The island of Kauai is green, its earth red. On the road to Waimea Canyon sometimes wild boar hides hanging to dry over a guardrail. Where the spears of the hunters have happened to gape, large holes. Between stainless tanks from the Second World War grazing horses. Although Kauai the "Garden-Iceland" is mentioned: Somehow you feel reminiscent of the Wild West of America.

On Mount Wai'alae is one of the wettest places on earth. Up to 12 700 mm annual precipitation was measured there already. Dropouts do not mind. Despite bans in a colorful hippie-folk has established in the Kalalau Valley. From the rest of the world unnoticed, living nature disciples of fish and fruit, live in caves and sleep in hammocks.

Fantastic way above and below water

Miles of trails through the Waimea Canyon, the swamps of the Koke'e parks or through the Kalalau Valley, the heart can beat walking faster. Breathtaking insight into the seclusion of the valley opens up a boat trip along the Napali Coast. Accompanied by dolphins, cross the Channel to the forbidden island rough Kalakahi Nihau.

Before the small uninhabited island Lehua can snorkel with white-tip reef sharks or get a powerful shock of Sam, scare the old monk seal males leave the swimmers only too happy to their "Noodles" (buoyancy aids) abjagt.

Nihau - the forbidden island

Beyond the Kaulakohi channel, about 27 miles off Kauai's west coast, Nihau (also Ni'ihau). Legend has it that Pele, the goddess of fire first on the island settled before they went to the other islands of the archipelago.

The couple bought in 1864 James Sinclair and Francis are around 10 kilometers wide and 30 km-long island by King Kamehameha V. She was passed from generation to generation within the family and is now over 100 years in the possession of the Robinsons, from a wealthy family Kauai.

Nihau is the only island that is only spoken on the Hawaiian. The approximately 250 residents still live in wooden huts without electricity, telephone and sewerage. The small school in the capital Puuwai obviously had an Apple computer that runs on solar energy.

Tourism is a foreign word, without personal invitation Nihau may be accessed by anyone. Only by helicopter to get close enough ahead, with erheischen a glimpse of the island (flights, "Niihau Helicopters on).

The shield from the outside world to protect culture and traditions of the inhabitants. Even they are free to leave Nihau. But they remain. Only their children who go to neighboring islands return to school, usually does not return - too tempting is the modern world.