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