Kauai Museum

The warm April weather was as soothing as the lush views that blew past me on the short ride from Lihue Airport to the Princeville Resort in Hanalei. Wild chickens ran amuck. The island was telling a story-the rich native heritage unfolding before my eyes. The sun warmed my skin as I kayaked along the NaPali coast. We grounded our kayaks and hiked until we reached a 30 foot waterfall deep within the serene vegetation. The next day brought with it a cock-a-doodle-doo and a breeze from the ocean that skimmed my sleeping face. The blue waters rumbling just beneath the mountain cliffs were calling my name. I can't tell you the beauty of the simplicity of something so grand.

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Kauai’s Museum is small, but mighty. The permanent Story of Kaua'i exhibit contains a healthy dose of information on the island’s extensive sugar industry. Step inside the Rice Building and head upstairs. Tucked in the corner immediately off the stairs is a life-size camp house. Upon entering, you'll notice a mixture of cultural influence from a remarkably diverse group of migrant workers. Lining the walls are details and stories about the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Puerto Ricans, Portuguese, Filipinos, Europeans, and many other ethnic groups that came here in the hope of great bright futures in a tropical paradise. Black and white photos of plantation worker families accompanying the text are like the windows of the camp house—strong visuals of days when Hawaiian sugar reigned.

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