KILAUEA, Kauai, Hawaii Known as the Guava capital of the world, Kilauea town is surrounded by a Guava plantation and other agricultural parcels that produce organic fruits and vegetables. Kilauea is home to the Kilauea Lighthouse, the northern most point on the Island. The Kilauea Lighthouse was built in 1913 and stands 52’ high and once provided a beam of light that reached 90 miles out to sea. The Lighthouse has not been in service since 1976. A favored whale watching vantage point and a federally protected wildlife sanctuary, visitors can view nesting seabirds like the Layson Albatross, Red Footed Boobies, Brown Boobies, Red Tailed Tropic Birds, Wedge Tailed Shearwaters, great Frigate Birds and the State Bird, the Nene.
The entrance to this close-knit community is recognizable by the quaint and historic Christ Memorial Episcopal stone church, a gas station and a mini-mart. The town continues to extend along Kilauea Road through a residential area leading to a collection of historic lava rock buildings, tasteful architectural remnants of the plantation era, that have been transformed into boutiques, restaurants, fine natural food stores and galleries. A long-time fixture in Kilauea is the Kong Lung Co. known for its pricey island chic apparel, unique gifts, fine art, pottery, jewelry and antiques.
Traveling North on Kuhio Highway just before Kilauea town down a quiet and unassuming road lies Na Aina Kai, a privately owned botanical paradise founded by Joyce Doty featuring exquisite formal and wild gardens and a one of kind collection of fine art sculpture. Spanning 240 acres, Na Aina Kai is a thriving tapestry of gardens, hardwood plantations, waterways, fern-draped canyons and even a secluded beach. A must see, Na Aina Kai offers a variety of daily tours.
Just beyond Kilauea Town is a local favorite, Kalihiwai Beach, a beautiful recessed white sand bay framed in Ironwood trees. Kalihiwai offers great swimming during the summer months and great surf in the winter. Kalihiwai stream divides the beach and offers a peaceful waterway to explore the adjoining Kalihiwai river by kayak. Some call this the prettiest river on Kauai. Just beyond the turn-off for Kalihiwai Beach is the longest concrete bridge on the island, where waterfalls can be seen in two different locations as well as the Kalihiwai river below. Traveling through this area you’ll find it difficult to know where to look first as the views from the Kalihiwai bridge are nothing less than breathtaking.
Adjacent to the Kilauea Lighthouse is a collection of million dollar plus cliffside estates that overlook Kauapea Beach also known as “Secret Beach”. As with many of the beaches on this side of the island, access is via a steep trail to the picturesque shoreline below, combined with a lack of facilities and the absence of a lifeguard deters many from visiting, hence its name. Hazardous conditions abound during the winter months.
True to its Lighthouse landmark, Kilauea points the way to an array of one-of-a-kind shops, fine restaurants and cafes, stunning gardens, unspoiled beaches, luxury vacation homes and fruit stands filled with delicious local tropical fruits and organic produce.
