By Marcia Abramson
After five days spent enjoying Hawaiian hospitality, trading and learning something of the culture, Captain Cook and his entourage departed to explore more of the South Pacific. Kauai's' last king, Kaumuali, welcomed Russian traders and allowed them to build a fort at the mouth of the Waimea River. You can still see the remains of that fort even though the Russians did not stay too long. And then the missionaries came at the same time that sugar plantations were started. The sugar industry was responsible for attracting many immigrants from Asia and Europe who made important contributions to the cultural diversity and history of Kauai. Currently, the population is a mere 58,000 residents who live and work in the coastal areas. Thus, the interior of the Kauai, nearly circular shaped, remains pristine and truly beautiful. Superb is the only way I can describe the climate. Year-round daytime temperatures range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s, a wee bit warmer during the summer months, but the northeast trade winds bring refreshing breezes. Rain showers are reserved for the evening and early morning hours, particularly over the mountainous regions, with sunshine the order of the day. You can't beat the temperature of the ocean, which ranges from 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal locale for the active traveler where water sports, like snorkeling, scuba, snuba, water skiing, surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking can be enjoyed. But land lovers can bike, hike, horseback ride and take ATV Tours with fully automatic and easy to drive All Terrain Vehicles to see Kauai's back country. If you would like an airy view, there is a Helicopter Tour to view the lush valleys and towering waterfalls from above. I found the helicopter to be very noisy, but a great plus because they take your weight in kilos before you board, and one kilo is equivalent to more than two pounds. Kauai is also famous for its scenic marvels and its diversity. The 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon covers 14 miles across the western end of the island and is referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and the 3,000-foot high mountain cliffs that rise from the ocean floor form the unspoiled awesome Napali Coast. It's no wonder that when Hollywood looks for a film location site of natural beauty, their choice is Kauai. It has been the locale for more than 60 major motion picture and television films, including the celluloid wedding ceremony of Elvis Presley in "Blue Hawaii"; Harrison Ford's "Raiders of the Lost Ark"; Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park I, II, and III; "South Pacific" and the last remake of "King Kong" when fantasy crossed the boundary of reality. The big lovesick gorilla went crashing through the jungle and startled an actual honeymoon couple who had been camping in the Honopu Valley. Kauai is a favorite destination for many newlywed couples. I learned that Kauai, Hawaii's Garden Isle, is also renowned for romantic weddings. Couples have married high in a helicopter over Waimea, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." They have gurgled their vows underwater weighed down by SCUBA gear, wed on horseback beside a whispering waterfall. I particularly found their mode of dress interesting from the ubiquitous tux to the big pouffe of organza; malo (the Polynesian masculine skirt) and fetching sarong; and even thong bikinis. Yes, this island is romantic in every possible mode. Most important for New York tourists, Kauai is only 70 miles northwest of O'ahu at Honolulu International Airport. The flight time is just 25 minutes. Contact your travel professional for further information. The Kauai Visitors Bureau Web site is kauaidiscovery.com.
Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
