The area around Waimea and the mouth of the river which bears the same name was colonized by native inhabitants many years ago. Before the Polynesians settled here this region was said to have been inhabited by the legendary Mu, a tribe of dwarf-like people similar to the Menehune, who apparently developed their own strange physical characteristics as a result of their centuries of isolation. Very few of the hundreds of heiaus which were built in this area remain. Near the Coco Palms Hotel Pohaku-hoo Hanau remains standing from ancient Hawaiian times.
Noblewomen gave birth to their children on this birth stone. The babies' umbilical cords were hidden in the crevices to protect them as they grew up. Waialua River, which flows into the sea on the edge of the village, is the only navigable river in Hawaii. Its lower reaches are called the "Kingly Way".
South of the mouth of the river lies Lydgate State Park, containing remains of a Hawaiian temple of refuge.
Waialua (meaning "two waters", doubtless referring to the sea and the river) is a well spread-out village on road 56 with about 1600 inhabitants.
Between Lihue and Hanamaulu road 583 branches off road 56 and winds its way for a few kilometers to a waterfall. This is less than 3/4 mile/1km away from Fern Grotto but cannot be reached directly from there. A double waterfall can be found at the end of road 583. This falls 27ft/25m down a rock face.
Legend has it that the chiefs of old Hawaii had to take the risk of jumping from the top of this waterfall to prove their strength and courage.
Wailua waterfall on Kauai.
Cascading waterfalls, Wailua Waterfall, Kauai.
Tips: The road is beside the waterfall.
Best full sun viewing time is in morning.
The trail down is very slippery and not advised.
Kamokila Hawaiian Village is located on the banks of the Wailua River. It long served as a fishing village for Kauai's royalty. Huts have been reconstructed according to the layout revealed by archeological evidence. Interesting features include a birthing stones used to impart royal status to infants and a stone which can be rung like a bell to announce such royal births.
Address: Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Box 969, Kapaa, HI 96746, United States
Phone: 1 (808) 823-0559, Fax: 1 (808) 823-8261
Dramatic and visible from the road along the north shore of the Wailua River, the actual name of the Opaeka'a Falls means "rolling shrimp' which dates from the time that these crustaceans were actually harvested from the base of the falls.
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Wailua Falls, Wailua
Wailua Falls, Wailua
Opaeka'a Falls, Wailua
Wailua
