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In many ways, Kauai is different from the rest of the islands. It's almost as if you've stepped into a separate kingdom, and for many years Kauai was just that in relation to... Read more
In many ways, Kauai is different from the rest of the islands. It's almost as if you've stepped into a separate kingdom, and for many years Kauai was just that in relation to Hawaii. Kamehameha I was able to conquer all the islands by force, except Kauai. Two separate campaigns to take the island ended in failure. In the end, it took diplomacy, a royal kidnapping, and an arranged marriage to bring Kauai into the kingdom of Hawaii.
Kauai is also known as the place where the sugar cane industry in Hawaii was born. Sugar was once the industrial mainstay of the Kauai economy but in recent years has taken a back seat to tourism. In October of 2009, Gay & Robinson harvested the last sugar crop in Kauai, ending 117 years of the sugar business in Kauai.
In short, compared to Oahu, Maui or the Big Island, Kauai is smaller, less populated, more rural, and more laid back. That's why it's the favorite destination for many visitors to Hawaii, and for many Hawaii residents as well. Visitors come to explore the island's beaches and natural wonders, but the multitude of resorts on white sand beaches provide ample opportunity to just sit and do nothing if you're so inclined.
Because tourist development reached Kauai considerably later than the other islands, the island has a larger proportion of timeshares, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts. Also, a strict cap on building heights (hotels can be no more than 40 feet high) prevent the development of the mega-resorts and towering skyscrapers found on the other islands. The local rule is that nothing can be built taller than a coconut tree.
One look at a map will show you an important difference between Kauai and the more populous islands of Hawaii: Due to the massive Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast, no roads circle the island. Once you've made the drive along the south shore to Waimea and seen the canyon, the only options are to go West on dirt roads toKauai offers a very unique experience also — from the western coast of the island on one of its piers, in the far distance travelers can see the island of Niihau, which is the forbidden island — forbidden, that is, to all but residents (about 130 mostly Native Hawaiians), U.S. Navy personnel, government officials and invited guests. It is often forgotten about because of its privacy so seeing its outline in the far distance is an amazing and majestic experience!
Also, know that Kauai is a place where many famous people go to get away. Since it is much less drastic of a plane ride from L.A. in California than it is from the East Coast, this island which is the most secluded, private and relaxing provides getaway homes to many stars, although the normal traveler won't see these celebrities out on the beach, probably because their beach-front properties provide their own private beaches. To get a glimpse of one of these stars, check a nook in the wall bistro. Celebrities like Beau Bridges can be found relaxing with his wife in the island's countryside restaurants.
Also, visitors should beware of the fact that along many of Kauai's streets and especially their main highway that there are wild roosters and chickens everywhere! It is almost like the equivalent of seeing squirrels in more eastern parts of the United States. Also, and quite surprisingly, stray cats are also everywhere in Kauai.
The major regions of Kauaʻi can be defined by their location on the island relative to the prevailing trade winds. The north and east sides of the island are on the "windward" side of the island, where the winds blow onto the shore. These parts of the island tend to get the most rain, and as a result, are the greenest and most tropical parts of the island. The south and west sides of the island are on the "leeward" side of the island, which receive less rain since most clouds have already dropped their rain on the windward side of the island.
Despite the island's relatively small size and the fact that most traffic and sites to visit are concentrated along one main highway, motorized private vehicles are the most common form of transportation on Kauai. If you don't mind traffic (especially in Lihue, Wailua, and Kapa'a) and driving yourself, rental cars are a convenient way to visit the island. Most major rental car companies have offices at the Lihue airport or nearby by shuttle bus. Car rentals are available in a large variety of makes and models and provide travelers flexibility and freedom to explore the island and crowd the roads. While there are numerous rental car locations right outside of the Lihue airport some hotels also offer onsite car rental services which can be used as needed. Most rental car companies have restricted areas, notably Polihale beach. Check before you go, or take the risk of paying yourself out of trouble if your rental car breaks down or gets stuck. The red dirt that Kauai is so famous for is also highly concentrated around this area and adventurous travelers could track this stain-able substance into their rental cars.
Many tour companies offer alternatives to rental cars with hotel pick-up in more adequate vehicles such as min-vans, four-wheel drive vehicles or even tour buses to access more remote parts of the island.
The Kauaʻi bus is perhaps the only other way to get around, but will not go to some rural attractions, such as Kokeʻe. Still, if you are on a budget, this bus will get you around and between the major population centers, such as Lihuʻe and Kapaʻa, and the major resort/beach areas.
