Aloha!
I’m having dreams of warm water, hibiscuses, and large colorful drinks with little umbrellas in them. I am dreaming of Hawaii. I will be there in less than a week to celebrate my best friends wedding- she is marrying the love of her life! AND my sissy Caitlin is there now with… drum roll, please…. her new fiancé Jason!!!!!!! SO excited for them. A big shout out for their adventure ahead. Both of these couples deserve all the happiness that life can bring!
The last time I was in Hawaii we spent all our time on the island of Kauai. It is the most beautiful place. And, although I won’t be there this time, I would like to do a little travel article on the general splendor of this island. If you are on a different island, I envy you! I would LOVE to visit every island because each is unique, special and gorgeous.
On Kauai’s Geography:
Kauai (known as the garden island), Hawaii’s fourth largest island, is separated into five main regions: Lihue, the East Side (Coconut Coast), The North Shore, The South Shore and The West Side.
Kauai is circular in shape with lush, mountainous regions in it’s center, and beaches covering almost half of its shoreline. Kauai’s age makes it one of the most scenic islands in Hawaii from the 3,000 foot elevation of Waimea Canyon to the waterfalls and deep gorges.
I believe that Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is the most beautiful coast line I have ever seen. It may be rivaled by coast lines I see in my future travels, but for now it has been the most breathtaking. The coastline took millions of years to form from wind and water erosion. The cliffs are thousands of feet high, with tropical green valleys, towering waterfalls, secluded beaches and hidden sea caves. It is a must-see when traveling here!
Where to Stay:
I think it’s all great. The north is rugged and beautiful. The south has sunshine and beaches. Midpoint is about Kapaa. We stayed on Poipu Beach at the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation. It was gorgeous but expensive. And we did need a car to get around.
What to do… Obviously relaxing is on the list. As well as sunbathing and snorkeling. But here are some things you should definitely do, too.
The Na Pali Coast. (Na Pali means ‘The Cliffs’ ), You can hike it, kayak it, or take a catamaran. We took the boat. Although we were able to tour sea caves and see the awe-inspiring view of the cliffs from the ocean, we wish we would have hiked the Kalalau Trail. Although the hike is 11 miles each way, and quite difficult, you get to surround yourself in the absolute beauty of waterfalls, an unparalleled view of the ocean, and the rugged cliffs. Keep in mind you need to camp over night, and carry all of your gear with you. Also, if you are hiking the the trail you need to get a state permit ($10 a day). Again, this coastline took millions of years to form and it is absolutely stunning! No matter which way you do it- it’s a must see!
Waimea Canyon. The largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a magnificent sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved over thousands of years by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale’s summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. There are some terrific hikes and lookouts. Take a lunch and spend some time admiring the view!
Beach Hike. Austen and I really enjoyed just walking along the dramatic cliffs and beaches. We would take some food and go explore with no destination in mind. We found this cliff with white stuff all over the ground. Upon closer inspection we realized it was chunks of sea salt! Kind of cool. Who knows, you might find a gorgeous secluded beach to spend the day at…
Go Chase Waterfalls. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls all around Kauai. You can take a helicopter and get a birds eye view, you can drive to some and others you have to hike to. The hikes range in difficulty. There are so many to choose from, I would recommend driving to the Wailua Falls. It’s not a long drive (well, not from where we were staying) and you can enjoy it with the whole family. There are guys on the side of the road cracking coconuts open for $5. It’s a fun and easy experience. If you want to go hiking, I like Kipu Falls for families with young kids, although I’m not sure you can call it a true waterfall. Its about 15ft tall. But it features a great swimming hole, rope swings and deep pools. Although the trail and waterfall reside on private property, the owner allows the public to enjoy the falls. Im not sure how long that will last, though.
I love the Hanakapi’ai waterfall. Its the beginning section of the Kalalau trail (the Na Pali trail). It’s remote and beautiful but slightly challenging. The pay-off is spectacular…
Halona Blowhole. It is actually cool. Obviously, water is forced into a lava tube by the surf, gushes into the air, and makes an eerie hissing noise. The ancient Hawaiians believed that Kaikapu, a lizard goddess, was trapped by a clever fisherman in the lava tube and the hissing is the sound of her angry roar.
Luau and Fire Dance. Just because you can. And it’s fun. And you get to drink and stuff your face. Everyone has to do this once when they are in Hawaii.
I hope you find this information useful and interesting. I also hope that you share any advice you have on visiting the Hawaiian Islands! Aloha!
