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West Kauai Region
Location: West Kauai
This beach really has a lot to offer. Windsurfing, lounging, protected swimming, snorkeling and a lesson in ancient Hawaiian salt production - hence the beach's name. There is a natural salt pond near the beach that is used by descendants of Hawaiians to collect salt. Make sure not to poke around there without permission.
This beach really has a lot to offer. Windsurfing, lounging, protected swimming, snorkeling and a lesson in ancient Hawaiian salt production - hence the beach's name. There is a natural salt pond near the beach that is used by descendants of Hawaiians to collect salt. Make sure not to poke around there without permission.
Location: West Kauai
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 on Hwy 50 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 State Park and the large beach itself. Be warned, this is no pleasure ride in a small vehicle. The drive is a long, bumpy sand road which can be a bear in a normal car. Fragments of front bumpers are strewn along the road as testament to motorists who were ill–prepared for some deep ditches. Keep your eyes on the road, and you should be fine. After a little over three miles, the road ends at a massive monkeypod tree which is rumored to be haunted. One local tale is that the ghost of a man who was hung there haunts the tree.
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 on Hwy 50 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 State Park and the large beach itself. Be warned, this is no pleasure ride in a small vehicle. The drive is a long, bumpy sand road which can be a bear in a normal car. Fragments of front bumpers are strewn along the road as testament to motorists who were ill–prepared for some deep ditches. Keep your eyes on the road, and you should be fine. After a little over three miles, the road ends at a massive monkeypod tree which is rumored to be haunted. One local tale is that the ghost of a man who was hung there haunts the tree.
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: West Kauai
Kekaha is the first portion of the 15-mile long stretch of beach in West Kauai called Polihale Beach. The sand here is comfortable but the water is raucous. Never go in unless it looks very calm. It is a nice spot for experienced surfers and wind surfers. Only occasionally is there a lifeguard on duties. Restrooms are available.
Kekaha is the first portion of the 15-mile long stretch of beach in West Kauai called Polihale Beach. The sand here is comfortable but the water is raucous. Never go in unless it looks very calm. It is a nice spot for experienced surfers and wind surfers. Only occasionally is there a lifeguard on duties. Restrooms are available.
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.
Location: West Kauai
The Nualolo Cliff Trail is one of the most breath taking hikes on the island of Kaua`i. And it's location means only the most dedicated outdoors man will ever seen it; it's only accessible by hiking over three miles down the Nualolo Trail or the Awa`awapuhi trail. Consider the trail the "bridge" that connects the other two trails in a sort of giant loop. In fact, that's exactly how we recommend folks hike it.
The Nualolo Cliff Trail begins between the 3 mile and 3.25 mile markers on the Nu'alolo Trail and meets the Awa'awapuhi Trail near the 3 mile point. For the experienced hiker, plan an all-day loop hike down Nu'alolo Trail, along the Nu'alolo Cliff Trail, and back up Awa'awapuhi Trail, or vice versa (though we recommend the first option). View a map of the Nualolo Cliff Trail Loop.
Another good reason to hike the loop clockwise is so you can decide early on if you want to experience the "cliff" portion of this trail. As you leave the Nualolo trail (likely just coming back from Lolo Vista Point) you'll notice the trail narrow and for a portion (about a quarter mile) you'll question your sanity for taking this trail to begin with. To say it's along the edge of a cliff is a literal fact, and while it's passable - extreme caution is needed during that short portion. Beyond that the trail is significantly easier as it heads towards Awa`awapuhi, occasionally providing you some incredibly scenic lookouts on your left into Nualolo Valley.
The Nualolo Cliff Trail is one of the most breath taking hikes on the island of Kaua`i. And it's location means only the most dedicated outdoors man will ever seen it; it's only accessible by hiking over three miles down the Nualolo Trail or the Awa`awapuhi trail. Consider the trail the "bridge" that connects the other two trails in a sort of giant loop. In fact, that's exactly how we recommend folks hike it.
The Nualolo Cliff Trail begins between the 3 mile and 3.25 mile markers on the Nu'alolo Trail and meets the Awa'awapuhi Trail near the 3 mile point. For the experienced hiker, plan an all-day loop hike down Nu'alolo Trail, along the Nu'alolo Cliff Trail, and back up Awa'awapuhi Trail, or vice versa (though we recommend the first option). View a map of the Nualolo Cliff Trail Loop.
Another good reason to hike the loop clockwise is so you can decide early on if you want to experience the "cliff" portion of this trail. As you leave the Nualolo trail (likely just coming back from Lolo Vista Point) you'll notice the trail narrow and for a portion (about a quarter mile) you'll question your sanity for taking this trail to begin with. To say it's along the edge of a cliff is a literal fact, and while it's passable - extreme caution is needed during that short portion. Beyond that the trail is significantly easier as it heads towards Awa`awapuhi, occasionally providing you some incredibly scenic lookouts on your left into Nualolo Valley.
Location: West Kauai
Heading west on Highway 50 from Hanapepe turn right onto Menehune Road near mile marker 23. Pull over to the side of the road, walk across the street from the Waimea Hanging Bridge and check out the Menehune Ditch. At first glance it just looks like a ditch with a stone wall, but this structure has a lot of historical significance. It is rumored to have been built by Hawai‘i’s “little people,” the Menehune, who arrived around 300 AD from the Marquesas Islands. Seven hundred years later the Tahitians would arrive and build the Hawaiian culture that is present today. The stones used to complete the ditch were brought from nearly six miles away. Some legends say it was even constructed in one night.
Heading west on Highway 50 from Hanapepe turn right onto Menehune Road near mile marker 23. Pull over to the side of the road, walk across the street from the Waimea Hanging Bridge and check out the Menehune Ditch. At first glance it just looks like a ditch with a stone wall, but this structure has a lot of historical significance. It is rumored to have been built by Hawai‘i’s “little people,” the Menehune, who arrived around 300 AD from the Marquesas Islands. Seven hundred years later the Tahitians would arrive and build the Hawaiian culture that is present today. The stones used to complete the ditch were brought from nearly six miles away. Some legends say it was even constructed in one night.
Location: West Kauai
Hanapepe used to be the hot spot in the 1800s with its popularity being supported by local agriculture. The town was formed by Chinese rice growers. Even though the town's decline began in the 70s and 80s it was 1992's Hurricane Iniki that landed the final blow to Hanapepe. It still manages to stay alive with a handful of artisan shops and galleries.
Hanapepe used to be the hot spot in the 1800s with its popularity being supported by local agriculture. The town was formed by Chinese rice growers. Even though the town's decline began in the 70s and 80s it was 1992's Hurricane Iniki that landed the final blow to Hanapepe. It still manages to stay alive with a handful of artisan shops and galleries.
Location: West Kauai
The small, western town of Waimea is where the English explorer Capt. James Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. The town has built a statue in his honor. This monument is actually a replica of the one that stands in his home town of Whitby, England. Cook continued on to sail to all the other islands until he was killed in 1779 on the Big Island following a dispute over a row boat.
The small, western town of Waimea is where the English explorer Capt. James Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. The town has built a statue in his honor. This monument is actually a replica of the one that stands in his home town of Whitby, England. Cook continued on to sail to all the other islands until he was killed in 1779 on the Big Island following a dispute over a row boat.
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