On any list of the world's most spectacular islands,
Kauai ranks right up there with Bora Bora, Huahine,
and Rarotonga. All the elements are here: moody rainforests,
majestic cliffs, jagged peaks, emerald valleys, palm
trees swaying in the breeze, daily rainbows, and some
of the most spectacular golden beaches you'll find anywhere.
Soft tropical air, sunrise bird song, essences of ginger
and plumeria, golden sunsets, sparkling waterfalls --
you don't just go to Kauai, you absorb it with every
sense. It may get more than its fair share of tropical
downpours, but that's what makes it so lush and green
-- and creates an abundance of rainbows.
Kauai is essentially a single large shield volcano that
rises 3 miles above the sea floor. The island lies 90
miles across the open ocean from Oahu, but it seems
at least a half century removed in time. It's often
called "the separate kingdom" because it stood
alone and resisted King Kamehameha's efforts to unite
Hawaii. In the end, a royal kidnapping was required
to take the Garden Isle: After King Kamehameha died,
his son, Liholiho, ascended the throne. He gained control
of Kauai by luring Kauai's king, Kaumualii, aboard the
royal yacht and sailing to Oahu; once there, Kaumualii
was forced to marry Kaahumanu, Kamehameha's widow, thereby
uniting the islands.
A Kauai rule is that no building may exceed the height
of a coconut tree -- between three and four stories.
As a result, the island itself, not its palatial beach
hotels, is the attention-grabber. There's no real nightlife
here, no opulent shopping malls. But there is the beauty
of the verdant jungle, the endless succession of spectacular
beaches, the grandeur of Waimea Canyon, and the drama
of the Na Pali Coast. Even Princeville, an opulent marble-and-glass
luxury hotel, does little more than frame the natural
glory of Hanalei's spectacular 4,000-foot-high Namolokama
mountain range.
This is the place for active visitors: There's watersports
galore; miles of trails through rainforests and along
ocean cliffs for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders;
and golf options that range from championship links
to funky local courses where chickens roam the greens
and balls wind up embedded in coconut trees. But Kauai
is also great for those who need to relax and heal jangled
nerves. Here you'll find miles of sandy beaches, perfect
for just sitting and meditating. There are also quiet
spots in the forest where you can listen to the rain
dance on the leaves, as well as an endless supply of
laid-back, lazy days that end with the sun sinking into
the Pacific amid a blaze of glorious tropical color.Search
Kauaii Real Estate
