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On Kauai's north shore you'll discover some of
the most spectacular scenery on the planet. There's the Na Pali Coast,
whose cliffs rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. And Lumahai Beach, where
Mitzi Gaynor 'washed that man right out of her hair' in the movie South
Pacific. The north shore also is home to the quaint town of Hanalei,
one of the earliest areas to be settled by the ancient Pacific voyagers.
If spectacular scenery is what brought you to Kauai, viewing the Na Pali
Coast will stir your passion to stay on this magical island forever.
Emerald valleys, jagged 4,000-foot cliffs that tower above the blue Pacific,
a host of caves, lava tubes, and beautiful beaches, make this area eminently
worth exploring.
Honopu Valley
The densely jungled valley of Honopu was thought to be the last home
of the Menehune and is often referred to as the "Valley of the Lost
Tribe." The beach in this area is where Jessica Lange eluded King
Kong in the 1976 remake of the classic King Kong and Harrison Ford fled
from pirate attack in 6 Days, 7 Nights.
Na Pali Coast
Cliffs rising as high as 4,000 feet are accessible along the beautiful
Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast. Hiking, helicopter or rafting trips
offer spectacular views of the region where many believe that the Na
Pali spirits can play tricks on hikers and campers alike. Some historians
claim that the Na Pali region was the first part of Kauai to be settled.
Ke ahu a laka Heiau
Located on a terrace above the boulder, this is a heiau that was part
of a famous hula school in the area. Chanters came to receive the most
advanced training possible. To test their skills, they walked across
the smooth boulders at the edge of the sea and chanted their mele (chant).
If their voices could be heard above the sounds of the waves and the
wind, then their training was completed. Students are still brought here
to test their skills
Hanalei Valley
Seeing Hanalei Valley for the first time is like stepping back in time.
The taro fields that exist there today are much the same as those that
dotted the landscape hundreds of years ago. In Hanalei is the Waioli
Mission House, a preserved home and museum dating from 1837. Keep going
towards the end of the road and you'll reach the world famous wet and
dry caves.
Hanalei Bay
Famous for its spectacular beauty, Hanalei Bay is a long half-moon of
sandy beach carved into the base of a sheer cliff on one side and narrowing
into a rocky point on the other. The beach is a great spot for walking
or throwing a Frisbee around. At the westernmost curve of the bay, you'll
find a calm shoreline where the water is relatively quiet even when most
of the north shore is too rough for safe swimming.
Maniniholo Dry Cave
Maniniholo Dry Cave (Maniniholo means "swimming Manini fish")
is about 300 yards deep, and reaches to a small exit hole on the side
of the mountain. The cave interior used to be larger than now, before
a 1957 tsunami half-filled it with sand. To get there, go to Ha'ena Beach
Park on Route 560. Look for the cave on your left.
Lumahai Beach
Between Haena and Hanalei Bay is the most photographed beach on Kauai.
Lumahai Beach is where Mitzi Gaynor "washed that man right out of
her hair" in South Pacific.
Makana Peak
This familiar peak can be seen from Ha'ena and is easily recognized as "Bali
Hai" from the movie South Pacific. During special occasions, the
ancient Hawaiians would climb Mount Makana and throw burning spears into
the wind to sail across the sky and eventually land in the ocean.
Waikanaloa Wet Cave, Waikapalae Wet Cave
Waikanaloa (water of Kanaloa, a god) Wet Cave is, as its name implies,
underwater. It has been explored about 100 yards in by scuba divers.The
two caves are located within approximately 100 yards of each other on
the mauka (mountain) side of the highway after Haena and before Ke'e
Beach.
Kee Beach
This is a famous movie location and excellent snorkeling area, located
at the foot of the Na Pali Coast Trail. Kee Beach appeared in the popular
television mini-series, The Thorn Birds
Waioli Mission House
Wai'oli Mission House is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Built of coral limestone blocks in 1837, its chimney was put
in place by the Reverend William Alexander, the first missionary on Kauai.
The house was restored in 1921, and is currently undergoing another restoration.
The Mission House will reopen for tours after renovations. Wai'oli Mission
Hall and picturesque Wai'oli Hui'ia Church (founded in 1834) are nearby.
Call 808-245-3202 for more information on these historic treasures.
Some of the best locations on Kauai are some of the least traveled. The
Kilauea area falls into that category, with a historic lighthouse, churches,
and a wildfowl sanctuary waiting to be explored. Just down the road is
Princeville, home to some of Hawaii's finest golf courses, beaches, and
a world-class resort.
Anini Beach
'Anini (stunted) Beach Park offers restrooms, showers, tables and barbecue
facilities. Camping requires a County permit. About a mile down the road
is 'Anini Beach. No one seems to know why the two aren't together in
once place
Hanalei Valley Lookout
Hanalei Valley Lookout offers one of the most famous views on Kauai.
The valley is one mile wide and six miles long. Most of the taro grown
in Hawaii is grown here. On the valley floor is a one-way truss bridge
built in 1912. The bridge was damaged by a tsunami in 1957, and subsequently
reinforced. Legend has it that the rainbow came to Hawaiian Islands from
the bluffs just beyond the valley when a piece of brightly colored kapa
cloth was thrown into a pool below Namolokama Falls, and its colors arched
up in the mist.
Kilauea Lighthouse
The 52-foot Kilauea Lighthouse was constructed in 1913, and its beam
once reached 90 miles out to sea. The lens is the largest of its type
ever made. The lighthouse has not been in service since 1976. At Kilauea
Point, you are at the northernmost point in the Hawaiian Islands. Open
Monday - Friday 10 am - 4 pm, closed Saturdays, Sundays, Federal holidays.
(808) 828-1413.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea is the northernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands. Surrounding
the lighthouse is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to
an array of protected sea birds.
Princeville
In 1853, R.C. Wyllie started a coffee plantation on the site of what
is now Princeville. The coffee plantation failed, but Princeville is
now the largest planned development on Kauai. It's home to some of Hawaii's
finest resorts, golf courses and restaurants. Princeville is also the
site of three beaches, Pu'u Poa (thumping point), Kenomene Beach, and
Kaweonui Beach (mostly rocky but, like most beaches on Kauai, beautiful
to behold). A wide reef creates pockets which are good for snorkeling,
however, high surf creates rip currents which make it wise to stay near
shore unless the sea is perfectly calm.
Kauai Visitors Bureau Information Hotline : 1 800 262 1400
For live tourism information regarding Kauai, call the Toll-Free
Kauai Visitor Information Hotline. This service is available in
all 50 states and Canada from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays - Fridays,
6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. (HST)
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