Commissioned in 1913, this 52 foot structure is situated on the northernmost tip of Kauai. Sitting about 200-feet above sea level, it is a frequent attraction on Kauai mainly for its rugged coastline and views. It the a perfect place to explore, take pictures, and maybe even see some humpback whales (usually from December through May).
In 2013, a hundred years after its construction, Senator Daniel K Inouye helped raise private and public funds for a complete restoration of the lighthouse - so it now bears his name. It is completely restored save for the rotation of the light. The original mechanism used to float on mercury, allowing the lens to rotate. However, with the now known dangers of mercury, the lens structure was not restored.
Tours are available twice a week to see the lighthouse and its remarkable 8,000 pound Fresnel lens structure that focuses the lighthouse beam to reach ships on the sea.