Kauai, Hawaii beach sunset - photo, Edward_Bryce (flickr CC)

Kauai, Hawaii is an amazing island for adventure or just chilling. I first went there on a honeymoon back in 1987. I’d been living on Oahu for three years and Kauai was the first of the other islands I visited. To say I was hit with culture shock is an understatement.

To go from Oahu to Kauai is like going from New York City to Lima, New York. (look it up in Google earth)

The beauty of Kauai is astounding. As the plane flew over the island and I looked out the window taking photos mainly of the window, frame, and wing I could see hardly any buildings on Kauai. Kauai is remote! I remember thinking this was the best Hawaiian island for a honeymoon ever. I’d not seen the rest – but, Kauai had to be the ultimate island to getaway to from Oahu.

The Kauai airport was so small I had to, for the first time ever, walk down the plane steps to the tarmac to enter the 1-story airport.

We promptly rented a Jeep and got to exploring the island. There are few roads and streets on Kauai. There are few buildings. There are few people in comparison to Oahu or Maui. There are few touristy things to do – and all the tourists are doing them when you arrive to do them too.

The official Hawaii tourism site says that just 10% of Kauai is accessible by automobile. I thought I had seen a lot while I was there (been back since) and yet I’d seen just a thumbnail of what there really is on the island.

Next time I go back I’m going to do some hiking on the west side, in the Napali coast mountain range. I’ve been to the top peak and tourist lookout area, but never walked the trail more than a kilometer or so. Apparently camping is also possible if you get a permit, which I never knew.

Here is a video of some hikers on the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast:

Here are some great photos of the hike by this same group that really show in nice detail the beauty of this Kauai hike:

Kalalau Hike Photos >

Have you been to Kauai lately? What are your favorite things to do?

This photo caught my eye as I was looking through images of Hawaii on Flickr. This happens when the wave breaks over the edge of lava, causing this eery – and scary, effect.

There’s a blowhole on the west side of the island of Maui that occasionally has a big wave break over the top of the lava flow holding it back from the blowhole area. Usually it just breaks over a little bit, getting everyone pleasantly wet.

Occasionally it breaks BIG and scares the wits out of everyone. Pity you if you’re standing on the TOP of that lava flow as the big one hits… I saw a guy get whacked with a wave once – he fell down and held on – but got all cut up.

I usually reserve my amazement over Hawaii photography – but this Patrick Smith has some amazing photos of some of the Hawaiian islands. If you browse through his Flickr photos of Hawaii be sure to check out this one too:

Smooth stone beach near Hana, Maui

I’ve been to this beach – it’s beyond beautiful – one of the tops in Hawaii out of what I’ve experienced.

I’ll say it again… if you can go to Hawaii – ever in your life, you MUST go to Hawaii. It is amazing beyond words.

Aloha!

Vern

Hawaii is filled with so many inspiring things to see and to do.

Pi Hea Trail, Kauai, Hawaii (click for video)

When I land here and step out of the plane – everything is magic. It’s the same everytime I return. It’s as if I cannot BELIEVE my good fortune to be able to LIVE in this place. So few people call Hawaii their home for any length of time, it’s really a phenomenal state of being to live here and experience some of what Hawaii gives.

For me – I feel the most inspiration when I’m either in the water or hiking up a trail on one of the many mountain hikes.

I could talk about the water of Hawaii, the ocean, the streams, for hours… many future posts coming on that subject…

The mountains are so soul-inspiring that it’s like another world. I remember the first time I came through the Pali tunnel which cuts through a part of the Ko’olau mountain range in the Northeast part of the island. I was driving and yet I could barely focus on the winding road. The beauty, the absolute amazingness of the mountains and view is enough to cause a car crash. There are some bad accidents that seem to occur often there.

Hawaii is so beautiful and so special that you might ask yourself like I do… “Am I cool enough to be here?”

And though it feels like home because it’s so welcoming, you may never really feel like you belong. You KNOW you’re going home at some point, and as much as you’d like to call it home it usually isn’t on your first visit. But, I’ve been there for 6 years off and on and this time, it’s HOME!

The video I wanted to share with you today was made a few years back on a visit to Kauai, “The garden isle”. Kauai is incredibly lush with vegetation and there is little development. It’s a favorite for most people as they envision that this is what they expected Hawaii to be like. There are a couple small towns around the island, but overall the island maintains it’s old Hawaiian charm.

I stayed for 3 days during this trip and I always go to some of the same places each time I visit.

This heavenly place is located near the “Little Grand Canyon of the Pacific” also known as Waimea Canyon on the West side of Kauai. There are signs to “Pi Hea Trail” from the main road and it’s not a very far walk to reach this spot. The trail goes on from here, but I usually just stop and stare for a half hour, eating a fruit snack if I had the foresight to bring one.

This is a great vantage spot to view the Ni’ihau mountain range as the short hike goes by this cliff where the view is just awesome. We were at cloud level and then we noticed there were clouds climbing up the ridge and soon they crested over the top and enveloped us in cloud mist. If you’ve never been standing in the clouds before you must experience it. This happens at many of the mountain peaks on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. I’ve not been to the Big Island but I imagine it’s similar.

When it’s hits you it feels like a cool, fresh spray of the finest mist. It is not at all overpowering… very light, crisp… an absolutely amazing experience that you can’t miss during your lifetime.

Come to Hawaii and stand in the clouds!

CLICK >> Video of Cloud coming over ridge in Kauai >

[ Video is about 10MB and should download quickly with a fast connection ]

Kauai is AWESOME!

Isn’t it?

Best of Life!