I've long been a fan of the New York Times' travel section. It's both literate and fun. Their coverage of Hawaii has been excellent. The most recent offering, which came out on May 4, covered Kokee State Park on Kauai. This is one of my favorite places in the islands, a mystical, mist-shrouded redoubt where cell phones fail, native birds sing, and maile still grows unmolested. I've hiked a number of trails in the park, including the most popular, the Awaawapuhi, and spent a few uncomfortable but cozy nights in the spartan cabins for rent (pictured here -- book early). The writer of this piece does a great job capturing the mana of the place. Most visitors that see Kokee do it by car, driving only to the two lookouts (Waimea Canyon and Kalalau), maybe stopping for a quick bite and a peek at the museum, before mozying on. If you like to hike and don't mind a bit of chill, stick around for a few days, camp out, and fill up your soul. Do pick up some of the totally righteous Portuguese bean soup at the museum coffee shop, as well. Tasty, warm, filling and wonderfully flavorful. It's great for chilly afternoons after a long walk on an empty trail.

Related Posts: Kokee: Birds, Bean Soup, Great Views

Image via Unofficial Web Guide to Kokee

—Alex, 05/06/07