Page 742 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

740  ALASK A & HA W AI ‘ I

Kaua‘i Environs
Just 5 miles (8 km) north of
Wind and water have had six million years to transform Kaua‘i, Līhu‘e, a winding road through
the oldest of the major Hawaiian islands, into a stunning array cane fields leads to the twin
of pleated cliffs and yawning chasms, cloaked with a mantle cascades of the 80-ft (24-m)
of emerald-green vegetation. Also known as the “Garden Wailua Falls. They are best
viewed from the roadside
Island,” Kaua‘i is Hawai‘i’s most beautiful and irresistible parking lot, as the path down
destination. Its highlights include Kīlauea Point’s glorious the hillside can be slippery.
beaches, the dramatic Waimea Canyon, and the soaring Menehune Fish Pond 1.5 miles
cliffs of the Kalalau Trail on the Nā Pali Coast. You can drive (2.5 km) south, is located in
anywhere in Kaua‘i in three hours or less. idyllic pastoral landscape. With
its ancient stonemasonry, the
pond was used to fatten mullet
for the royal table.

r Kīlauea Point
Kīlauea Road, off Kūhiō Hwy (Hwy 56),
10 miles (16 km) NW of Anahola. @
Kīlauea. n KVB, Līhu‘e, (808) 245-
3971. ∑ kauaidiscovery.com
The northernmost spot on the
Hawaiian archipelago, Kīlauea
Point is a rocky promontory
pounded by mighty waves. The
windswept clifftop has been set
aside as the Kīlauea Point
The shady koa-wood veranda at Grove Farm Homestead National Wildlife Refuge,
where bird-watchers can spot
e Līhu‘e 20th-century mansion, paneled frigatebirds, Laysan albatrosses,
in dark, heavy koa wood. A and many other species. A short
* 5,900. ~ @ Rice St, (808) 241-
6410. n KVB, 4334 Rice St, Suite 101, guided tour, which must be walk beyond the visitor center
(800) 262-1400, (808) 245-3971. reserved in advance, covers leads to the red and white
_ Kaua‘i-Tahiti Fete (mid-Aug). the rather formal house, the Kīlauea Lighthouse, erected in
∑ gohawaii.com cramped servants’ quarters, and 1913. Approaching the tip of
the beautifully scented orchard. the headland, there are splendid
Although Līhu‘e happens to Kalapakī Beach, with gently views westward to the fabled
be the administrative and sloping beautiful white sands Nā Pali cliffs. Half a mile (800 m)
business center of Kaua‘i, it and sheltered inshore waters, is west of the Kīlauea turnoff on
is actually little more than a the safest beach in the area Kalihiwai Road, a red dirt track
plantation village. It was built and especially suitable
in the 19th century to serve for families with small
the Līhu‘e Sugar Mill, whose children. On its far side,
rusting machinery still domin- the scenic palm-fringed
ates the downtown area. Nāwiliwili Beach County
Līhu‘e’s oceanfront district, Park is ideal for picnics.
with the beautiful Kalapakī The grand 1930s
Beach, is especially appealing, house known as
and the outskirts of town Kilohana Plantation,
offer such delights as grand 1.5 miles (2.5 km) west
plantation mansions and a of Līhu‘e, resembles an
stunning waterfall. English country estate.
Within the town, Kaua‘i Visitors can tour the
Museum displays a splendid house, which has a
collection of traditional artifacts, restaurant and some
including huge koa-wood shops, and explore the
bowls, royal feather standards, cane fields in old-
and old weapons. It also has fashioned horse-drawn
exhibits on the island’s history carriages. The mansion
and geology. The imposing commands superb
Grove Farm Homestead on views of the Kilohana
Nāwiliwili Road is an early mountain inland. The twin cascades of Wailua Falls near Līhu‘e
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp744–5 and pp746–7

740-741_EW_USA.indd 740 11/2/16 2:50 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 1st October 2013
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