Lighthouses illuminate Hawaii's unique history, environment

The quaint lighthouses and modern light stations along Hawaii's lava-strewn shoreline — many on ancient signal fire sites — truly shine a light on the islands' unique history, geography, ecology and culture. Some of these postcard-pretty photo ops are easily accessible by car, while others require a rugged hike or four-wheel-drive trek. Best of all: seeing them from air or water, for a better sense of their spectacular perches and the perils they warn of. Regardless of how you reach these lighthouses, leave enough time to enjoy our "bright ideas" for other attractions in the area.

Landmark light: Unparalleled bird-watching and panoramic views of Kauai's northeast shore are part of the reason visitors flock to the Kīlauea Lighthouse, on a dramatic promontory a few miles outside of the town of Kīlauea. But the main reason may be because the tower itself is so handsome, a graceful white cylindrical tower with a red cap atop diamond-paned glass, all wrapped around an enormous clamshell lens.

Built in 1913, the lighthouse helped make history in 1927 when it reoriented the pilots of the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Honolulu. The two flyers aboard the Bird of Paradise, which had taken off from Oakland the day before, had overshot Oahu and could have run out of fuel at sea, had not the double flash of light alerted them to the danger.

Now those who rely on the light take their cues from a shorter automated beacon, placed in front of the deactivated light in 1976. Still, about half a million people a year visit the lighthouse — one of the most intact in the United States — and the surrounding Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to thousands of endangered birds, including rare native species such as the nēnē (Hawaiian goose). While the lighthouse itself is only open for tours once a year while it undergoes a multi-year restoration, rangers and volunteers in the visitor center can reveal more about Kauai's flora and fauna, with loaner binoculars on hand for spotting passing whales in winter or studying seabirds' plumage.

Bright idea: Since the refuge opens late (10 a.m.) and closes early (4 p.m.), don't plan on catching sunrise or sunset from the scenic peninsula. Instead, morning visitors can start with coffee and freshly made pastries at the Kilauea Bakery in the quaint Kong Lung shopping complex on the road to the lighthouse. The stores selling antiques, imported goods, art and handmade soaps and candles make for good browsing before lunch or dinner at the Lighthouse Bistro, which has an island fusion and Italian menu, along with live music several nights a week.

Bonus beacon: The latest version of the Nawiliwili Lighthouse, found down a red-dirt road between the airport and the Kauai Lagoons golf courses (and under-construction condos) near Nawiliwili Harbor, was built in 1932. It stands 86 feet tall — 34 feet taller than Kīlauea — but lacks a lantern room at the top. You might see intrepid locals prying 'opihi from the surf-smacked lava rocks below; leave that to the experts.

Landmark light: It's hard to miss Diamond Head, the massive volcanic crater known to Hawaiians as Lē‘ahi (the brow of the ‘ahi). But unless you hike to the summit or sail around its shallow reefs, you're likely to catch only a partial glimpse of the spirelike Diamond Head Lighthouse.