| One of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai, is sometimes | | | | Ranch Adventures. Here, a visitor can enjoy the land |
| referred to as "Hawaii's Island Of Discovery". That's | | | | as it sprawls from hilly terrain to coastal beaches. |
| because Kauai is Hawaii's oldest island, yet it's | | | | These beaches offer common sites of turtles, seals |
| constantly changing to enlighten and satisfy all the | | | | and yes, even dolphins!Should visitors have a passion |
| many visitors who go there.One can find shops and | | | | for Polynesian dancing, attending a three-day Kauai |
| restaurants bustling with activity alongside the many | | | | Polynesian Festival event is an absolute treat. |
| vendors working the highways and by-ways to sell | | | | Located at the Kukui Grove Park and Pavilion on |
| flowers, a variety of fish and lots of fruit.On Kauai's | | | | Highway 50, guests are entertained by local Hula |
| west side on the beach on Kekaha, an old sugar | | | | troupes, dancers from Somoa, Tahiti and as far |
| camp house sat for years awaiting restoration. Finally, | | | | away as New Zealand. The festival usually held in late |
| this facility along with an historic 5-bedroom house, | | | | May, boasts international craft displays, intereresting |
| has now joined Waimea Plantation Cottages as a | | | | booths and an abundance of local cuisine.While in |
| restored plantation- style home bringing the cottage | | | | Lihue, check out the fascinating yet unusual museum |
| count now to 50.Heading east to Kalaheo, two | | | | known as the Kauai Veterans' Center Military |
| houses have been added as rentals for vacationers. | | | | Museum. Here, the die-hard war-buff can view |
| Although both sites are away from any beaches (and | | | | displays of weaponry donated by local soldiers of |
| are more residential than resort-style), the | | | | Hawaii who fought in World War II and in Vietnam. |
| accommodations are affordable, clean and | | | | There are even archives from combat units dating |
| comfortable. Plus, guests do not need to be | | | | back to the Spanish American War.Making your way |
| concerned with minimum stays or cleaning | | | | on Kauai's east side north of Lihue, visitors discover |
| fees.Vacationers here can even enjoy more perks | | | | the little community of Kapaa. Here you find the |
| like a hot tub, free tennis court usage, beach gear, | | | | Kauai Children's Discovery Museum specializing in the |
| boogie boards and snorkel equipment.On the south | | | | developmental needs of kids under five years in age. |
| side, reconstruction of a hotel (Waiohai Hotel), | | | | Parents are welcome to gather information about |
| damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, has been | | | | community resources and services as well as on child |
| completed. This property was converted into | | | | development. One will be very impressed with the |
| timeshares---200 2-bedroom accommodations in nine | | | | numerous special toys and playground equipment---all |
| buildings.Catering to the upscale market, 22 units in | | | | designed for the stimulation of kids' brains and |
| the Poipu Kai Resort were added measuring 1,700 to | | | | muscles.As you leave Kapaa and continue northward |
| 2,000 square feet. These condos have air | | | | on Highway 56, prepare yourself for all the |
| conditioning, featuring walk-in showers made of glass | | | | congestion due to a construction boom. Surprisingly, |
| block, complete with designer furnishings. Oh and for | | | | an oasis appears revealing the Na Aina Kai Botanical |
| kitchen lovers, there's Corian countertops throughout. | | | | Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guests are permitted to |
| Visitors here will agree this place is a pleasant, | | | | tour the grounds where gardens feature exotic |
| nicely-manicured resort, complete with pool and | | | | vegetation, hardwood trees, even dozens of statues |
| ocean-front units.Also in the Poipu area, roughly a | | | | made of bronze. Two of the most recently added |
| block from the ocean, is a quiet setting with restored | | | | statues depict a young Hawaiian with his father |
| former residential rentals featuring hardwood floors, | | | | planting a mahogany tree; and the other was installed |
| hot tubs and walk-in showers. Here one finds a | | | | adjacent to the ponds along the garden's birdwalk, |
| feeling of seclusion in this lovely place called Hideaway | | | | called "Still Life" which is a likeness of a blue heron.For |
| Love Villas.For those visitors wishing to be pampered | | | | the hiking enthusiasts, Princeville Ranch has a |
| while staying at Poipu, there is another setting of | | | | fantastic hiking tour lasting five hours over ranch land |
| three 2,600 square-foot units: two at ocean front; | | | | hosting some awe-inspiring viewpoints. This tour even |
| one with an ocean view. Here, at Kauai Cottages at | | | | features an exciting area where you must swing on a |
| Poipu Beach, a guest gets elegant furnishings, | | | | chain to advance off a small cliff. At the end of the |
| high-speed Internet access---complimented with | | | | hiking is Kalihwai Falls, providing the visitor/hiker with a |
| tennis and honeymoon packages. The honeymoon | | | | refreshing dip and a fulfilling lunch.There is a place on |
| packages come with a cold bottle of champagne | | | | Kauai debated to be the most remote place on the |
| upon arrival PLUS a chef will even prepare a delicious | | | | island: Hanalei Colony Resort. There are no phones |
| meal! So, be assured to find a lot of romance when | | | | and no televisions. Renovations are underway |
| staying in these private, beautifully- landscaped | | | | upgrading these condos from one bath to one and a |
| cottages.As the continual proliferation of vacation | | | | half baths. Workers minimize their building efforts, |
| rentals marches on, the south side of Kauai will | | | | however, to focus on the most important detail: |
| doubtless feel some growing pains. More commercial | | | | Don't Disrupt the Quiet-Seeking Patrons! As remote |
| development will need to keep pace---town squares, | | | | and quiet as this resort remains, wedding, |
| shops, restaurants and grocery stores will blanket the | | | | honeymoon and small meeting groups are always |
| landscape.Approaching Lihue, one finds what used to | | | | welcome.Yes, Kauai is continually offering its visitors |
| be one of the "off limits" in Kauai---until a 3,000 acre | | | | something pristine and glorious. It's an adventure into |
| ranch owner opened his property to small tours. This | | | | Paradise not soon forgotten. |
| was a former sugar plantation now managed by Kipu | | | | |