Best things to do in Lihue

Although Wailua Falls once served as a jumping point for proving manhood, today the natural wonder is a popular destination for hikers and photographers. Normally, the falls split into two streams, and occasionally break into three; they can become one wild stream during particularly rainy periods. A short walk from the parking area will deliver you to a view from above. A longer hike down through the forest gives you a view from the bottom up. This hike is steep, muddy, and slippery, so it is usually discouraged. If you decide to give it a try, take plenty of water and bug spray.

Surf, paddleboard, or take in the sun as you explore Kalapaki Beach. Lie under swaying palm trees and relax to Hawaiian music from nearby beach restaurants, or take a dip in the clear, blue water. Rent a surfboard, paddleboard, or kayak, and take a class ranging from beginner to advanced for another way to enjoy the waves. Play at the volleyball courts, or relax in the cabanas as you spend the day taking in the scenery. The beach also has an assortment of restaurants and a wide range of accommodation options nearby.

Blending history with modern dining and shopping, Kilohana offers visitors a chance to discover working farms and orchards nestled in a quintessential Hawaiian setting of lush vegetation surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. You can explore the estate on its heritage railway, noted for featuring elegant mahogany passenger cars, or take a self-guided stroll across the sprawling grounds. Look for souvenirs at the estate's artisan shops or grab a meal at its award-winning restaurant, which serves local specialties prepared with ingredients from the plantation's sustainable farm. Don't miss a brief stop at the 1,400 sq m (16,000 sq ft) manor house. It was built in the 1930s and is packed with priceless Hawaiian and Asian artwork.

Paddle your way around Hawaii's awe-inspiring scenery on a guided kayaking or canoeing tour from Kapaa. Providing you with necessary equipment and information, experienced guides will take you on a safe journey that'll help you see the region's landscape from a whole new perspective. With many options, you'll also be able to visit authentic Hawaiian villages, hike through the lush island vegetation, or snorkel among sea turtles. Depending on the difficulty level, these 4-to-13-hour tours may have various age restrictions.

Hawaiiana - fabrics and patterns, beautiful batiks, counted cross-stitch, island needlepoint and designs, Hawaiian quilting, aloha fashions and many Kauai made crafts & gifts. Fat quarters, quilting kits, wall hangings, bedspreads, also custom made aloha shirts, kimonos and lots lots more

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Steelgrass Farm is a Kauai family farm dedicated to sustainable diversified agriculture. We grow chocolate, vanilla, award winning honey, timber bamboo, tropical fruits and flowers, lettuces and market vegetables, ginger and turmeric on forty-six acres near Kapaa on Kauai's east side.

Hi, I'm Will Lydgate, co-owner of the farm with my sister Emily. We're the fifth generation of the Lydgate family on Kauai, and we're dedicated to sharing our knowledge, so ten years ago we started the Steelgrass Chocolate Farm Tour, the only chocolate tour and tasting on a genuine family farm on Kauai.

We're also growing our farm, expanding from our current thousand chocolate trees toward our goal of four thousand. We are already Kauai's largest chocolate grower, and reaching that goal will make our orchard one of the largest in the state -- which also means in the country, since Hawaii is the only state where chocolate trees will grow.

Clarissa Haili(Hilo Hattie) was born a pure Hawaiian on October 28, 1901 on the island of Honolulu. The name Hilo Hattie was given to Clarissa when she became internationally famous by her singing and dancing. To many, she is known as "Auntie Clara". For over seven decades, she has brought laughter, happiness and of course the spirit of aloha to those around her.

The song "Hilo Hattie does the Hula Hoop" by Don McDiarmid. unfortunately, was not written for Auntie Clara. At the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the regular comic hula dancer was not feeling well, so that gave Auntie Clara the opportunity to step in. However, McDiarmid was not fond of a five-foot Hawaiian woman dancing to his song. Mcdiarmid was bewildered that her version of Hilo Hattie brought an astounding ovation; Hilo Hattie was born.

She was a master in comic hula; entertaining hundreds of nightclub shows such as St. Francis in San Francisco and St. Regis in New York. The year 1940, Hilo hattie decided to give up her career as a school teacher to focus more on bringing her comic hula into the spotlight through songs such as "Holo Holo Kaa" (Going for a car ride), "Princess Purple" and "The cockeyed Mayor of KaunaKakai".

Besides being a legendary entertainer, she was also a gourmet cook, a 40-year supporter of Easter Seal Society, a golfer and a gifted seamstress.

Clara died in 1979 leaving behind her legacy of laughter and music, highlighted by her passion for educating and teaching.