Kauai
An island of Hawaii northwest of
Oahu
and the oldest of the eight major islands.
It was an independent royal domain when visited by Capt. James Cook in
1778 and became part of the kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. Just off the
southwestern coast is the privately owned island of
Niihau. The last true Hawaiian island there is in regards to
culture and language. Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian
Islands, formed about eight million years ago when a single volcano rose out of
the sea. All that remains of that eruption is the cone of Mount Waialeale. The
5,208 foot mountain is one of the wettest places in the US with 444 inches of
rain yearly. Moisture-laden trade winds funnel rain clouds up the slopes of the
ancient mountain. Over time, the rain has eroded gorges up to 3,000 feet deep,
such as the Waimea Canyon.
Called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", he Waimea Canyon was created by a
fault in the earth's crust that eroded over time from the wind, rain and waves.
Waimea Canyon is 3,600 feet deep, two miles wide and ten miles long. The colors
of the earth and vegetation change with light conditions during the day. On the
northwest corner of the canyon is the Kalalau Valley. If you're a strong hiker
you can adventure down into the valley to get a spectacular view of the Napali
Coast.
Mark Twain gave it the nickname after seeing the red, green, blue and purple
colors of the chasm. A series of overlooks provide different perspective of the
wonder, including hiking access between Mile Markers 8 and 9.
Check out the links below for more about this and other Kauai attractions and
sights such as
Niihau - Waimea Canyon - Kalalalau Valley
- Hanalei - Poipu Beach - Fern Grotto - Waialua River - Kapaa -
Princeville
 Come
check out Ohana Island - the online home of Disney's new animated feature
"Lilo
& Stitch". Did you know that Kauai is the home of Lilo?
Click Here!
The Kauai based Walt Disney Pictures', "Lilo & Stitch", hit theatres
nationwide June 21. The animated film is about a Hawaiian girl's encounter with
an extraterrestrial that she believes is her pet, a dog. Easily recognized in
the movie are popular sights on Kauai including: Waimea Canyon, the Napali
Coast, Hanalei Bay, Kokee State Park, Hanapepe Town and the Kilauea Lighthouse.
For more details
Click Here!
or on the surfboard.
Other useful Kauai links:
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