Kauai Destinations
Estimated to be more than five million years old, Kaua‘i is the oldest Hawaiian island—though it’s aged very well. The island lives up to its nickname, “The Garden Island,” with verdant mountains, lush rain forests and some of the most enchanting spots you’ll ever see. Room to Move. Of the four counties in the state, Kauai’s is the least populated, with just over 63,000 residents. This yields a mere 114 people per square mile. The island itself is 552 square miles with 90 miles of coastline.
Hawaii’s oldest and most scenic island
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Waimea Canyon
Dubbed by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
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Sunny Po‘ipu
Wiggle your toes on some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the world.
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North Shore
Resting at the bottom of the wettest spot in the world, a tropical rain forest with white sand beaches.
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Na Pali Coast
Cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the crashing surf make for a dramatic backdrop whether by boat, helicopter or hiking.
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Hanalei Bay
Dubbed by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
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Kilauea Wildlife Refuge & Light House
Wiggle your toes on some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the world.
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Princeville Resort
Resting at the bottom of the wettest spot in the world, a tropical rain forest with white sand beaches.
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Na Pali Coast
Cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the crashing surf make for a dramatic backdrop whether by boat, helicopter or hiking.
SMALL WONDERS
Kaua‘i is the legendary home of the Menehune, a mythical race of very small people who performed legendary feats of construction and engineering. The Menehune Ditch and Alekoko Fishpond are two of the projects said to have been the work of the Menehune. Today, some scholars theorize that the Menehune may have been, in fact, descendants of the first wave of settlers who journeyed to Hawai‘i from the Marquesas in the sixth century.
KAUAIAN HISTORY
While Kamehameha I is credited with bringing all the Hawaiian islands under one rule, it should be noted that the great warrior king never conquered Kaua‘i. An attempt to invade the island in 1796 was met with disaster after a fierce storm sunk many of Kamehameha’s war canoes in the channel between O‘ahu and Kaua‘i. Nevertheless, in 1810 Kaua‘i was peacefully turned over to Kamehameha to avoid any more bloodshed.
FAST FACTS
Official Flower & Color
Mokihana, a green berry, grows on the slopes of Mount Wai‘ale‘ale. This tiny pea-like berry is used with maile to make leis. The island’s official color is purple.
Wettest Spot on Earth
Averaging 466 inches of rain per year, 5,080-foot Mount Wai‘ale‘ale is considered the wettest spot on earth.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kauai’s official flower is the mokihana
- The neighboring island of Ni‘ihau is considered part of Kaua‘i County. Ni‘ihau is home to about 250 residents, most of whom are pure Hawaiians.
- Sugar, papayas, taro and guava are grown commercially on the island.
- Kaua‘i is a popular setting for Hollywood blockbusters. Some of the movies filmed on the island include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Tears of the Sun, Honeymoon in Vegas, King Kong, Blue Hawai‘i and South Pacific.