| Kauai, most appropriately nicknamed the Garden Isle, | | | | places of breathtaking scenery where some of the |
| is the Hawaiian vacation destination treasured for its | | | | most popular motion pictures and television series |
| lush tropical greenery and sparkling sand beaches. | | | | have been filmed. These hits include Jurassic Park, |
| The tropical paradise of Kauai basks amidst the | | | | Raiders of the Lost Ark, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, |
| sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, about 20 | | | | Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island and about 30 others. |
| minutes by air from Honolulu. Formed some six million | | | | - Kauai is known as the Garden Isle because it's so |
| years ago, the island encompasses roughly 550 | | | | green and the flora and fauna so profligate. One can |
| square miles and is the oldest and northernmost of | | | | wander through botanical gardens chartered by the |
| the eight major islands of the Hawaiian chain. | | | | U.S. Congress and encounter some of the rarest living |
| For vacationers who want to avoid the crowds of | | | | things on Earth. At Limahuli Gardens, native Hawaiian |
| Oahu and Maui and see Hawaii in a much more natural | | | | plants are arranged around ancient taro terraces |
| setting, Kauai is the perfect alternative. | | | | carved into the base of the mountains where the |
| Visitors to the island worship not only its | | | | Napali Coast begins. The scenery is dramatic, the air |
| postcard-perfect beauty, but Kauai's diversity of | | | | tranquil. Ninety percent of Hawaii's native plants are |
| cultures, activities, shopping, and dining. | | | | unique to the Islands and half are endangered. At Na |
| If ever an island was made for adventure, it's the | | | | 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, the Garden Isle's newest |
| Hawaiian island of Kauai, owing to its extraordinary | | | | garden, whimsical sculptures and a maze full of |
| and diverse natural environment. Verdant rainforests, | | | | surprises are woven into a landscape of ponds, |
| sparkling sand beaches, impressive golf courses, | | | | gardens, waterfalls, lagoons and streams. Kauai's |
| vibrant scenery, friendly faces, blissful breezes, and | | | | glorious weather provides the just right amount of |
| striking waterfalls are just a few of Kauai's | | | | sun and rain to nurture kiawe trees, blackberries, java |
| spectacular offerings to its guests. | | | | plum, guava, eucalyptus, bamboo, sandalwood, |
| - The busy harbor at Port Allen is the launch pad for | | | | pineapple, and sugarcane, to name just a few. One |
| a fleet of pleasure boats that take to the seas for | | | | of Kauai's specialties is the indigenous mokihana vine |
| whale watching, dinner sails, dolphin encounters, | | | | and berry, found only on the island. Other great finds |
| charter fishing, snorkel and picnic trips and cruising | | | | include orchids, coconut palms, plumeria, hibiscus and |
| beneath the stunning green palisades of the Napali | | | | other tropical plants throughout the island, with its |
| Coast. | | | | arid to lush climate enhancing the beauty and |
| - Hiking trails head into Waimea, the "Grand Canyon | | | | fragrance of Kauai's flowers and vegetation. One can |
| of the Pacific," or along the Napali Coast to | | | | anticipate the opportunity to see a variety of unique |
| breathtaking valleys unreachable by road. There are | | | | and distinctive animals and birds on this tropical island, |
| coastal hikes across high sand dunes, and rain forest | | | | which includes the likes of, dolphins, monk seals, sea |
| treks among the oldest flora in Hawaii. Ferns reach up | | | | turtles, reef fish, coral reefs, whales, and so much |
| to eye level and tropical hibiscus and ginger blossoms | | | | more. Native birds include the iwi and the State bird, |
| measure the size of ones fist. Waterfalls and cool | | | | the nene goose; other birds on the island are doves, |
| plunge pools, hidden shoreline coves and glorious | | | | cardinals, egrets, roosters. |
| mountain vistas heighten the whole experience. | | | | - Kauai is a great place to learn a new sport or |
| - The only navigable rivers in Hawaii flow through | | | | hobby, one that may light up a lifetime. There are |
| Kauai. Paddlers can explore placid river reaches by | | | | schools for surfing, SCUBA diving, tennis and golf. |
| kayak, gliding silently through sanctuaries for the | | | | Golfers can tee off at one of nine golf courses, |
| rarest birds on planet Earth. | | | | many of them championship links set amidst |
| - Real horseback riding will take one into forests, | | | | spectacular scenery. There are also several tennis |
| canyons and mountains for picnics, waterfall swims | | | | courts. |
| and glorious ocean vistas. | | | | - Some of the most authentic lu'au in Hawaii happen |
| - Kauai's award winning and highly popular Movie | | | | on Kauai. No one should go home without enjoying |
| Tours offers visitors the opportunity to visit the | | | | this traditional feast with Hawaiian food, hula and fun. |