Fodor's Expert Review Kauai Museum

Maintaining a stately presence on Rice Street, the historical museum building is easy to find and features a permanent display, "The Story of Kauai," that provides a competent overview of the Garden Island and Niihau. The exhibit traces the Islands' geology, mythology, and cultural history. Local artists are represented in changing exhibits in the second-floor Mezzanine Gallery.  The gift shop alone is worth a visit, with a fine collection of authentic Niihau shell lei, feather hatband lei, hand-turned wooden bowls, reference books, and other quality arts, crafts, and gifts—many of them locally made.