ORIGIN. The island of Kauai was formed by volcanoes erupting on the ocean floor and building up over time. Eventually, the island was formed, with its highest peak, Kawaikini topping out at 5, 243 feet.

THE FIRST PEOPLE. The first people to settle Kauai were the Marquesans who came here from Polynesia around 400 A.D. They brought their food staples with them, including taro, used to make poi. The Tahitians followed later and supplanted the Marquesans to become the dominant people on the island.

LEGENDS. There is no more popular or enduing legend on Kauai than that of the Menehune. This mythical race of tiny, industrious people, were believed to have been responsible for many building projects, including aqueducts and fishponds, some accomplished in a single night.

CLIMATE AND FEATURES. Known as The Garden Isle for good reason, the lushness of Kauai is due to high amounts of rainfall in some areas. In fact, one of the wettest spots on earth, located on the east side of Mount Wai’ale’ale has an average rainfall of 460 inches annually. Over time, this rainfall has eroded deep valleys and canyons on the island, including Waimea Canyon, “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”