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Alekoko/Menehune Fish Pond
Legends say the pond was built by menehune, a race of small people who only worked at night to build ponds, temples and roads in the islands. There's a great view from the lookout on Niumalu Road. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Allerton and Lawai Gardens
Set on what was formerly the Allerton Estate, the Allerton Gardens includes 100 acres of tropical plants. The 196-acre Lawai Gardens boasts rare and tropical plants from around the world, including the largest collection of native Hawaiian plants. Both settings are operated by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964 as a privately supported research and education institution. Open Tuesday - Saturday. Guided walking tours depart at 9 am, 10 am, 1 pm and 2 pm. Reservations required. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Captain Cook's Monument
Located in Waimea, one of the oldest communities in Hawai'i, this is the site where British explorer Capt. James Cook first set foot in Hawaii in 1778. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Fern Grotto
Only accessible by boat, this lava cavern is an exotic find past dense tropical greenery up the Wailua River. Maidenhair ferns hang in canopy-like stalactites from the cavern ceiling. The natural amphitheater is a favorite wedding spot accentuated with a small waterfall flowing over the top. Several companies offer cruises to the grotto. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Guava Kai Plantation
On Kauai's north shore just 7 miles from Princeville and minutes from Kilauea Lighthouse. These 480 acres in Kilauea produces 50 percent of the state's crop of guava. The succulent fruit is used for juices, jams, jellies, sherbets and confections. Tour the orchards, watch the processing and sample the juice and jams. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm. Free admission.
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Haena State Park
At the end of Kuhio Highway (Highway 56) in Haena is a scenic 66-acre wildland park. View the Waikapalae and the Waikanaloa Wet Caves, ancient sea caves formed during a higher stand of sea dating back about 4,000 years, or the nearby Maniniholo Dry Cave. Good for beach-related activities and swimming at Kee Beach, with a view of the Na Pali Coast. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Halemanu-Kokee Trail
This self-guiding nature trail begins off Halemanu Road at Kokee State Park and winds through native forest with exotic birds. The 1.2-mile hike is a good family activity.
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Hanalei Beach
Adjacent to Hanalei Bay, this beach is a scenic and popular location. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Hanalei Valley
Past Princeville, the road bends and then broadens into an overlook with the sweeping valley below. The land becomes a patchwork quilt of dark green taro farms and gleeming silver irrigation waters. The Hanalei River meanders through the valley to the bay. Green mountains rise behind the valley, with waterfalls cascading down its cliffs. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Holoholoku Heiau
The site, on SR 580 west of the junction with SR 56, has been restored. The stone where human sacrifices were offered is on the southwest corner. The Royal Birthstones are located outside the enclosure. Women of royal blood were required to reach the stones before giving birth to ensure the child's royal status. Always open.
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Iliau Nature Loop at Waimea Canyon
This quarter-mile loop on the Waimea Canyon's western edge is good for a family outing. Beginning at the Kukui Trail, the trek uncovers native upland scrub plants and views of the canyon.
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Kalalau Lookout
This site provides a scenic view into the Kalalau Valley, Na Pali State Park, and the ocean that lies 4,000 feet below. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Kauai Museum
A visit to the museum will uncover exhibits by local artists, a 20-minute film presenting an aerial view of the island, and a display of Hawaiian art and artifacts. Located across from the state and capital buildings. Open Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm.; Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Closed on Sundays. 4424 Rice Street, Lihue, HI (808) 245-6931. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Keahua Forestry Arboretum Trail
A 0.5-mile family trek begins at the end of Highway 580 on the island's east side and includes an outdoor nature trail classroom picnic, stream, pool and swimming.
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Kee Beach
A favorite swimming spot located at the end of the road. Also serves as the trailhead of the difficult and dangerous Kalalau Trail, the only land route to the remote cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali Coast. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Kilauea Lighthouse
A landmark for more than three-quarters of a century, the lighthouse was deactivated in 1976 but remains a tourist attraction and stands amid a wildlife sanctuary. Located two miles off SR 56. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Kilauea Point Hike
Guided 2-hour hikes start at the 52-foot-high landmark Kilauea Lighthouse at 10 a.m. daily and proceed east for a little more than a mile. Hikes are free and limited to 15 people. Reservations are required; call (808) 828-0168.
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Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Learn about the area's birds, including the Red-footed Booby colony that nests on Crater Hill. View the Pacific from the crater's summit, where visitors often watch for Spinner Dolphins, Pacific Green Sea Turtles and Hawaiian Monk Seals. From November through May, look for migrating Humpback Whales. Refuge open daily, except on federal holidays, 10 am. - 4 pm. Admission.
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Kilohana Plantation
Grandeur and elegance mark this fully restored former plantation estate where guests used to arrive in horse-drawn carriages. Tour what was once the home of Gaylord Parke Wilcox. Stroll through 35 acres of gardens or step aboard a 100-year-old carriage drawn by rugged Clydesdale horses. Learn about the island's sugar industry on a one-hour canefield tour taken in a horse-drawn wagon. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Kokee Natural History Museum
The island's oldest museum showcases treasures found amid the 6,000 acres of canyon, forest, and swampland surrounding the museum. Exhibits include plants, birds, geological phenomena, examples and pictures of petroglyphs, and the park's history as told through photographs. Open daily, 10 am - 4 pm. Donations are appreciated.
