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KAUAI, HAWAII
Kauai is known as the Garden Island because of its lush foliage and large areas
of undeveloped land. It is the western-most part of the United States and the oldest
island in the Hawaiian chain. Not only is it home to the wettest spot on earth, Mount
Waialeale (a whopping 444 inches of rain per year!), it offers a variety of natural
wonders, from the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon, to the magnificent
beaches on its western shores. Enjoy the splendor and breathtaking beauty of Kauai.
THE NORTH SHORE
If exquisite scenery is your cup of tea, the Na Pali Coast is the perfect
destination. Extending more than 15 miles along Kauai's north-facing coast,
Na Pali is only accessible by foot for most of the year.  Hiking along the magnificent, eleven mile long Kalalau Trail,
visitors will be treated to jagged cliffs, which rise more than 4,000 feet
out of the Pacific, lush valleys, graceful waterfalls and beautiful beaches.
The trail climbs to 400 feet in the first mile providing wonderful views of
Kee Beach and down the coast to Kalalau Valley. It then drops into Hanakapiai
Valley, home to the spectacular Hanakapiai Falls, which feeds a pool that is
tranquil enough for swimming. The trail to the falls is 4 miles round-trip
and is recommended only for experienced hikers. If hiking is not on your list
of things to do, helicopter or rafting trips offer spectacular views of the coast.
Hanalei Valley, with its fields of taro (a starchy tuber vegetable), stretches
from Wai'ale'ale in the center of Kauai to the border of the Na Pali Coast. Hanalei
is famous for its rains and most of it lies in the deep and narrow valley where
the waters of Wai'ale'ale flow into the Hanalei River. The charming town of
Hanalei is an engaging mix of old Hawaiian families, surfers and people escaping
the rat race on the mainland. Don't miss Lumahai Beach famous for its roles in
the movies Bali Hai and South Pacific.
Princeville is a complete resort community with hotels, condominiums, shopping,
and recreation.  The 27-hole
Makai golf course is located here, as is the number one rated course in Hawaii, the Prince.
It is also the site of three beaches, Pu'u Poa, Kenomene Beach, and Kaweonui Beach.
A wide reef offers some nice snorkeling, but the high surf can be extremely dangerous.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to an array of protected seabirds
like Laysan albatrosses, red-footed boobies, brown boobies, red-tailed tropicbirds,
wedge-tailed shearwaters, and great frigatebirds. Its lighthouse, home to the world's
largest clamshell lens, perches on a peninsula 200 feet above the sea. A breath-taking
viewing site from the point allows visitors to see whales and dolphins migrating in
the Pacific. The refuge is open 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. Call (808) 828-1413 for
more information.
THE ROYAL COCONUT COAST
The Royal Coconut Coast, on Kauai's East Coast, is named for its acres of ancient coconut
groves. Along with dazzling natural beauty, this is where you'll find Kauai's most extensive
selection of restaurants, accommodations, shopping, cultural sites, arts, and other modern
amenities.
Kapaa is an unpretentious little surf town with numerous beaches, bike trails, quaint shops,
and restaurants.  Start at the Kauai Visitor's Center, which has current brochures for island accommodations and attractions,
along with rates and schedules. The Kauai Center of Hawaii Arts & Culture is a cultural resource
center with interactive activities that include language,
traditional skills, crafts, cultural practices and art forms. Kapaa Beach is an east-facing
beach that offers spectacular sunrises. It is a favorite of the locals, but there can be
occasional rough surf, so be sure to see what conditions are before attempting to enter the ocean.
Wailua is home to hundreds of ancient palm trees. The area is steeped in folklore and history
and is the midpoint of the island. The Wailua River State Park is over 1,000 acres and includes
Lydgate Park, archeological sites, and a picnic area at the south side of the river. Fed by 40
feet of rain each year, the Wailua River has a potent presence. It snakes through Kauai's eastside
with numerous points of interest accessible by car, tour boat or kayak. At the south end of the
river are the spectacular Wailua Falls. These dramatic 80-foot waterfalls were used in the opening
of the television series Fantasy Island. The Fern Grotto is a stunning fern-lined cave that is
only accessible by a boat ride up the Wailua River. The grotto is the perfect setting for weddings.
Lihue is Kauai's county seat, as well as the center for business and transportation,
but it's also a recreation area. Beautiful Kalapaki Beach is perfect for swimming and sunning.
The nearby Kauai Lagoons hosts two Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf courses, 40 acres of
freshwater lagoons and a wildlife sanctuary. The Lihue Plantation's sugar mill is the primary
industry on the island and during harvest time you can smell the molasses, which permeates the area.
Keahua Arboretum is home to a variety of trees including the mango, monkeypod, and eucalyptus.
Streams teem with wildlife, and there are beautiful pools that are perfect for a leisurely swim.
Picnic tables scattered here and there make this a perfect retreat for the entire family.
To learn more about the arboretum, call (808) 274-3444.
SOUTH SHORE
Visitors flock to Old Koloa Town for its charming shops, historic sites, fine restaurants,
and pristine beaches. The town was the site of Kauai's first sugar plantation. Ladd and
Company built it in the 1830s, but it ceased production in 1996. Every July, during the
Koloa Plantation Days, the town celebrates both its plantation and cultural heritage with
a festive parade, country-style fair, and events that include a rodeo, cooking
demonstrations, a block party, fire dancers and more.
Farther south is Kauai's premier resort destination, the ever-sunny Poipu Beach Resort
area. Its sunshine, cool breezes, flawless beaches and clear blue waters make Poipu Beach
postcard perfect. In addition to its nearly unrivaled natural beauty, Poipu is home to two
golf courses, a variety of luxurious accommodations, upscale boutiques and some of Kauai's
finest restaurants.
Poipu Beach was recently chosen the number one beach in the U.S. It is by far one of
the most beautiful and accommodating beaches on Kauai, with showers, facilities and ample
parking. It is also one of the safest beaches in Hawaii, with a variety of swimming areas
and activities. These include Baby Beach, a small cove where the water is placid and only
inches deep (perfect for toddlers), a vast lagoon that provides some of the best snorkeling
on Kauai, and Poipu Beach's sandbar, a marvelous site for viewing natural wonders like the
rare Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Don't miss Spouting Horn, a geyser that sends water soaring into the sky through an
opening in the volcanic rock. The geyser makes strange hissing sounds, which according
to legend are the sounds made by a lizard goddess trapped in the lava tube by a clever
fisherman.
WEST SIDE
Two final destinations not to be missed are Waimea and Polihale Beach, both on the
west side of Kauai. Waimea Canyon, 3,600 feet deep and ten miles long, is often compared
to the Grand Canyon. Layers of colored rocks in red, blue, green and purple represent a
different volcanic eruption and subsequent lava flow. The end result is a multihued
watercolor painted by nature. This is definitely a must see.
Polihale Beach, the most western point in the United States, boasts some of the most
spectacular sunsets in the world. It's often overlooked by visitors because it is only
accessible by an untended sugar cane road. But miles of unspoiled beach and unrivaled
tranquility make this area well worth a visit. Limited picnic and camping facilities are
available, although campers are required to get a permit from the State Building in Lihue.
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