Why Kaua’i?

Just over a year ago my husband and I came to this beautiful island of gardens and rainbows. Captivated right away as the island cradled us in warm tropical breezes; the local community charmed our hectic lifestyle. They were warm and leisurely when offering helpful options for adventure, and even a construction worker at the post office “talked story” with us for 45 minutes! The enormity of the beauty that surrounded us verged on sensory overload. We just couldn’t keep our eyes off the titanic splendor that surrounded us from mountain to ocean, both just a head turn away.

We spent all of a week on Kaua’i and went home to pack our bags, compelled to move to the island as soon as possible. We made a second trip to Maui just to make sure Kaua’i was the right place after deciding the Big Island was a remarkable place to retire and Oahu was for young folks who enjoy the city life. Kaua’i is small town and we like small town.

I am truly blessed by the colorful people with wide smiles and generous spirit. The colossal, emerald green craggy peaks shrouded in misty clouds and graced with double rainbows, briny turquoise waters lined with over 50 miles of pristine white sand beaches, trade winds playing with Coconut Palms, lush gardens and the ever present sunshine.

I am thrilled that Kaua’i is our home, after all it just got voted by Travel and Leisure Magazine second best island in the world, behind the Galapagos. In the late 1700‘s King Kamehameha tried without success to conquer her. Pride in being “The Unconquered Island” and isolation of this remote archipelago infuse the locals with a lot character. The rugged island has steadfastly remained undeveloped – Kauai hotels and condos are available – and mom and pop stores being the norm, as is taking time to properly say hello. If you pass someone you know, instead of rushing by, you stop. After the appropriate hug and kiss you say, “Aloha, how are you?” and listen, not just with your mind but with your heart. That’s small town aloha!

Posted by Marta Lane. Friend me on Facebook.

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Customs, Practices and Pastimes,Kauai

July 14th, 2010

11 Comments Add your own

1. Makana | July 14th, 2010 at 2:19 pm

Kauai, Ahh the land of 35 mile on hour roads and lights out at 10. Relaxing, I think yes
2. ido96825 | July 14th, 2010 at 2:25 pm

I love Kauai. I ti so beautiful there. Cannot wait to go back there
3. paul | July 14th, 2010 at 2:30 pm

Thats my favorite island, because its so laid back.
4. melissa | July 14th, 2010 at 2:36 pm

My favorite island too…can’t wait to visit again!
5. Abby Lapointe | July 14th, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Kaua’i is one of my favorite places on earth!
6. Tara | July 14th, 2010 at 2:41 pm

So beautiful; can’t wait to go for a visit.
7. Lin | July 14th, 2010 at 5:27 pm

Kauai is the most remote of all the islands. My family lives up there and visits with them is great, I have to say though I can only do so much laying back before I’m itchy for work again. I’m sure that will pass though and when it does I’ll be extending my stay there.
8. kalei | July 14th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

Such is the beauty of a small town. Kauai is truly a beautiful island with amazing views of majestic mountains, gorgeous canyons, and the Napali Coast is the most magical creation ever! ..but these smaller, casual, more laid back area’s are all over our beautiful islands. My Mom lives in Volcano Village on the Big Island, where everyone knows your name and take the time to say ‘Aloha, and are you ok, need any help with anything? And by the way here are some papaya’s from our tree.’ This is the way Hawaii was everywhere as I was growing up. I was raised in Kailua, on the Windward side of Oahu. A wonderful, cute town, with the best beaches. Its still a wonderful place to live but its grown so much and in the process of growth has lost much of its intimacy. With modern times, little towns become bigger towns, and the personal heartfelt greetings diminish a bit. Simply put, this is paradise with its quaintness and moderness alike….and when you make your trek around these beautiful islands while on you next visit, keep a smile on your face as well as in your voice, and you too, will experience the True Aloha Spirit.
9. Cindy | July 14th, 2010 at 6:08 pm

Nice post Marta. It goes with my preference for “experiencing” Hawaii instead of “seeing” Hawaii.
10. Marta Lane | July 14th, 2010 at 9:41 pm

Napali it truly magical! Mahalo for your input Kalei! You really can’t go wrong when you visit any island in Hawaii.

Cindy Mahalo Nui!
11. Helenarosette | July 23rd, 2010 at 5:36 pm

kauai is the beauty of island….In this post, the detailed information about this places is very nice to us….This places not only affect somebody but also every body…Thank you for sharing…

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