Kauai Things to Do Tips by Stephen-KarenConn

On our first morning in Kauai the weather was perfect so we took a 45 minute helicopter tour of the island. Much of the interior is very rugged, roadless and unhabited. This virtually inaccessible terrain also happens to contain some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, and the only practical way to see it is by helicopter. Several companies offer tours. We opted to go with Heli USA Airways out of the small but historic Princeville Airport.

Our knowledgeable pilot, who had been trained by the U.S. military, took us on one of the great rides of our lives. We climbed up the Hanalei Valley and escaped into a world of lush tropical rain forests, jagged mountains, sea cliffs and craters. We soared up the shear slopes of Mt. Wai'ale'ale, a dormant Volcano which just happens to be the wettest spot on earth.It would not be an exaggeration to say that the number of waterfalls we saw pouring off the mountainside were "countless." We entered the crater of the dormant volcano, then climbed upward and onward to Manawaiapuna Falls, seen in the movie "Jurassic Park." Next we dipped into awesome gorge of Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," before soaring over the Alkalai Swamp and to the 4,000-foot cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. We entered the remote Kalalau Valley and saw the remains of home sites of ancient Hawaiian civilizations, then crossed over Bali Hai, made famous in the musical "South Pacific."

On the home stretch of our tour we saw the tallest waterfall on the island, plunging 3,400-feet, over 26 cascades. We then looked down on Hanalie Bay, of which Peter, Paul and Mary sang in their 1960s hit, "Puff the Magic Dragon." It was a great overview of the island, and left us eager to get out and explore on our own, returning to those areas which were accessible either by automobile or by hiking trail.

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Phone: 1-866-936-1234
Website: www.heliusahawaii.com
Other Contact: info@HeliUSAKauai.com

Sprouting Horn is a well known phenomenon on the south shore of Kauai. It is a dual lava tube about ten feet from the shoreline that is powered by wave action. One tube breathes air, making a loud eerie gasping sound while the other tube sprays salt water, sometimes up to 30 feet or more. The sprout is said to be more dramatic at high tide, and on large south-swell days. It was fantastic when we were there.

According to Hawaiian legend a giant female lizard or dragon once terrorized the entire south side of the island. A brave young warrior named Liko was fishing along the south shore one day when he was attacked by the dragon. Liko speared the dragon in the mouth and the wounded beast chased him into a lava tube. Liko escaped, but the poor dragon was trapped there forever. The dragon's breath can still be heard coming from the tube to this day.

Visitors are warned to be very careful if they venture onto the rocks around the blowholes. Some unwary souls have been either sucked into one of the lava tubes, or washed out to sea by an unexpected high ocean wave.

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Directions: On Lawai Road, along the south shore of Kauai, just past Allerton Garden Visitor Center.

Since 1913 this beautiful 52-foot-tall lighthouse has stood as a sentinel, perched on a high bluff at Kauai's rugged Kileuea Point, which is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. The light once had the largest clamshell lens in existence, until it was replaced by a beacon in the mid 1970s.

It will cost you $3.00 to visit the lighthouse, although it may be seen an photographed from a nearby vantage point for free. There is a very small museum and a visitor center near the light, and the magnificent views are well worth the nominal admission charge.

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays

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Phone: 1-808-828-1413
Directions: Off Kolo Road, just past the 23 mile marker on Hwy. 56.
Website: http://kauai.aloha-hawaii.com/tours/kilauea+lighthouse/

Although it is a relatively new enterprise, the Kauai Coffee Company is the state's largest coffee estate at 3,400 acres, Sugar cane grew in these fields for more than a century, however Hawaii's first commercial coffee plantation was established near the same site about 150 years ago. I have never personally liked the taste of coffee, but Karen drinks a cup occasionally, and both of us enjoyed our visit to the plantation.

There is a visitors center where you can watch a film on coffee production, and also a small museum with interesting exhibits and a collection of coffee mills, tins, and other coffee paraphenalia. It was an educational experience. Did you know that it takes 4,000 coffee beans to make just one pound of coffee? Coffee tastings are free, and there is a gift shop and snack bar for those who want more than just a taste.

The visitor center is open daily from 9-5. There is no admission charge.

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Phone: 1-800-545-8605
Address: Hwy. 540, Eleele, Kauai, Hawaii
Directions: About 17 miles from the Lihue airport, on Kauai's southwest side. Look for signs turning off Hwy. 50.
Website: www.kauaicoffee.com

No trip to the island of Kauai would be complete without a visit to the Waimea Canyon. In the 19th century Mark Twain called it the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." The reddish soil and lawers of the canyon are indeed reminiscent of the grander canyon in Arizona. Although much smaller, Waimea is still large enough to be a spectacular gorge, 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep.

