Relaxing at Kilauea Point, along the North Shore

     Anyone who has ever traveled with me knows I'm all about seeing and experiencing as much as I can.  This best way to execute this is to plan ahead.  This includes planning on "relaxing" time on the beach.  So after our helicopter ride our afternoon and evening consisted of Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and relaxing on a semi-secluded beach in Princeville while we watch the sunset.

Tropic Birds dot the landscape.

Nene Geese

     The Kilauea Lighthouse can be found on a narrow peninsula at the most northern tip of Kauai.  This area, known as the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, is home to thousands of native Hawaiian birds as well as nesting grounds for the endangered Hawaiian bird, the Nene.  The view was spectacular--wide open waters and thousands of white birds speckled the landscape.  The information boards were helpful in my attempts of identifying the differences between red-footed boobies and tropic birds.  Depending on the time of year, I'm told you can observe monk seals basking on the rocks or the humpback whales migrating.  With Matt's keen eye and help of the free binoculars along the fence, we did get too see a dancing display of Spinner Dolphins and the occasional sea turtle poking its head out.  If you see a boat lazing about in open water, it's usually a good sign that there may be dolphins nearby.

    The lighthouse itself is going through renovations.  It's a cute little white lighthouse.  Maybe when the renovations are down, they would allow people inside and up.  But back in its heyday, Kilauea Lighthouse was a pivotal navigation aid for sailors traveling to the Orient.  The lighthouse is even referenced briefly in Lilo & Stitch and more so in the squeal!  Which makes me want to re-watch Lilo & Stitch!

     Before we headed out to watch the sunrise on the beach, we grabbed an early dinner/snack at the Pau Hana Pizza (Kilauea Bakery).  The pizza here is to die for!  We went for the standard Big Meat Combo, but it was better than any ordinary meat combo.  The flavors and the sauce were perfectly spiced.  The pizza dough, soft and slightly chewy, but crispy on the edges.  Definitely one of the best tasting pizza I've ever had.  All satiated, we headed out to catch the sunset on a small private beach in Princeville.