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Kauai Sights
Location: West Kauai
Dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain, Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures ten miles long, one mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Wai‘ale‘ale’s summit. Today it is the home of the Waimea River, so named for the red hue of the water. In fact, Waimea means "red waters."
The red tint is caused by several natural processes that are breaking down the ancient rock inside the gorge. Like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, through the process of weathering (precipitation), mass wasting (gravitational breakdown), and erosion (the river) the walls of Waimea Canyon are literally being rusted, broken down, and carried out to sea over time. From space, you can even see the tinted runoff making its way into the ocean.
Dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain, Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures ten miles long, one mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Wai‘ale‘ale’s summit. Today it is the home of the Waimea River, so named for the red hue of the water. In fact, Waimea means "red waters."
The red tint is caused by several natural processes that are breaking down the ancient rock inside the gorge. Like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, through the process of weathering (precipitation), mass wasting (gravitational breakdown), and erosion (the river) the walls of Waimea Canyon are literally being rusted, broken down, and carried out to sea over time. From space, you can even see the tinted runoff making its way into the ocean.
Location: East Kauai
Nawiliwili Harbor has been the official harbor for Kauai since 1930 when George Willcox donated the funds to build it. Located at the mouth of the Hule'ia Stream, the harbor got its name from the Wiliwili trees which once ruled the area. You may recognize this place and nearby Niumalu Beach from the film "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Nawiliwili Harbor has been the official harbor for Kauai since 1930 when George Willcox donated the funds to build it. Located at the mouth of the Hule'ia Stream, the harbor got its name from the Wiliwili trees which once ruled the area. You may recognize this place and nearby Niumalu Beach from the film "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Location: North Kauai
Along the North Shore of Kauai, past mile marker 9 on Highway 560, mauka (towards the mountain) is one of the most fascinating gardens on the island, Limahuli Garden & Preserve. The 1,000 acre garden is now part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens after being donated to the society in 1976. In 1995, the garden was opened to the public and as of 1997 was rated by the American Horticultural Society as the best natural botanical garden in the United States. The garden, nestled in the mountains, is unique and a real treasure to visit.
One of the most amazing areas of the garden is the taro gardens and terrace system, the origins of which date back a century or more to the earliest Hawaiians. An overlook, as seen on the following page, allows you to get an amazing view of this archeological wonder.
Along the North Shore of Kauai, past mile marker 9 on Highway 560, mauka (towards the mountain) is one of the most fascinating gardens on the island, Limahuli Garden & Preserve. The 1,000 acre garden is now part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens after being donated to the society in 1976. In 1995, the garden was opened to the public and as of 1997 was rated by the American Horticultural Society as the best natural botanical garden in the United States. The garden, nestled in the mountains, is unique and a real treasure to visit.
One of the most amazing areas of the garden is the taro gardens and terrace system, the origins of which date back a century or more to the earliest Hawaiians. An overlook, as seen on the following page, allows you to get an amazing view of this archeological wonder.
Location: West Kauai
The island of Ni'ihau lies 17 mile off the west coast of Kauai. This "forbidden" island is inhabited by approximately 200 full-blooded Hawaiians that keep completely to themselves.
Less than a mile up the Waimea Canyon Drive between mile markers 13 and 14 is the large Pu‘u Hinahina Lookout. The viewing area perched above the jagged crumbling slopes looks straight down the head of another gorge. Hundreds of colors paint the canyon walls like a masterpiece of the natural world. More than any other, two colors are mixed in different proportions as the day goes on. By the evening, one side glows with crimson highlights, the other basks in shades of dark green.
The island of Ni'ihau lies 17 mile off the west coast of Kauai. This "forbidden" island is inhabited by approximately 200 full-blooded Hawaiians that keep completely to themselves.
Less than a mile up the Waimea Canyon Drive between mile markers 13 and 14 is the large Pu‘u Hinahina Lookout. The viewing area perched above the jagged crumbling slopes looks straight down the head of another gorge. Hundreds of colors paint the canyon walls like a masterpiece of the natural world. More than any other, two colors are mixed in different proportions as the day goes on. By the evening, one side glows with crimson highlights, the other basks in shades of dark green.
Location: West Kauai
Heading west on Highway 50 from Hanapepe take a right onto Menehune Road, just before mile marker 23. After driving for less than a mile through a neighborhood, you will spot the Waimea Swinging Bridge on your right. The bridge, a re-creation of the original one that was destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki, stretches across the Waimea River and provides access to farms on the other side.
Heading west on Highway 50 from Hanapepe take a right onto Menehune Road, just before mile marker 23. After driving for less than a mile through a neighborhood, you will spot the Waimea Swinging Bridge on your right. The bridge, a re-creation of the original one that was destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki, stretches across the Waimea River and provides access to farms on the other side.
Location: Na Pali Kauai
Polihale State Park encompasses nearly 140 acres of coastal lands at the western end of the Na Pali coast. The park consists of a large sand beach (Polihale Beach), Polihale cliff and a traditional heiau. This is a typically hot and arid, almost desert-like setting. The road to Polihale may seem a little less like a tropical island and a little more like a desert highway. On a bright sunny day the flat stretch of Highway 50 between Highway 552 and Polihale Beach can create a mirage that looks more suited to Arizona than Hawai‘i.
