Introduction to Kauai, Hawaii

coastline of Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands and well-known for dramatic, lush scenery featuring jagged green mountains and deep  valleys.  It has 90 miles of shoreline and 50 miles of uncrowded white sand beaches, plenty of waterfalls and rainbows, and rainforests populated with rare native species.  And because it is the only Hawaiian island with no mongoose, it has a large variety of birds and plenty of small white egrets.  Surprisingly, it also has the largest coffee plantation in the U.S., which grows five varieties of beans and more than a million coffee trees.

sign for wettest spot on Earth in Kauai, Hawaii

Though approximately 500 inches of rain each year make this the wettest spot on Earth, the weather is generally perfect.  I’ve heard locals say, “When it’s sunny, it’s 82 degrees.  When it rains, it’s 82 degrees.” and “If you don’t like the weather, drive 10 miles and wait 10 minutes.”

This island has been the setting for many Hollywood movies, including Speilberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park and Elvis’s Blue Hawaii.  As you sightsee, you’ll probably recognize some of the settings.  The Kauai Movie Book is also helpful. 

rooster at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

An island building code promises that no new structure can be higher than a coconut palm, or 4 stories.  There isn’t much nightlife—things pretty much close up by 9 p.m.-- and you’ll be glad of it if you get woken up at dawn by one of the island’s many “free range” roosters.  (Because of jet lag, I usually woke up before them and in fact rarely heard one.)  Due to their ancestors’ cages being overturned by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, wild chickens also run loose--to the delight of children who love to chase them and feed them.  However, these plentiful poultry do sometimes ruffle the feathers of locals with their pesky ways, and they have divided opinions on how to handle the situation.

Kauai is a place to wind down.  Another local told me, “No one is in a hurry here.  It is considered rude to honk.”  So don’t!

Hawaiian Airlines counter at Oakland Airport in California

And did I mention--Hawaiian Airlines is the only U.S. airline still serving free meals . . . and with complimentary wine!

Join me now as I begin reliving my recent visit to this spectacular island in upcoming blog posts.  

Note:  To avoid confusion, I have decided not to use the 'okina in my spellings of Hawaiian words.


More things to do in Kauai.

More information about Kauai.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers