Wailua River Valley
Following the tragic fires on Maui, the state of Hawaii, whose economy depends on tourism, is encouraging travelers to put the Hawaiian islands at the top of their travel plans.
By Linda Ballou
Kauai is welcoming tourists back to her shores. The oldest Island in the Hawaiian chain boasts miles of sweeping white sand beaches, lush tropical foliage and staggering peaks poking into to azure skies.
There are numerous outdoor adventure companies offering ways for you to enjoy their beautiful Island. You can zip-line through the forest, kayak the Wailua River, ride an inner tube down a Plantation ditch, or take the historic Plantation train. Open door Helicopter flights over the Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast are popular among the fearless. Sunset dinner cruises on the rugged Napali Coast are an exciting way to end a beautiful day. I loved the docent-led walking tours through spectacular gardens with tropical plant collections from around the globe.
The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort (marriott.com) on the east coast is just six miles from the airport and makes a handy springboard to adventures on the windward side of the Island. The generous pool and bubbling spa in the hotel courtyard are a welcome respite after a long flight. Stroll nearby Kapa’a, a laid-back remnant of Old Hawai’i, and buy supplies you forgot like 50 SPF long-sleeve beach cover-up and reef-protective sunscreen. Enjoy a fruit smoothie at Luna’s Café and pick up snacks for beach picnics.
The 46-acre Lydgate Chocolate Farm and Educational Tours in Kauai (Lydgate Farms.com) nestled in the mountains above Kapa’a, backed by untrammeled wilderness and owned by a fifth-generation Kapa’a family, is the largest chocolate farm on Kauai. The enchanting drive to the farm takes you through a lush valley shaded by towering trees. An informative two-hour tour is mandatory for chocoholics. It begins with a stroll through a magnificent tropical garden with a guide pointing out the many uses of the plants by the early Polynesians. Stops at covered tasting stations with samples of fruits from the garden and chocolates from around the globe are a special treat.
After your tour, head on over the mountains to the Wailua River Valley. The fertile Wailua valley was once the seat of the Hawaiian Royalty and the birthplace of King Kaumuali’i the last ruling monarch of Kauai. The remnants of a heiau, or temple, rest on a bluff overlooking the valley. Human sacrifices to the war god Ku were performed here. Minor infractions like walking in the shadow of a chief was an offense that could demand a death sentence. Across the way, there is a viewing station for Opaeka Falls, a twin set of streams glistening in the distance.
The mouth of Wailua River is the takeout point of kayak/hike adventures (kayakkauai.com) and the Smith Boat Grotto tours (smithskauai.com). The Smith tour is heavily touristed, but the covered launch is a relaxing way to get on the water. They have been taking visitors to the fern grotto where weddings are performed since 1946. Be sure to visit Lydgate Beach Park while you are in the Wailua area. Surf here is wild and wooly, but the boulder barrier forms a safe place to swim with lifeguards on duty.
