Visit Kaua`i: Ninini Point Lighthouse

Ninini Point Lighthouse is an easy walk or drive in Lihue.  

We could walk to it from our hotel, but we ended up driving one evening.

You actually traverse through a golf course and follow the "lighthouse" signs.  Most people drove up, but I saw some people running to it.

It was a pretty sight, and if you can make it there early enough, I highly recommend visiting at sunrise.  

Part of the path, which aligns with the perimeter of the airport, is fairly isolated, so if you do walk, I suggest you walk with someone else for safety.

 

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Visit Kauai: Spouting Horn

While on Kauai we made a stop at Spouting Horn.

This blowhole can spout water 50-feet into the air, as the ocean rushes through a natural lava tube.  

The sounds at Spouting Horn have roots in local legend, as the "roar" and "hiss" is said to be that of a giant lizard that once guarded the Kauai coastline.  

Spouting Horn is quite a popular tourist spot.  Parking is available, but limited.

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Visit Kauai: Kauai Plantation Railway

While on Kauai we took a ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway Signature Train Ride Tour, which took us through Kilohana Plantation.

We opted to sit in the first train car - the Hanalei.  The train cars are working reproductions of those that were once used in ancient Hawaii.

Two other train cars on property - Wailua and Waimea

Although Hanalei was not open-sided like the Wainiha train car, large windows provided optimal viewing.

Large windows in the Hanalei railcar

After a safety briefing, our guide, "Tiny," started to tell us about the history of Kilohana Plantation while we rode past over 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables that are grown on the farm.

We saw all sorts of different plants and trees - bananas, pink plumeria, lychee, mango, papaya, and so much more!  The kids had fun trying to identify the different types of fruits they saw.

Bananas

Taro

Papaya trees in background; pink plumeria in foreground

Sugar cane

Tiny was a very knowledgable and entertaining tour guide, telling us interesting tidbits of information, such as how cashews can be poisonous when eaten raw right off the tree; bananas are an herb, not a tree; pineapples take two years to grow.

Riding through the farm yard was a lot of fun, as we saw a donkey, cattle, goats, and pigs.

Tiny tossed bread to feed the donkey

Cattle

The highlight of the tour was getting to feed the pigs and goats!  Our tour guide ripped up some hamburger buns and English muffins, and the guests threw pieces of the breads into the pig pen, while goats would come up to the fence to be hand-fed.

Tossing the bread!

Hungry?

We had a nice time on the Kauai Plantation Railway.  The 40-minute tour was both fun and educational for the entire family, and the perfect length for our boys.  For those who wish to experience more, Kauai Plantation Railway also offers a 4-hour Train, Nature Walk, Lunch, and Orchard Tour, as well as a Train & Luau Package.

Whichever tour you choose, you'll be sure to end up with fond memories!

Kauai Plantation Railway
3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy

Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-7245

Mahalo to Kauai Plantation Railway for hosting our visit. Gratuity was paid on our own.

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