Heading north from the East Side on Kuhio Highway an impressive mountain dominates your view, Kalalea or "King Kong Peak" (there's actually a hole through it that if you know when to look you'll see it coming the other direction from the North Shore!). Nestled between this peak and Anahola Bay is the small town of Anahola which has the largest population of native Hawaiians on Kauai. With a small convenience store, post office, fruit stand & juice bar located on the highway it can be a great stop to refresh, there's also a burgeoning Anahola Hawaiian Land Farmers Market (farm fresh produce and local artesian's crafts Sundays 10am-2pm) area on the mauka side of the highway just before town. Anahola Beach Park is a short distance away with a manned Kauai County lifeguard tower with restrooms, shade and a long white sand beach heading north towards the rivermouth. It's mostly protected from surf, but there are certain swell conditions that bring surf into the bay with the area towards the rivermouth becoming dangerous at times. Mostly enjoyed by Anahola locals it's a different and more "local" beach experience than that found in resort areas like Poipu or even Hanalei. Off leash dogs, louder gatherings, and an occasional dirtbike riding through are not out of place, but it's also often a great, quiet, relaxing spot with great Hawaiian character.