KAUAI NORTH COAST |
KAUAI, HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
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NORTH COAST: Kapaa-Princeville-Hanalei-Haena
North of the town of Kapaa, on Highway 56, you'll find a scenic overlook that's worth a stop. The Kapaa Stream also flows by in a westerly direction.
Farther along the road you'll come to Anahola Beach Park, a fine spot for some beach activity or a picnic, and also another good lookout over the ocean called Kahala Point.
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Traveling north, be sure to stop and see the Kilauea Lighthouse, a Kauai landmark for over three-quarters of a century (it was originally built in 1913), it was deactivated in 1976 and is just a tourist attraction now. The lighthouse marks Kauai's northernmost point and contains the largest clamshell lens in the world.
The Kilauea Lighthouse is the beacon to a 31 acre National Wildlife Refuge, a US government park that's home to a large and varied group of wildlife species, plus an automated weather station. Kilauea lies between the 22 and 24 mile markers. To see the Old Stone Church, turn right at the Union 76 Station.
Kalihiwai Valley located at the 25 mile marker is the place where many visitors stop at the overlook to photograph the valley and waterfall.
Two great beaches are up the road, Kilihiwai Beach Park and Anini Beach State Park, both of which are great spots for sunbathing, picnics or even as places to take a short nap in the car if you're tired from driving.
The planned resort community of Princeville, with its condos and golf courses, overlook Hanalei Bay.
Across from the Princeville center, there is an outstanding lookout over Hanalei River, you'll cross the river itself if you stay on the Kuhio Highway (Highway 56) and its hairpin turn.
As you drive the Kuhio Highway not far from the hairpin turn, take note of the large furry animals in the pasture. Yes, they're bison (or “buffalo”). This ranch supplies several restaurants around the island with the low-fat, low-cholesterol bison meat for “buffalo burgers”. All of this pastureland was swamp until rancher Bill Mowry drained it with a series of canals he built.
Hanalei is the North Shore's adventure headquarters to the magnificent Na Pali Coast. The folksy village is picturesque with taro fields, historic churches and artsy shops that hang hand-painted apparel for storefronts. See sweeping vistas of the area from the lookout on Kuio Hwy.
From Hanaley Bay, see the “Bali Hai” cliffs of “South Pacific. Make a stop after Hanalei Bay and park along the roadside and hike down to the famous Lumahai Beach, the Nurses' Beach in “South Pacific”.
Hanalei Beach and its adjacent bay is one of Kauai's most popular attractions in and around Priceville. The exceptionally fine, white sand makes this a sublime place for long strolls.
If you like visiting caves as an offbeat adventure, you'll be in your element when you stop at Maniniholo Dry Cave, Waikapalae Wet Cave or Waikanaloa Wet Cave, not far from Haena Country Park, before coming to Ke'e Beach and the end of the road, from here begin Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast.
