Kaua'i is the oldest of the major islands in the Hawaiian chain, having boiled up in volcanic fury from under the Pacific Ocean millions of years ago.It has today eroded to a beautiful combination of forests, valleys and beaches that are unmatched anywhere in the world. A land of contrasts, Kaua'i is home to the wettest spot on earth (Mount Wai'ale'ale), contrasting with south shore environments that receive little rain each year.It is fringed with picturesque beaches and hundreds of waterfalls that cascade from the cliffs. Once a major sugar producer, the island has now replaced most of its cane fields with coffee plantations. The other main crop is still taro, grown mostly on the north shore, which provides the roots needed for the making of poi, a staple in the traditional Hawaiian diet. The major economic engine, however, is tourism, which relies on the island's beauty and low-key atmosphere to draw visitors from around the world. Kaua'i Edge is an attempt to capture both the beauty and spirit of the island in more than 100 color images by two award winning photographers.

The book takes the viewer on a clockwise tour, from the northern end of the Na Pali coast to Kaua'i's southwest corner. Not all traditional points of interest are covered; rather, the quality of the photographs drove the nature of the book, not the attractions themselves. Enjoy.