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Kokee State Park
View the lush Kalalau Valley from this 4,345-acre park 15 miles north of Kekaha on Kokee Road (Highway 550). Picnicking and camping allowed. Hike through the rainforests and along the rim of Waimea Canyon adjoining the park. A 16-mile mountain bike tour, the only one licensed to operate off paved roads in any Hawaii state park, is available through Outfitters Kauai at (808) 742-9667. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Koloa Heritage Trail
Ka Ala Hele Waiwai Ho'oilina o Koloa, the Koloa Heritage Trail, is a scenic 14-mile self-guided journey to points of historical significance in the South Kauai area.
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Limahuli Gardens
Located about a quarter mile before Ke'e Beach on the island's north shore, the gardens offer 17 acres of incomparable natural beauty. Operated by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964 as a privately supported research and education institution. Open Tuesday - Friday, and Sunday, 9:30 am - 4 pm. Self-guided and guided tours. Reservations required for guided tours only. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Lumahai Beach
This setting for the motion picture "South Pacific" saw Mitzi Gaynor "wash that man right out of her hair" on its shores. This beach is one of the most photographed spots in the world. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Menehune Ditch
Menehune Ditch Road turns to the mountains, mauka, from the mouth of the Waimea River, going up into the valley about a mile before reaching the Swinging Bridge, a footbridge leading to the east bank. The narrow irrigation ditch lies on the west side, sliding into a tunnel cut into the base of a bluff. An ancient, tightly fitting row of rectangular stones edges the ditch, which is still used to divert water into taro patches. The engineering style used for the ditch was not practiced by Hawaiians, intriguing archaeologists. Some say elves, or menehune, built the ditch.
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Mount Waialeale
Averaging nearly 500 inches of rainfall annually, this area provides most of the water for all of Kauai's main rivers and lays claim to being the wettest spot on earth. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Na Pali Coast State Park
This 6,175-acre park also serves as the trailhead for the Kalalau trail, located at the end of Kuhio Highway (Highway 56) at Haena State Park. The 11-mile trail uncovers scenic sea cliffs and stream valleys with spectacular waterfalls.
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Old Koloa Town
False-front buildings are about the only remnants remaining of a town that prospered after the first sugar mill on the island was erected here in 1835. The old stone smokestack is all that remains of the sugar mill. Located off Highway 51, south of Niumalu. Take the Maluhia Road exit to the town. An annual event celebrates its colorful history.
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Opaekaa Falls
A drive along Highway 580 rewards sightseers with views of the falls and the river. The name translates to "rolling shrimp," so named for the shrimp that lay their eggs in the many rocky pools at the base of the falls.
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Polihale State Park
Take Kaumualii Highway (Highway 50) to Mana Village and follow the 5-mile long dirt road to the end. A scenic area features colorful sunsets and a view of the sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the 138-acre park is also good for picnicking and camping.
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Prince Kuhio's Birthplace
A small park and a bust monument on Poipu Road mark the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole.
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Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
Located off Kaumualii Highway (Highway 50) on the east bank of the mouth of the Waimea River, the park includes a boulder-built Russian fort, a reminder of the Russian presence in the islands from 1815 - 1817.
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Salt Pond Beach Park
Take Highway 50 past Hanapepe Park. View the art of salt making nearby. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Sleeping Giant
Take Highway 56 north, past Wailua Beach and up the east coast. Just past Waipouli Complex look west to the mountain to see this formation. The giant's feet are in Kapaa and his head is in Wailua. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Smith's Tropical Paradise
A lush 30-acre botanical and cultural garden located in the Wailua River Valley. Stroll through the gardens or take a narrated tram ride to see exotic peacocks, tropical lagoons and ethnic villages. Open daily, 8:30 am - 4 pm. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Spouting Horn
Go to the end of Poipu Road to see this natural phenomenon formed by the wave action forcing water through a hole in the lava formation. As the water sprays up in geyser-like fashion, listen for a strange groan, which according to local legend comes from a lizard trapped within the lava tube. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Waiakapalae and Waiakanaloa Wet Caves
Although the stagnant water is not good for swimming, the caves are impressive.
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Wailua Falls
The lookout on Maaolo road in Hanamaulu faces twin falls of 80 feet that cascade to a clear pool below. In ancient times, the Hawaiian chiefs would dive into the pool from the cliff to prove their courage. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
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Wailua River State Park
Situated along the banks of the Wailua River off Kuhio Highway (Highway 56), this 1,126-acre park features a river boat cruise to Fern Grotto in the lush river valley, tropical waterfalls, the Wailua River Valley and the Wailua Complex of Heiau, a National Historic Landmark that includes places of worship and refuge, birthstones and bellstones. Sunbathing, swimming, picnicking and shore fishing at the Lydgate Section; sunbathing, swimming and surfing at the Wailua Beach Section; and river fishing and picnicking in a riverside coconut grove.
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Waimea Canyon State Park
A 20-minute trip up into the mountains behind Waimea town leads to the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Here the great 3,400-foot deep gorge takes on the colors of the rainbow, ever-changing as a kaleidoscope as the day progresses. One mile across and 10 miles long, the canyon is nature's tribute to the elements. Related story on OutriggerHawaii.com.
