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Guidebook Kauai
Location/Region:
Northernmost and oldest Hawaiian island in the Pacific Ocean.
Geographical Description: 533 square
miles, 25 miles long, only 3% of land developed for commercial
and residential use. Kauai is famous for its 3,000-foot high
mountain cliffs called Napali Coast and its 3,567-foot deep
Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Climate: Daytime temperatures ranging
from mid-70’s to mid-80’s. Usually slightly warmer during
summer. The breezy weather is due to Northeast tradewinds. The
ocean temperature ranges from 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 75
degrees Fahrenheit.
Population: Approximately 58,000
residents.
Kalalau Valley photo: HVCB/Ron Dahlquist
Area History:
Kauai was the first of the
Hawaiian Islands to be inhabited
Kauai was the first Hawaiian
Island English explorer Capt. James Cook landed on in 1778.
Kauai was the only island not
taken in battle by Kamehameha when he tried to unite the Hawaiian
islands
Cultural info: Kauai is one of the quaintest and
untouched of the Hawaiian Islands with only 3% of the island actually
developed for residential and commercial use. Many cultural traditions
are still alive, such as the art of Hula through hula lessons and
performances.
Current area info: Tourism is Kauai’s major
industry, however the papaya, beef, coffee and guava industries are
growing as well. Kauai also produces more than 60 % of Hawaii’s taro,
which is more than five million pounds a year.
What to see and do:
A helicopter tour is a must when visiting Kauai. View
pristine valleys and flowing waterfalls from up above.
Boat tours – Napali Coast is breathtaking from
the ocean. There are numerous tours on the island, from sailboats
to power boats. Or book a tour to go fishing island style with the
horizon of Kauai as your backdrop.
Watersports – Learn how to surf, snorkel, scuba
dive, kayak etc. through the many activity companies in Kauai.
Mingle with locals and visitors, try new foods
and watch fabulous entertainment at the annual Koloa Days Festival
or Mokihana festivals.
There are activities for every interest; hiking,
horseback riding, ATV tours and Mountain Tubing Adventure (where you
ride down old sugar plantation ditches in inner tubes).
Tips on visiting:
The sun is very, very strong. Even if you have a
base tan, about an hour or so of tanning is plenty. Protect
yourself whenever enjoying activities in the sun. Waterproof
sunscreen with protection of SPF 15 or over is highly recommended.
Hawaiian words and names are used frequently in
street and place names. The Hawaiian language is very easy to get
used to. To pronounce a word begin by sounding out one syllable at
a time. (Aloha= A-lo-ha) Aloha means hello, goodbye, or love. Mahalo
means thank you. When directions are Mauka means towards the
mountains and Makai means towards the ocean. Kamaaina means Hawaii
resident. When going to the rest room look for Wahine for women and
Kane for men.
It is customary to remove your shoes when
entering someone's home.
To preserve Hawaii’s delicate ecosystems please
DO NOT LITTER any trash or cigarette butts while in the islands.
Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Area Trivia and Interesting or Little Known Facts:
No structure can be built more than four stories
high, approximately the height of a mature coconut palm tree.
Kauai has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii.
Kauai has been the film location for over 60
major motion pictures, such as “South Pacific”, “Jurassic Park I, II
and III, “Six Day’s and Seven Nights” and “Dragonfly”.
Kauai has 43 white sand beaches, more than any
other Hawaiian island.
Kauai is home to four of the top ten golf courses
in Hawaii.
The National Tropical Botanical Garden is
headquartered in
Lawai, Kauai.
Information and photos submitted
by:
Kauai Visitors Bureau
4334 Rice Street, Suite 101
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-3971 |
Website
|
Email
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