Kauai History and Culture
History and Culture of KauaiHistory of Kauai and Kauai Culture
As Kauai is the oldest of the Pacific archipelago, it is no wonder that it has such a broad and deep range of culture and ecological experience - a size not even reached by its sisters. Archeologists suspect that the first "tourists" to Hawaii may have arrived on Kauai as early as 500 A.D. The soft Pacific Passat breezes that carried colonists from Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa and other South Pacific Isles were the same ones that finally took Captain James Cook to his first Hawaii land on the banks of the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", the Waimea Canyon, in 1778.
The Hanalei is one of Hawaii's biggest river and nourished agriculture plants like tariff in the Ancients. Today the area of Hanalei offers more taros than anywhere else in Hawaii. Koloa, on the south bank of Kauai, was an important fishing harbour and the seat of the state's first factory for the production of sugars, which was constructed in the 1830s.
There has been an increase in the number of migrants from Asia and Europe who have left their mark on much of Cauai's history and helped contribute to its culturality. Today the old part of the city continues to live on. For more information about the history of Koloa, visit the Koloa History Center and look at old photos and artefacts.
Sucking up Kauai culture is as simple as sucking up the suntan. The Kauai beach is also full of history and play. It is also home to the Hwaiian sanctuary, Kukui Heiau, which is on the register of Hawaii and National Historic Places. The Kauai Museum is an informative exhibition of artefacts and modern handicrafts by local Hawaiians.
Culture enthusiasts will be fascinated by the local Hawaiians' tales, customs, crafts and dancing. You will appreciate the contribution these different civilizations have made and still make to the history of the Cauai. There are so many places - botanic and culture parks, the natural history museum Kokee, the Waioli mission and enchanting historic cities like Hanalei, Hanapepe and Lihue.
On the other hand, you will sense Cauai's wealth of history when you are there.