Henehene
You can not see the island of Kauai in one day. This tour will start at the northeast point of Kauai, Haena State Park on the Princeville side of the island. We will end on the northwest point at Polihale State Park. Route 560 becomes 56 and Route 56 becomes 50.
At the end of Route 560 is Ke'e Beach. You can hike over the hills to Hanakapi'ai Beach. But for me, no thanks. If it rains the rocks and trails get slippery and your shoes get all red from the red dirt. The surf is sort of rough in the winter.
Now traveling south, we come to the wet cave. It's filled with water so you can not go inside.
The next cave is the dry cave. You can go inside but it's kind of spooky.
When you travel down the road to Hanalei drive slow. Their are some one lane bridges and they get flooded when it rains. I like to just chill in Hanalei. If you need stuff there is a market in the Ching Young Village.
After leaving the Hanalei Valley, you travel up a hill. On the right side is a overlook of the Hanalei Valley just before you reach Princeville.
With all the rain it is a good place to grow taro in the valley. Traveling south on Route 56 you will pass Princeville. When you get to Kilauea turn left. There isn't a volcano here but a lighthouse at Kilauea Point.
On the lighthouse grounds, these ocean birds dig holes in the ground which serve as nests.
Get back on the Kuhio Hwy and go south toward Kapa'a. At the south end of the Anahola Mountains you will see this rock formation called the sleeping giant. If you use your imagination, it looks like some one sleeping with its mouth open.
On 56 you will drive through Kapa'a to Wailua. If you want to see a waterfall turn right on Route 580 past the old Coconut Palms Hotel. It will take you to Opaeka'a falls. There is an observation area where you can see the falls and the Wailua River.
At the end of the Wailua River you can ride a barge up the river to the Fern Grotto. It's a big cave with all these fern plants growing all over it.
Back on 56 we will being going towards Lihue. There is another waterfall called Wailua Falls. Some may have seen it on TV before. Just off 56 is Route 583 to the falls. The road is sort of narrow so don't speed.
From 56 turn on Rice St. If you like saimin go to Hamura's for lunch. Continue on Rice St. to Nawiliwili. Off Route 58 is the Menehune Fishpond, also called the Alakoko Fishpond. This fishpond was made by the Menehune. Menehune are small Hawaiian people who live in the mountain forest and come out at night to do work in the lowlands.
Travel on Route 58, Nawiliwili Road, and go north on Route 50, Kaumuali'i Hwy. Turn left on Route 520, it will take you to Koloa and Poipu. At the beginning of 520 is the Tunnel of Trees. This photo was from 1990 before Hurricane Iniki removed all the leaves.
In Koloa turn right, then turn left at the Chevron Station to Poipu Road. When you get to Lawai Road turn right to the Spouting Horn. Observe the blow hole from the observation area. Don't be a nut and go in close like the man in the photo. If you get washed away no one is going to rescue you.
From the Spouting Horn go back on Poipu Road to Koloa. When get to the Chevron Station turn left on Route 530 to Lawai. At Route 50 turn left and go north to Hanapepe. Continue north to Waimea. In Waimea turn right on Waimea Canyon Drive. This will take you to Waimea Canyon State Park and Koke'e State Park.
Stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout. These photos were taken there.
Continuing up the road you will reach Koke'e State Park. It is a nice green area where you can have a picnic.
At the end of the road you will reach the Kalalau Lookout. From here people have hiked into the Alakai Swamp.
Now head back on Route 550. When you leave Waimea Canyon State Park stay to your right and take Koke'e Road to Kekaha. Turn right on Route 50 and go all the way past Barking Sands Pacific Missle Range to Mana. Take the dirt road through the cane fields to Polihale State Park. To the west you can see Ni'ihau and to the east the Na Pali Coast.
As an extra bonus, here are some photos from the air.
