Thursday, July 17, 2008

Parts of Kauai - Hawaii

- North shore
- Coconut coast
- Lihue kalapaki
- South shore
- West side

North shore - Kauai

On Kauai's north shore you'll discover some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. There's the Na Pali Coast,whose cliffs rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. And Lumahai Beach, where Mitzi Gaynor 'washed that man right out of her hair' in the movie South Pacific. The north shore also is home to the quaint town of Hanalei, one of the earliest areas to be settled by the ancient Pacific voyagers. (from:http://www.kauai-hawaii.com/areas.php?areas_id=1)

Coconut coast- Kauai

"Coconut Coast," Kauai's East Side is a mystical region filled with history and culture.The landscape is dotted with clusters of coconut trees and it is here that the coconut grove comes to life.Wailua, a sacred and significant place, is accented by Wailua River and old world charm.

Lihue kalapaki - Kauai

Lihue is Kauai's county seat, as well as the center for business and transportation. Here you can explore Kauai Museum and tour extensive exhibits of Hawaiiana along with memorabilia from the sugar plantation era.This area is also a great spot for recreation. Beautiful Kalapaki Beach is perfect for swimming and sunning. Nearby is Kauai Lagoons, which hosts two Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf courses and 40 acres of freshwater lagoons and a wildlife sanctuary.(from:http://www.kauai-hawaii.com/areas.php?areas_id=3)

South shore - Kauai

Between the Haupu Mountain Range south of Lihue and the Spouting Horn Beach Park you'll find: Poipu, a dynamic resort area; Koloa,a mill town founded around the first sugar plantation in Hawaii; Maha'ulepu , a prinstine reserve of untold beauty;and a mellow lifestyle that's centered around warmth, sunshine and a sparkling blue ocean.(from:http://www.bestplaceshawaii.com/tours/kauai/south.html)

West side - Kauai

West Kauai is an remarkable blend of spectacular natural wonders and Hawaiian cultural landmarks. Awe-inspiring Waimea Canyonis just the beginning. Also in Waimea is the Captain Cook Monument, where British Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778.

Salt Pond Beach Park - Kauai

Salt Pond Beach Park is named for the Hawaiian salt pans the park borders. Salt Pond offers excellent swimming and snorkeling.Visitors to Kauai often overlook Salt Pond Beach Park, which is both a shame and a blessing.Salt Pond Beach Park has everything you need for a leisurely day at the beach: washrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, a long sandy beach and a lifeguard.Unlike the carefully "neutered" palms that surround Kauai resorts the Salt Pond palms are usually laden with coconuts.Heed the "Beware of Falling Coconuts" sign and don't sit under the palm trees: a fractured skull takes all the fun out of a Kauai vacation.

Kekaha Beach Park - Kauai

This huge stretch of sand is usually empty of tourists.The beach here features excellent swimming in addition to fine snorkeling conditions.Surfing conditions are only fair, and the reef is known to be quite shallow in spots.

Kalalau Lookout - Kauai

This glorious lookout provides you with a panoramic view of the Kalalau Valley, the largest valley on Na Pali.This point and the less frequented Pu'u o Kila Lookout provides the greatest views of the Pacific. The Kalalau Valley was inhabited until 1919.The Kalalau Trail, an 11-mile hike down steep seacliffs, through waterfalls and to the ocean, is one of the most popular in the world.Views from the lookout change minute to minute depending on the ever-present clouds. If the clouds are coming from inland, they usually disappear quickly.However, if there is a cloud bank moving in from the ocean, it usually lasts indefinitely.At 4,000 foot elevation, the air here is much cooler than along the coast or in the valleys.Nene, the Hawaiian goose, are often seen in the parking lots and along the road here.Take care not to run over them as they prefer to walk rather than fly and are easily hit by cars.These two lookouts are the end of the road - several trails of varing lengths lead down the cliffs.(from:http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/sites_to_see/KalalauLookout.htm)

Polihale State Park - Kauai

Polihale State Park is a remote wild beach on the western side of Kauai. The exception being the forbidden, privately owned island of Niihau and much of Alaska. The beach is miles away from the town of Kekaha, and it can only be reached via, poorly marked, dirt sugarcane roads, making a four wheel drive vehicle preferable. The park is several miles long, yet only Queen's Pond offers safe swimming. Road access is west from the town of Kekaha. A good local map will be needed.

Kukuiolono Park - Kauai

Kukuiolono Park sits on a hill above the town of Kalaheo. The park, adjacent to a golf course,a lava rock garden, a Hawaiian garden and a beautiful Japanese garden with a stone footbridge, bonsai trees and fountains overgrown with plants.The trail is surrounded with ironwood and eucalyptus trees plus an abundance of flowers.The gardens are alive with domestic chickens that roam the grounds freely.

