The oldest in the Hawaiian Island chain, Kaua‘i has had millennia to form its famous ridged mountains, hidden valleys, and picturesque shoreline, making it often rated as the most beautiful of the State.
PHOTO BY IJFKE RIDGLEY
LIHU‘E & THE EAST SIDE
As the capital and largest city on Kaua‘i, Līhu‘e is home to the airport and most major conveniences. Farther up the coast, you’ll find Waialua River State Park, where the near-constant rains of Mount Wai‘ale‘ale flow into the Waialua River and its famed Fern Grotto.
HISTORY
Kaua‘i was the only island not to be conquered by warfare by King Kamehameha in his quest to unite all of the Hawaiian Islands. Instead, he came to a peaceful agreement with King Kaumuali‘i.
DON’T MISS
Visit the Koloa Rum factory at the sprawling Kilohana Estate (kilohanakauai.com). For lunch or Sunday brunch featuring seasonal, local ingredients and views of Mount Wai‘ale‘ale, head to Gaylord’s Restaurant (kilohanakauai.com). Take easy uphill drives to ogle the twin waterfalls of Wailua Falls above Līhu‘e and broad ‘Ōpaeka‘a Falls above Wailua. Fishbar Deli (fishbardeli.com) has become the local hangout for elevated bar food in a lively setting. No visit to Kapa‘a would be complete without a visit to Shipwrecked Kaua‘i (shipwreckedkauai.com), a well-curated boutique of island and designer favorites. Moa Moa, the upscale seafood restaurant in the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort (marriott.com), serves Pacific-inspired cuisine in an outdoor setting overlooking the ocean.
LOCALS KNOW
The hills and farmland on Kaua‘i’s east side are home to an old sugar plantation irrigation system made up of hand-dug canals and tunnels. There is no better way to explore these than by inner tube! Book a tour with Kauai Backcountry Adventures (kauaibackcountry.com) to get in on the fun.
NORTH SHORE
Centuries of rainfall in one of the wettest places on Earth have carved deep grooves in its verdant mountains, resulting in a green mountainscape that you can’t take your eyes off while driving through the North Shore. The quaint hamlet of Kīlauea is home to the Kilauea Sugar Plantation and Kīlauea Lighthouse while neighboring Princeville is a luxury development of world-class hotels and residences. Across the Hanalei River sits the picturesque surfer village of Hanalei, with plenty of shopping and dining options. Hāʻena, at the end of the road, is the jumping-off point for the famed Nā Pali Coast.
HISTORY
In 2018, historic rainfall hit the area between Hanalei and Ke‘e Beach, inundating the region with 8-foot-high floodwaters and causing landslides in 15 locations along the highway. The devastation closed parts of the North Shore to visitors for years. The picturesque Kūhiō Highway is often closed at the Hanalei Bridge when the flood waters are too high.
DON’T MISS
Bar Acuda (cudahanalei.com), the place to see and be seen, boasts unique tapas and cocktails. For a healthier, all-natural version of shave ice—Hawai‘i’s favorite treat—head to popular Wishing Well Shave Ice (wishingwellshaveice.com). Pick up island-inspired décor, jewelry, and clothing at Sway Hanalei (swayhanalei.com) and neighboring Ohana Shop (ohanashopkauai.com), and the hottest local bikini brands at Bikini Hanalei (bikinihanalei.com). Hāʻena State Park requires reservations and provides a shuttle to the end of the road, where you can start the challenging Nā Pali Coast trail hike or enjoy snorkeling at cozy Ke‘e Beach. Charming neighborhood coffee spot The Haven in Wainiha (havenkauai.com) is a favorite hangout and a good cup of brew.
LOCALS KNOW
A great rainy day activity is kayaking or standup paddle boarding up the Hanalei River. Rent a SUP from family-owned Kayak Hanalei (kayakhanalei.com) where you can meander down toward the ocean or paddle inland through thick foliage and along Hanalei’s famed taro patches. The company also runs kayaking tours to nearby Hideaways or Pu‘u Poa beaches—both secluded and great for snorkeling.
SOUTH SHORE
The south shore, one of the sunniest areas of the island, boasts popular surf spots, world-class golf, shopping and several family-friendly hotels.
HISTORY
The shade of a milelong tree tunnel, formed by 100-foot-tall eucalyptus trees planted over a century ago along Maluhia Road, welcomes visitors heading to the sunny South Shore resorts.
DON’T MISS
Pick up a day pass to the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i’s serene Anara Spa (anaraspa.com). Savor island-inspired fine dining at Red Salt, the oceanfront restaurant at Ko‘a Kea Resort (koakea.com). In historic Old Koloa Town, plantation-style shopping centers play host to gems like The Fresh Shave (thefreshshave.com) for all-natural shave ice made with organic fresh fruit and Java Kai (javakai.com) for a great cup ‘o Joe in an Instagramable setting. For the fashionistas, chic boutique Sister Sister (sistersisterkauai.shop) has you covered for curated beach fashions, bikinis, and accessories. Head to Allerton & McBryde Gardens (ntbg.org) to see awe-inspiring tropical foliage.
LOCALS KNOW
The Kōloa Heritage Trail is a 10-mile, 14-stop tour of the south shore’s most important historic and cultural locations, from Spouting Horn Park’s famous blowhole to Poipu Beach, home to the endangered monk seal.
WEST SIDE
In stark contrast to the humid east side, the rugged leeward coast is dry but not desolate. The landscape is colored by the famous red dirt that leads up to the dramatic Waimea Canyon, and down to wild, empty beaches.
HISTORY
The charming town of Hanapēpē was once the island’s largest city in the time between World War I and the 1950s. Now, its historic storefronts are home to fine art galleries and boutiques, and the town served as a model for Disney’s Lilo and Stitch.
DON’T MISS
The West Side is all about the outdoors. Waimea Canyon and Kōke‘e State Park (dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp) are must-sees. For the most thrilling views of “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” ride with Blue Hawaiian (bluehawaiian.com) and enjoy 360-degree views. In summer, explore the sea caves and marine life of Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park—one of the most spectacular attractions in the world—aboard one of Nā Pali Experience’s (napaliexperience.com) six-passenger boats, departing from Kekaha. Polihale State Park, a popular overnight camping spot for locals with some of the best star-gazing in the state.
LOCALS KNOW
Hanapepe is the place to be on Friday nights, when hundreds flock to the delightful town as it hosts its weekly Art Night. Peruse art galleries and dine in the historic buildings originally built by Filipino, Chinese, and Japanese immigrants.
Photography by: Photo by IJfke Ridgley
