Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of 552.3 square miles it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the 'Garden Isle', Kauai lies 105 miles across the Kauai Channel, northwest of Oahu. The 2000 census population of Kauai (the island) was 58,303.
Kauai is a paradise for nature lovers. Hiking, kayaking, camping, a helicopter tour and/or a boat tour are the only ways one can see the true beauty of the island. A visitor who doesn't hike hazardous trails or does not have the budget to take a helicopter or boat tour won't be able to see much on Kauai, because the roads only reach about 5 percent of the island.