Pono Taxi and Taxi Hanalei are one of the few authorized airport taxi companies that are allowed to do pre-arranged pickups at Lihue Airport and take you to any destination on the island. They also offer personalized Kauai tours in one of the most comfortable taxi rides on the garden isle.
One other option for transport on the island is a bicycle.
There are two main highways on Kauaʻi, both starting in Lihue. Kaumualii Highway (state route 50) heads to the west, through the towns of Kalaheo, Hanapepe, Waimea, and Kekaha before ending at the Na Pali Coast. Kuhio Highway (state route 56) heads north from Lihue, through Kapaʻa, Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei, ending at the other side of Na Pali.
Traffic in Kauai can be slow, particularly between Lihue and Kapaʻa. Give yourself extra time and be patient when traveling through this area.
Above Waimea on state route 550. From Lihue, take state route 50 west to Waimea. From there, you can take Waimea Canyon Drive (550) or continue to Kekaha turning onto state route 552, which meets route 550 near its 6-mile mark. Both roads are winding. Most popular viewing point of the canyon is just past mile 11 on route 550. Koke'e is located about 4 miles further. (808)245-6001 for weather information in the canyon.
At over 10 miles (16 km) long, 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and 3,567 feet (1,087 m) deep, Waimea Canyon has been called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Indeed, its colors rival that of its Arizona counterpart, except that Waimea Canyon also adds touches of green that would be absent in the desert. Carved and formed over hundreds of thousands of years by runoff from Mount Waialeale at the center of the island, the canyon shows millions of years of geological history.
Camping and hiking are available above the canyon at Koke'e State Park.
Best time to go is on a relatively clear day, and then after mid-morning (from about 9:30AM-on). Otherwise, clouds and fog may obscure the view.
The Na Pali coast, featured in the film Jurassic Park and many other movies, is one of the most distinctive geological features of Kauai and consists of sheer cliffs thousands of feet high that drop directly onto pristine secluded beaches. The beaches are reachable only by boat, helicopter, or very experienced hikers, but the cliffs may be viewed from the top by driving to the end of Route 550. There is a Na Pali Coast State Park, which provides adventurous travelers to hike along the coast with several options: they can either hike a round-trip 5 miles (in and out from Ke'e beach to Hanakapia'i beach) or the longest, most strenuous option, with the proper overnight equipment, permit and hiking gear, and do the 12 miles one-way hike into Kalalau Beach. You can also travel the Na Pali coast by boat or kayak with many different outfitters. By kayak, it's a 17.5 mile all day trip (unless one makes a special point to camp halfway on the coast) done by two outfitters out of Hanalei. It's been called the Everest of Sea Kayaking and much like the hiking, is not for the faint of heart. Both are strenuous and difficult. Travelers will get to see beaches only accessible by foot or kayak and only visible by the highly expensive boat and helicopter tours. The caves along this hike/paddle are absolutely marvelous as well. Tourists will get the rare chance to marvel at Kauai's natural splendor and ocean life. By foot, a permit is only required if you continue any further than Hanakapia'i beach on the Na Pali Coast. You may travel there and an additional 4-mile round trip hike to Hanakapia'i Falls with no permit. By kayak, if you use one of the guide companies in Hanalei you will not need a permit. If you do camp over on your own or with a company, you will need to gather a landing permit. Note while kayaking there are a few beaches, like Honopu beach, directly next to Kalalau, that do not allow any landing vessel whatsoever. You can not land a kayak, surfboard, or anything else. The only way to access it is by swimming from an anchored boat offshore or from Kalalau Beach; both should only be done when the ocean permits as it can be very dangerous.
People come to Kauai primarily for one thing: the beaches with their great snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and sunning. But Kauai also boasts more navigable rivers than the other Hawaiian Islands making kayaking very popular as well as the cool, higher elevation of Koke'e. If the surf is calm you can even combine a river run with time paddling the bays and ocean shoreline. You'll find kayak rentals near the mouth of the most popular rivers. Many will also rent roof-top strap-on kayaks for travelers interested in trying one of the several smaller river runs.
Kauai has great hiking and mountain biking trails as well. Outdoor adventurers will find the guidebook Kauai Trailblazer to be helpful in comparing various locations for hiking and biking (as well as snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing). The Waimea Canyon area has extensive hiking trails both into the canyon itself as well as great overlooks of the Na Pali cliffs. Check with the park office on trail conditions and weather before starting your hike. The Koke'e Museum has a listing of trails.
There are many commercial tour guides that offer various land and sea adventures such as guided hikes, downhill bike tours, back-country ATV trips, river tubing adventures, and more, but hiking areas and water access are free. There are no private beaches anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands.
