Kaua`i is truly a tropical paradise, an island of such beauty and lushness that many consider it magical. It is an island of contrasts—gentle, sloping country sides; jagged, ominous mountains; magnificent canyons and desert-like sand dunes, all surrounded by the obsidian-blue ocean. It was the first island Captain Cook visited and the last of Hawai`i’s independent territories. In 1835 the first successful sugar plantation was founded in Koloa. Kaua`i is home to the Mokihana berry, and it was here that the Menehune—the legendary race of little people—thrived.

Nicknamed "The Garden Island", the island of Kaua`i is the oldest and northernmost of the major islands in the Hawaiian Island chain. It is almost circular in shape, and with about 552 square miles, it is the fourth-largest island in the state. Most of the interior is rugged mountain terrain that is uninhabited and inaccessible except by air. Kaua`i contains more beaches per mile of coastline than any of the other Hawaiian Islands.

Places of Interest—Must Sees
While on Kaua`i, we recommend that you visit the following sites to become familiar with the island’s legacy and its contrasting terrain.

NORTH SHORE
Ke`e Beach Park: This ideal sunbathing beach is located at the end of the road on the north shore. It is the start of the hiking trail to the Na Pali coast, the most spectacular wilderness area in all of the Islands.

Wet and Dry Caves of Ha`ena: Hawaiian lore says that these caves, one dry, two filled with limpid green water, were where chiefs gathered in ancient times.

Lumaha`i Beach: Famous as the scene for the Nurses’ Beach in the movie South Pacific, this beautiful beach is one of the most photographed beaches on Kaua`i.

Waioli Mission House: Descendants of the first missionaries built this quaint home on the north shore in 1834.

Hanalei Valley: The Hanalei Valley is sometimes referred to as "Hanohano", or glorious. If you stop at the vantage point near the marker, you will witness the majestic tranquility of the north shore.

Kilauea Lighthouse & Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge: The world-famous Kilauea Lighthouse is home to the world’s largest clamshell lens. Though it is not open to the public, the grounds are, and there is a self-guided path to the point. The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to nesting seabirds and is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

EAST SHORE
Sleeping Giant: The outline of a mountain ridge on Kaua`i’s eastside resembles a reclining giant.

Botanical Gardens: Because Kaua`i is so abundant in natural vegetation, it has four botanical gardens: The Smith’s Tropical Paradise at Wailua, Ola Pua Gardens in Kalaheo, Kiahuna Plantation Gardens in Po`ipu, and the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawa`i. All are open to the public for a small fee.

Smith’s Tropical Paradise: This twenty-three acre site contains gardens, lagoons, exotic birds and a uniquely narrated train ride that winds through a rain forest, a Polynesian village, a Japanese island and a Filipino village. Each night, Kaua`i’s ethnic diversity is featured in a seventy-five minute musical production in the lagoon theater.

Fern Grotto: Located at the end of the Wailua River, the only navigable river in the state of Hawai`i, the Fern Grotto is a hauntingly beautiful cave that is abundant with growing ferns.

Wailua Falls: These falls are nicknamed the "Fantasy Island Waterfalls" because they were used in the opening shots of each segment of ABC-TV’s Fantasy Island show.

Kamokila Hawaiian Village: The ruins of this old village are found above the great bend of the Wailua River, where war canoes of King Kaumuali`i once were gathered.

Opaeka`a Falls: "Opaeka`a" means, "rolling shrimp" and dates from the days when swarms of shrimp were seen rolling in turbulent waters at the base of the falls.

Grove Farm Homestead: George Wilcox established The Grove Farm Homestead in 1864 a little south of Lihu`e. It is now a museum housing the old family plantation home, washhouse, teahouse, guest cottage and other amenities. The homestead reflects the old Hawaiian plantation experience and tradition.

Kaua`i Museum: On display are artifacts and photographs that portray the rich history of the island as well as other historical and art exhibitions.

Menehune Ditch: The little people, the Menehune, constructed a great aqueduct, but only small portions remain at this site.

Menehune Fish Pond: Located in Niumalu, legend has it that the Menehune built this remarkable stone walled structure in one night. The fishpond enclosed by the structure is still in use.

SOUTH SHORE
Spouting Horn: When the tide is high on the south shore, waves are pressured through lava tubes and come out in a hole in the coastal rocks that burst noisily into magnificent fountains of sea water.

WEST SIDE
Old Russian Fort: Also know as Fort Elizabeth, an employee of the Russian Fur Company of Alaska built this fort in 1817 near the mouth of the Waimea River. He was hoping to seize Kaua`i for the Czar. All that remains of his effort are rocky ruins.

Captain Cook’s Landing: In 1778, Waimea Bay was the first place Captain Cook set foot in Hawai`i. For many years this bay was a favorite provisioning port for Pacific traders and whalers.

Waimea Canyon: Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon is awash in grandeur and jewel-tone colors.

Koke`e State Park: Near the Waimea Canyon, Koke`e State Park contains a myriad of activities and amenities for the outdoor enthusiast—picnic grounds, cabins, hunting, trout fishing and hiking. The NASA Koke`e Tracking Station is close by.

Kalalau Lookout: This lookout contains one of the most beautiful views in the entire world.