The Spectacular Visits of Kauai
Hawaii’s reputation as one of the most beautiful places on earth is well deserved. Indeed, the Islands have long captured the imagination of writers and travellers.
Mark Twain, one of America’s most celebrated authors, visited Hawaii in 1866 for four months. The experience moved him, and he would later reminisce:
“For me its balmy airs are always blowing, its summer seas flashing in the sun; the pulsing of its surf is in my ear; I can see its garlanded crags, its leaping cascades, its plumy palms drowsing by the shore, its remote summits floating like islands above the cloud-rack; I can feel the spirit of its woody solitudes, I hear the plashing of the brooks; in my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago.”
Ironically Mark Twain visited all the main islands except for Kauai, considered by many to be the most beautiful of the group. Although Kauai only encompasses an area of 560 square miles (roughly 30 miles wide and 20 miles long), the island boasts a myriad of spectacular land and seascapes.
Today nearly a million tourists visit Kauai each year, drawn by the beautiful scenery, balmy weather, miles of beaches and affordable selection of vacation condos and hotels. The following are a sample of Kauai’s most notable landmarks.
Waimea Canyon
How can a canyon exist in the middle of such a small island? The answer: millions of years of wind and rain erosion carving through the volcano that first gave birth to the island. Unlike the Grand Canyon, Waimea Canyon (“the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”) features a brilliant array of colors complemented by several waterfalls.
Na Pali Coast
Kauai’s rugged northwest coast illustrate the majestic work of waterfalls, streams and the ocean who work in concert to sculpt the land into narrow valleys and jagged cliffs. During the winter months 30 foot swells batter the coast. In the summer boats take tourists on snorkel and sightseeing trips.
Kalalau Valley
The 11 mile long Na Pali coast is only accessibly by foot and kayak. Experienced hikers can camp at Kalalau Valley, an area renowned for its natural beauty and surrounded by 2000 ft high cliffs. From the top, the road that takes one to Waimea Canyon also provides a lookout over the valley where you can hike the mountain ridges.
Mahaulepu
On Kauai’s south shore is the undeveloped Mahaulepu coast where you might find an endangered monk seal basking in the sun, or see migrating Humpback whales during the winter months. A lovely coastal trail starts in the resort area of Poipu and meanders along the coast for 3 miles past sand dunes and beaches.
Polihale
Kauai boasts many miles of beautiful beaches. On the western coast is Polihale, the longest beach in Hawaii stretching for over 11 miles. The best section of the beach is at Polihale State Park, which also marks the beginning of the Napali Coast. The beach is remote and accessed via a dirt road so you won’t see many tourists here.
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