| most appropriately nicknamed the Garden Isle, is | | | | the most popular motion pictures and television |
| the Hawaiian vacation destination treasured for its | | | | series have been filmed. These hits include |
| lush tropical greenery and sparkling sand beaches. | | | | Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, South |
| The tropical paradise of Kauai basks amidst the | | | | Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island |
| sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, about | | | | and about 30 others. |
| 20 minutes by air from Honolulu. Formed some | | | | - Kauai is known as the Garden Isle because it's |
| six million years ago, the island encompasses | | | | so green and the flora and fauna so profligate. |
| roughly 550 square miles and is the oldest and | | | | One can wander through botanical gardens |
| northernmost of the eight major islands of the | | | | chartered by the U.S. Congress and encounter |
| Hawaiian chain. | | | | some of the rarest living things on Earth. At |
| For vacationers who want to avoid the crowds of | | | | Limahuli Gardens, native Hawaiian plants are |
| Oahu and Maui and see Hawaii in a much more | | | | arranged around ancient taro terraces carved into |
| natural setting, Kauai is the perfect alternative. | | | | the base of the mountains where the Napali |
| Visitors to the island worship not only its | | | | Coast begins. The scenery is dramatic, the air |
| postcard-perfect beauty, but Kauai's diversity of | | | | tranquil. Ninety percent of Hawaii's native plants |
| cultures, activities, shopping, and dining. | | | | are unique to the Islands and half are endangered. |
| If ever an island was made for adventure, it's the | | | | At Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, the Garden |
| Hawaiian island of Kauai, owing to its extraordinary | | | | Isle's newest garden, whimsical sculptures and a |
| and diverse natural environment. Verdant | | | | maze full of surprises are woven into a landscape |
| rainforests, sparkling sand beaches, impressive | | | | of ponds, gardens, waterfalls, lagoons and |
| golf courses, vibrant scenery, friendly faces, | | | | streams. Kauai's glorious weather provides the |
| blissful breezes, and striking waterfalls are just a | | | | just right amount of sun and rain to nurture kiawe |
| few of Kauai's spectacular offerings to its guests. | | | | trees, blackberries, java plum, guava, eucalyptus, |
| - The busy harbor at Port Allen is the launch pad | | | | bamboo, sandalwood, pineapple, and sugarcane, to |
| for a fleet of pleasure boats that take to the | | | | name just a few. One of Kauai's specialties is the |
| seas for whale watching, dinner sails, dolphin | | | | indigenous mokihana vine and berry, found only on |
| encounters, charter fishing, snorkel and picnic trips | | | | the island. Other great finds include orchids, |
| and cruising beneath the stunning green palisades | | | | coconut palms, plumeria, hibiscus and other tropical |
| of the Napali Coast. | | | | plants throughout the island, with its arid to lush |
| - Hiking trails head into Waimea, the "Grand | | | | climate enhancing the beauty and fragrance of |
| Canyon of the Pacific," or along the Napali Coast | | | | Kauai's flowers and vegetation. One can anticipate |
| to breathtaking valleys unreachable by road. | | | | the opportunity to see a variety of unique and |
| There are coastal hikes across high sand dunes, | | | | distinctive animals and birds on this tropical island, |
| and rain forest treks among the oldest flora in | | | | which includes the likes of, dolphins, monk seals, |
| Hawaii. Ferns reach up to eye level and tropical | | | | sea turtles, reef fish, coral reefs, whales, and so |
| hibiscus and ginger blossoms measure the size of | | | | much more. Native birds include the iwi and the |
| ones fist. Waterfalls and cool plunge pools, hidden | | | | State bird, the nene goose; other birds on the |
| shoreline coves and glorious mountain vistas | | | | island are doves, cardinals, egrets, roosters. |
| heighten the whole experience. | | | | - Kauai is a great place to learn a new sport or |
| - The only navigable rivers in Hawaii flow through | | | | hobby, one that may light up a lifetime. There are |
| Kauai. Paddlers can explore placid river reaches by | | | | schools for surfing, SCUBA diving, tennis and golf. |
| kayak, gliding silently through sanctuaries for the | | | | Golfers can tee off at one of nine golf courses, |
| rarest birds on planet Earth. | | | | many of them championship links set amidst |
| - Real horseback riding will take one into forests, | | | | spectacular scenery. There are also several tennis |
| canyons and mountains for picnics, waterfall | | | | courts. |
| swims and glorious ocean vistas. | | | | - Some of the most authentic lu'au in Hawaii |
| - Kauai's award winning and highly popular Movie | | | | happen on Kauai. No one should go home without |
| Tours offers visitors the opportunity to visit the | | | | enjoying this traditional feast with Hawaiian food, |
| places of breathtaking scenery where some of | | | | hula and fun. |