Kauai has more beaches than any other Hawaiian Island.
About half of Kauai’s 111-mile coastline is made up of beaches. This means that Kauai has more beaches than any other Hawaiian Island. In fact, there are 28 beaches! These beaches range along the North and South Shores and the East and West sides of the island. The East Side features gorgeous beachfront rentals like Waipouli Beach Resort and gives you a gorgeous ocean view.
Kauai is nicknamed the ‘Garden Island’.
Lush with white sands, tropical flora and fauna, and rough mountainous terrain, Kauai is referred to as the ‘Garden Island’. Even their local newspaper, which has been in print since 1901, is called ‘The Garden Island’! The mountains surround the rainforests, basically blocking them off. Because of this, about 97% of Kauai’s land is undeveloped. It is also pretty hard to access!
Kauai is the oldest Hawaiian island.
Kauai is Hawaii’s oldest island at approximately 5.1 million years in age. Oahu is second at 2.2 to 3.4 million years old, which is quite the age gap! Kauai was formed when the Pacific Plate passed over a “hotspot” where magma rose upward until it erupted onto the ocean floor.
Several popular movies were filmed here.
Some big Hollywood blockbusters have been filmed in scenic Kauai over the years. Of the 60-plus movies filmed in Kauai are Outbreak and Jurassic Park. Baywatch and Gilligan’s Island are just a few of the popular TV shows filmed here.
It has the largest coffee plantation in the U.S. and grows the most taro.
Coffee lovers, Kauai is your haven! Kauai is home to the largest coffee plantation in America. It grows somewhere around 3,300 pounds of taro per year with around 235 acres of land being dedicated to its production. This yields a value of somewhere around $1.82 million.
Kauai has a palm tree building code.
In all the towns on Kauai, you will start to notice something. There are no skyscrapers or condo towers on the island. Wondering why the Kauai Beach Resort condo rentals and other buildings on the island are shorter? There is actually a building code that states no structure can be taller than a coconut palm tree. Hence buildings are limited to being four stories tall.
There is no Daylight Savings Time here.
Daylight Savings Time is not adhered to on Kauai. Hawaii opted out of the Uniform Time Act of 1967. This makes sense, given that there is little change in daylight length from winter to summer given Hawaii’s high tropical latitude.
Kauai is the wettest place on Earth.
Kauai is home to the wettest spot on earth. Each year, Mt. Waialeale gets an average of 450 inches of rain. A few key factors play into this. First, the mountainous edges are steep, and the volcanic shield catches a lot of condensation from trade winds that come through. Second, the mountain has a round shape that leaves its peak exposed to rain and wind.
Kauai has the only river in Hawaii that can be navigated.
If you are wondering about what to pack for your trip, bring your waterproof phone protector and prepare to kayak or paddleboard your way along the 19.2 miles of Wailua River. This is the only river in Hawaii that you can navigate. It is also the longest river in Kauai. It has two forks, with the North Fork starting at Mt. Waialeale and flowing east, where it joins with the South Fork. The South Fork is formed by a couple of streams to the southwest of Hanamaulu and flows east to the junction with the North Fork. The South Fork passes over the stunning Wailua Falls on its way to meet with the North Fork.
Wailua (which means “two waters”) River is home to several heiau, which are sacred places of worship for the Ali’I (the royalty and chiefs), located along the river. There is a summit heiau called Kaawako (“the kava drawn along”) that is dedicated to the forest and river god, Kane.
Kauai is the best island in Hawaii.
Kauai is the best Hawaiian island because it is so diverse and steeped in history. There is no shortage of things to see and do, and you will certainly feel the magic that lingers in the air.
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