Sights to See

A Russian fort, the sleeping giant and more.

For an island 550-square miles in all, Kauai offers a plethora of sights and attractions. Some stunningly beautiful. Others simply surprising. You can reach many of these favorite attractions in under an hour – despite the frequent sightseeing stops you’re sure to make along the way.

• Huleia National Wildlife Refuge – The site of Indiana Jones daring escape in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Menehune (Alekoko) Fishpond – Said to have been built by the ancient Menehune, the mysterious ‘little people’ who predated the arrival of the Hawaiian people.
• Fern Grotto – Fern-fringed cave up the Wailua River. A favorite site for romantic weddings.
• Lydgate State Park – Ideal swimming beach and picnic area.
• Wailua Falls – Dramatic 80-foot waterfalls featured in the opening of the television series Fantasy Island.
• Bell Stone – Used to announce the birth of a child of the alii (royalty). When struck sharply, the stone would emit a sound that resonated throughout Wailua Valley.
• Sleeping Giant – A mountain ridge resembling a man lying on his back. Legend has it that this was once a pesky giant who demanded constant feeding from the villagers. Fed up, the villagers tricked him into swallowing rocks. The giant was so full that he lay down to take a nap and fell into an eternal sleep. We hope.
• Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge – The island’s northern most point, home to an array of protected sea birds.
• Captain Cook’s Monument – Located in the town of Waimea, the site where British Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778.
• Russian Fort Elizabeth – Fort built in 1815 by George Scheffer, a Russian doctor – unfortunately (for him) without support from the Czar.
• Waimea Canyon – Ten miles long and about 3,600-feet deep. Mark Twain called it “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” An absolute must see!
• Kalalau Lookout – Dramatic view of cliffs and gorges dropping 4,000 feet into the ocean. Located in Kokee State Park.

 
Photo Credits: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Ron Dahlquist [header, left]; Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson [header, right]