Kauai, known to locals as the Garden Isle, has been waiting more than five million years for you to discover its natural beauty. Whether you jet into Lihue Airport on a commercial airliner, charter a boat from Honolulu, or hire a helicopter to bring you in from the Big Island, the lush Garden Isle has an abundance of untapped potential.
There are several ways to get around this 552-square-mile island; a lone highway skirts along the scenic coastline and comes around full-circle. Dollar, Thrifty, and Hertz operate directly out of Lihue Airport, and renting a car is by far the best way to see the island at your own pace. People on Kauai drive with "aloha," which means they observe friendly courtesies on the roads: There's no room for aggressive driving, because everyone is laid-back and relaxed.
Mopeds are an extremely popular way to get around the island, and visitors often rent them to get a taste of local culture. They're affordable and easy to navigate, but it rains often on Kauai - either bring your wet weather gear or have a rental car for backup!
Kauai's intra-island bus system is inexpensive and runs on a regular schedule; however, switching buses can be confusing because many road names are so similar - if you've got to get off the bus at Haleakaha Street, you may end up on Haleukana (or vice versa)! Buses make frequent stops, which makes getting anywhere a long process.
Pedaling around town is a wonderful way to see the local color. When renting a bicycle on Kauai, though, remember that it's not practical to stray too far from civilization - and hills are a lot steeper when you're coming back up. Biking is more appropriate for a one-day excursion than for the entire trip: The island seems a lot larger when you're riding a bike than it does when you're in a car.
Since Kauai is sparsely populated, the roadways are relatively safe. The spectacular mountains, craters, and valleys all have scenic lookout points at which you can pull off to the side and take stunning pictures. The best way to explore the island is by rental car; this way, you can avoid guided tours and see everything on your own. Aloha!
This tidbit of real travel advice was contributed by Hawaiian resident Angie Papple.
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