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 The Island of Kauai or the "Garden Isle," is the oldest and northernmost of the major islands in the Hawaiian Island chain. Roughly circular in shape, Kauai has an interior of rugged and uninhabited mountain terrain, inaccessible except by air. Its coastal perimeter - 143 miles of sandy beaches - is home to a population of approximately 60,000 residents. The island offers a distinctly low-key, rural feel, accentuated by sparkling blue ocean, majestic emerald-cloaked mountain ranges, multi-hued flowers and rich red earth. The paved main road circles the majority of the coastline and residents have resisted all efforts to widen the many one-lane bridges, a development that would bring buses and large trucks to disturb their rural lifestyle. Kauai is divided into five distinct geographical areas: the Royal Coconut Coast, the north shore, the west side, the south shore, and the Lihue and Kalapaki area. Coconut groves are landmarks of the historic Royal Coconut Coast. On the north shore, the town of Kilauea was originally a large sugar plantation. The west side is home to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," a crater nearly 3,000 feet deep. The first sugar plantation in Hawaii was founded in 1835 in Koloa, near the south shore. The largest concentration of people is found in the Lihue and Kapaa area. Lihue is the county seat as well as the business and commercial center of the island. Lihue Airport is nearby as are Kalapaki Bay and Nawiliwili Harbor. 'Kauai Lagoons Resort' at Kalapaki Beach offers golf and tennis.  |
