An Unofficial Kamaaina Guide
to Free Things to Do on Kauai Hawaii

Kauai is just over 1400 square kilometers in area - a jewel in the Pacific Ocean known as "The Garden Island" - with glorious tropical trees and flowers framing spectacular landscapes. Kauai photo opportunities abound well beyond the traditional tourist stops of Waimea Canyon, Wailua Falls, Kilauea Lighthouse, and Hanalei Bay.

"Kauai is an island of intense beauty," said David Allio, Kauai professional photographer. "The visual stimulation of Kauai can be overpowering. It is such a shame that Kauai vacations rarely include more than a few highlights of this tropical paradise."

There is much, much more to Kauai than the Lihue Airport, the various resorts, the traditional tours, and Nawiliwili Harbor/Kalapaki Bay where the cruise ships dock. The real Kauai is rural, rustic, intimate, and dangerous. The real Kauai is rugged hiking trails, historic Heiaus, and respect for the local Hawaiian traditions. Here is a brief - it started with ten free things to do and grew much larger - list of just a few of the free activities on the Garden Island:

An Unofficial Kamaaina Guide to Free Things to Do on Kauai Hawaii.

• Beaches - North Shore - swim and snorkel at various beaches and lava pools (beach size and wave size vary by season - some locations are extremely dangerous in the Winter)
• Beaches - South Shore - swim and snorkel at various beaches and lava pools (beach size and wave size vary by season)
• Churches - Kauai has a diverse religious history. Some churches are open on a daily basis and welcome visitors. Sign the guest register.
• Farmers Market - there is at least one daily somewhere on the island, except for Ohana Day (Sunday) and Christmas
• Hanapepe Art Walk - Hanapepe - Friday night art gallery tour
• Heiaus - historic Hawaiian religious temples
• Hike the Coastline - the beaches belong to the public
• Hula Shows - various locations - check for times
• Hunt Hawaiian Petrogylphs, Monuments, and Statues
• Kalalau Overlook/Pu'u O Kila Overlook - Kokee State Park - two locations for viewing the Kalalau Valley
• Kauai Coastal Path - Ke Ala Hele Makalae Project on the Royal Coconut Coast.
• Kilauea Lighthouse - Kilauea - Free at the overlook, admission to go on the lighthouse grounds
• Kukui-o-lono Park - Kalaheo - small tropical garden
• Koke'e Natural History Museum - The only museum in Hawaii open every day of the year at no charge.
• Menehune Fish Pond and Menehune Ditch - Lihue and Waimea - two of the island structures reportedly build by the mischievous, magical Menehune
• Nawiliwili Yacht Club races start and end in Nawiliwili Harbor on most Thursdays at 5pm.
• Russian Fort Elizabeth - Waimea - early island trading post
• Spouting Horn County Park - Poipu - A blow hole. Green turtles may usually be seen swiming in the ocean near the lava bench.
• Sunsets - various loctions - depending upon the weather beautiful sunsets may be seen on the North Shore at Ke'e Beach and on the South Shore at Salt Pond Beach Park
• Swinging Bridges - Waimea, Hanapepe, and Kapaia - they are in various stages of repair and disrepair.
• Waterfalls - Wailua Falls and Opaekaa Falls are the easiest to access, and thus most popular, with close-up viewing locations.
• Waimea Canyon State Park - there are many official and unofficial viewing locations on the Western rim, and trails along the Eastern edge.
• West Kauai Technical Center - Waimea - history exhibits and displays, walking tour of historic Waimea, learn local crafts
• Wildlife Viewing - Monk Seals/ Guidelines for Viewing, Wild Boar, Kamehameha Butterflys, Chickens, Nene, and more...