As you drive up the up the Waimea Canyon Road yuou will pass several great vantage points from which to view the canyon. The most popular one, the Waimea Canyon Lookout, is just past the 10 mile marker. On a clear day the view across the canyon to Waipo'o falls is breathtaking. At the lookout you will find a large parking area and restrooms. On the day we were there vendors were also present offering refreshment, and we took advantage of the opportunity by adding some fresh pineapple to the picnic lunch we were carrying. Restrooms and splendid view are also available just three miles further up at the Pu'u Ka Pele Lookout. The Moa, or wild game chicken, was especially prevalent in the parking area of this lookout. Watch for baby chicks and try not to run over them.

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Directions: From the town of Waimea, on the south coast of Kauai, take the Waimea Canyon Road. You've got a 4,000-foot elevation rise ahead of you, a 40 mile round trip, and a temperature drop of 10-15 degrees. There are no gas stations along the way.
Website: http://kauai.aloha-hawaii.com/tours/waimea+canyon/

If the falls in this photo looks familiar it may be because it was used in the opening shot for the Television series Fantasy Island. Of the many spectacular waterfalls on the island of Kauai, this is one of the easiest to access. You can just drive up and take a look. The falls makes a dizzying leap from a rock ledge into a deep pool. I have read in one source that the falls is 80-feet, and in another that it is 173-feet. To me it seemed to be closer to the higher figure. Parking at the overlook is limited to just a wide place at the terminus of a dead-end road. A sign warns against hiking down to the base of the falls, but we could look down and see a couple who had ignored the warning, playing at the water's edge. Our daughter and her husband went down to the base of the falls when they were here on their honeymoon. They said the trail was muddy, steep and difficult.

In ancient times Hawaiian warriors would jump off the top of the falls to prove their manhood. Some didn't survive the test. A few testosterone-driven young men have also made the jump in more recent times. Those who lived to tell the tale only proved that they were idiots.

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Directions: Just north of Lihue on Hwy. 56, turn onto Ma'alo Road (583), which leads to the falls.
Website: http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/sites/wailua_falls.html

Karen and I got a kick out of visiting this intriguing plantation known as the "Guava Capital of the World." It is the largest guava plantation in the United States, but then they don't grow much of this tropical fruit in North Dakota, or anywhere else on the mainland for that matter. Depending on the time of your visit you may watch grava being harvested, processed and made into james and jellies. Any time you come you will be able to get a free sample of guava juice and you may also purchase other tasty guava products and souvenirs. We bought a few jars of jam for gifts to take home to friends and family.

Guava, which originated in South America, was first brought to Hawaii in 1791 by the Spanish adventurer Don Francisco de Paula Marin. The conditions in Hawaii proved ideal for the tropical fruit and the grava quickly became the most common wild fruit in Hawaii. Here at they plantation they grow Beaumont guava, a superior hybrid. The beautiful pink of the juice is natural - no color added- and I love the unique tropical taste.

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Phone: 1-808-828-6121
Address: 4900 Kuawa Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Directions: Just off Hwy, 56 in Kilauea, a short distance south of the Kilauea Lighthouse.
Website: www.guavakai.com

This very fine small museum reflects the heritage and achievements of the people of Kauai, both native and immigrant. It also portrays the geological history of the Hawaiian islands including the flora, fauna, marine life and volcanic origins. You will also learn more about the days of Captain Cook, the Hawaiian Monarchy, and the rich culture and history of the Hawaiian people.

The museum houses an art gallery which features the work of local artists, and there is also a fine gift shop with crafts, books and souvenirs.

Hours:
W3eekdays: 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Sunday

Admission:
General $7.00
Seniors 65+ 5.00
Studenst 13-17 3.00
Children 6-12 1.00

Ohana Saturdays
Free admission the first Saturday of every month

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Phone: 1-808-245-6931
Address: 4428 Rice Street, Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Directions: Downtown Liuhe, across from the post office and next to the county building.
Website: www.kauaimuseum.org

Opaekaa Falls, a well known Wailua landmark, is one of the easier waterfalls to see on Kauai, and also one of the most beautiful. This lacy cascade, 151-feet high, flows year round and is said to be best photographed in late morning light. We took these photos between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Fresh water shrimp live in the pool at the bottom of the falls. They tend to hide during the day and come out from the rocks and into the open water at night.

You will find a lookout with parking just 1.3 miles from Hwy. 56, on Hwy. 580 in Wailua. Across the road from the Opaekaa Lookout is another viewing platform which should not be missed, overlooking the sacred Wailua River.

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Directions: The Opaekaa Falls lookout is on Hwy. 580 in Wailua, just south of Kapaa.
Website: http://www.divanet.com/photos/1997_Vacation/Opaekaa%20Falls/gallery.htm

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Website: http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/virtual_kauai_tour/hanapepe+waimea+kekaha/page9/