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Kaua'i is the oldest and
northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain. It features
emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires, jagged cliffs,
forking rivers, cascading waterfalls and rich
rainforest.
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The northern part of the island is
rainy and the south is drier.
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Lihue is the
major commercial center of Kaua'i. Along its eastern
shoreline are a series of beaches such as Kalapaki Beach.
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The Kaua'i Museum in Lihue
traces the history of the island
and emphasizes the heritage and artistic achievements of
the indigenous and immigrant peoples.
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Spouting Horn is a blow hole located in the
Koloa district on the southern coast of Kauai. These
waterspouts occur when waves are forced under a lava shelf
and up through a narrow opening. |
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A major attraction is Waimea Canyon,
a 16 km long and 900 meter deep canyon known as the Grand Canyon
of the Pacific.
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At the end of the Waimea
Canyon Road is a lookout onto Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali coast.
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The lithified dunes at
Maha'ulepa offer remarkable hiking and viewpoints.
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Salt Pond Beach has
reef-protected shallow water for safe swimming and
snorkeling.
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A Hindu monastery-temple complex
on lush tropical grounds, Saiva Siddhanta, is home to two
dozen monks. Visitors are welcome during specified times.
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The Lawa'i International Center
was originally a Hawaiian heiau, then Taoist, Buddhist and
Shinto shrines and now a place of multicultural
spirituality. At the site there is also a trail to 88
Buddhist shrines built in the early 1900's by Japanese
immigrants. Only open 2 Sundays per month, it is a
fascinating place to visit if possible.
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The small
western town of Waimea is where Captain Cook first landed on
the Hawaiian islands in 1778. |
The
Prince Kuhio Park in Poipu is a tribute to Prince Jonah Kuhio
Kalanianaole who would have reigned as king had Hawaii not been
annexed to the U.S.
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The Spark M. Matsunaga statue in
the International Children's Garden for Peace in Hanapepe is
a tribute to a popular and visionary senator.
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Sublime resorts lie along the southern coast.
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Historic
Koloa town was one of Hawaii's first sugar cane settlements. |
The Poipu coast has many small coves and coral reefs with
abundant tropical fish and sea turtles.
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Monk seals bask in the sun at Poipu Beach. |
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The Kauai coffee plantation provides tours showing the process
of coffee growing, harvesting and roasting.
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Local cuisine includes poke, lomi-lomi salmon, laulau, kailua
pig and mac salad.
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