The Garden Isle is still a country cousin compared to the other three major Hawaiian Islands and its signature festival, the Mokihana Festival, is practically a backyard hoedown compared to Oahu's extensive and extremely crowded Aloha Festivals. The weeklong fest runs in September each year with events running the gamut of Hawaiian culture from hula auana (contemporary) and kahiko (ancient) to Hawaiian music (hymns and church music and instrumental stylings such as slack-key and steel guitar) to programs highlighting the cultural heritage of Kauai. The event tends to fall in the latter half of September, a great time to visit Kauai as that's hump season and rarely a heavy time for visitors. The venues for these events are universally stellar, from palm groves and posh resorts in Poipu to the soaring cliffs of Princeville. If you want an excuse to check out Kauai and do the Hawaii culture thing, a most excellent pretense awaits.

Note: the 2007 festivals are running September 23-29. Here's a schedule of events.

—Alex, 09/23/07