Lihue - Hawaii - History

Kauai Island, where Lihue is situated was the first of the Hawaiian Islands that Captain Cook visited and it was the last of Hawaii's independent kingdoms. Waimea Bay was the first place on which the intrepid British explorer Captain Cook set foot in Hawaii in January 1778. This bay was for many years a favourite provisioning port with Pacific traders and whalers.

Hoping to seize Kauai for his Czar, an employee of the Russian Fur Company of Alaska built the Russian Fort – Fort Elizabeth - near the mouth of the Waimea River in 1817.

The first successful sugar plantation was established here in 1835. Only on Kauai does the Mokihana berry grow and it was here that the legendary race of little people--the Menehune--flourished.

Founded in 1864 by George Wilcox, the Grove Farm Homestead is now a museum complex, which includes the old family plantation home, wash house, teahouse, guest cottage and other amenities. The homestead is typical of the old Hawaiian plantation experience and tradition.