Kauai USA Travel Guide

Kauai, geologically the oldest of the major islands, is breathtakingly beautiful, its lush green interior earning it the nickname “the Garden Isle”. This is one of the smaller of Hawaii’s main islands, measuring only about 3½ mls E to W and 2½ mls N to S.
Jagged green mountains dominate the landscape and some parts are still untamed Na Pali Coast remains roadless, a mystic wilderness. Major resort destinations are Princeville on the N coast, the Wailea coconut coast in the E and Poipu Beach on the S shore. A law forbids any structure from being higher than the coconut palms, and so making the most of the superb natural scenery.
This island suits the middle to upmarket families, couples and incentive/corporate groups, the active and sports-orientated, independent. Mainly American tourists.

On the island there is about 90 properties, two-thirds of which are hotels; the remainder is made up of condominiums, a few cottages and B&Bs.

Locality:
Kauai is an island in the central Pacific Ocean, almost on the Tropic of Cancer, 20 mins’ flight from Honolulu (Oahu) via inter-island airlines. The island’s major airport is at Lihue, with a smaller airport at Princeville. This is the northernmost of the major Hawaiian islands.

The island is ringed with 45 superlative beaches , large and small, most of them deserted, but all of them (as throughout the Hawaiian Islands) open to the public. Among the best: Hanalei Bay on the N shore; Poipu Beach in the S; Kalapaki Beach near Lihue (E coast); and Polihale Beach in the SW. Many beaches are for strolling along or sunbathing rather than swimming, as currents are strong and undertows dangerous; check with the locals first before taking a dip.

The island’s largest shopping mall, Kukui Grove Center, is in Lihue, the island’s principal city. Shopping “villages” are located at Poipu, Coconut Plantation Marketplace in Wailua, Princeville and Hanalei. Clothing, art and souvenir shops can be found in most hotels. Outdoor shopping includes a bazaar at Spouting Horn, just W of Poipu. Look for hand-painted clothes, exquisite Niihau shell jewellery, hand-crafted items and locals artists’ work. During the daytime there is water sports; gliding; bird-watching; fishing; golf. Hiking on the Na Pali Trail. Kauai Museum in Lihue. Botanical gardens. Several scenic state parks, including magnificent Waimea Canyon. Learning Hawaiian crafts; cultural and music festivals; sports events.
The nightlife here is very low-key. Hotels offer clubs, bars and entertainment programmes; there is also local dancing and music.

For food there is a limited choice. The range includes restaurants serving regional dishes and international fare to snack bars and lunch wagons near beaches. Hotel restaurants are good; food choice tends to be mostly steak/seafood/American. Local speciality is shaved ice flavoured with tropical syrups.

Big Island USA

The Island of Hawai’i is sometimes called the Orchid Isle or the Volcano Isle, but to its residents it’s always “the Big Island of Hawaii.”
A Big Island vacation excites the senses and inspires the adventurer. You can hike into a volcano crater, catch marlin weighing hundreds of pounds, discover our universe from the top of Mauna Ke’a, and outstare a shark from the safety of a submarine porthole.

The Big Island has the world’s most active volcano: Kilauea, which has been spewing lava intermittently since January 3, 1983.  Upscale resorts line the coast, with the touristy, trafficy town of Kailua-Kona serving as social and economic center.

The sheer size of the Big Island, larger than all of the other islands combined, can be its main drawback for the explorer — you can drive and drive and drive and drive between attractions. So allot your time accordingly.

Locality:

The Big Island of Hawaii is the most southerly of the main Hawaii state islands. It’s is near equal to all of the other main Hawaii islands put together.
The Big Island’s tropical climate is nearly ideal. Geographically it’s the most diverse island of the archipelago, with deserts, rainforests, volcanoes and snow-capped mountains.
The Big Island is home to five volcanoes: Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Hualalai, Kohala and Mauna Kea. Mauna Loa and Kilauea have been the most active in recent times, with Hualalai brooding silently as an eruption possibility.
In the winter, both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are cloaked with a mantle of snow. The Beaches – Beach lovers can enjoy 80 or more beaches, and new ones are formed when molten lava shatteres as it hits cold ocean waters. Beautiful marine life can be observed by snorkeling or scuba diving from boat and from shore.

Popular attractions include:

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park – established in 1916, displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution. Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.
The Ocean – Spectacular crystal-clear Hawaiian waters awaits. Experience the stunning corals, fish, turtles, dolphins, and whales that populate the islands. Kayak across the blue water and marvel at the scenery in paradise. Don’t forget your underwater camera!

Kona – Kona is famous for sportfishing, snorkeling, sunsets and coffee. It means “leeward” in Hawaiian and stretches along the isle’s west side. The northern portion of the Kona side is also known as the Kohala district. You will see strikingly different terrain features as you travel up and down the coast.

Hilo – Historic Downtown Hilo is alive and bustling. More laid back from the hustle of more touristy Hawaii, one can find great bargains in this quaint town. Its diverse shopping opportunities, small scale, and friendliness makes Hilo an enchanting town to visit and explore. With lots of rain, you will find Hilo exceptionally green and fertile.