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Kauai - The Garden
Isle (Part 1) by Scott Stone
There should be a sign at Kauai's
main airport in Lihue - "abandon stress, all ye who
enter here" - for Kauai is the most laid back of
the Hawaiian Islands.
Which isn't to say that there aren't any
activities, beaches, tours, hiking or horseback
riding, discovering a fabulous waterfall,
or...well, let's just say there is plenty to keep
you occupied, but no one to fault you if you decide
to do nothing at all. Stretch out in your deck
chair and luxuriate in soft Hawaiian breezes as
they cool your brow and wash away your cares.
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Kauai's suger cane fields
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But for argument's sake, let's suppose you did
want to explore five-million-year-old Kauai, the
oldest of all the major Hawaiian
Islands, with more beaches (43) than any other
in the archipelago, and the only navigable rivers.
Along the way, you'll find kayaking, hiking,
horseback riding, and a lush terrain that flows
from Kawaikini Peak, in the center of the island at
5,243 feet, all the way down to sea level.
Lihue is the sleepy town capital of Kauai, and
the logical place to start an exploration. It's
also home to the Kauai Visitor's Bureau at 4334
Rice Street, Suite 101, Lihue, HI 96766 (telephone
808-245-3971), where inquisitive minds will
find a wealth of data.
The longest drive on the island shouldn't take
more than an hour (to the Kalalau lookout of the
remote and scenic valley), but to immerse yourself
in the charm of this green land you should take a
leisurely look at nearby Kalapaki Bay for a pick-up
game of beach volleyball, go down to Nawiliwili
Harbor and watch the cruise ships come in, or check
out the entertainment offerings at the Kauai
Marriott Kukui Grove Pavilion.
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Cruise ship in Nawiliwili
Harbor
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As you become acquainted with the island's
stunning scenery and amicable people, you'll
quickly understand what inspired Hollywood to shoot
at least 60 major motion pictures in situ: a
symbiotic relationship which resulted in South
Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Raiders of the Lost Ark,
Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Flight of the
Intruder, and Outbreak to name but a few.
At the Kauai Museum there's an informative
display of artifacts and photographs that tell of
Kauai's colorful past. (You may be surprised to
learn the Russians built a fort on Kauai with the
ultimate aim of taking over the island.) During the
winter months there are boats that conduct
whale-watching trips out of Nawiliwili Harbor.
One of Kauai's finest experiences is a long,
leisurely lunch at Gaylord's at Kilohana, a few
miles out of Lihue on Highway 50. Set in a 1935
mansion on 35 acres of land, this old-style,
high-quality retreat is a requisite before sampling
the rest of Kauai's generous offerings. When you
recover from the heady atmosphere (it's one of the
most romantic restaurants in Hawaii) and the good
food, it is time to begin thinking about where to
go and what to do. At that point someone may hand
you a pamphlet called "101 Things to Do on Kauai."
And that's just for starters.
Next: Touring the island
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