Island Views

The oldest in the Hawaiian archipelago, Kaua‘i features emerald valleys and cascading waterfalls.

Kōloa

Hawai‘i’s first commercial sugar plantation was in Kōloa, now known as Old Kōloa Town. The edifice of the original sugar mill remains, dwarfed by the boutiques and restaurants that have sprouted in the town’s restored plantation buildings. The landmark Sueoka Store, a more than century-old family business, provides everything you need for a day on Kaua‘i. The town’s history center is awash in plantation memorabilia, and the map of the Historic Kōloa Trail, available in many of the shops, is the ideal tool for a self-guided tour of the area. Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) is a canopy of hundreds of eucalyptus trees, known as the “Tree Tunnel,” that makes for a scenic and fragrant drive. If there’s anyplace in Hawai‘i where you should turn off the airconditioning and roll down the windows, this is it.

Coconut Coast

Coconut palms are abundant in the “Coconut Coast,” the most populated district of Kaua‘i. Resorts are sprinkled along the shoreline, and the prevailing view is of Nounou, a mountain also called the “Sleeping Giant.” This eastern region of the island is a mix of residences, shops and restaurants in discreet clusters along a rocky shoreline of subdued but fierce beauty. Kapa‘a, a plantation hub in the 19th century, is now a quaint town.

Wai‘ale‘ale Crater

Its name meaning “overflowing water,” Wai‘ale‘ale Crater is known for its mesmerizing sights and the grandiose gestures of its waterfalls. More than just mere remnants of a shield volcano, the crater stands at 5,148 feet tall and averages more than 426 inches of rain per year, making its summit one of the wettest spots on earth. If the weather permits, the heart of the extinct volcano can be explored via helicopter.

Līhu‘e

Līhu‘e is the commercial hub of the island and the county seat that’s full of mom-andpop restaurants, government offices and brand name stores. All flights to the island land here. The Kaua‘i Museum (pictured above) offers Hawaiian crafts workshops and displays Native Hawaiian artifacts, and the nearby Kilohana Plantation Estate, once the home of a sugar baron, can be toured by a horse-drawn wagon.

Hanapēpē

Kaua‘i’s “Biggest Little Town” was built by rice farmers in the 1800s and has since been revitalized by art galleries, cafés and antique shops. Every Friday evening, the streets buzz with activity as the town hosts “Art Night,” a self-guided gallery walking tour. Throughout its reinvention, the town’s original architecture has retained its integrity. One of the more popular attractions here is the Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge.

Hanalei

The pleasing drive to the North Shore winds along pastures and through small towns, and then to a lookout over a valley lined with taro. This is Hanalei, with its fabled mountains, waterfalls and one-lane bridges, a town immortalized in film and song. With galleries, restaurants and natural beauty, Hanalei is a haven for artists and rock stars, surfers and nature lovers. A picturesque pier and curve of white sand mark Hanalei Bay.

Po‘ipū

This is the island’s shrine to sun worshipping, even for monk seals. Many of the island’s hotels, vacation condominiums, resorts, upscale restaurants and bars are located in Po‘ipū. Prince Kūhiō and Brennecke beaches have some of the best swimming and body surfing. The beautifully landscaped Allerton Garden in Lāwa‘i Valley, the former summer home of Queen Emma (wife of King Kamehameha IV), is a force of nature.

Kalāheo

Known as Kaua‘i’s “upcountry hamlet,” the small southwestern town is located between Līhu‘e and Hanapēpē and was once a settlement for sugar plantation workers. Today, sugar production has yielded to coffee cultivation, where over four million coffee trees are grown on more than 4,000 acres, making Kaua‘i the largest coffee plantation in the United States. Stop by Kukuiolono Golf Course and Park for a nine-hole course.

Anahola

Part Hawaiian homestead land for those from Hawaiian lineage and part public lands, Anahola is a small community on the island’s northeastern side. A half-mile stretch of white sand, Anahola Beach Park is a family-friendly stop, perfect for swimming. Nearby at Moloa‘a Bay, fans of “Gilligan’s Island” may recognize familiar shoreline views from the opening credits of the classic 1960s television sitcom.