Travel + Leisure Award
And the winner of Hawaii's best island is - Kauai
LIHUE, Kauai, HI - Kauai is already known as the Garden Island and Hawaii's Island of Discovery. Add to that list "Hawaii's Best Island," with Travel + Leisure magazine having presented Kauai with that newest distinction as selected by its readers in the 2009 World's Best Awards.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr., commented: "This award pays tribute to what is truly special about Kauai - the beauty of our island, which is matched by the beauty of our people and the aloha we share. Nowhere on Earth can you go and experience the magic of Kauai."
A respected source for travel information, Travel + Leisure recently surveyed its readership for the World's Best Awards, asking them to rate the islands of Hawaii on the following characteristics: natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people, and value. Kauai came out on top.
"What makes the honor of being named 'Hawaii's Best Island' is the acknowledgment that Kauai's incredible beauty and diversity of activities matches the demands of Travel + Leisure's discerning readers seeking a memorable vacation," said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau (KVB).
This is the second national honor that Kauai has earned in recent weeks, following Hanalei Bay being named America's #1 beach for 2009.
Popular with travelers who love the outdoors, Kauai is green and flourishing with lush flora running from the mountains to the ocean. Kauai also offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches - more beach per mile than any other island in Hawaii - and the state's only navigable rivers. Only four percent of Kauai is developed for commercial and residential use.
Kauai is rich in cultural history and filled with natural wonders for exploration. Two of the biggest highlights are the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and the Napali Coast with its 3,000-foot towering mountain cliffs along the northwest shoreline.
Kauai's abundant natural beauty has made it a favorite of Hollywood productions, with more than 60 major movies and TV shows having been filmed on the island, including South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Jurassic Park, and Tropic Thunder.
KVB is a division of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and funded in part by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. For more information about Kauai, visit www.kauaidiscovery.com.
Comments
We think Hanalei Bay beach is one of the most scenic in all of Hawaii. It's long, uncrowded and the views of the jagged peaks unparalleled. There's a nice long walk out on a pier where the local kids jump into the water. Last spring we learned to surf right there. The guide we like for this island is the Kauai Trailblazer, our favorite restaurant is Postcards in Hanalei Town and we always stay at the Hanalei Bay Resort which is right on the water. There aren't many direct flights to Kauai which is the only downside.
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