Lihue, Kauai
Lihue, Hawaii, located on the eastern side of Kauai, owes its continued growth to same crop that started its proliferation in the 1840s: sugar cane. This plantation town is the county seat of Kauai and boasts a population of over 4000 inhabitants.If you really want to immerse yourself in Kauai's history, make the Kauai Museum first on your list of places to visit. Exhibits in the museum detail Kauai's cultural and historical growth since before the time of King Kamehameha. There are even some actual excerpts from the daily log of Captian Cook, the sailor who brought the Islands to the world's attention when he sailed into Waimea Bay, and a model of his ship, the HMS Resolution. The museum's book store sells books, Hawaiian prints, and detailed geographical maps of the entire island.
It goes without saying that Kauai means sunshine. Lihue is a great spot for soaking some of it up. Beach lovers will want to visit Kalapaki Beach on beautiful Nawiliwili Bay. Relatively calm surf makes for one of the best swimming beaches on Kauai. Snorkeling here is a hot commodity, and this may be a great time to take up surfing or riding a boogey board!
You might also want to take a dip while visiting Hanamaulu County Beach Park. In addition to the beach, there is a lagoon that was formed by the waters of the Hanamaulu Stream. Children will have a great time pretending they are Tom Sawyer while playing along the banks of this beautiful river.
For a thrilling view of the entire island, adventurous souls will want to sign up for one of the many helicopter tours located at Lihue airport. Popular routes include flying into Waimea Canyon, "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific," or over Alakai Swamp, where you can see literally thousands of waterfalls and even 360-degree rainbows floating in the sky!
Golfers will want to take in the two courses at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. Both courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus and offer challenges for all skill levels. The inland course, Kiele, offers target golf and incredible views. The other course, Mokihana, is a links style course and is aimed at golfers who enjoy the challenge of varying shot making.
Lihue is a great jumping-off point for exploring the rest of Kauai. A couple hour's drive in any direction can bring other incredible adventures. Head south to Poipu and its gorgeous beaches. Aim north to the NaPali Coast for some incredible views, dramatic cliff overlooks, and hikes that will challenge even the most experienced hiker. All in all, Lihue offers anything you might want in a Hawaiian vacation!
