The coastline of the island of Kauai offers a wide variety of splendid views, sandy beaches, spiring cliffs, exotic wildlife and picture-perfect scenery. While visiting the Garden Isle’s North Shore, one must-see location is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Kilauea Lighthouse. Adding this historic site to your island itinerary will give you a chance to experience an important part of Kauai’s heritage and witness some of Hawaii’s impressive wildlife, set upon an incredible volcanic peninsula, which reaches into the expansive Pacific Ocean.
The Kilauea Lighthouse was originally built in 1913 to aid in the travels of boats and ships, especially commercial ships, along the rugged North shore of Kauai. The 52-foot tall lighthouse marked the northern-most point of Kauai, and the inhabited islands of Hawaii, with the signature double-flash of its brilliant light for 62 years. The two flashes given off every ten seconds by the lighthouse were produced by the two-sided, clam shell shaped lens. The lens magnified light given off by an incandescent oil vapor lamp, which was replaced by a light bulb in 1930, when electricity generators were brought to Kilauea Point. In 1939, the lighthouse received an electronic motor. During its career as a tremendously important navigational beacon, the lighthouse shone brightly, though was darkened for the duration of World War II, after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1976, when an automated beacon was installed. Despite still functioning, newer technologies, such as RADAR, made the lighthouse obsolete in navigation.
1979 brought the tremendous honor, for the Kilauea Point Lighthouse and three lighthouse keepers’ homes, of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. One moment which solidified the Kilauea Lighthouse’s place in history and its spot on the list as an historic place, was in 1927. The lighthouse proved its capabilities as a navigational aid, when the pilots of the first trans-Pacific flight, lost with the failing of the on-plane radio, spotted the light of the Kilauea Lighthouse and found their way to land.
When it was established in 1985, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which includes Kilauea Point, became home to the historic lighthouse. The Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for seabirds, is a breathtaking example of Kauai’s dedication to environmental stewardship and conservation. Some of the magnificent birds at which you will have the opportunity to marvel include boobies, frigates, Laysan albatrosses, and shearwaters. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about birds, there is signage throughout the refuge which helps to identify the species of birds that you will see at Kilauea Point. Birds are not the only wildlife you can see from the peninsula of Kilauea Point, which is elevated 200-feet above sea level. With panoramic views extending into the vast Pacific Ocean, the Point is a fabulous location for whale watching, December through May, as humpback whales make their yearly return to the Hawaiian island to mate and birth their young. Also, keep an eye out for passing dolphins.
This stunning heritage site of Hawaii, attracting bird watchers, lovers of wildlife and natural scenery, and lighthouse enthusiast alike, is one of the most frequented attractions on the island of Kauai. As an ideal vantage point for photographs of the North Shore of Kauai, the encompassing Pacific Ocean out of which the island towers, and the mix of life which is brought together at this one-of-a-kind convergence of land and sea, Kilauea Point is a location that must be included in any Kauai vacation.
Featured Property: Puamana Hale Palekaiko
Stay in this spacious, two story, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom end unit condominium, located in Princeville. With no one above or below you, sharing only one side with a neighbor, this property provides comfortable privacy. Stretch out on one of the Queen sized beds in each of the private bedrooms, each with its new mattress and pillows, or enjoy the island breeze on one of the four lanai. Enjoy the luxury of sophisticated décor in this upgraded unit, including the unique work of local artists and brand new furniture throughout. Make yourself at home, in the fully stocked kitchen with new kitchen ware, and be sure to use the new barbeque grill. You will have new beach chairs, a beach umbrella and sand toys for your use, when you take a stroll down the close trail to gorgeous Aninni beach. A big screen TV with cable, HDTV, a Blue Ray/DVD player and Wireless WIFI at no additional cost will keep you connected and entertained after a day of adventuring around Kauai.