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The fourth largest and the
oldest of the Hawaiian islands,
Kauai is about 888 kilometres
square in area, formed from
one massive volcano of which
Mt Waialeale forms the
eastern rim.
The main road circles the coastline
with the exception of a 24-kilometre
stretch at the north shore cliffs which
is inaccessible. When Captain Cook
came ashore in January 1778 he was
received as a god. Today, visitors to
this beautiful island of gardens and
rainbows are greeted in much the same
friendly way.
Lihue, the capital of Kauai, still has
few buildings taller than a coconut
tree. Yet the island offers visitors all
the ingredients for a perfect holiday
including luxury accommodation,
gourmet cuisine, a host of watersports
and activities including world-class golf.
Po`ipu, a leisurely 30 minutes by
car south of Lihue, has been called
Kauai's playground, with its pristine
beaches protected by a necklace of
offshore reefs.
Just one kilometre from the resort area
is sailing, diving, deep-sea fishing
and daily boat tours from Kukuiula
Harbour. At nearby Spouting Horn,
a turbulent wave action causes surf to
shoot through a lava tube and out a
hole in the coastal rock. This geyser
sometimes reaches heights of 18 metres
and more.
On the west side of Kauai you'll find
what Mark Twain called the 'Grand
Canyon of the Pacific'—Waimea
Canyon, 1097 metres deep in parts,
with red and green vistas punctuated
by waterfalls.
North from Lihue you can stop off to
take a ride on one of the f lat-bottom
river boats that takes you to the Fern
Grotto. Further north past the Coconut
Coast you pass by the turnoff to The
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
which shelters thousands of seabirds.
Near Princeville and Hanalei, made
famous by the song Puff the Magic
Dragon, is Ke`e Beach. Close by are
the wet and dry caves, prominent in
ancient Hawaiian myth and the start
of the 17 kilometres Kalalau hiking
trail. Further south is Lumahai Beach
the famous nurse's beach in the movie
South Pacific.
On the island's north shore the scenery
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