Kauai

We spent a week on Kauai for our anniversary, and it became Episode 3. Here is what to know about it.

The short version

Kauaʻi is Hawaiʻi's fourth largest island and the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, and it is known as the Garden Island. The County of Kauaʻi also includes Niʻihau, Lehua and Kaʻula, and its county seat is Līhuʻe. The island is usually split into the North Shore, the East Side, Līhuʻe, the South Shore and the West Side.

A little history

• In January 1778 Captain James Cook's ships anchored off Waimea on the island's west side.
• In 1810 Kauaʻi's ruler, Kaumualiʻi, ceded the island to Kamehameha without a war, bringing it into the Hawaiian Kingdom.

What it is known for

• The Nāpali Coast, with deep, narrow valleys that end abruptly at the sea. The Kalalau Trail starts at Hāʻena State Park on the North Shore.
• Waimea Canyon State Park on the West Side, with a scenic drive, lookouts over the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon, and a viewpoint of Niʻihau.
• Kayaking the Wailua River on the East Side, and Wailua Falls near Līhuʻe.
• Hanalei town, Hanalei Bay and the historic Hanalei Pier on the North Shore.

Good to know

• Visitors who are not Hawaiʻi residents need a reservation to enter Hāʻena State Park, which covers Keʻe Beach and the Kalalau trailhead. Reservations open up to a month ahead.
• A day reservation covers the hike to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Falls, about 8 miles round trip. Going farther on the Kalalau Trail requires a Nāpali Coast camping permit, and those often sell out months in advance.
• Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Parks charge non-residents entrance and parking fees.
• State park roads, trails and campgrounds on Kauaʻi close at times, so check Hawaiʻi State Parks notices before you go.