The Island of Kauai, Hawaii

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Kaua'i is one of eight main islands that comprise the Hawaiian chain. The oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, Kaua'i is 70 miles northwest of O'ahu. Kaua'i is 33 miles wide and 25 miles long, and is remarkable for its spectacular and widely varied landscape from Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," to the Napali Coast, with cliffs rising 2,700 feet and more than 40 white sand beaches. Within Kaua'i's 533 square miles, there are distinct micro-climates including coastal sand dunes, desert-like plateaus, verdant river valleys, foothills and mist-shrouded mountain tops.

Kaua'i has virtually no manufacturing - tourism is its major industry. Pineapple is no longer commercially grown on the island, but papaya, beef, coffee and guava are becoming increasingly important. Kaua'i also produces more than 60 percent of Hawai'i's taro, growing more than five million pounds each year. In addition, the island has been very active in developing ways to diversify the economy including aquaculture and tropical flower cultivation.

Kaua'i has greatly benefited from a visitor industry that hasn't compromised the beauty of the island. Because of its diverse and spectacular scenery, Kaua'i has played a role in more than 60 movies and full-length television features including "Jurassic Park I, II, III," "Six Days, Seven Nights," "Dragonfly," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Uncommon Valor," "Flight of the Intruder," "Blue Hawaii," "King Kong" and "South Pacific".

Kaua'i's climate is semitropical. Daytime temperatures at sea level range from about 88° F to a pleasant evening low near 60° F. Although winter temperatures are cooler, daytime temperatures are usually in the 80s. The trade winds provide cooling fresh air and rain showers are brief in the early morning and evening. Overall, the climate on Kaua'i is suitable for all types of outdoor activities.

GEOGRAPHY

Northernmost and oldest geologically, Kauai is the fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Nearly circular in shape, Kauai's land area encompasses 533 square miles, 25 miles long by 33 miles wide at its furthest points. Only 3% of the land area has been developed for commercial and residential use, leaving the remaining 97% divided between agriculture and conservation. The majority of the island's approximately 58,000 residents live and work in coastal areas, leaving the interior of Kauai spectacularly beautiful and pristine.

CLIMATE

Kauai's weather is close to perfect year-round with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s, slightly warmer in the summer. The northeast tradewinds provide refreshing breezes. Rain showers usually fall in the evening and early morning hours, predominately over the mountain ranges. The temperature of the ocean ranges from 68° F to 75° F.

POINTS OF DIFFERENCE

Kauai is famed for its diverse and scenic wonders, such as the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, stretching 14 miles across the western end of the island and often called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and the 3,000-foot high mountain cliffs that rise from the ocean floor to form the magnificent, unspoiled Na Pali Coast. There are a number of other differences that make Kauai unique from its sister islands:

• No structure can be built more than four stories high, approximately the height of a mature coconut palm tree.
• Kauai has 43 white sand beaches, more beach per mile of coastline than the other islands.
• Kauai has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii.
• Kauai has been the film location site for more than 60 major motion picture and television films including "South Pacific" and "Blue Hawaii" with Elvis Presley, and more recently "Jurassic Park I, II, and III," "Six Days/Seven Nights" and "Dragonfly".
• Kauai is home to four of the top 10 golf courses in Hawaii.
• The largest private coffee plantation in Hawaii is Kauai Coffee's 4,000-acre Kauai Estate Plantation.
• 62% of Hawai's taro production is grown on 200 acres in Hanalei on the North Shore.
• The National Tropical Botanical Garden is head-quartered at Lawai.
• With 480 acres of guava orchards under commercial cultivation, Guava Kai is the undisputed "Guava Capital of the World".

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