Kauai Island (Hawaii): history, sights and reviews

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

The Hawaiian Islands, striking with their unique landscape and riot of tropical plants, are chosen by those who adore the exotic and are looking for new sensations. As the 50th state of the US, this paradise will appeal to travelers who do not want to give up comfortable conditions.

Visitor Center

Foreign guests who are going on a long journey will find out in advance where the island of Kauai (Hawaii) is located with a developed tourist infrastructure. One of the wettest places in the world is located in the North Pacific Ocean and is at the epicenter of tropical hurricanes and tsunamis.

The fourth largest island in the vast archipelago is home to approximately 56,000 people. Kauai is part of the district of the same name. The largest settlement is the city of Kapaa, and the administrative center is Lihue.

A bit of history

The island of Kauai is one of the most ancient in the world. Originating over six million years ago, Kauai is of volcanic origin. Counts,that the first people appeared here in 750 BC. In the 18th century, the famous traveler James Cook arrived here. And a few decades later, attracted by sugarcane plantations, the Japanese, Filipinos, and Americans rushed to the island. Russia also claimed the territory, and even built a defensive fortress, which has now turned into a historical monument.

In 1810, an independent island joins the Hawaiian archipelago, and 58 years ago it is part of the US state of Hawaii.

Where it always rains

The island of Kauai, located in the north of the archipelago, is the first to be affected by atmospheric fronts. Precipitation, which is carried by wet winds from the Pacific Ocean, collides with the giant Mount Waialeale and falls in the form of fine rain and drizzle. Lost on the edge of the earth, the place cannot be called sunny, since the inhabitants practically do not see the light. A case is known when from the end of August 1993 to the end of April 1994, precipitation did not stop for 247 days. It is best to come here in the summer, since the rainy season begins in early November, and ends only in February.

Giant mountain over 1500 meters high, towering in the very center of the island, the ancient inhabitants considered sacred. The Hawaiians revered the god-progenitor of the earth, who, in their opinion, lived at the very top. They built a temple where they brought gifts to propitiate the mighty Kane.

Permanently clouded, Waialeale is the second highest volcano,over eight million years old. He rose from the bottom of the ocean from a huge depth of 5500 meters. It is the wettest place on the island of Kauai, with an annual rainfall of up to 11,000 millimeters a year.

The top of the mountain, which is a flat plateau with a lake that gave the giant its name, is always hidden in dense fog due to constant rains. The steep slopes of a volcano extinct many centuries ago, which do not prevent moist air from rising to a height of about a thousand meters, are covered with impenetrable jungle. Such frequent rains create ideal conditions for beautiful waterfalls that break down the mountain covered with emerald vegetation.

Scenic Waimea Canyon

Thanks to tropical rains, a magical corner is simply immersed in lush greenery. The ridges are separated by deep gorges, and the vegetation descends to the very shores. Seven small rivers start their way from the top of the volcano, and because of this, one of the slopes in the east is called the "wall of tears".

One water artery even cut through the picturesque Waimea Canyon, which tourists dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific Ocean. Deep, more than a thousand meters, it is one of the most beautiful natural attractions of the island and part of the Waimea Canyon State Park. Over time, the canyon hills have changed their color, changing from black to bright purple. Thanks to this, the landscape of the area, where hardened lava turned into bas alt rocks, attracts with its unusualness.

What else to see?

In the south of the island there is a local miraculous pride - the Spouting Horn geyser, which is surrounded on all sides by lava rocks. Every time after high tide, it throws out a powerful column of water, the height of which reaches 18 meters.

You should definitely visit Honolei Bay, the beauty of which inspired H. Murakami to write a story of the same name in her honor.

Because of the abundant vegetation, the picturesque island of Kauai looks more like a lush garden surrounded by the ocean. In a tropical paradise, you can admire exotic flowers and trees, many of which are found only here. Graduated from the Congress of America, Princeville and Lihamuli Botanical Gardens are gems with extensive collections of tropical plants.

