| One of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai, is | | | | Ranch Adventures. Here, a visitor can enjoy |
| sometimes referred to as "Hawaii's Island Of | | | | the land as it sprawls from hilly terrain to |
| Discovery". That's because Kauai is Hawaii's | | | | coastal beaches. These beaches offer common |
| oldest island, yet it's constantly changing | | | | sites of turtles, seals and yes, even |
| to enlighten and satisfy all the many | | | | dolphins!Should visitors have a passion for |
| visitors who go there.One can find shops and | | | | Polynesian dancing, attending a three-day |
| restaurants bustling with activity alongside | | | | Kauai Polynesian Festival event is an |
| the many vendors working the highways and | | | | absolute treat. Located at the Kukui Grove |
| by-ways to sell flowers, a variety of fish | | | | Park and Pavilion on Highway 50, guests are |
| and lots of fruit.On Kauai's west side on the | | | | entertained by local Hula troupes, dancers |
| beach on Kekaha, an old sugar camp house sat | | | | from Somoa, Tahiti and as far away as New |
| for years awaiting restoration. Finally, | | | | Zealand. The festival usually held in late |
| this facility along with an historic | | | | May, boasts international craft displays, |
| 5-bedroom house, has now joined Waimea | | | | intereresting booths and an abundance of |
| Plantation Cottages as a restored plantation- | | | | local cuisine.While in Lihue, check out the |
| style home bringing the cottage count now to | | | | fascinating yet unusual museum known as the |
| 50.Heading east to Kalaheo, two houses have | | | | Kauai Veterans' Center Military Museum. |
| been added as rentals for vacationers. | | | | Here, the die-hard war-buff can view displays |
| Although both sites are away from any beaches | | | | of weaponry donated by local soldiers of |
| (and are more residential than resort-style), | | | | Hawaii who fought in World War II and in |
| the accommodations are affordable, clean and | | | | Vietnam. There are even archives from combat |
| comfortable. Plus, guests do not need to be | | | | units dating back to the Spanish American |
| concerned with minimum stays or cleaning | | | | War.Making your way on Kauai's east side |
| fees.Vacationers here can even enjoy more | | | | north of Lihue, visitors discover the little |
| perks like a hot tub, free tennis court | | | | community of Kapaa. Here you find the Kauai |
| usage, beach gear, boogie boards and snorkel | | | | Children's Discovery Museum specializing in |
| equipment.On the south side, reconstruction | | | | the developmental needs of kids under five |
| of a hotel (Waiohai Hotel), damaged by | | | | years in age. Parents are welcome to gather |
| Hurricane Iniki in 1992, has been completed. | | | | information about community resources and |
| This property was converted into | | | | services as well as on child development. |
| timeshares---200 2-bedroom accommodations in | | | | One will be very impressed with the numerous |
| nine buildings.Catering to the upscale | | | | special toys and playground equipment---all |
| market, 22 units in the Poipu Kai Resort were | | | | designed for the stimulation of kids' brains |
| added measuring 1,700 to 2,000 square feet. | | | | and muscles.As you leave Kapaa and continue |
| These condos have air conditioning, featuring | | | | northward on Highway 56, prepare yourself for |
| walk-in showers made of glass block, complete | | | | all the congestion due to a construction |
| with designer furnishings. Oh and for | | | | boom. Surprisingly, an oasis appears |
| kitchen lovers, there's Corian countertops | | | | revealing the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens |
| throughout. Visitors here will agree this | | | | and Sculpture Park. Guests are permitted to |
| place is a pleasant, nicely-manicured resort, | | | | tour the grounds where gardens feature exotic |
| complete with pool and ocean-front units.Also | | | | vegetation, hardwood trees, even dozens of |
| in the Poipu area, roughly a block from the | | | | statues made of bronze. Two of the most |
| ocean, is a quiet setting with restored | | | | recently added statues depict a young |
| former residential rentals featuring hardwood | | | | Hawaiian with his father planting a mahogany |
| floors, hot tubs and walk-in showers. Here | | | | tree; and the other was installed adjacent to |
| one finds a feeling of seclusion in this | | | | the ponds along the garden's birdwalk, called |
| lovely place called Hideaway Love Villas.For | | | | "Still Life" which is a likeness of a blue |
| those visitors wishing to be pampered while | | | | heron.For the hiking enthusiasts, Princeville |
| staying at Poipu, there is another setting of | | | | Ranch has a fantastic hiking tour lasting |
| three 2,600 square-foot units: two at ocean | | | | five hours over ranch land hosting some |
| front; one with an ocean view. Here, at | | | | awe-inspiring viewpoints. This tour even |
| Kauai Cottages at Poipu Beach, a guest gets | | | | features an exciting area where you must |
| elegant furnishings, high-speed Internet | | | | swing on a chain to advance off a small |
| access---complimented with tennis and | | | | cliff. At the end of the hiking is Kalihwai |
| honeymoon packages. The honeymoon packages | | | | Falls, providing the visitor/hiker with a |
| come with a cold bottle of champagne upon | | | | refreshing dip and a fulfilling lunch.There |
| arrival PLUS a chef will even prepare a | | | | is a place on Kauai debated to be the most |
| delicious meal! So, be assured to find a lot | | | | remote place on the island: Hanalei Colony |
| of romance when staying in these private, | | | | Resort. There are no phones and no |
| beautifully- landscaped cottages.As the | | | | televisions. Renovations are underway |
| continual proliferation of vacation rentals | | | | upgrading these condos from one bath to one |
| marches on, the south side of Kauai will | | | | and a half baths. Workers minimize their |
| doubtless feel some growing pains. More | | | | building efforts, however, to focus on the |
| commercial development will need to keep | | | | most important detail: Don't Disrupt the |
| pace---town squares, shops, restaurants and | | | | Quiet-Seeking Patrons! As remote and quiet |
| grocery stores will blanket the | | | | as this resort remains, wedding, honeymoon |
| landscape.Approaching Lihue, one finds what | | | | and small meeting groups are always |
| used to be one of the "off limits" in | | | | welcome.Yes, Kauai is continually offering |
| Kauai---until a 3,000 acre ranch owner opened | | | | its visitors something pristine and glorious. |
| his property to small tours. This was a | | | | It's an adventure into Paradise not soon |
| former sugar plantation now managed by Kipu | | | | forgotten. |