The Natural Wonders of Kauai: Exploring Hawaii's Most Spectacular Island
Kauai is the fourth largest Hawaiian island. This island is the Waimea Canyon State Park site and the Na Pali Coast State Park.
Climate
Kauaʻi lies within the tropics, and its weather is, therefore, tropical, with a wet and a dry season. The island has mainly two distinct seasons: the "ʻei" (wet) season, the warmer rainy season, and the "ha" (dry) season. The wet season runs from November to April, while the dry season runs from May to October. The temperature hovers throughout the year, with an average humidity of 80%.
Topography
Kauaʻi's topography divides the island into four distinct regions: the eastern shore, the north shore, the central plateau, and the west side. The island has a total land area federally controlled by the NWR and privately owned as in fee simple estates. The most populated area is in the northeast along the coast adjacent to Honolulu and in the central plain, with around 35,000 residents.
Place of Interests
The Kauaʻi Heritage Center of Hawaiʻian Culture and the Arts was founded in 1998. Its mission is to nurture greater appreciation and respect for the Hawaiʻian culture. They offer classes in the Hawaiʻian language, hula, lei and cordage making, the lunar calendar and chanting, plus trips to cultural sites.
Kauaʻi is home to many beaches, and kayaking is a popular activity. Kauaʻi does not have any areas designated as National Parks, but there are several State Parks, National Historic Sites, National Natural Landmarks, and other protected areas.
Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve,
Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden,
Anahola Beach Park,
Bay View Beach Park,
Beach 69 Beach Park,
Circle Island Beach Park,
Kuaiʻe Beach Park,
Golden Pond Beach Park,
Hanalei Bay (including the adjacent beach called "Shoes off", also known as Baywatch),
The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
There are three lifeguarded beaches: Poʻipu Beach Park, Brennecke's Beach in Poʻipu, and Polihale Beach in the Polihale State Recreation Area (see below). Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (May–October), and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The island has many inaccessible coastal cliffs and beaches, rugged mountains, and virtually every variety of tropical vegetation.
Kauaʻi is home to thousands of moa (feral chickens) that have few natural predators, as the mongoose was never introduced in Kauaʻi as it has been on other Hawaiian islands. Kauaʻi's chickens originated from the original Polynesian settlers, who brought them as a food source. They have since bred with European chickens that have gotten free from farms and cockfighting breeders and escaped during hurricanes.
Kauaʻi is home to many species of insects, including the state butterfly (the "Una-ha nui" or "Kauaʻi mahoe" ("Rothschildia Miranda")), which is only found in Kauaʻi, Lehua blossom worm ("Paradarisa Geraldton").
Kauaʻi is home to many shave ice shops, an island tradition.
They vary from tiny roadside stands to large corporate operations such as Matsumoto Shave Ice and Matsumoto's rival, Ono Gelato. In addition to ice, the "shave ice" is flavored with syrups made from fruit, such as passionfruit, guava, coconut, lilikoi, and mango. The Big Island has the most shaved ice stands per capita and sells more desserts than any other island.
They were introduced in the 1920s by Hawaiʻi-born Yasutaro Shiba, who began selling shave ice as a street vendor in Los Angeles. Shave ice is close to the size of a snow cone, with a sweet base flavor and fluffy texture. A native variety of sugarcane, which requires no irrigation and is resistant to pests, thrives on Kauaʻi.
Kauaʻi has highways, private roads, trails, and unimproved roads.
The private road through Waimea Canyon is known as the King's Highway.
In 2010, the mean travel time for highways was about seven minutes. The longest street on the island is the Kōkeʻe Road. The shortest route is Mohihi Road. There are three private roads in Kauaʻi: Alaloa Road (locally known as Bypass Road), Kilohana Drive, and Lehua Road.