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Kauai, the Special Island
By Steve Wolshin - Kauai Vacation Rentals
Aloha, and welcome to the Island of Kauai.
My name is Steve Wolshin - Kauai Vacation Rentals. I have been living on Kauai and all over Hawaii on all the Islands for the last 35 years.
So many people ask me why Kauai is so special that I decided to write my experiences of living on Kauai compared to the other Islands in Hawaii.
Please do not get me wrong, I enjoy all the islands in Hawaii and have many friends on all the islands. However Kauai is a very special and a Unique Island that offers activities and a way of life that I feel is 2nd to none in the world today.
Kauai has several activities and a natural beauty that is not found anywhere else in Hawaii.
I will list them and then discuss each one for you.
- The Na Pali Coast---
This 15 mile coast line has been called the 7th wonder of the world. There are no roads to get to it. The main road on Kauai, "Kuhio Hwy" can only go to the end of the road on the north shore the Ke'e beach and then it stops and then the Napali coast starts. You can hike into Hanakapiai Beach on the trail that goes 11 miles.
Then you can drive all the way around the Island to the end of the road on the west side of Kauai and the road ends again at the Polihale State Beach. Then the Napali Coast starts again. The only way to see this incredible coast line is to hike in on several trails, helicopter in, rake a boat ride, kayak in, paddle in on surfboards, jet ski in, or swim.
The way the verticle Mountain meets the ocean with the waterfalls booming and the green everywhere is nothing less than spectacular.
When you see and experience the Napali Coast, the natural beauty stays with you forever and brings you a little closer to God and nature.
- The Wailua River---
This river is the only navigable river in Hawaii. You can get a ride up to the fern grotto where many people got married years ago on the smith boats ride. You can also kayak your self up the river at your own speed. Then you can go for hikes to beautiful waterfalls and enjoy swimming in these great streams and lagoons. The river goes all the way back to Mt. Waialeale Mountain.
It is one of the main activities on Kauai for tourists.
- Waimea Canyon---
This canyon is absolutely breathtaking! It is located on the south west side on the island and takes up the entire interior of that side of the island of Kauai. It is huge... Smaller than the grand canyon but just as spectacular. There is a road that you can drive up to over 3,500 ft. and see the splendor and beauty of the Waimea Canyon. It is called the Kokee State Park Road. It will wind you all the way up to the top of the mountain and end up at Kokee State Park. There you can go for hikes into the Canyon or to the ocean side of the mountain and see the Napali coast line. You are higher than the helicopters when they fly in!
- Waterfalls---
Kauai has many waterfalls that you can hike to and enjoy their beauty and refresh in the falls and take a swim. Some waterfalls are too powerful to swim or go under, but do offer a great view.
- Mt. Waialeale---
This is the main mountain on Kauai and is considered to be one of the wettest places on earth. The neat thing about this mountain is it can be raining on the north shore and then hot and sunny on the south and west shore. The Island of Kauai is round, so most of the time you can always find the sun if that is what you are looking for and want.
But with all the rain, you get this incredible green and lush surroundings from the east side to the north shore. Hilo on the big island also has this along with Hana on Maui and other parts of Hawaii. But Mt. Waialeale is special because it is huge and takes up the entire interior of the island of Kauai.
- Dirt Bikes, 3 wheelers, Off Road Vehicles---
FUN, FUN, FUN! Kauai has many places where you can ride off-road and really have a lot of fun. You can get to places where you are the only one there with great views up in the mountains. There are companies that offer 3 wheeler activities that are a lot of fun also.
- Hiking---
Kauai offers some great hiking trails. For some of the hikes you need to be ready to spend the night and camp. Some of the hikes are just a two hour hike. Whatever you would like is available. The one thing for sure is that you will be up close and deep in to the natural reserve parks of Kauai and feeling God and nature like you have never before. Oh yes, the views are magnificent!
- Surfing---
I have been a surfer since I was 9 years old. Surfing has been the core of my life. Surfing on Kauai is great. There are so many spots to surf in all different conditions. Kauai offers all types of waves and conditions. From the beginner to the expert, you will find a spot that fit you perfectly!
Andy Irons is from Hanalei Kauai and is a 3 time world surfing champion. Kauai is great for boggie boarding, or body boarding, body surfing, kite boarding, windsurfing, and tow in surfing. The newest sport is stand up surfing.
So if you like the ocean sports, then Kauai will keep you very happy!
- Fishing and Diving---
I love to go fishing and catch fresh fish then grill it right away. That is the true aloha of Kauai. Kauai offers great fishing either on boats or just from shore. My record is a 150 pound tuna!
Diving in Kauai offers many dive boats to take you diving. There are many places where you can just launch right from shore.
There is Free diving and then with tanks. Both are lots of fun here on Kauai. I do not dive that much any more due to an ear injury from surfing. But I love to snorkel and free dive down to 5 to 10 feet whenever I can get away.
On my personnel experience of living on Kauai; I have lived on all sides of the Island over the last 35 years. The west side, the south shore, the east side - "where I live now" and the north shore. I have found that every side of the Island of Kauai has something special to offer.
It only takes maximum 2 ½ hours to drive from one end of the island to the other. As I mentioned before you can not drive around the entire island because of the Napali coast.
There are many more activities that are available that I have not mentioned. I just gave you the ones that I do with my family and friends. Kauai has the most beautiful state parks in Hawaii. You can spend a relaxing day at any of the several state parks on Kauai and have an enjoyable day.
One of my Favorites is Hanalei State Park. It has bathrooms, showers, and barbeque area for you and your family. It also has the Hanalei Pier that allows you to walk out past the ocean and enjoy the spectacular view of Hanalei Bay and watch the surfers and swimmers and not get a drop of water on you. Hanalei is Great for Picture taking.
Then there is the surf spot of Hanalei Bay. When the surf is up it is one of the most fun spots to surf! You can watch the surfers ride the waves from way out on the point to the inside bowl. The wave is out on the outside reef, so it is a ways out there, but still fun to watch and more fun to surf.
I hope this overview of why I think Kauai is so special helps you in understanding a little more about the Island of Kauai and the fun and beauty it holds and offers to you and your family if you decide to come here for a visit or even if you are coming to live.
Mahalo & Aloha,
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