Other recommended activities are listed below by region.
An amazing service the south shore provides is Kayak rentals on their Koloa river. It is a very hidden location but this family-owned kayak rental are native Hawaiians and very friendly. The kayak rental is on a historically re-created Hawaiian village ground where adventurous travelers can walk around, go inside huts and their small buildings and see live peacocks wandering the grounds. There are recreated traditional family huts like the Ancient Hawaiians used to live in and also medicine huts where you can see how medicine was made. Kayak rentals are moderately expensive but very worth it. You also get great exercise because to go to an actual stop or island there are around 20 straight minutes of rowing! A popular place for tourists and locals alike to stop at on their kayak tour is a little cove where a rope swing was built! There is also a cliff perfect for jumping off of into the deep water, but caution must be advised. The rope swing is very safe. Kayaking through the Koloa river is an amazing experience where one can truly be at peace with nature. There is lush greenery completely surrounding the river and fresh, clear water in the river. Another popular spot for kayaking is about a mile down the river. Kayak tours are available, but tourists can also discover this spot themselves and at their own pace. This spot provides around a two-mile hike to one of Kauai's most beautiful waterfalls. The rocks are treacherous but once the traveler gets past them, they can even swim under the waterfall! It is truly an experience unlike any other. Kauai is clearly a place for the hiking enthusiast. Another spot is a garden tour through the fern grotto. This river makes a loop so once you've been to the waterfall and fern grotto it is only a short paddle back to the base. The fern grotto is a large bolder-looking formation covered in fern. Deeper in is a cave. The garden area is mysteriously covered with stray cats but is nonetheless beautiful and stunning. This historical education and adventurous experience is definitely a must when traveling to Kauai.
If you rent a jeep make sure you take a trek out to Polihale Beach. It is located at the southern end of the Na Pali coast. This wide sprawling beach is the longest on the major islands, at just over 17 miles long. The sunsets here are truly awesome and with a permit, you can camp there, as it is a State Park. During the winter and early spring, you can also see the whales from the beach. However, the last couple of miles of the road to get to Polihale, run through an old sugar cane field.
Like the rest of Hawaii, the plate lunch is ubiquitous in Kauai (see the Eat section in the main Hawaii article for more information). However, many of Kauai's beaches and natural attractions (like Waimea Canyon) have no amenities nearby. Pack a lunch and bring enough water for the day - then stop at the restaurants for dinner. For a tasty snack, pick up some red lychees from a roadside stand or a farmer's market. Waimea Canyon visitors can drive a few miles further up the road to the Koke'e Lodge, located in the Koke'e State Park next to the museum. It serves breakfast and lunch.
LOCAL TIME
4:54 pm
July 4, 2022
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I devoted each afternoon to trips around the island. Fortunately, Kauai is a small island, and there were only 31-40 miles (50-65 kilometers) from one end (where my hotel was located) to the other. I could get to my desired location within an hour. There's only one road around the island.... |
I had rented a car for the duration of my stay in Hawaii since it made easier to get around Kauai.
However, I soon realized that everything was very tourist friendly.
Kauai
is a small island with a diameter of about 37 miles (60 kilometers). This is the oldest of the main... |
Kauai
is the northernmost, the wildest and the wettest island of the eight Hawaiian Islands. However, it rains, as I understand, only at night, so there are mainly bright green colors on the island.
Here's local flora.
Bananas are abundant.
...and a banal orchid as well.
There is a... |
Today, we went yachting around the Hawaiian island
Kauai
. We saw whales, dolphins, a sea bear, and even a giant turtle. Everything was far, far, far away, but curious dolphins swam close to our yacht.
Author: Nikolkaya
Source: nikolkaya.livejournal.com
Translated by: ... |
This is the Big Island or The Hawaii Island.
Here’s a map of the island and our route:
The Hawaii Island is located to the south of all the other islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago and it’s also the biggest, so it is called the Big Island or the Hawaii Island. The island continues to grow due to... |
Here's the last part of my review of the Hawaiian Kauai island.
Now we're going by helicopter over the island. Here’s the Kalapaki Beach next to the harbor.
This is our liner.
Cows are grazing. They look like flies. :)
Here’s the Waimea Canyon.
Here’s the waterfall Wailua. The Wailua... |
I will continue my review of the Hawaiian
Kauai island
.
We went to the east coast, to the
Opaeka'a Falls
. The name translates as "rolling crabs" and refers to the days when the river was covered with crabs, and one could see them in the rough water. There is an observation... |