November 10, 2023
It’s as common to get a look at Hawai‘i’s giant green sea turtles as it is rare to come across the nearly extinct hawksbill sea turtle. Either way, both species are a treat to see, and both happen to frequent…
November 10, 2023
Like Broadway shows, each lū‘au has its own signature. Menus may be similar, but the shows, performers, music and costumes are deliberately designed to be unique from one another. The popular and long-running show at SMITH’S TROPICAL PARADISE is staged…
November 10, 2023
Kaua‘i is nicknamed “The Garden Isle,” and for good reason: Kaua‘i is home to three botanical gardens belonging to the NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN (NTBG) , a private, nonprofit organization and the only offi cially recognized tropical garden in the…
January 24, 2023
What better way to show your aloha spirit than with a FLOWER LEI ? Lei of all sorts can be found around the necks of many kama‘āina (locals) during annual MAY DAY FESTIVALS (around May 1 annually, and known locally…
January 24, 2023
Anyone who climbs aboard a vessel in the winter and heads for the open ocean off Kaua‘i can expect to see HUMPBACK WHALES . There are so many of them that most boat companies don’t hesitate to guarantee sightings. Every…
January 24, 2023
Although available on all of the major Hawaiian Islands, helicopter tours are most popular on Kaua‘i, where the ageless beauty of the island’s rugged interior comes into full perspective. Expect to see waterfalls cascading down 3,000-foot cliff s and unique…
April 6, 2022
The majestic Nāpali Coast on Kaua‘i’s northwest shore is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the Pacific. A number of outlets can provide access to the famous scenery via the water, including a snorkel cruise, powered ocean raft…
February 14, 2022
Kaua‘i is renowned for its hiking trails and backcountry vistas. To start, WAIMEA CANYON , the 3,000-foot-deep centerpiece of Kōke‘e State Park, is a premier hiking experience. One trail at the canyon ends at an 800-foot waterfall, and while strenuous,…
February 14, 2022
Nearly circular in shape, Kaua‘i is ringed by 113 miles of shoreline, with almost half giving way to golden-sand beaches. Perhaps the best way to sort out Kaua‘i’s beaches is to consider water safety factors. To be safe, pick a…
February 15, 2015
Paddling a kayak up the Wailua River is more than a pleasant diversion — it’s a trek through a lush rainforest to an inviting waterfall, a journey through ancient Hawaiian sites and a few hours of healthy exercise delivered at…
February 15, 2015
References to surfing are found in the earliest legends of ancient Hawai‘i. Around A.D. 400, a form of belly boarding on small wooden planks was introduced; later, Tahitian explorers brought their tradition of riding waves with canoes. The Hawaiians merged…
February 15, 2015
Kaua‘i’s warm, crystalline water, its thriving reef system and its mostly sunny skies make it a natural for snorkeling. Because the Garden Isle is the oldest of the inhabited islands, nature has had millions of years to develop its reefs…