For the second consecutive year and third year out of the past five, Kauai has earned the distinction of being named Hawaii's Best Island as chosen by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in their 2010 World's Best Awards.
Travel + Leisure is one of the world's most highly regarded and trusted sources of travel information and the World's Best Awards are determined by reader surveys. Kauai received the highest score of all the Hawaiian Islands when readers were asked to rate them on five qualities: natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people, and value.
In Travel + Leisure's listing of World's Best Islands for 2010, Kauai ranked second overall, trailing only the Galapagos Islands.
"This award is shared by all of the people of Kauai who love our island, care for our island and work hard to make it one of the most special places on earth," said Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. "We are honored that the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine recognize this and we will continue to share Kauai with the world in a way that preserves the beauty and character of our island home."
"People are touched by the serenity of Kauai's tropical beauty and how the island allows them to escape the stress of their daily lives and be rejuvenated by nature," said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau. "This is such a thrill for Kauai to again earn this recognition from Travel + Leisure's readers because of the strong message that it sends to travelers worldwide."
Renowned for its lush, verdant flora and spectacular tropical landscapes, Kauai is a paradise for travelers who enjoy exploring the outdoors and relaxing in an idyllic island setting. Kauai offers more than 50 miles of white sand beaches and amazing natural wonders, such as the massive Waimea Canyon - known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" - and the magnificent Napali Coast with its towering 3,000-foot cliffs plunging into the ocean.
An abundance of activities is available for travelers to engage Kauai's natural beauty, including hiking, mountain tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, ATV adventures, aerial zipline rides, and helicopter and boat tours. Kauai's picturesque scenery and beautiful tropical settings have long made the island a favorite of Hollywood. More than 60 major movies and TV shows have been filmed on Kauai, including South Pacific, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Tropic Thunder, and Avatar.
"Congratulations to the Garden Isle for once again winning the hearts of travelers and receiving this prestigious designation from Travel + Leisure magazine," said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of Hawaii Tourism Authority. "This honor is a testament to Kauai's visitor industry and its dedication in providing visitors with an authentic and unique experience that they can't find anywhere else in the world."
The Kauai Visitors Bureau is a division of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii's tourism agency, for marketing management services in North America. The HTA was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii's economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.
For more information about Kauai - Hawaii's Island of Discovery - please visit www.kauaidiscovery.com or call the Kauai Visitors Bureau toll-free at (800) 262-1400. Follow updates about Kauai via Twitter (@kauaidiscovery) and as a fan on its Facebook page as Kauai Visitors Bureau.
Here at About.com, we have extensive information on the island of Kauai including numerous photo galleries that document the natural beauty of the Garden Isle.