SANTANYI MAGAZINE 06

Santanyí magazine 69 ··· The island of Kauai, nicknamed the “Garden Island”, is considered by far the island with the most luxuriant vegetation and the greatest natural beauty. Juan Sitges relates us the incomparable activities you can undertake outdoors. A kayak trip along the Na Pali coast in the shadow of the majestic volcanoes, a ride through the state parks or a flight with the helicopter where you can admire the stunning view over the island. On one of these flights Juan Sitges discovered the curious mixture of Haciendas, fields of sugar cane, jungles, unspoiled beaches and cliffs. The oldest of the major Hawaiian islands spreads over an area of 1.439 km 2 , marked by a timelessness not to be found on the other neighboring islands. Kaua’i, which is the fourth largest island of Hawaii, has a semi tropical climate. Due to the different types of landscapes and elevations, the island houses different types of micro- climate. Enormous sand dunes, desert plains, fertile valleys, hills, tropical jungles and amazing peaks can be found. The hidden meaning behind the name of Kaua’i is not known. According to the local tradition of Hawaii the name indicates that its origin lies in the Hawaiiloa legend that tells about the Polynesian sailor, who is supposed to have discovered the islands. The story relates that he named the island after his favorite son, Kaua’i. Hence, a possible translation for Kaua’i would be “place around the neck”, giving a hint at the manner how the father carried his son. It is possible that the Hurikán Iniki, which hit the island in 1992, has indirectly induced a change in the ecosystem of Kaua’i. Some claim that a chicken farm had been destroyed and now the chickens are running around freely on the island, whereas other affirm that the workers on the sugar plantations end 1.800 / beginning 1.900 introduced and bred rooster and hens for food, but also in order to hold roosterfights, and Aloha and welcome to the beautiful island of Kaua’i photo ©Juan Sitges Bonet Juan Sitges Bonet