Weekend Window: Kauai, HI

Jan. 13, 2008 — -- Lush, green Kauai -- nicknamed the Garden Isle -- is the oldest of Hawaii's thousands of islands. It is also home to Kilauea Point, which is the most northern point in the Hawaiian Islands.

"Hawaii is known as the garden island, and this is where you find it, here at the fern grotto. So it's a nice place to just come and relax," said Kamika Smith, of Smith's Fern Grotto Tours.

In addition to being famous for its lighthouse, which was built in 1913 and sits along the north shore, the island also has a variety of birds.

"Kilauea Point always has birds here," said Leesha Kawamura of Hawaiian Airlines, birds as diverse as albatrosses and the Nene goose, which is native to Hawaii.

Kauai's beautiful scenery and picturesque landscape is a real draw for tourists and for Hawaiians.

"It's just perfect, especially for those that like to get up early in the morning, catch the sunrise. The sunrise is absolutely unbelievable, unlike anything you've ever seen in the entire world," said Ray Blouin of ResortQuest at Makaiwa

"This is a great place for visitors, and Kamaainas -- locals like me -- love to come here all the time," said Kawamura. "Kauai is called the Island of Discovery because there is actually something for everyone to discover.

"[It] still remains a part of the old Hawaii. There's still a lot of untouched natural beauty. If you haven't been to Hawaii, you need to come to Kauai to see what the true essence of Hawaii is all about," Kawamura said.