Kauai, The Garden Isle

Kauai is located 33 miles northwest of Oahu across the rugged Kauai Channel, which helped protect the island from invaders, including Kamehameha I, who never managed to conquer. Kauai King Kaumualii, given the continued threats of invasion, joined the Kingdom of Hawaii without bloodshed in 1810, ceding the island to the kingdom after his death. In the center of the island is the wettest place on earth - 5148-foot Mt. Waialeale, with an average rainfall exceeding 480 inches per year. This precipitation generates prolific sources for the richest river system of Hawaii, Waimea, Hanapepe, Wailua and Hanalei. Kauai These rivers have created the most striking geographical features, except for his famous Na Pali Coast. City Waimea, once the capital of Kauai on the south-west of the island, was the first in Hawaii visited by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. Located at the mouth of the Waimea River, whose flow has helped form the world's most spectacular canyons, the 3,000 meters deep Waimea Cany, often called "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Waimea Canyon State Park covers 1866 hectares and is a popular tourist attraction that offers a wilderness area with numerous hiking trails. Here, cycling is an important activity for visitors to Kauai. This canyon is protected at higher elevations, as Koke State Park. Traveling east, counterclockwise around the island, near the mouth of the Hanapepe River, vintage Hawaii is a town with wooden sidewalks. Near Port Allen small boat harbor is a starting point for fishing, diving and hiking the Na Pali Coast. Poipu is the jewel in the sun on the south side of Kauai, a community of summer hotels, condominiums and shops built along the white sandy beaches. Two miles inland, the historic Koloa town is a fascinating city 19a-century plantation house mill first successful Hawaiian sugar. Lihue, south-east is the county seat of Kauai, the site of Nauwiliwili Harbor, Lihue Airport, the starting point for air tours. Here, the two main roads of the meeting of the island - north and south Kuhio Kaumualii - so it's impossible to go anywhere on Kauai, Lihue bypassing. The river feeds the pond near Huleia Menehune Fish and is flanked by top Huleia National Wildlife Refuge. Wailua on the east side of the island, is a coastal city at the mouth of Wailua River, the only navigable river in the state. Kapaa and Wailua are near an activity center for residents and visitors. Excursions by boat 80 foot Wailua Falls that feeds the river access, and the Fern Grotto, a fern covered volcanic rock amphitheater, which improves the acoustics of live music, performed here with the traditional themes. The area is administered by the state of Hawaii as the Wailua River State Park. Hanalei Bay on the north side of the island, has two miles of quiet beach, against a backdrop of glorious green mountains. In summer, the bay offers excellent stone, kayaking and swimming. The bay is also home to the famous resort Princeville and Hanalei hedgehog, a gesture of breaking known throughout the surfing community. A number of tourist ships use Hanalei Bay as a starting point for trips along the Na Pali coast. The Na Pali coast in the northwestern part of the island is Kauai's most popular attraction and certainly the most spectacular coastline of the primitive world. It extends from Ke'e Beach in the south and extends Polihale State Park 16 miles north. Na Pali Coast State Park covers 6175 hectares of land located in the center of this wild and spectacular coastline. Your Kalalau Trail is a no-miss for lovers of trekking trails. A wonderful variety of sunset cruises, tourism sails, snorkeling and visits are available, including one on the shores of Niihau. Niihau, 17 miles west of Kauai, is the smallest inhabited islands of Hawaii. Also known as the "Forbidden Island" which has been accessible only to the relatives of the owners of the island, the Robinson family.