While most visitors know about Kauai’s beautiful white sand beaches and often photographed Na Pali Cliffs, this tiny island is also home to unique sites and island quirks that may come as a surprise. If you’re heading to the Garden Island, first check out these fun Kauai facts you probably didn’t know!
Popular Movie Filming Site
Thanks to its natural beauty, undeveloped terrain, and ability to look like many other places in the world, Kauai has been the site for the filming of many popular movies and TV shows. Jurassic Park, Outbreak, Blue Hawaii, 6 Days 7 Nights, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and TV shows such as Fantasy Island, Gilligan’s Island, and Bay Watch have all used Kauai as their film location. Plan a movie night before your Kauai vacation and then keep an eye out for some of the movies’ backdrops!
Island Style Building Regulations
Small town charm is part of what makes Kauai such an appealing destination. And to keep skyscrapers from tainting the views, an island law states that no building is allowed to be built higher than a palm tree.
Kauai is Home of the Only Navigable River in the State
While you’ll find many rivers across the State of Hawaii, most don’t have the depth to allow boat usage. Kauai’s Wailua River, located on the east coast, is the only navigable river in the state. You’ll find explorers aboard kayaks and stand up paddle boards enjoying the calm waters of the Wailua River, as well as tour boats that provide beautiful views of the surrounding valley.
Home of the Largest Coffee Plantation in the Country
Though islands such as the Big Island of Hawai’i are known for their coffee plantations, Kauai is actually home to not only the largest coffee plantation in the state, but it is also the largest coffee producer in the entire country. Kauai Coffee, located in the town of Kalaheo, can be visited for tours and samples.
Kauai Grows More Taro than Any Other Hawaiian Island
One of the most ancient cultivated crops, taro is a root vegetable popular in Hawaii. And Kauai grows more taro than any other Hawaiian Island, with many taro farms found on the island’s North Shore. This crop is used to make the popular Hawaiian dish poi, which is made by pounding boiled taro roots and mixing with water.
We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Kauai! Still in search of Kauai accommodations? Our travel team is happy to chat more about Kauai and connect you with a Kauai vacation rental! Try out our oceanfront Airbnbs in Kauai or our Airbnbs with a hot tub in Kauai, HI. Contact us today.
