The Barking Sands called that because the wind is supposed to make a barking noise. But that's probably only one of the famous myths, of which Hawaii is alive.

Another says that the great Polynesian chieftain Hawaii Loa have formerly done his vessel narrowly escaped to the tiny volcanic peak in the sea. Loa's guidance, they say, clouds and birds were flying.

These kinds of airy coordinates it must have been, which attracted a few disciples of the sixties New Age in the years to Kauai. But in the legend saturated island atoll of these boring esoteric Hanseln are gone, thank God.

And long before them, namely 1796, the power-hungry island eating Kamehamea King had tried to bring under his power finally Kauai. But the weather was too bad - storm, waves, ship breaking.

When the lake six years later had ready a reasonably fit for ship days, put out the cholera Kamehameas of brave army. The fight was over, now had to beat time. That was the birth of diplomacy in Hawaii.

Too rough, too unhawaiianisch

Today show signs everywhere on the beach on the turbulence of the lake and the associated dangers too careless to bathe. But if you're not completely stupid and swim for miles out into the Pacific may be at the head-high waves and not do much harm.

Perhaps you will find the island of Kauai in fact a bit too rough, so to speak to unhawaiianisch, especially when one drives past the ancient, gloriously dilapidated factories that look like crime scenes in old Hollywood movies. There also are some movies have been filmed here - Hawaii's location as a worn-up trip to the bone. But then there are every few miles so pretty and casually hingebaute places like the small Waimea.

James Cook, English navigator with the serious face under the wig is here on 20 January 1778 landed with his ships Resolution and Discovery. A tiny museum commemorates him today.

You can stay a little village in this backdrop, sit on the terrace of the restaurant, order a freshly caught and grilled salmon, discard half the burger in this way and enjoy a really good meal.

In the port waits for the ship. In the evening all guests will be thoroughly checked and again with "Home, sweet home" welcomes. The words chase the Europeans shiver down the spine. But he himself is guilty, that he not get involved in the big rocking feeling of home.

Nothing against the ship, but somehow he always wants to land as quickly as possible. Through the green jungles of Maui to run the most beautiful island of Hawaii.

Dusk in Lahaina, spend the colonial town that was once the largest whaling port in the world. In the shops here you still get the strange engraved whale's teeth painted with the nautical theme.

Otherwise: good and wonderful galleries with expensive paintings, old-fashioned cafes and restaurants. A few companions of the Europeans were too touristy Lahaina. But that's silly gripes of nostalgia Kitschgemütern.

Commercial with pearl

It's just fine if the people do with their urban commercial beads. From Aloha feeling no man can live! Only on the ship can be a couple of the hour - and tomorrow the volcano climb.

Ken Fujiyama says it is a kind of walk, no big deal really, but you should see that you have to drink enough and be careful where you stepping.

On the bus he had already explained all that, there are two kinds of lava. One is called Pahoihoi and the other arteries - yes really, Aa is the name. And there was the colleague in the back on the bus laughed softly to himself and said: "I can tell no home."

What lies in front of the walkers, looks like the moon. Solid mass, gray and endless, yet artful squiggles are just terribly crumbly, If we are representing. Mr. Fujiyama always smiles, smiling like the Japanese way, but he is never around when you do not know what to do.

Among the Europeans to break away from the porous rock layers. "I'm completely fed up," says one, but that's really still too early event stage to give up. Because only those burrs must be reached where you see the lava flow from the soft rock masses.