For me, the Spouting Horn area was especially memorable mostly because of sentimentality. When I was last in Kauai, 12 years ago (almost to the day), I was viewing the Spouting Horn and browsing among the jewelry kiosks when all tourists stopped and listened to the radio. The Gulf War (Jan 1991) had begun. So when we were at this spot this time, with the threat of war in the air, lots was going through my head. In addition, 12 years ago, I didn’t really understand the natural phenomenon that caused the Spouting Horn. This year, after visiting Hawaii and knowing what lava tubes are, I now know the cause. As the waves come into the underground tube, a geyser effect is produced at the point where there is a hole in the top of the underground lava tube! The higher and more powerful the wave (surf), the higher the geyser! Even though the mystery is solved, the beauty still remains. My pictures don’t show the geyser at the highest point of eruption but I think you get the point. Spouting Horn is stop one of the Koloa heritage trail. Click For more information.

Opaeka’a Falls was also impressive. Again the tour driver did an excellent job of explaining more of why there are so many waterfalls in Kauai: in areas of greater erosion, there are more waterfalls. There is lots of erosion in the area. In fact many times, the rails that are built to guide the tourists have been moved according to changes in the landscape. I would have loved to hike into the falls but being on the tour, I had to be content with just watching the falls.

Of course part of the tour included the towns of Koloa and Hanapepe and seeing the Tree Tunnel. Koloa is the state’s oldest sugar plantation town and it seemed like we were stepping back in time when we passed through. By the way, apparently Old Town Koloa is National Historical Landmark. Click For more information. I had the same impression of going back in time while driving through Hanapepe, which is known as the site of lots of art galleries. I believe every Friday there is an art gallery tour. Click For more information.The tree tunnel was formed when the treetops of the miles of Eucalyptus trees planted along one side of the main highway began to "merge" with the treetops of the miles of Eucalyptus trees planted along the other side of the main highway. Unfortunately the hurricane destroyed the "roof" of this tunnel so light shows through and you have lost some of the tunnel effect.

We also saw Coco Palms where Blue Hawaii was filmed. This once beautiful Hotel Resort,destroyed in the hurricane, is now in the news. For more information