Kauai's West Side
Mark Twain first called Kauai's Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Formed by the Waimea River, the canyon contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This area now makes up a portion of the Waimea Canyon State Park. At over 1800 acres, the park contains numerous hiking trails and is easily accessible via State Road 550 at Waimea.
Koke'e State Park, just north of Waimea Canyon State Park, features food and lodging services. The park also contains a museum dedicated to the region's climate, plant and wildlife. There are many scenic hiking trails within the park, and the State Road 550 will take you to the Kalalau Valley look out point.
Lihue Vacation
The Kauai County seat Lihue contains the largest shopping mall on the Island of Kauai as well as the Kauai Museum which provides a history of the island. With the beginning of the sugar industry in Kauai in the late 1800's came a large German immigrant population. These people founded the first Lutheran church in Lihue in 1881. The home of the largest sugar plantation owner, George Wilcox, can also be toured.
Lihue also features the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii's oldest wildlife refuge, and the famous Menehune Fish Pond. Although no longer in use, archeologists date this man-made structure back about 1,000 years.
Hawaii Vacations
Kauai Hawaii
Kauai's West Side
Lihue
