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Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai: the Not-So-Touristy Island

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2004-09-14 10:28:40

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Only a 30-minute flight from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, is the greenest of the Hawaiian Islands. It's no wonder many movies were filmed on this laid back island such as Jurassic Park, Six Days Seven Nights and a gorgeous location for television shows such as Fantasy Island and Gilligan's Island and the television miniseries The Thorn Birds. About 40 beaches grace Kauai and for old movie buffs, Lumahai Beach was made famous in the movie South Pacific.

A car is almost mandatory, as there is no public transportation. However, even people who rent a car take one of the many tours to get a local's perspective about the island.

It's a beautiful hour-long drive along Kauai's coast to Hanalei Bay Resort Inn in North Kauai. The first two days were cloudy with showers but Mother Nature perfected the weather the last three days. The sun shone during the day and rain at night.

Highway 56, the main road, leads to many attractions. Kilauea Lighthouse was built in the early 1900s to guide ships heading to and from the Orient. Open 7 days a week (10am to 4pm) the US$2.00 charge is based on a honour system to view this bird sanctuary with a variety of species. The waves crashed on the rocky shoreline beneath my feet.

I admired the breathtaking view of Hanalei Valley, a patchwork of rectangle patches (many shades of green) called taro fields from Hanalei Valley Lookout. The Bali Ha'i cliffs in the background and the Hanalei River running through the valley add beauty to this picture perfect site.

I ignored the typical tourist entertainment by a trio, two men playing instruments and a hula girl, to soak in the beauty cruising down Waialua River, where the first Polynesian landed. Stepping off the boat, we walked up a steep path to the Fern Grotto, one of the most popular attractions on the island. This spot is popular for a marriage ceremony where a couple ...