LIHUE, Hawaii — Lihue’s popular annual event, the family-focused Rice Street Block Party, will close down Rice Street with live entertainment, fun activities and rides for the keiki, food trucks and more. It returns on Oct. 29 from 4 to 8 p.m.

What You Need To Know

  • Rice St. between Umi and Kalena streets and Kress St. between Rice and Halenani streets will be closed from 3 to 10 p.m.

  • The public can access free parking at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and the Lihue Civic Center

  • The Kauai Bus will also be available, providing free service islandwide on Oct. 29

“This event aims to bring our community together in our revitalized Rice Street district to experience art, culture, food, shopping, entertainment and to learn more about our Lihue Civic Center Mobility Plan and Kauai Climate Adaptation Plan, which are currently in the planning stages,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami.

“The first Rice Street Block Party was held in 2017 to help our community envision what our then-proposed Rice Street improvements would look like. Now that our Lihue Town Core Mobility and Revitalization Project is complete, we can see up-close how far we’ve come,” continued Mayor Kawakami.

Long-time radio personality Ron Wiley will have emcee duties on the HMSA Rice Street stage featuring Cruz Control, Kawaiola Productions and Kapena throughout the event. Rice Shopping Center will host muralists creating art, food vendors, artisans, a classic car show and a display of electric vehicles. On Kress Street, find more live muralists, food trucks and artists, plus Cory Mira performing.

The Rice Street Business Association supports island artists creating their signature murals around the island. Muralists will be at work during the Rice Street Block Party. (Photo courtesy of County of Kauai)

The CPB Keiki Stage will feature performances by taiko drums, Kapaa Middle School Choir, Bandwagon Music Center and the CKMS Choir. More fun for the keiki includes a climbing wall, whirly birds, bungee trampoline at the Keiki Zone Games, plus a dedicated area for Play Streets Games on Rice St.

Rice St. between Umi and Kalena streets and Kress St. between Rice and Halenani streets will be closed from 3 to 10 p.m. Umi, Hardy and Kalena streets will remain open during the event.

The public can access free parking at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall and the Lihue Civic Center. The Kauai Bus will also be available, providing free service islandwide on Oct. 29.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.