They don't call Kauai the “Garden Island” for no reason! Much of the island looks like it's carpeted with endless green. Vast areas remain natural, and many are even quite inaccessible. The Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park are remarkable places, and the rugged Na Pali Coast (noted further below) is spectacular. The tropical environment of the island is also conducive to cultivated gardens, including those intended to preserve rare or endangered species.

Botanical Gardens

McBryde Garden www.ntbg.org

The garden is the headquarters for the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, with its huge collection of Hawaiian and other tropical flora. Tours are available. Reservations are required.

Allerton Garden www.ntbg.org

Located next to McBryde Garden is the beautifully landscaped Allerton Garden, originally planted in the nineteenth century by Hawaii's Queen Emma. Reserve your place on a guided tour by calling ahead.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve www.ntbg.org

This preserve for native plants is a beautiful tropical setting found at Ha'ena on the north coast. The garden is open Sundays and Tuesday through Friday from 9 A.M.–4 P.M. Call to reserve a tour.

Na'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens www.naainakai.com

These twelve gardens are located on 24 acres in Kilauea. Among the many attractions are a Poinciana maze, a desert garden, and even a carnivorous plant house. More than 60 bronze sculptures grace the gardens' grounds. There are tours for adults and children 13 and over on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The tours run from 1½ hours to 5 hours, with fees starting at $25 per person.

Smith's Tropical Paradise www.smithskauai.com

The Smith family maintains this beautiful place — 30 acres of beautiful gardens and cultural attractions next to the Wailua River at the Wailua River State Park. Walk about or ride the tram. The site is open from 8:30 A.M.–4 P.M. Admission is $5.25 for people over the age of 12 and $2.50 for children ages 3–12.

Keahua Forestry Arboretum Hwy 580, Wailua Trees, streams, and trails make this a delightful place to visit.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge mike_hawkes@fws.gov

The Kilauea Point refuge was set up to protect a variety of seabirds. Kilauea Point itself is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian group. A lighthouse built in 1913 stands on the site and once provided a beacon visible for 90 miles offshore. It can be visited on weekdays from 10 A.M.–4 P.M. For more information, contact the refuge manager.

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Waimea Canyon is truly spectacular and deserves to be on everyone's Kauai itinerary. In many ways it really does resemble Arizona's Grand Canyon even though it's only about 14 miles long and around 3,500 feet deep. The canyon's colors are spectacular and dramatically transform with the changing light. The trip begins at Waimea and proceeds up Waimea Canyon Road. There are turnouts along the way that present spectacular views.

Koke'e State Park is located past Waimea Canyon. It is the gateway for numerous trails that penetrate Kauai's rainy forested uplands, including the Alakai Swamp where the island's rivers originate. There is a restaurant (the Koke'e Lodge), and a small, informative natural history museum that will help you to appreciate the area. Call the Koke'e Lodge at 335-9975.

Continue driving past the lodge and you'll come to a couple of amazing lookouts with views of the Kalalau Valley on the Na Pali coast.

Here are some tips for visiting Waimea Canyon and the Koke'e area:

• You will be driving up to a higher elevation. It can be a bit cooler up there, so you might want to bring some warmer clothes. Also, you'll be in the general vicinity of the wettest spot on earth, so carry that rain gear!

• It's about a 20-mile drive to the end of the road, and much of it is uphill. Make sure you have enough gas in your car for the roundtrip from Waimea.

A Cave, a Waterfall, and a Sleeping Giant

The famous Fern Grotto is a beautiful cave bedecked with hanging ferns that is accessible only by boat or kayak up the Wailua River. Tour boats leaving from the Wailua River Marina can take you to this lovely spot, which is popular for weddings. The Smith family has been running their Wailua River Cruise to the Fern Grotto for decades. They operate every day, and no reservations are required. The trip takes an hour and twenty minutes and travels by a number of interesting sites. The price is $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 2–12. 822-4908

The 80-foot Wailua Falls is visible from Hwy. 583. You might recognize the double waterfalls from the opening scenes of Fantasy Island.

A mountain that resembles a sleeping man can be viewed from Hwy. 56 near Kapa'a. It's called the Sleeping Giant, and the mountain's name is Nounou. According to one legend, the giant ate too much at a luau, laid down to take a nap, and has yet to wake up.