Kaua`I's Lihu`e

No matter where you're coming from or how you get to Kaua`i, odds are the first town you'll land in is Lihu`e. Lihu`e means cold chill, a reference to the cold winds that blow across the lands. Today, Lihu`e is the home of Kaua`i's main airport, the main seaport, Nawiliwili Harbor, and Kaua`i's largest shopping mall. The area also includes Nawiliwili Harbor, and the residential towns of Puhi and Hanama`ulu. Nearby is Wailua Falls, made famous when it was featured in the movie Fantasy Island. Ever since then, visitors have flocked to this 80-foot waterfall. The cliff over the pool was once a diving platform for the ali`i (royalty). Huleia National Wildlife Refuge is here and provides open wetlands for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. Kilohana Plantation has carriage rides, a railway tour and horse-drawn sugar cane tour. Kilohana encapsulates the grandeur and elegance of the bygone sugar plantation era. Among the tours described are Kipu Ranch Adventures, with an awesome ATV tour through the 3,000 acres of Kipu Cattle Ranch. You'll also see where scenes were shot for the movies Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Six Days, Seven Nights. Backcountry adventures, snorkel tours, surfing, kayaking, helicopter tours - it's all here. Color photos fill this guide. The author lives in Kauai, one of the most beautiful places on earth. This is the most thorough guide to Lihu`e and its surroundings available, with candid hotel and restaurant reviews based on detailed personal inspections. You'll find lavish beachfront resorts, intimate rain-forest B&Bs, family-friendly condos, and much, much more. Our dining reviews range from Asian-fusion cuisine to hearty, affordable plate lunches. Where to find secluded beaches; secret spots for snorkeling; the best outfitters for everything from diving to deep-sea fishing; the top galleries and shops. Family-friendly accommodations and activities; tips on how to get married in the islands; recommendations for the best honeymoon resorts; and advice on finding the best airfares and package deals.