Since we are located very near Princeville on the North Shore of Kauai, we decided to stay here and explore the local sites. We saw the Kilauea Lighthouse from a distance on Monday and upclose today.

It is located in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, allowing us to add to our ‘national parks’ list.

Established in 1985 to preserve the area and the bird life, in 1992 it was added to as part of creating the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, protecting the whales and their habitat. We will not see any whales as winter is their time of year to arrive, breed, calf and nurse their young.

Leaving Kilauea Point you drive through the small town. Historic Kong Lung market center with shops and restaurants for the tourists and locals is a nice break. This area was a large Chinese immigrant area when the sugar cane industry was building their production in the mid-1800’s.

Our Ani Tuna Sandwich and Rice Bowl for lunch at The Bistro was satisfying. Our coffee and cream puff pastry were tasty at the Kilauea Bakery.

A short drive to the town of Hanalei to see the Wai’Oli Hui’Ia Church, a Hawaiian Protestant Christian Mission church founded in 1834. Quaint, as is the pew hymnals with all the hymn lyrics in Hawaiian. Next door to the church is the original mission hall with the spectacular scenery of the Kauai mountains with their waterfalls as the backdrop.

Some observations…..Hanalei reminds us of Anna Maria Island, pick-up trucks with dog cages in the back for hunting wild pig reminds us of Tennessee and the shops we stop at have all the items you could find in a tourist shop in Florida.

We are extremely grateful to be able to come and visit this beautiful island and see the spectacular beaches, mountains, waterfalls and scenery. Yet, sometimes you have to know there is no place exactly like, or as nice as, home.