Puakea Golf Club

Puakea Golf Club is a Robin Nelson design built on more than 200 acres of former sugar cane plantation land near Lihue. Nelson originally laid out 10 holes in 1990-91, then returned in 2002 to complete the remaining eight. The full 18-hole course reopened on July 1, 2003, along with a new driving range, putting green, and short-game practice area. The par-72 layout plays 6,954 yards, with remnants of the old plantation still visible along the course.

Nelson incorporated the natural terrain and mountain views into the routing, using elevation changes and ravines left from the plantation era. The course is open to the public as a daily-fee facility and has become one of Kauai’s more popular rounds for visitors and residents. Fairways are relatively wide, but strategic bunkering and water features add variety throughout the 18 holes.