Spotlight's Kauai Gold Magazine

Blue Dolphin Charters

Explore the breathtaking Napali Coast from the deck of the 63-foot Blue Dolphin I or the 65-foot Blue Dolphin II. For young or old, non-swimmer or salty ocean veteran, Blue Dolphin Charters provides fun activities and all gear for passengers of all levels on their tours. On their daytime Deluxe Napali Coast Tour and Deluxe Ni‘ihau Island Tour (seasonal), passengers relax in the sun or shade and enjoy a cool beverage, ride the water slide, scuba dive or snorkel, enjoy a continental breakfast and a sandwich buffet lunch, and are guaranteed sightings of dolphins and turtles. From December through April, passengers can also watch for magnificent humpback whales. Later in the day, the Napali Sunset Cruise and Romantic Po‘ipu Sunset Sail offer great sunset views, appetizers and drinks. For information and reservations, call (808) 335-5553. Visit them online at, www.KauaiBoats.com.

Island Helicopters

Started in 1980 by Curt and Bonnie Lofstedt, family-owned-and-operated Island Helicopters is one of the oldest helicopter companies on Kaua‘i. They are an F.A.A. Certified Part 135 Air Carrier whose pilots are Part 135 Certified and were personally selected and trained by Curt Lofstedt, a pilot with over 28,000 accident-free hours and over 30 years of experience flying helicopter tours on Kaua‘i. Island Helicopters' fleet includes the newest helicopter in the state. Both of their Astars are equiped with ceiling-to-floor glass doors, leather interior, state-of-the-art BoseX CD stereo systems and headsets, and two-way communication between pilot and passengers. Their tours departs from the Heliport at Lihu‘e Airport. For reservations, call (808) 245-8588; toll-free 1-800-829-5999; or visit IslandHelicopters.com.

Kokee Natural History Museum

Visitors to Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Park can depend on Kaua‘i-style aloha and park trail information every day of the year at Koke‘e Natural History Museum, the visitor center for the parks. Operated by Hui o Laka, for almost 60 years, Koke‘e Museum features exhibits about these forested plateaus and canyon lands and their rich biological diversity. For more information call (808) 335-3375.

National Tropical Botanical Garden

The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) was created by Congressional Charter in 1964 as a not-for-profit institution dedicated to tropical plant research, conservation, and education. Its network of gardens and preserves include McBryde Garden/(808) 742-2623, Allerton Garden/(808) 742-2623, and Limahuli Garden and Preserve/(808) 826-1053 on the island of Kaua’i; Kahanu Garden on Maui; The Kampong in Florida; and two preserves on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Self-guided and/or guided tours are available.

The Lodge at Kokee

The Lodge at Koke‘e offers a dozen comfortable cabins that are furnished with refrigerators, wood stove, hot showers, basic eating and cooking utensils, linens, towels, blankets and pillows. Rates start at $65 per cabin per night. A light breakfast may be purchased daily from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and takeout from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m., 7 days a week. For reservations and information call (808) 335-6061.