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Favorite Things to do on Kauai

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Special Places and Events on Kauai

A very different environment in Hawaii can be found at the "top" of Kauai at Kokee State Park. Follow Highway 50 clockwise around the Island to Waimei then head uphill on Highway 552. You will climb into a temperate rainforest, passing viewpoints into Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". At the Park headquarters is a great little museum and a good cafe with small gift shop. The Park also features rental cabins (see below). Continuing past the headquarters the road continues a few miles farther to two viewpoints overlooking the Na Pali coast.

Left: Sugi Grove in Kokee State park.

On the Northern tip of Kauai is the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge. The lighthouse is impressive but its surroundings and abundant bird life are even more so. You might get close and personal with a Nene or with a shorebird of some sort. Bring your binoculars..

Kokee State Park Cabins

As noted above, these are located in a beautiful temperate forest far different from the usual Hawaiian palm trees and beaches. They are a rustic bargain. Since there are no nearby restaurants, save the cafe open only mid-day, you have to bring all your groceries. Each cabin has a kitchen that can handle modest meals. You may be awakened early by the resident chickens, descendents of the fowl that came with from Polynesia with the first Hawaiians. This is the place to come for quiet!

Kiahuna Plantation Condos

This is a large set of condominiums located on Poipu Beach. Different rental units in the complex are managed by two different companies, Castle Resorts and Outrigger Resorts. The grounds are well-kept as are the units. They have beautiful gardens. The beach is decent, ok for swimming if the surf is low. This is a popular resort area with all the appropriate amenities.