Kauai: History of a Hawaiian Island 

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. The fire of its volcano erupted deep in the heart of the Pacific Ocean over and over again, forming the peak that is Kauai. It is believed that from destruction comes serenity and beauty, and Kauai's birth is a true example. 

Beside beautiful beaches and rugged coastlines, Kauai also has the wettest spot in the world, Mount Waialeale. 

Kauai's distant past is filled with legends. One of Kauai's most compelling legends is that of the Menehune, a mythical race of little people capable of the engineering and construction of incredible structures such as aqueducts and fish ponds often in a single night. They were never seen during the day. The Hawaiian's were a little suspicious of these industrious little fellows and to this day the Menehunes are still blamed for things disappearing in the night (like misplaced keys and so forth) On Kauai, the myth of the Menehune lives on. 

Kauai's first settlers appeared on the island in approximately the fourth or fifth century A.D. These adventurers came from Tahiti, Marquesas, Samoa and other South Pacific Islands. With them in their outrigger canoes, they brought basic food items, among them taro, which is used to make poi, and pigs. This foods are still the basics for a real Hawaiian luau. The pig is put into an imu, a large hole in the ground, stuffed with hot rocks, wrapped in ti leaves and buried. Kalua pig and poi are still local favorite foods, though to some it is an acquired taste!!! 

Centuries pasted before Captian James Cook found Kauai on his vogage to Alaska. He first landed in Waimea in 1778 and even visited Niihau, the Forbidden Island. Cook's discovery of the "Sandwich Isles" as he named them introduced Hawaii to the world. A statue of Captain Cook stands today in Waimea Town. 

Kauai also stands apart from all the other islands in this chain as the only island not conquered by force by King Kamehameha I. The King was trying to control all the islands. However, when it came time to attack Kauai, something always happened to prevent his victory. Kauai is a unique and independent island to this day. 

The first sugar mill was built in Koloa in 1835 and that set the precendent for commercail sugar production across the islands. The sugar era opened the doors to a wave of industrious immigrants from Japan, China, Portugal, the Philipines and other Asian countries that make up Hawaii's multicultural population today. Whaling was another commercial venture with habors in Hanalei, Koloa and Waimea. 

In regards to real estate on Kauai, there are two very distinct resort areas.
Poipu on the southside and Hanalei/Princeville on the north end of the island. the north and south shores of Kauai are where you will find the best resorts, beaches, condominiums and restaurants. The north shore is beautiful but gets much more rain than the Sunny Poipu side. What Hanalei residents always say, "without rain there would be no rainbows". We concentrate our efforts on the south side of Kauai, in Poipu, Koloa, Kalaheo, and Lawai, though we sell properties in the north shore and actually was the listing office for Plantation at Princeville.  

Lihue, Wailua, and Kapaa on the eastside have the majority of local residence. These towns also have the shopping centers, government buildings and theater. We have an agent that specializes in these areas and is very knowlegable. 

Waimea and Kekaha are on the west side and very dry. Those two towns are the gateway to Kokee and the Waimea Canyon, must sees on any trip to Kauai.  

Kauai is No Ka Oi (the best) Come and visit. Paradise is waiting.....for you 

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