Things to do / Travel Guide
Sea-faring Polynesians stumbled upon what is now the Hawaiian island of Kauai around the 4th century. These adventurous people were the first to ever see the islands in their natural, unspoiled state.
Tahitian settlers came to Kauai around the year 1000 and established a ruling hierarchy of chiefs. The Tahitians built temples and cultivated taro and sweet potatoes.
Between 1000 and 1775, rival monarchies were established throughout the Hawaiian archipelago. Kauai was the only island was not violently conquered by King Kamehameha during his military campaign to unify the islands under his control. Kauai's King Kaumualii did, however, give over control of his island to King Kamehameha as a peace offering, in order to avoid the bloodshed that was taking place on the other islands.
In 1778, Captain James Cook landed at Waimea Bay, on Kauai, thus becoming the first westerner to “discover” the Hawaiian Islands. Today, Captain Cook is memorialized by a large bronze statue on the island.
Sugar plantations on Kauai eventually brought prosperity, and, in 1893, Hawaii was fast on its way to U.S. statehood, following the overthrow of the last Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the Union.
Today, Kauai is a favorite stop for tourists to the Hawaiian archipelago. In fact, over 7 million people visited Kauai in 2005. Magnificent beaches, luxurious resorts, natural beauty, and the famous Hawaiian hospitality keep visitors coming back for more.
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