Kauai life is truly magnificent, exciting and
pleasurable which undoubtedly explains why hundreds of thousands of
tourists flock to the island every year. There are several natural and
man-made attractions and sites that have existed for thousands of years
leading to a solid cultural heritage. Before visiting, you need to have
the answers to some FAQs to determine which locations and activities
suit your trip best.
Learning More about the Island
1. Why is Kauai called the “Garden Isle”?
Kauai got its name because of its rich tropical life filled with green
valleys, deep jungles and beautiful gardens. Mt. Wai’ale’ale is home to
the wettest spot on the planet, receiving around 400 inches of rain
annually. 3 of the 5 National Tropical Botanical Gardens are located in
the island namely Allerton, McBryde and Limahuli. Kauai life actually
stemmed from abundant sugarcane fields, vegetable plantations and
farms. A lot of plants you see today were originally brought by
Polynesian explorers who intended to enhance agriculture and herbal
methods.
2. What attractions should I look forward to?
There are both artificial and natural tourist attractions that define
Kauai life well. You can find several ancient heiaus or Hawaiian
temples where ancient villagers and chiefs used to worship their gods
and goddesses. Here you will find artifacts and other sacred structures
like totem poles. Ancient burial sites and secret caves are also found
all across the island nearby captivating waterfalls, tropical jungles
and seaside cliffs. Several popular movies were filmed in different
spots of Kauai such as “Jurassic Park”, “Might Joe Young”, “King Kong”
and “6 Days, 7 Nights”.
Kauai is around 5.1 million years old and has a number of popular
volcanoes and peaks. It is also home to the enchanting Na Pali Coast
which was formed from several volcanic eruptions. Experience the Great
Canyon of the Pacific or Waimea Canyon which is more colorful than the
Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is 10 miles long and have hiking trails
leading to towns and tropical jungles.
3. What can I do in Kauai?
Some of the popular activities that resemble Kauai life include
swimming, snorkeling, sand strolling, hiking, horseback riding, scuba
diving, surfing, bodysurfing, windsurfing and experiencing festivals
and luaus. Some must-see beaches include Hanakapi’ai Beach and Kalalau
Beach. You should also try the Kalalau Trail from Ke’e Beach that takes
you to some majestic views of valleys, coasts and peaks.
A lot of people get married Hawaiian style using authentic floral
decorations, lei ceremonies and seaside landscapes. It is the perfect
vacation spot for the entire family as well as lone individuals. There
are a number of world-class hotels like the Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott.
The downtown area is also bustling with Kauai life with festive bars
and clubs, restaurants serving international dishes and shopping hubs.
More Questions
4. What natural attractions can I expect?
Na Pali Coast is home to the rare monk seals as well as other species
like the nene geese, dolphin and humpback whale. Tourists come to watch
whales and other marine life from December to April. You can also find
a lot of waterfalls as you explore deeper into the island such as
Wailua Falls, Opaekaa Falls and Manawaipuna Falls which was featured in
“Jurassic Park”. Some of these spots can be trekked to or you may avail
of a helicopter tour as well for a better view.
5. What can I expect about the weather?
Kauai life usually has moderate and comfortable climate and
temperature. Poipu in the south shore is the sunniest while the western
parts leading to Mana, Polihale and Kekaha are the driest. All coastal
areas are generally sunny and comfortably warm. Temperatures tend to
get cooler in the evening all across the island. Generally, it rains a
lot in Kauai.
