On the West Side of Kauai is Waimea with a charming and relaxed feeling all its own. With it's history of agriculture and Hawaiian cowboys, or Paniolos, it has a more "Hawaiian" feeling than most Kauai communities other than Anahola. The National Landmark of Russian Fort Elizabeth is close by and where Captain Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands. As the entrance to the State Park encompassing Waimea Canyon almost every visitor and resident passes through Waimea. Not enough can be said about Waimea Canyon, it's moniker as "Grand Canyon of The Pacific is well deserved. Another Hawaii State Park, Polihale, is a favorite of residents and visitors with camping, hikng, and surfing along its miles of white sand beaches and dunes. With it's proximity to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (adjacent to Polihale State Park and with a great Guest Pass Program for residents), Waimea was a natural place to site the West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center. Waimea is also known for it's great selection of small shops, places to eat, and the historic theater.