Kapalawai is one of the older family residences. Built in 1897, it was designed to house the entire family. Another house built sometime later is Kaholuamanu , a rugged hunting lodge located up in the mountains of Makaweli and accessible only by horseback or helicopter. Upon arriving in the islands, my family resumed the cattle and sheep ranching they pursued in New Zealand. Makaweli is comprised of approximately 51,000 acres in a pie-shaped wedge, stretching from the ocean to mount Waialeale, the center of Kauai .
Sugar cane is grown in the lowlands and cattle are raised higher up.
The mountains and valleys of Makaweli are spectacular. In fact, you may have seen them in the movie Jurassic Park. The opening scene, where the helicopter lands at a waterfall and Sir Richard Attenborough gets out, was shot at Manawaiopuna Falls in Makaweli. When on Kauai, I stay at Pakala , the home built by my grandfather. It sits right on the beach at a well-known surfing spot called Infinity, or Pakala if you're local.