What a killer view! I spent 10 minutes just absorbing the view! Please make sure you add this to…read moreyour adventures. It added a year back to my life, I'm sure!

08/22/2017 Wailua River & Heritage Trail Overlook. This overlook is directly across the street from…read morethe Opaeka'a Falls rest stop. The Wailua River is 20 miles long and is Hawaii's third longest river. It's also the only navigable river in the Hawaiian islands. It's popular for boat tours, kayaking and water skiing. Numerous points of interest include; Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Uluwehi Falls otherwise know as Secret Falls, Opaeka'a Falls and Fern Grotto known as Ma`ama`akualono. Hikinaakala at Hauola is part of the Wailua Complex of Heiaus. Holoholoku and the Royal Birthing Stones is one of Hawaii's most sacred sites. Nounou Mountain or Sleeping giant has three mountain hiking trails. Wai`ale`ale mountain peak is the highest point on the island at 5,243 feet.

This may well be the most sacred site in Kauai. Really great history in these stones…read more Centuries ago, it was important that all of Kauai's kings were born here. There is a stone where the pregnant woman was leaning against with her back and another stone where she put her legs while giving birth. Within the stone enclosure once stood a grass shack, where the mother-to-be stayed prior to giving birth. The flat stone in the front was used to cover a sacrificed dog, signifying to commoners that for them the place was kapu (forbidden). After birth, the baby's umbilical cord was placed in a crack in the rock wall. If the cord was taken away by a rat, then that was a bad sign, indicating that the child would later become a thief. If no rat showed up, it was a good sign.

Small little pull out in Kauai. Not too much to see but still a nice pitstop if you're looking for…read morefree activities. Tons of chickens and dirt parking enough for maybe 6-8 cars.

Quick drive up and park to check out the Wailua River from above. You can usually see lots of…read morechickens hanging out here as well. Drop by when you are going to check out the Fern Grotto or Wailua Falls.

Fun fact: Malae Heiau was desecrated in the 1830s when the last Queen of Kauai Deborah Kapule tore…read moredown the interior walls and used it as a cattle pen.  This was how she declared the ancient ways of kapu were dead and their society would thereafter be christian. This is the most substantial sacred site on Kauai and one of the largest surviving temple platforms in the Hawaiian Islands.  The heiau covers almost two acres and the original walls were 8-10 feet high and 8 feet wide with a ledge running around the inside for seating.  But it doesn't look like much from the path.  Kauai county has unfortunately allowed the sugar cane to grow and grow so much that you can't really see the structure.  So you gotta climb up.  There are two small spaces where you can see the stone walls stacked by ancient Hawaiians.  Once you get up there, you see it is huge.  You feel the weight of this place But it is a peaceful quarter-mile walk around the perimeter. It might be worth a stop for a leisurely stroll around what is still an important site, just across from Kauai Resort. I hope the County will restore this.

Every few months I run across this unfinished review. Today is April 2nd 2025 and it's still…read moresitting here. I'm sending it even if it's a rough draft. Y'all will enjoy the photos if nothing else. Aloha! In tribute to not only this one of a kind island but, the entire Hawaiian chain. As 2023 comes to a close,I am humbled by the opportunity to once again experience the unparalleled beauty of this magical place. In a day and age in which everything seems to be traveling at the speed of light,it's time to slow down and reflect on our good fortune. March 2024 Continuing my accolades of Kauai. My experience here gets better each time. After visiting Kauai in 1991 on a multi island tour,I've been back countless times. Going once a year only to be thwarted by the pandemic. Every time I go my self talk goes something like this," God I love this place and am so comfortable here. It's impossible to beat the natural beauty and people but,this is my last trip". And I continue returning. Then I " wake up" and say," what was I thinking"? It's in America,easily accessible,perfect weather. Who am I kidding. There's a reason Billionaires are buying it up. It's getting crowded," trafficie" and It's still America's true paradise. I would be remise if I didn't tell you to.... Go!

This is a beautiful island, with lots to do and see, if money is no object. It definitely is not…read morethe place to go if you are middle class, or have several people/family members in your group. The price gouging. really detracted from our enjoyment. Everything on the island is priced 3-4 times what seems reasonable. Not just talking about the expected tourist markup, not ignoring that so much has to be brought here from the mainland. Two cheese quesadillas and two iced teas for $65 in a simple neighborhood restaurant?! $265 to ride on a boat with a dozen other people? $185 per person for a zip line ride? (minors must be accompanied by a paying parent.) $20 per car and $5 for each passenger to look at the Canyon? And they add 3% to your bill if you use your credit card, so a 20% tip becomes a 23% tip. We wonder where all this money is going? the servers and other frontline workers earn typical mainland minimum wage. they'e earning huge tips from the inflated prices on the food and drink, but someone is pocketing payments for the food. As beautiful as Kauai is, we won't be back. It felt too exploitive.