Kauai - Polynesian Eden 

If you enjoy spectacular scenery, hiking in a rain forest and uncrowded beaches, then Kauai is for you. Although the island has its luxury hotels, shops, and fine restaurants, it remains lightly populated and essentially rural.

 Geologically, Kauai, the most northern of the island chain, is the oldest, the most lush, and many say the most spectacular of the entire island group. It was formed by a single twin-peaked volcano. One peak, Mount Waialeale, is the wettest spot in the state with over an inch of rain a day.

 Driving on the island is somewhat restricted because of the height and rainfall of  the central mountains. Visitors usually leave the airport at Littue and go south to Poipu. With its beautiful sand beaches, it is the resort center of Kauai.

Leaving Poipu, the road takes you to Waimea Canyon with its multicolored canyon walls on the face of a 3,400 foot gorge -- an amazing sight even here where the spectacular is commonplace.

 Near Waimea Canyon is the five-mile beach at Polihale. Here the lava cliffs sculpured by wind, surf and rain and the cascading waterfalls are sights not soon forgotten.

 Traveling to the northern part of the island, you will cross the wide Wailua River and continue to Kilauea which is the northernmost point of the Hawaiian chain. Here is Hanalei Valley and Hanalei Bay, a beach of spectacular beauty enclosed by verdant valleys.

 The resort of Princeville is located in Hanalei. Rainbows are frequent here, but there is also the unique moonbow, caused by the refraction of moonlight in the mists.

 Kauai´s main airport is in Lihue. Airport transportation is by taxi and hotel pick-ups. Kauai has a public bus system which serves the entire island. The fare is $1.00 but it doesn´t stop at the airport or allow passengers with luggage. Taxi rates are $2.40 a mile. Rental cars are available. Reservations are recommended during the summer months and the holiday season.

 Kauai -- laid-back and natural -- truly a bit of Eden in the modern world.