The gentle jungle that grows largely untamed on Kauai's North Shore may be a gift of nature, but its wildly beautiful staying power is no accident.
The diligence and forethought of residents in cooperation with state and federal agencies has produced a destination that continues to steal the show despite enormous visitor traffic and pressure for development.
Here is a place where taro grows in a federal bird refuge, where rare native species are nurtured in a 17-acre botanical garden, a place where the largest colony of seabirds in the main Hawaiian Islands comes home to rest. A 10-mile stretch of coastal highway, between Hanalei and the end of the road at Ke'e Beach, appears on the National Register of Historic Places effectively protecting the roadway's scenic beauty and famous one-way bridges from future development. Traffic patterns along the highway are regulated by the low-load limit of the one-way bridges. As a result, large tour buses and trucks hauling heavy equipment are prohibited from traversing the highway.
The Hanalei River, which flows 16 miles from its source into Hanalei Bay, is one of 14 rivers in the nation included in the EPA's American Heritage Rivers Initiative, and motorized tour boat cruises originating from the river are regulated.
North Shore development patterns achieved a measure of balance many years ago when Princeville Resort was designated a visitor destination, leaving communities like Hanalei and Kilauea to retain their small town character. The mix is intriguing. Princeville provides shopping and golf courses while Kilauea and Hanalei bring local color to the mix.
The North Shore is a sought after location for wealthy homebuyers and celebrities like actor Pierce Brosnan and author Michael Crichton. It's home to a world-class resort, as well as a lively community of local residents. Its relative isolation, uninhibited beauty, gorgeous beaches, cooling tradewinds and healthy, unaffected lifestyle are the draw.
