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GEOGRAPHY Northernmost, first populated and geographically oldest Kauai is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It was built by a massive volcano, of which Mt. Wai'ale'ale, at 5,148 feet (1,569 m), is the eastern rim. The island has 90 miles (145 km) of coastline and is remarkable for its spectacular and widely varied landscape, from desert-like Waimea Canyon, ''The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,'' to the velvety green Napali Coast, with cliffs rising 2,700 feet.  CLIMATEAverage temperature ranges from 71° F (22° C) in February and March to 79° F (26° C) in August and September. Cooler temperatures in the mountain areas offer a pleasant contrast to warmer coastal areas. Rainfall varies in different sections of the island, with a comfortable average of 20 inches a year in the most populated sections. MAJOR INDUSTRIES Sugarcane, fruit, vegetables, taro, beef, and tourism. RECREATION Swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, golf, helicopter tours, tennis, hiking, camping, horseback riding, museums, gardens, sightseeing, cultural exhibits, and attractions. BRIEF HISTORY The first settlers came to Kauai around 200 A.D., about 500 years before the rest of the Islands were settled. The Islanders enjoyed a balanced environment and followed the social codes of the day, sometimes rigid, sometimes quite liberal. Through a succession of kings, the island prospered. Captain James Cook landed on Kauai first, coming ashore at Waimea in 1778, forever changing the status of this isolated group of islands. Kauai is distinguished as being the only island that resisted takeover attempts by King Kamehameha during his quest to unify the islands under one rule. King Kaumuali'i on Kauai finally conceded that upon his death, the island would fall under Kamehameha's rule. The island remained an independent kingdom until 1810.
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