Day 25 – Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

When I visited Hawaii many years ago, Kauai was my favorite island since it seemed to be the most unspoiled of all the islands. Viking Sky docked in the port of Nawiliwili on Kauai’s southeast coast to both sun and rain. After all, thanks to all the rainfall, Kauai is the greenest of the Hawaiian Islands.

Our View from the Ship After We Docked

When Tim and I booked our excursions back in October 2024, we had selected the included tour, “Opaeka'a Falls & Kilohana Plantation.” Sometime over the last few months, the itinerary changed, and Opaeka'a Falls was omitted. Now, the tour was listed as “Kilohana Plantation,” and here’s the new description:

Witness the lush scenery of Kauai, the “Garden Island,” and get a glimpse of Hawaii’s past at a sugar plantation. Meet your guide at the pier and transfer by motor coach to the Kilohana Plantation, a historic landmark that offers its visitors insight into Hawaii’s heritage. Upon arrival, you will board a train then enjoy a two-and-a-half-mile ride through the estate, passing sugarcane and taro crops. Your conductor will provide interesting narrative as you admire the lush vegetation and groves of mango trees, banana plants, papaya and pineapples. At the center of this 27,000-acre sugar plantation lies a magnificent 1930’s Tudor-style mansion. Enjoy a hula demonstration by the pavilion followed by time to explore; see the work of local artisans, stroll the manicured gardens or pause for a taste of local rum at the Gaylord’s bar, before returning to your ship.

Our motorcoach took us past Costco, Target, and other familiar stores, not through unspoiled Kauai, but once we arrived at Kilohana Plantation we found ourselves immersed in Kauai’s early era.

Kilohana is a restored sugarcane plantation estate that was built by sugar baron Gaylord Wilcox in 1935, and the 16,000 square-foot manor house is an excellent example of plantation-era architecture. Originally a 23,000-acre property, Kilohana is now a 104-acre visitor destination and working farm that offers a glimpse into Kauai's past.

Kilohana Manor House

Kilohana Retains Much of Its Original Architectural Character; 
I Was Especially Intrigued by the Beautiful Woods

We began our tour of the plantation with a ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway that was originally used to haul sugarcane. The ride took us through the property's working farms and groves of banana, orange and other citrus trees, banana plants, and a small field of sugarcane. I was especially interested to see stands of kalo or taro, the staple of ancient Hawaiians. Taro is grown in lo'i, or irrigated or flooded plots of land.

The Train Station and Our Train

Groves of All Kinds of Fruit Trees

Kalo or Taro Growing in Lo'i

Our excellent guide explained to us the history of missionaries and sugarcane plantations in Hawaii, as well as the current emphasis on sustainable agriculture. She farms land given to her by the Kilohana Plantation and also operates an education center for people who hope to farm their own land.

I think everyone’s favorite stop was the pen where we were able to feed the wild pigs, cows, and horses. The pigs are descendants of the feral pigs or wild boars that were originally brought to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers as a source of food. The same is true of the many chickens that we saw roaming the plantation.

Greedy Cows and Pigs

A Chicken and Her Chicks

At the end of the train ride, we were ushered to a hula demonstration by a torch-bearing Hawaiian, where guests were invited to participate. You can guess that I declined the offer, but it was fun to watch our fellow passengers. Sardo, one of my favorite members of the Guest Services team, outperformed them all!

Hula Demonstration

After a little bit of shopping (I know, I know, I claimed that I don’t shop!) where I purchased a flowy, cotton top, we returned to Viking Sky. Every now and then, an excursion that I was not too excited about will exceed my expectations, and today’s was one of those.

Back on the ship, I soon headed to the Explorers’ Lounge, where Daniel fixed me a hot toddy to soothe my cough. As we sailed away from Hawaii, we caught sight of a rainbow and the Ninini Point Lighthouse.

Sailing Away from Hawaii

The day was not over, however, for the culinary team spoiled us once again with A Taste of Hawaii. The hula-hula chicken was delicious.

A Taste of Hawaii