| Our Hawaii Vacation series continues with
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| | valleys ending sharply at the sea.
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| the island of Kauai, the fourth and final
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| | Waterfalls, swift-flowing streams, and
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| island described in this series.
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| | extensive stone-walled terraces remain on
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| This tiny island has an incredible
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| | the valley bottoms where ancient, native
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| variety of landscapes. Sculpted over six
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| | Hawaiians once lived.
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| million years by the forces of nature,
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| | The 11-mile Kalalau Trail provides the
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| its spectacular scenery ranges from the
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| | only land access to this part of the
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| Na Pali cliffs on the North Shore to the
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| | coast. The trail crosses above towering
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| dramatic Waimea Canyon. Kaui's slower
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| | sea cliffs and through lush valleys, then
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| pace seems best-suited to a quiet family
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| | drops to sea level at the beaches of
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| vacation or a rugged outdoors adventure.
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| | Hanakapi'ai and Kalalau.
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| The oldest and northern most of the four
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| | But much of the island can be see only by
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| major Hawaiian Islands, Kauai covers only
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| | air. To see Kauai by helicopter is like
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| 553 square miles, is a distinctive,
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| | nothing else in the world, with its
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| "round-shaped" island with a population
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| | remote waterfalls, hidden canyons and
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| of 51,000 residents.
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| | uninhabited valleys.
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| Much like the other Hawaiian islands, the
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| | The majestic Napali coast provides the
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| warmest and coolest months differ only by
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| | opportunity for some world-class
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| 8 degrees or so. The ocean temperature is
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| | snorkeling. No other place in Hawaii
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| remarkably consistent, hovering between
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| | offers such unique formations as those on
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| 72 to 76 degrees all year long.
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| | Niihau, shaped by ocean currents and
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| Kauai is known as "The Garden Island"
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| | waves for those 6 million years! On your
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| because of its high population of plant
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| | list of Hawaii vacations, Kauai is a
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| life. The rainforest climate is the
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| | place to enjoywhether for a family
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| wettest of the Hawaiian Islands, and Mt.
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| | vacation or adventure on land or sea.
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| Wai'ale'ale is the wettestspot on EARTH!
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| | Here are a few of the best of Kauai's
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| The island's people are among the
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| | beaches: Hanalei Bay Beach is a perfect
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| friendliest in the country according to
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| | semi-circle of white sand on shimmering
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| an annual poll of vacationers. Two of
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| | tropical waters with a backdrop of
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| Kauai's resorts--the Hyatt and the
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| | 4,000-foot waterfalls. It is often
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| Princeville Resort--are consistently
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| | described as not only the most beautiful
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| rated in the top twenty tropical resorts
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| | Kauai beach, but also the most beautiful
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| in one popular travel magazine.
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| | in Hawaii. The beach is about 125 feet
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| The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
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| | wide and framed by the Waipa River to the
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| (Formerly Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort &
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| | west and the Hanalei River to the east,
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| Spa) is located on the sunny side of the
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| | on Kauai's north shore. The bottom slopes
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| island. With 602 rooms, 4 tennis courts,
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| | gradually down, making it a wonderful
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| golf course, 5 restaurants, cocktail
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| | beach for youngsters, and there are large
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| lounges, child care, multiple pools and
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| | coral reefs at both ends of the bay.
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| health spas, this is a luxury resort.
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| | Haena Beach, with its grainy yellow sand
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| The Pinceville Resort Kauai is located on
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| | and limpid waters set off by emerald
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| Kauai's north shore. This is a premier
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| | cliffs, has appeared as the stereotypical
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| resort, and is always on the top of the
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| | tropical strand in many Hollywood films.
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| Kauai accomodation list. Puu Poa Beach is
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| | Summer months offer excellent swimming
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| a few steps from the main lawn, and the
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| | and snorkeling. However,winter produces
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| Princeville Golf Club, considered one of
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| | big waves that are fun for surfers but
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| the best courses in Hawaii, sits nearby
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| | dangerous for everyone else.
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| on 390 acres with ocean views from every
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| | Tunnels Beach is the superb snorkeling
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| hole.
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| | spot on the North Shore. The
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| However, it is the rugged beauty and the
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| | two-mile-long Kauai beach runs from
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| opportunity for adventure that attracts
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| | Hanalei Colony Resort to Ha'ena Beach
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| many people to the island. If you dream
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| | Park. The center portion has a huge
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| of hiking or kayaking in a beautiful
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| | half-moon shaped reef just offshore where
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| tropical environment, Kauai is a great
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| | snorkelers can encounter eels, turtles,
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| choice.
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| | and other colorful sea creatures.
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| The southern and western shores have
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| | Excellent in summer, Tunnels Beach has
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| long, white beaches. And there are the
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| | large waves in winter that can make it
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| majestic, sweeping valleys, such as the
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| | dangerous to swim.
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| Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali Coast.
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| | Shipwreck Beach on the South Shore is a
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| The most notable and well-known scenery
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| | body surfer's heaven. This Kauai beach on
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| includes the Waimea Canyon and the
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| | Keoneloa Bay is one of the largest
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| breathtaking cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.
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| | expanses of beach in the Poipu area.
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| Waimea Canyon--aptly named the "Grand
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| | During much of the year, Shipwreck Beach
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| Canyon of the Pacific"--and Koke'e State
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| | is better suited for strong swimmers and
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| Park, in Lihue, are open year-round. The
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| | surfers. This is due to the powerful and
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| canyon stretches 10 miles from Captain
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| | potentially dangerous waves, which break
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| James Cook's famous landing site--in
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| | close to shore.
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| 1778--to Koke'e State Park.
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| | Whether you favor a quiet and relaxing
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| This canyon has been the site for a
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| | time at a resort, or an oudoor adventure
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| number of movies including Jurasic Park
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| | in a tropical paradise, the island of
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| and Raiders of the Lost Ark. In fact,
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| | Kauai is a good choice.
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| more than two dozen Hollywood movies have
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| | I hope you have enjoyed this series and
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| been filmed on Kauai!
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| | that you will soon be able to enjoy your
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| Hiking trails in the park offer
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| | own Hawaii vacation. Considering all that
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| unbelievable views of the canyon and lush
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| | these islands have to offer, the hardest
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| "forest" environment. The canyon itself
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| | part may be choosing where to start. Just
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| is also accessible for hiking, fishing
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| | remember, you won't see everything in one
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| and camping.
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| | trip, so do your planning with this in
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| Kauai's Na Pali Coast cliffs, are pure,
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| | mind and you will likely be a happier
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| rugged beauty, featuring deep, narrow
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| | traveller.
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