Kauai

Magnificent scenery, lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, awe-inspiring canyons, and remarkably vivid tropical flora make up the “Garden Island”. Only three percent of the land area has been developed for commercial and residential use, leaving the remaining 97% divided between agriculture and conservation. The majority of the island's  52,000 residents live and work in the coastal regions, leaving Kauai’s interior spectacularly pristine.

Location
Kauai is just 20 minutes by air from Honolulu and is the oldest and northernmost of the main Hawaiian Islands. Formed some six million years ago, the island encompasses roughly 550 square miles and is 25 miles long by 33 miles wide at its furthest points. Weather/Conditions
Kauai's weather is near perfect year-round with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-70's to the mid-80's, and getting just slightly warmer in the summer. The northeast trade winds provide refreshing breezes and rain showers usually fall in the evening and early morning hours, predominantly over the mountain ranges, leaving the coasts clear. The ocean temperature ranges from 68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vibe
More and more people are visiting Kauai because they are attracted to its natural beauty, laidback atmosphere, and overall ease and friendliness. There is ample opportunity for privacy, luxury, adventure, and romance on Kauai.

Places to Stay
When looking for a place to temporarily call home, there are three main areas of the island to choose from: the more populated eastern shore, the lush tropical North Shore, and the arid southern shore. Along the western coast, there are no lodging options because the area is taken up by the Napali Coast’s steep cliffs and isolated beaches. You can find anything from luxurious beachfront resorts to golf resorts to family-friendly hotels to condos, vacation rentals, and spa resorts on the island.

Shopping
While not known for its shopping (the natural beauty of the island and outdoor activities tend to steal the spotlight) there are some shopping options on Kauai –  mainly small retail shops and mini-malls. The Poipu Shopping Village on the island’s southern tip is one, featuring an open-air garden setting with an array of shops, services and eating establishments. The specialty shops here sell artwork, clothing, jewelry, accessories, and more. In Kapaa on Kauai’s eastern side, the Coconut Marketplace is a unique open-air shopping complex with more than 70 shops, including resort wear, jewelry, local artwork, collectibles, and crafts. Just south of Lihue is Grove Center, which bills itself as Kauai’s largest shopping center (35 acres). Here you’ll find well-known stores like Macy’s, Sears, K-Mart, Borders Books and a variety of smaller shops. Kappa Village in east Kauai and the Princeville Shopping Center on the north end also offer shopping options.

Transportation
If you plan to stay at a resort and don’t want to see the sites, a car isn’t needed. Simply take a taxi or shuttle from the airport and park it (you, not the taxi!) on the beach. But renting a car is highly recommended since it’s inexpensive (around $30/day) and allows you to see the island's scenic rural roads, rugged coastlines and sweeping vistas. Kauai does have a bus system and it offers a fixed route schedule, as well as door-to-door paratransit service. However,  the system does not provide service to the airport, and scheduled runs to Koloa/Po'ipu are limited. For route schedules and detailed information call (808) 241-6410.

Top Attractions

Waimea Canyon
Dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, Waimea Canyon is one of Kauai's natural wonders at 10 miles long, one mile wide and 3,600 feet. The largest canyon in the Pacific,  Waimea’s red, green, blue, gray and purple hues are not to be missed.

Kilauea Lighthouse
Located on Kauai's northern end, Kilauea Lighthouse shines as one of Kauai’s most recognizable monuments, even though the lights have been off for nearly 30 years. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge, a 200-acre nesting refuge for albatross, frigate birds, red and white tropical birds, and Hawaii’s state bird, the nene goose.

Fern Grotto
Cruise by boat up Kauai's Wailua River to get to Kauai's oldest and most popular visitor attraction, Fern Grotto. The grotto is an unusual cave-like rock formation filled with giant cascading maidenhair fern. Think Elvis in "Blue Hawaii," crooning "The Hawaiian Wedding Song."

Poipu Beach Park
Drenched in sunshine nearly all year round, Poipu is Kauai's best beach for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing.

For more information, contact the Kauai Visitors Bureau Information Hotline at 1 800 262 1400. For live tourism information regarding Kauai, call the Toll-Free Kauai Visitor Information Hotline. This service is available in all 50 states and Canada from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays – Fridays, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends (HST).

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