| Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the | | | | Lihue on the southeast coast is the county |
| top of an enormous volcanic mountain rising | | | | seat of Kauai, the site of Nauwiliwili |
| from the Pacific Ocean floor. It was formed | | | | Harbor, and Lihue Airport, departure point |
| by a single volcano about 5 million years | | | | for sightseeing air tours. Here, the island's |
| ago, and is the oldest of the large Hawaiian | | | | two main highways meet - Kuhio heading north |
| Islands. | | | | and Kaumualii heading south - so it's |
| | | | impossible to go anywhere on Kauai without |
| Kauai lies 33 miles northwest of Oahu across | | | | passing through Lihue. The Huleia River feeds |
| the rugged Kauai Channel, which helped | | | | the nearby Menehune Fishpond and is flanked |
| protect the island from invaders, including | | | | upstream by the Huleia National Wildlife |
| Kamehameha I, who never managed to conquer | | | | Refuge. |
| it. Kauai's King Kaumualii, facing continued | | | | |
| threats of invasion, joined the Kingdom of | | | | Wailua on the east side of the island is a |
| Hawaii without bloodshed in 1810, ceding the | | | | coastal town at the mouth of the Wailua |
| island to the Kingdom upon his death. | | | | River, the only navigable river in the state. |
| | | | Wailua and nearby Kapaa are a center of |
| At the island's center is the wettest place | | | | activity for locals and visitors. Boat tours |
| on earth - 5,148-foot Mt. Waialeale, with an | | | | access 80-foot Wailua Falls which feeds into |
| average rainfall exceeding 480 inches | | | | the river, and the Fern Grotto, a fern |
| annually. This prolific precipitation creates | | | | covered, lava rock natural amphitheater that |
| the headwaters for Hawaii's richest river | | | | enhances the acoustics of the live music, |
| system, the Waimea, Hanapepe, Wailua, and | | | | with traditional themes performed here. The |
| Hanalei. These rivers have created Kauai's | | | | area is managed by the state of Hawaii as |
| most striking geographic features, except for | | | | Wailua River State Park. |
| its world-renowned Na Pali Coast. | | | | |
| | | | Hanalei Bay on the north side of the island |
| Waimea Town, once the capital of Kauai on the | | | | boasts two miles of tranquil beach against a |
| island's southwest side, was the first place | | | | backdrop of glorious green mountains. In the |
| in Hawaii visited by British explorer Captain | | | | summer, the glassy bay offers excellent |
| James Cook in 1778. It's located at the mouth | | | | sailing, kayaking and swimming. The bay is |
| of the Waimea River, whose flow helped form | | | | also home to the famous Princeville Resort |
| one of the most scenic canyons in the world, | | | | and the Hanalei Curl, a breaking wave known |
| the 3000-foot-deep Waimea Canyo, often called | | | | throughout the surfing community. A number of |
| "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Waimea | | | | tour boats use Hanalei Bay as a launch point |
| Canyon State Park encompasses 1,866 acres and | | | | for excursions down the Na Pali Coast. |
| is a popular tourist attraction offering a | | | | |
| wilderness area with numerous hiking trails. | | | | The Na Pali Coast on the island's northwest |
| Here, bicycle tours are a popular activity | | | | side is Kauai's most famous attraction and |
| for Kauai visitors. This canyon is protected | | | | arguably the most spectacular, primitive |
| at higher elevations as Kokee State Park. | | | | coastline in the world. It extends from Ke'e |
| | | | Beach on the south and runs 16 miles to |
| Traveling east, counter-clockwise around the | | | | Polihale State Park on the north. Na Pali |
| island, Hanapepe at the river's mouth, is a | | | | Coast State Park encompasses 6,175 acres of |
| vintage Hawaii village with wooden sidewalks. | | | | land located in the center of this rugged and |
| At nearby Port Allen, the small boat harbor | | | | spectacular coastline. Its Kalalau Trail is a |
| is a departure point for sport fishing, scuba | | | | don't-miss trek for avid hikers. A wonderful |
| diving and excursions up the Na Pali Coast. | | | | variety of sunset cruises, sightseeing sails, |
| | | | and snorkeling tours are available, including |
| Poipu is the sunny jewel of the south side of | | | | one to the shores of Niihau. |
| Kauai, a vacation community of hotels, | | | | |
| condominiums and shops built along white-sand | | | | Niihau, 17 miles west of Kauai, is the |
| beaches. Two miles inland, historic Koloa | | | | smallest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. |
| Town, is a charming 19th-century plantation | | | | Also known as the "Forbidden Isle," it has |
| town, home of Hawaii's first successful sugar | | | | long been accessible only to relatives of the |
| mill. | | | | island's owners, the Robinson family. |
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