Kauai Information > Kauai's Land

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai was built by a large volcano that began building under the ocean over millions of years. After it built itself above the water, it remained an active volcano for some time and then became extinct about five million years ago. Eventually the great weight above the core collapsed, creating Waimea Canyon, and the diverse topography.

Located in the middle of Kauai are Mount Kawaikini and Mount Wai’ale’ale, both over 5,000 feet. These are believed to be the western rim of the collapsed volcano crater. Mount Wai’ale’ale’ is the “wettest spot on earth”. This area receives about 450 inches of rain a year, however most of this rain is created right there, as the precipitation falls and is then returned to the atmosphere and the process is repeated continuously. So, Mount Wai’ale’ale’ is its own terrarium. On your first day on north shore Kauai you will see the giant clouds hanging over the mountain and think, wow, rain today. Don’t worry, these clouds don’t venture far. Twenty miles away, the rainfall is just 20” annually.

As the water falls on Mount Wai’ale’ale, it drains into Alaka’i Swamp. Vegetation grows in this area that is found no place else on earth.

On the west of Alaka’i Swamp is Waimea Canyon. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Erosion over vast time has created depths of 3,000 feet and two miles wide filled with a multitude of waterfalls and extreme beauty.

Over the edge of the canyon is Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, the greatest attraction of the north shore. If you are offered an accommodation on north shore Kauai with mountain views, imagine huge emerald green peaks with long flowing waterfalls and a morning mist that holds complete rainbows. These peaks hold the mana or power. Mythological stories surrounding these mountains and the gods whose stories have been past from generation to generation are still a part of the beautiful Hawaiian culture. Native Hula retells these stories of the gods in ways that they can relate to life today, in ways that are practical and simple.

On the mainland, life has stopped listening to and learning from our ancestors. On Kauai, natives ‘talk story’. Life’s lessons are past from the stories of the formation of this land into stories of pride and beauty. This is Kauai and this is special.