"Rainbow" eucalyptus trees

The island of Kauai in Hawaii delights with amazing flora. Unusual eucalyptus trees, called "rainbow", became famous all over the world after they were photographed by tourists. The trees got their name thanks to the bark, which falls off at different times of the year and exposes the inner layer, iridescent with all kinds of colors. Initially bright green, it darkens and takes on an iridescent palette. Tree trunks never have the same color. It's amazing how mother nature herself created incredible beauty that delights vacationers. I can’t even believe that the abstract artist didn’t put his talented hand here.

The bark of young eucalyptus trees has a soft pattern, but mature trees have such a juicy color,that it's hard not to notice.

Russian Fort

Speaking of man-made sights, one cannot fail to mention Fort Elizabeth, which appeared in 1815. Alexander I wanted to annex the island of Kauai (Hawaii), whose history is full of events, to Russia, but changed his mind, believing that such an acquisition would not bring benefits to the state. And soon the Russians left the defensive fortress, abandoned for a long time. In 1966, the fort was declared a historical monument.

Kauai (Hawaii): "pool of death"

In the city of Princeville, in the north of the island, is Oueen's Bath, which got its name because princes bathed here. And tourists have given the pond surrounded by stones the nickname "pool of death" for the high waves that suddenly roll and demolish from the rocks into the water. Not every extreme adventurer will dare to swim here, because in an instant you can find yourself at the bottom of a deadly trap.

Na Pali Coast

Kauai is famous for its long sandy coastline, Na Pali, one of the most beautiful naturally formed coastlines on our planet. The place marked on all the maps is the most spectacular on the island. Two well-equipped tourist areas (Princeville and Poipu) have sandy beaches. These are public recreation areas, and you can sunbathe and swim in any of them.

Of particular interest is the so-called glass beach, covered with particles of polished transparent glass that once fell into the ocean.

Kauai is an islandJurassic Period

Charming island, the virgin nature of which is its main attraction, embodies all the best that tourists are looking for. Golden beaches, emerald valleys, magnificent waterfalls, secluded bays add charm to this place. Like no other archipelago, Kauai is the perfect setting for blockbuster dinosaur movies, and its breathtaking scenery draws in more than just travelers.

It is no coincidence that the island, famous for its fantastic landscapes, has become a favorite place for filming: the world-famous "King Kong", "Jurassic Park: The Lost World", "Lost" and other adventure films were filmed here. The fabulously beautiful corner appears in various Hollywood films and numerous television shows.

What to do on the island for tourists?

The island offers its guests a vacation for every taste: from hiking trails to diving. It's the perfect place you don't want to leave.

Helicopter tours are organized for tourists along the long coast of the island, which will allow you to see amazing panoramas from a bird's eye view.

You can go on an exciting boat trip and get acquainted with marine life, as well as take a closer look at the mysterious caves on the shore.

Kauai (Hawaii) hosts colorful festivals in the summer, attracting many tourists.

You can visit a Hindu monastery,open doors to the public, and a Japanese-built temple famous for its miniature figurines made of stone and wood by talented immigrants.

How to get to heaven on earth?

Tourists from Russia setting off on their journey know how to get to the island of Kauai. The fact is that there are no direct flights from Moscow, and vacationers will have to make transfers in Los Angeles, and then to Honolulu. And from there you need to get by plane to the airport of Lihue, the administrative center of the district.

Reviews from vacationers

According to tourists who have visited the island, it is a mountainous area, which makes the heavenly place completely unsuitable for car trips. And in the middle of the virgin nature, which so attracts travelers from different countries, there are trodden walking paths. This is a rather small island, but it fully gives you the opportunity to experience the charm of life in a paradise lost in the ocean. The area where the island of Kauai is located is especially suitable for secluded recreation, since there are a lot of corners hidden from human eyes.

A delightful place where travelers often return deserves the closest attention. Even for a week of rest it is impossible to get acquainted with all the sights of the tourist center. The island, which has a special atmosphere, attracts with its charm, and guests often turn a blind eye to bad weather throughout the year.