Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
As you continue to drive north past Kapa'a you'll pass through the town of Anahola around mile marker 13. Continue north along the Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56) until you come to Kolo Road shortly after mile marker 23. The road will be on your right. After you have turned onto Kolo Road you are going to want to take Kilauea Road makai (towards the ocean) to Kilauea Lighthouse and the national wildlife refuge that has been set up there. You have also now officially entered North Kaua'i. Before heading down to the lighthouse parking lot on the peninsula, take a moment to stop at the upper lot and view the lighthouse from the overlook. Then continue on down to the lower parking lot. Kilauea Lighthouse is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. The lighthouse was built in 1913 with the largest hand blown clamshell lens in the world. It was later replaced with a beacon in the 1970's. The lighthouse is open to look around on the ground level. Today the lighthouse remains one of Kaua'i's most popular attractions. Native vegetation and an informative visitor center attracts thousands of tourists to this site to bird watch, view the sweeping cliff and ocean vistas, and revel in Kaua'i's past.
Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to a diverse population of nesting seabirds and the only such sanctuary in the islands. Residents include red-footed boobies, the Laysan albatross, the red and white-tailed tropic bird, and the great frigate bird with its 8-foot wingspan. During certain seasons green-sea turtles, humpback whales, and dolphins can be seen frolicking in the waters. The refuge is open daily 10am - 4pm (subject to change). Take Highway 56 north from Anahola. Turn right onto Kilauea Road just after Mile Marker #23. Follow the road to the end. There is plenty of paved parking available near the visitor center. There is a short hike out to the lighthouse and great views of the entire area above the peninsula at the lookout.
