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Lihue (Town & Airport) Flights
to Kauai arrive at the capital, LIHUE, which stands slightly inland
of lovely little Nawiliwili Harbor. It’s roughly at the midpoint of the
round-island highway (prevented from completing a loop by the Na Pali
cliffs), but as a base it’s pretty undistinguished. The population is
just five thousand, and downtown consists of a few tired plantation-town
streets, well back from the sea and surrounded by anonymous malls.
The small Kauai Museum at 4428 Rice St
(Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat 10am–4pm; $5) traces the island’s history
from the mythical menehune through Captain Cook’s 1778 landfall
and on to its sugar-growing heyday. Kauai was the one island not conquered
by Kamehameha the Great; he spent six years amassing a fleet which never
sailed, and settled in the end for accepting economic tribute. Lihue’s
airport is only two miles from downtown ($8 by taxi; Wailua
or Kapaa cost more like $20). Along with the usual car rental
outlets, it also has helicopters – Safari Helicopter Tours (tel
808/246-0136) is typical in offering basic tours from $109. Shopping
around in the malls, and checking freesheets like Kauai Beach Press,
you’ll find discounts. The Hawaii Visitors Bureau is in town at
3016 Umi St (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm; tel 808/245-3971). |
