Kauai, also known as the Garden isle, is the oldest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and the fourth largest of the eight major land masses. Located to the northern section of the chain, it is defined by its unspoiled beauty and exquisite charm. It is primarily comprised of luxuriant rainforests, entrancing waterfalls and unique geographical formations. Its lands are extremely fertile as a result of the more than adequate levels of rainfall each year. This has led to a booming agricultural industry which produces a variety of fruits for the local and international markets including, coffee, sugar cane, papaya, star fruit, pineapple, avocado, kava, guava and banana.

Its chief economic earner, like many of the other islands, is tourism. An ideal getaway, it is home to a number of exotic attractions including the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The secluded paradise remains one of Hawaii's most prosperous islands. The friendly natives, breathtaking environment and relaxing atmosphere are definitive of the Kauai experience.

The Birth and History of Kauai
Kauai, along with the other Hawaiian Islands, is said to have been discovered by the legendary navigator Hawaiiloa. The land was given the name of the explorer's most favored son. The word is loosely translated to mean, "Place around the neck" which typifies how the father carries a preferred child. The inhabitants developed their own unique dialect which eventually died out with the older generations that spoke it fluently. The dialect was greatly influenced by the ancient Polynesian languages that were disseminated throughout the island.

The first European explorer to discover Kauai was Captain James Cook in 1778. He landed on Waimea, where he saw for the first time, the Sandwich Isles. By the early 19^th century King Kamehameha set his sights on Kauai, in an attempt to control all the Hawaiian Islands. The great ruler Kaumualii, successfully evaded coming under the rule of Kamehameha for several years. Kamehameha led two missions to conquer the island but was thwarted by a dreadful storm and an outbreak of disease. Kauumualii eventually decided to acquiesce to Kamehameha near his death in 1824. He wished to avoid the unnecessary battles and loss of life and therefore ceded Kauai to the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Urban Areas and Towns of Kauai
Although Kauai does not technically have any fully developed cities, it is home to a few modestly sized towns, which in contrast to its countryside are, understandably, considered urban areas. The island has a total population of 63,000 natives.

Lihue is located on the south eastern section of the island. It houses the island's main airport, largest shopping mall and county offices. It is the island's most commercialized area and a great center of activity. It is also home to the Kauai Museum, which is a must see for all visitors. It provides the most exhaustive information on the geography of Kauai, its history and its peoples.

Princeville is a resort community located to the northern section of the island. It was established specifically as a major tourist area and includes several homes, condominium developments, 2 major golf courses and the St Regis Hotel. The scenery is spectacular with the north shore mountain forming a wonderful background to the entire area. Additionally, there are several beaches within a few miles of the town.

Kapaa is about 20 minutes from Lihue and is the most populated area within Kauai. It is home to the Coconut Coast which has the most affordable resorts on the island. It also has several smaller malls and is a center of commercial activity. The area just between Lihue and Kapaa are considered the most high traffic areas in Kauai.

Poipu deemed "the sunny side of paradise" is the island's primary tourist hot spot. It has several gorgeous beaches that offer snorkeling, surfing and swimming and also views of delightful sea creatures including whales, sea turtles and monk seals. Additionally, the engaging sunsets and abundance of palm trees increases the area's total appeal. One of the major attractions in the town is the McBryde National Botanical Garden. Top accommodations include The Grand Hyatt, Coastline Cottages, and the Waiohai Beach Club.

Waimea is to the west of the island. It is an old historic town which still maintains much of its original charm. Tourists often view this area when heading to the Waimea Canyon, however, it is an attraction, in and of itself, and is worth the time to explore it.

Kauai is the ideal tourist destination
Kauai is of great historical significance to the entire archipelago. Its impressive history of resistance to the rule of Kamehameha has set it apart from the other islands. It has long been a prosperous region with lush surroundings and a distinct culture. The primary economic earner in the earlier half of the 20^th century was sugar cane, since then tourism has become the chief industry. As of 2009 Kauai no longer produces large amounts of sugar cane; however, it is still a viable which is sold on the local and international market.

At present, it is one of the top Hawaiian Islands both in size and its successes. Unlike the larger land masses of Oahu, Big Island and Maui it maintains a greater percentage of rural areas, is far less crowded and is ideal for rest and relaxation. Kauai is not just visited by tourists but also natives of other Hawaiians islands who wish to unwind and/or partake in the diverse number of activities offered there. The island's long stretch of coastline means it has more miles of beautiful white sand beaches. It also has far more beaches than any other Hawaiian island.

Kauai is fairly new to tourism. This has resulted in the development of far more condominiums and bed and breakfasts than large scale resorts. Additionally, because of Kauai's situation in the sub tropical regions and its susceptibility to earthquakes and other natural disasters hotels cannot be built higher than 40 feet. Thus, it does not have the same elaborately designed resorts observed on the other major islands. The rule of thumb for developers is nothing that exceeds the height of a coconut tree. This policy is partly the reason that Kauai has maintained much of its charm. The infrastructure blends beautifully with the natural scenery without eclipsing it.

Kauai's network of roads is also unique, instead of roads that completely go along the coastline, there are instead partial highways to certain points and then dirt tracks leading to others. In some instances, accessing Kauai by foot is near impossible. The disruption in the road network is caused by its two most attractive features. The Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast are not conducive to the creation of formal roadways. When visiting the former, the visitor has the option to turn around and head back in the direction he or she came from or make the long journey on dirt roads. Fortunately, the island's fairly small size allows visitors to traverse the entire region on regular roads in just one day, albeit the minor inconveniences.

Another peculiarity about driving in Kauai is its abundance of roosters and chickens roaming the streets. These wild animals make their way through built up areas walking along roadways in search of food. Drivers are urged to be cautious to avoid hitting these gentle creatures who are not intentionally public nuisances.

Kauai's intimate setting has given it mass appeal to celebrities who wish to avoid the crowds and publicity assured on the larger Hawaiian Islands. The fairly quick plane ride from L.A. to the secluded paradise is ideal for the rich and famous who often visit or own private properties that cater exclusively to their needs. On occasion locals and tourists may spot celebrities in some of the finer restaurants in Kauai.

From the western end of Kauai visitors can view the privately owned island of Niihau. While going to that island is not permitted it still makes for a very pleasing view. The only people who are allowed to enter the island of Niihau are U.S. Navy personnel, governmental officials, the owner's relatives and guests.

Some of the major attractions found on the island include the Kilaue Point Lighthouse which is near a refuge for sea birds; the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, which houses some of Hawaii's most exotic plant life; the Lydgate State Park, which is an excellent destination for families; The Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, home to a number of endangered birds and other animals; The OpaeKaa Fall, a grand cascading thing of beauty; The Hanalei Valley and Bay with its tantalizing scenery; The Waimea Canyon, Kauai's most celebrated attraction and Old Koloa Town, with its rural charm and quaint surroundings.

Kauai embodies some of the best characteristics of the Hawaiian island chain and is truly representative of an ideal paradise. It is the perfect place for the tourist in search of an inspiring change nestled in the confines of a relaxing and tranquil environment. Its understated allure cannot be completely described and therefore must be experienced. The island has remained prosperous throughout the centuries and continues to be a reservoir of Hawaiian history and culture.

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