Rice Street Block Party

By Tommy Noyes

Lihu‘e’s town core will be Kaua‘i’s most happening place from Monday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 17.

The week’s finale is the Rice Street Block Party on Saturday, Nov. 17, a free street festival that’s scheduled to include entertainers Kirby Keough, Shilo Pa, 1st Cut, Augie T, and Day Day.

The venue will be packed with vendors, food trucks, performers, a live street art project, and more.

From 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 17 until after the Block Party, Kress and Rice streets are scheduled to be a dedicated pedestrian mall closed to motor vehicle traffic between the Rice Street Shopping Center and the intersection with Hardy and Kalena streets.

Check www.RiceStreetKauai.org for updated Block Party details.

“The Lihu‘e Business Association was a sponsor of the Block Party last year, and it was fabulous! We are really excited to be collaborating with so many wonderful organizations and businesses to make this year’s festival even more memorable,” said LBA’s president Pat Griffin.

Crowd estimates last year were in the 5,000 to 7,000 range, with a bigger turnout expected this year.

Makana is seen here performing during last year’s Rice Street Block Party. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Fitness Week on Rice kicks off the celebrations Nov. 12. Get Fit Kaua‘i is coordinating Fitness Week on Rice, bringing together some of the finest fitness centers in the Lihu‘e area, and offering participants special deals that week on classes, events and community experiences.

Fitness Week on Rice details are at https://getfitkauai.com/fitnessweek. You can participate in Fitness Week with the Punch Card Challenge — it’s easy and fun. First, pick up your Fitness Week on Rice Punch Card at any of the participating fitness centers or download a copy from Get Fit Kaua‘i’s site listed above. You can try different studios and fitness centers during Fitness Week to get your maximum one star per location.

As a bonus, take a slow roll with Bikes on Rice Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and receive a star on your Punch Card. Just bring your bicycle to the Lihu‘e Civic Center on Rice Street at 4:30 p.m. for an easy-paced, guided bicycle ride on Lihu‘e’s quiet streets that is suitable for riders of all abilities.

Bring your Punch Card to the Block Party on Saturday, Nov. 17, between 4 and 7 p.m. to be eligible for amazing prizes. Collect a minimum of one star to be eligible. However, the more stars you collect, the bigger the prizes.

On Saturday, Nov. 17 the Block Party activities get under way at Kalena Park with the “2018 Conquer Kalena 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament,” with categories for boys and girls in grades 5 through 8. Reach out to Clyde Vito at (808) 335-3731 or hanapepenc@kauai.gov for tournament details.

The Kress Building’s construction fence will be the canvas for an amazing street art happening. Artists will slam vibrant images onto the wall before your eyes, and participants can create elements for their own mural with guidance from our beloved local artist and mentor Carol Yotsuda.

This is a celebration not to be missed in the heart of Kaua‘i!

• Tommy Noyes is Kaua‘i Path’s executive director, a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor and active with the Kaua‘i Medical Reserve Corps.