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Alternative-Hawaii



ISLAND OF KAUAI

LIHUE & KALAPAKI
DRIVE GUIDE

History, Culture, Geology, Archaeology,
Church, Grove Farm Homestead, Beaches,
Fishpond, Mansion

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Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • All drives start from Lihue International Airport.
  • Approx. 10.5 miles from Start to End of Drive.
  • Approx. 1/2 hour driving time from Start to End of drive excluding time spent at "stops".
  • For your safety, please observe Cautionary Notes on drive "stops" below.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • All distances are to the nearest tenth of a mile.
  • Do not leave valuables in vehicle or unattended.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: KAUAI HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTOGRAPH
START: LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.4 Miles / 8 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Historical Kauai County Bldg
4396 Rice Street , Suite 101 (Right Side)		  
 ROUTE:
  • Exit airport on Hwy 570 (Ahukini Rd) & go short way to Hwy 51 (Kapule Hwy)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 51 & go approx. 1.1 mi. to Rice Street
  • Turn Right onto Rice Street & go approx. 0.8 mi. to County Bldg. parking lot (right side)
  • Kauai Historical Society is located inside the County Bldg. - Suite 101
Bringing history to life, the Kauai Historical Society houses a vast collection of Hawaiian books, maps, photographs, drawings, plantation records and personal papers from local families and organizations. They also protect and preserve historic sites, and provide guided history tours and other educational programs.

Note: Open daily M-F 8-4, tel. 245-3373. Free admission (donations welcomed). Archive collection available by appointment only (small fee for non-members). Inquire about their educational programs/tours. Restrooms.




STOP 2: KAUAI MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KAUAI HISTORICAL SOCIETY  
DIST/TIME: Not Applicable (Walk Next Door!)  
WATCH FOR: 4428 Rice Street (next to County bldg.)  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Kauai Historical Society and walk next door to Kauai Museum.
The story of the islands of Kauai and Niihau from the geological, archaeological and cultural standpoint. Permanent and temporary art and ethnic heritage exhibits.

Note: Great gift shop with wide selection of Hawaiian arts and crafts. Inquire about their guided tours, Kauai video, lauhala weaving & other classes. Open daily M-F 9-4, Sat.10-4, tel. 245-6931. Admission charge. Restrooms.




STOP 3: LIHUE LUTHERAN CHURCH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KAUAI MUSEUM  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 0.5 Mile / 3 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Church - right after bridge underpass (Right Side)
  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave County parking lot
  • Turn Right onto Rice Street & go short way (0.2 mi.) to Hwy 50 (Kaumualii Hwy)
  • Turn Left onto Hwy 50 & go short way (0.1 mi.) on Hwy 50 to bridge underpass
  • Turn Right onto Hoomana Road (just after underpass)
  • Go short way (0.2 mi.) on Hoomana Rd. to Church pkg. lot.
Hawaii's oldest Lutheran church - started in June 1881 by German immigrants who came to work at the Lihue Sugar Plantation. Their long experience on board ship was reflected in the architecture of the church. The floor slants like the deck of a ship; the balcony is the Captain's Bridge; the ceiling is like the bottom of the ship; the lights are ship lanterns; the pulpit, the Forecastle.

Note: This beautiful church is a faithful replica of the original edifice completed in 1885 and destroyed by Hurricane "Iwa" in 1982. Open daily, tel. 245-2145. Restrooms.




STOP 4: GROVE FARM MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: LIHUE LUTHERAN CHURCH  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.4 Mile / 5 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Grove Farm (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave church & return short way (0.2 mi.) to Hwy 50 (Kaumualii Hwy)
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 50 & go short way (0.4 mi.) to Nawiliwili Road (traffic light)
  • Turn Left onto Nawiliwili Road & go 0.8 mi. to Grove Farm (left side)
The oldest, intact sugar plantation center of operations in Hawaii acquired in 1864 by George Wilcox, the son of missionary teachers. Original buildings and furnishings preserving the life style of the sugar plantation from the period 1864-1978. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Note: Access is by guided tour only on Mon., Wed., Thurs., 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Advance reservation required. Call 245-3202 for information & reservation. Restrooms.




STOP 5: KALAPAKI BEACH PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: GROVE FARM MUSEUM  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.6 Miles / 3 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Kauai Marriott Resort (Right Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Grove Farm and turn left onto Nawiliwili Road
  • Go 1.6 mi. down Nawiliwili Road to Kauai Marriott Resort (right side)
  • Turn Right into Resort entrance
  • Follow signs for beach access & go short way to parking lot
One of Kauai's most popular and heavily used beaches - fronting the Kauai Marriott Resort. A historic surfing site - the beach itself is 1/4-mile-long and very wide. Sandy ocean bottom makes for good swimming. Lovely views of Nawiliwili Bay.

Caution: Powerful rip currents during high surf.




STOP 6: ALEKOKO OVERLOOK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KALAPAKI BEACH  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 1.8 Miles / 6 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Alekoko (Menehune Fishpond) Overlook  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Kauai Marriott Resort & turn left onto Nawiliwili Road (toward Harbor)
  • Go short way (0.5 mi.) to Wilcox Road (left side)
  • Turn Left onto Wilcox Road (at sign for Hale Kauai Co.)
  • Go 0.7 mi. on Wilcox Road to a one lane bridge
  • Turn Right immediately after bridge onto Hulemalu Road
  • Go 0.6 mi. on Hulemalu Road to Alekoko Overlook (left side)
A 900-foot fishpond said to be the handiwork of the mythical menehunes (Hawaiian elves) who built it in one night 1,000 years ago. Great view of Nawiliwili Harbor and mountains. Interesting site with interpretive signs constructed, in part, by high school students.




STOP 7: KILOHANA PLANTATION PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: ALEKOKO OVERLOOK  
DIST/TIME: Approx. 2.7 Miles / 7 Mins.  
WATCH FOR: Sign - Kilohana Plantation (Left Side)  
 ROUTE:
  • Continue 1.4 mi. on Hulemalu Road to Puhi Road
  • Turn Right onto Puhi Road & go 1 mi. to Hwy 50 (Kaumualii Hwy)
  • Turn Right onto Hwy 50 & go short way (0.3 mi.) to Kilohana Plantation (left side, just beyond Kauai Community College)
Kauai's legendary plantation estate restored to its original splendor. An elegant reflection of a vanished age. Featuring a Tudor-style mansion surrounded by tropical gardens on 35 acres.

Note: Home to Gaylord's - one of Hawaii's most romantic fine restaurants. Art Galleries and retail shops. Open daily from 9:30 a.m., tel. 245-5608. Free admission. Inquire about their daily carriage rides/horse-drawn wagon sugar cane tours. Restrooms.


END OF DRIVE - RETURN TO LIHUE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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