Kiahuna at Kiahuna Golf Club

Kiahuna Golf Club occupies a historic stretch of coastline in Poipu on Kauai's sunny south shore. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed the course in 1983 on land that once served as a sugar plantation, incorporating the area's archaeological sites and native vegetation into the routing. The layout plays across relatively flat terrain with ocean views from several holes, and the design emphasizes strategic shot-making over dramatic elevation changes. Trade winds are a constant factor, particularly on holes that run parallel to the coast.

The course measures modest in length by contemporary standards, which places a premium on accuracy and course management rather than pure distance. Jones routed several holes through groves of coconut palms and around ancient Hawaiian fishponds, giving the property a sense of place distinct from resort courses built on raw lava fields elsewhere in the islands. Water hazards appear on multiple holes, and the bunkering follows Jones's characteristic style of the period—strategic placement rather than excessive sand.

Kiahuna operates as a daily-fee facility accessible to visitors staying in the Poipu resort area. The course serves as an approachable option for golfers seeking a round on Kauai without the premium pricing of some neighboring layouts. Its location near Poipu Beach and the Grand Hyatt makes it a convenient choice for those combining golf with a beach vacation, and the mature landscaping provides a parkland feel uncommon on Hawaii's younger volcanic islands.