Near mile marker 30 take a look to your left and observe the high security of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (yet another thing that isn’t quite so “tropical”). Once you pass mile marker 32, the highway ends and you will have to take a right inland. The first road on your left will take you to Polihale. Be warned, this is no pleasure ride in a small vehicle.
Polihale State Park encompasses nearly 140 acres of coastal lands at the western end of the Na Pali coast. The park consists of a large sand beach (Polihale Beach), Polihale cliff and a traditional heiau. This is a typically hot and arid, almost desert-like setting. The road to Polihale may seem a little less like a tropical island and a little more like a desert highway. On a bright sunny day the flat stretch of Highway 50 between Highway 552 and Polihale Beach can create a mirage that looks more suited to Arizona than Hawai‘i.
Near mile marker 30 take a look to your left and observe the high security of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (yet another thing that isn’t quite so “tropical”). Once you pass mile marker 32, the highway ends and you will have to take a right inland. The first road on your left will take you to Polihale. Be warned, this is no pleasure ride in a small vehicle.
Location: East Kauai
The Nounou Mountain ridge between Wailua and Kapa'a has a unique feature - it looks just like a slumbering giant. Legends and tall tales abound about this strange rock formation. Most of them dealing with a giant drinking and eating in great quantities and then laying down for a nap. He hasn't awoken since!
The Nounou Mountain ridge between Wailua and Kapa'a has a unique feature - it looks just like a slumbering giant. Legends and tall tales abound about this strange rock formation. Most of them dealing with a giant drinking and eating in great quantities and then laying down for a nap. He hasn't awoken since!
Location: South Kauai
Spouting Horn Beach Park is located on Lawa‘i Road in Po'ipu in south Kauai.
The ocean attraction can be viewed from the top of a small hill with a guard-rail. This is a popular spot for tour buses, so expect to share some space at the rail. Like other blowholes, Spouting Horn is caused by a hole in a lava shelf. The ocean rushes under the shelf and up through the hole with a mighty force that sends water shooting into the air. What makes this blowhole slightly different is the addition of a second hole that only emits wind and creates a great moaning sound.
Spouting Horn Beach Park is located on Lawa‘i Road in Po'ipu in south Kauai.
The ocean attraction can be viewed from the top of a small hill with a guard-rail. This is a popular spot for tour buses, so expect to share some space at the rail. Like other blowholes, Spouting Horn is caused by a hole in a lava shelf. The ocean rushes under the shelf and up through the hole with a mighty force that sends water shooting into the air. What makes this blowhole slightly different is the addition of a second hole that only emits wind and creates a great moaning sound.
Location: East Kauai
The Wailua River is the only navigable river in the islands. It begins at Kauai's heart and the wettest place on earth, Mt. Waialeale, and flows all the way to the ocean.
Along the way other smaller streams feed in. The river's many forks create several waterfalls, such as Wailua, a 900-ft double spouted waterfall at the southern end of the river. Kayaking is one of the major activities on the Wailua as well as boat tours and water skiing. Near the mouth of the river are several large rocks with ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. The river enters the ocean at Wailua Bay near the town of Wailua on Highway 56.
There is an excellent lookout for the Wailua River just before mile marker 2 on Kuamo'o Road (Highway 580).
The Wailua River is the only navigable river in the islands. It begins at Kauai's heart and the wettest place on earth, Mt. Waialeale, and flows all the way to the ocean.
Along the way other smaller streams feed in. The river's many forks create several waterfalls, such as Wailua, a 900-ft double spouted waterfall at the southern end of the river. Kayaking is one of the major activities on the Wailua as well as boat tours and water skiing. Near the mouth of the river are several large rocks with ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. The river enters the ocean at Wailua Bay near the town of Wailua on Highway 56.
There is an excellent lookout for the Wailua River just before mile marker 2 on Kuamo'o Road (Highway 580).
Location: West Kauai
Koke'e State Park is located at 4,000 foot atop Waimea Canyon ridge. The park encompasses 4,345 acres of land and has over 45 miles of trails. A 20-square mile highland bog is known as the Alaka'i Swamp and is a unique experience. Check out our hiking guide at Kauai Hiking Trails.
Koke‘e Museum & Lodge is located between mile markers 15 and 16 on Waimea Canyon Drive with the parking lot on your left. Parking is free and a stop here is a good time investment, especially if it’s one of those days the weather just won’t cooperate with you at the canyon. As we’ve said before, weather changes fast on Kaua‘i, so if you’re experiencing undesirable weather, head over to the lodge for a while before trying the overlooks again.
Koke'e State Park is located at 4,000 foot atop Waimea Canyon ridge. The park encompasses 4,345 acres of land and has over 45 miles of trails. A 20-square mile highland bog is known as the Alaka'i Swamp and is a unique experience. Check out our hiking guide at Kauai Hiking Trails.
Koke‘e Museum & Lodge is located between mile markers 15 and 16 on Waimea Canyon Drive with the parking lot on your left. Parking is free and a stop here is a good time investment, especially if it’s one of those days the weather just won’t cooperate with you at the canyon. As we’ve said before, weather changes fast on Kaua‘i, so if you’re experiencing undesirable weather, head over to the lodge for a while before trying the overlooks again.
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