‘i. With this much to do on property, there’s no need to ever go offsite.
Dining and Shopping
With a distinctive emphasis on local ingredients and island flavors, Kauai offers one of the most exciting dining scenes in Hawai‘i—and Kukui‘ula is no exception. At the resort’s ‘Umeke Kitchen + Bar, executive chef Ben Takahashi works with island ranchers, purveyors, fishermen, and The Farm to offer a hyper-local menu rooted in Hawaiian regional cuisine. For a more casual option, Makai Grill + Bar is a poolside eatery specializing in down-to-earth dishes, such as poke bowls, musubi, and fresh salads and sandwiches, all made with produce sourced from The Farm.
You can find other renowned restaurants like Merriman’s and 1849 at The Shops at Kukui‘ula, along with boutiques, galleries, and a Wednesday farmers’ market. At this destination for the fashionably minded, iconic Hawaiian brands such as Blue Ginger and Mahina offer a stylish spin on the aloha lifestyle, including light fabrics in on-trend prints.
Whether dining out or shopping ’til you drop, you’ll feel utterly transported. Spending time at Kukui‘ula is to experience an enchanting playground, where you can live the dream and call breathtaking beauty home. There’s truly no reason to ever go anywhere else.
Learn more about visiting or how to own your next home in magical Kukui‘ula.