Prince Kuhio Park - Kauai

There are two sandy beaches in front of Prince Kuhio Condos. Prince Kuhio Beach has excellent swimming, snorkling,and diving and is famous for the sea turtles you swim with while snorkling. Sometimes you can also see whales breaching and frolicking in the distance.The surfers and body boarders are regulars at this Kauai beach in Poipu.

Poipu Beach Park - Kauai

It is a sharp contrast to Shipwreck Beach, separated from the rest of Poipu by a rocky coastline etched with nature trails.The beach itself is glorious, although swimming here is recommended only for the most experienced.Many people like to bicycle beyond Shipwreck to isolated Mahaulepu Beach, one of the loveliest unspoiled strands of sand in the state.The beaches of Poipu draw sun-lovers of all species, including endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals who scoot up the resort sands and stretch out to restafter a strenuous night of hunting.

Hanamaulu Beach Park - Kauai

This is a great picnic beach, this large bay is not only close to Lihue but is protected from the open ocean.However, it is not a great swimming beach due to the mainly silt in the water entering the bay from Hanamaulu stream.The waters outside the bay are cleaner. Camping is allowed in this 6 1/2-acre park.

Lydgate state park - Kauai

It has fine picnic grounds, an excellent swimming area for children,and a wonderful beach for sunning. There is a great playground built by volunteers from the community as well.The coconut grove here once served as a place of refuge for the ancient Hawaiians. The Wailua River begins near the north end of the park.

Niumalu beach park - Kauai

The park shade of coconut trees ranges over three acres and offers picnic tables, showers and restrooms.Camping is allowed with a County permit. Kayaking up-river and sailboarding are also popular.

Wailua river stae park - Kauai



You find in Coconut part of Kauai (Hawaii). Lush river valley with riverboat cruise (fee charged) to Fern Grotto,an unusual fern-covered cave set in a tropical garden; scenic vistas of attractive waterfalls and the Wailua River Valley. Picnicking in riverside coconut grove; and dining and gift shopping at Wailua Marina.

golf in Hawaii - Kauai

Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kauai: Poipu Bay Golf Course is 18 holes, Par 72 and 7,034 yards.

Princeville Course, Kauai: The Princeville Course is 18 Holes, Par 72, and 6,960 yards.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, Kauai: 18 holes, Par 72 at 7,070 yards.

Fishing places in Kauai

- Waimea Bay FMA
- Port Allen FMA
- Hanamaulu Bay FMA
- Kapa'a & Waikaea Canals FMA

FMA - Fishery Managment Area
FRA - Fishery Replenishment Area
MLCD - Marine Life Conservation District
PFA - Public Fishing Area

fishing in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are well known as one of the best places for big game Blue Marlin and Ahi charter fishing in the world. The calm waters off of the Kona Coast on the Big Island are famous for boasting some of the largest Pacific Blue Marlin's in the world,as well as Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Wahoo (Ono), and Spearfish.

hiking in Hawaii

Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on trails in rural or wilderness areas.The word 'hiking' is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are differences in usage. In some places,off-trail hiking is called 'cross-country hiking', 'bushwhacking', or 'bushbashing'. In the United Kingdom, hiking is a slightly old-fashioned word,with a flavor more of heartiness and exercise than of enjoying the outdoors; the activity described here would be called hillwalking or simply 'walking'.Australians use the term 'bushwalking' for both on- and off-trail hiking. New Zealanders use 'tramping' (particularly for overnight and longer trips),'walking' or 'bushwalking'. Hiking in the mountainous regions of India and Nepal and in the highlands of East Africa is sometimes called 'trekking'.Overnight hiking is called 'backpacking' in some parts of the world. Hiking a long-distance trail from end to end is referred to as 'thru-hiking'in some places. (from wikipedia)

windsurfing - Hawaii

Windsurfing may not have originated in Hawaii, but the sport’s capital and greatest champion both call the Islands home. Novice riders need not apply at Hookipa Beach. Instead, they should head to the safer waters off Kihei or Lahaina.Equipment can be rented from several shops in Paia. On the island of Oahu, Kailua Bay is a renowned windsurfing spot.In Waikiki, windsurfers can be seen off Diamond Head Beach and Fort DeRussy Beach. On Kauai, Anini Beach is considered a prime destination for windsurfers. (from: http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/activities/windsurfing/)

scuba diving in Hawaii

Scuba diving is swimming underwater, or taking part in another activity, while using a scuba set. By carrying a source of breathing gas (usually compressed air), the scuba diver is able to stay underwater longer than with the simple breath-holding techniques used in snorkeling and free-diving,and is not hindered by air lines to a remote air source. The scuba diver typically swims underwater by using fins attached to the feet. However, some divers also move around with the assistance of a DPV (diver propulsion vehicle), commonly called a "scooter",or by using surface-tethered devices called sleds pulled by a boat.(from:wikipedia)