Kaua'i has never been known for its nightlife. It's a rural island, where folks tend to retire early, and the streets are dark and deserted well before midnight. The island does have its nightspots, though, and the after-dark entertainment scene is expanding, especially in areas frequented by tourists.

Most of the island's dinner and lu'au shows are held at hotels and resorts. Hotel lounges are a good source of live music, often with no cover charge, as are a few bars and restaurants around the island.

Check the local newspaper, the Garden Island Times, for listings of weekly happenings, or tune in to community radio station KKCR -- found at 90.9 and 91.9 on the FM dial -- at 5:30 PM for the arts and entertainment calendar. Free publications such as Kaua'i Gold, This Week on Kaua'i, and Kaua'i Beach Press also list entertainment events. You can pick them up at Lihu'e Airport near the baggage claim area.

Lu’au’s

Luaus define Hawaiian feasts for most visitors, and they've become fairly standard. The main dish is always Kalua Pork from a whole pig cooked in an Imu pit. Some luaus let you in early to watch the pig go into the pit. Other standard dishes include barbecued chicken, teriyaki beef, several forms of rice, potatoes, salads etc.

The special Hawaiian dishes include lomi lomi salmon, assorted fresh grilled or raw pickled fish, ahi poke, haupia and a batch of other dishes better eaten than described. A trip through the food line to select tiny samples of everything, a quick taste test and a return to load up on your personal winners is recommended.

Poi, the pounded residue of Taro root, is a tourist vs. traveler test. To be brutally honest even the best slightly purple fresh poi tastes a lot like library paste. Most Haoles find poi tastes better after two or three drinks.

Drinks are, of course, often part of the package. Some luaus include two or three Mai Tais, Blue Hawaiians and other exotic and/or lethal liquor and fruit juice concoctions. Some do not, and offer open bars. All luaus offer all the non-alcoholic beverages. Some luaus seat everyone on the ground in ancient Hawaiian style; others seat some or all of the guests at tables, The Polynesian Cultural Center uses a theater.

Prices range from about $50 to about $90 for adults. Children under five are free, and those under 12 usually pay about half adult rates.

Some Kauai Lu’au’s:

Courtyard Kauai at Waipouli Beach, Themed Entertainment.  Kapa,  Phone 808-822-3455

Drums of Paradise Lu’au.  Dance, Music, Themed Entertainment.  Po’ipu Beach.  Phone 808-742-1234

Kaua’I Aloha Lu’au, Dance, Music, Themed entertainment.  Lihu’e.  Phone 808-335-5828

Tahiti Nui Lu’au.  Dance, Music, Themed Entertainment.  Hanalei.  Phone 808-826-6277

Some Dance Clubs and Bars:

Duke’s Barefood Bar.  Bar, Dance Club.  Lihu’e.  Phone 808-246-9599

Keoki’s Paradise.  Bar, Dance Club.  Po’ipu.  Phone 808-742-7354