Wailua River State Park Opeakaa Falls, Kauai Hawaii

Wailua River State Park and the Wailua Complex of Heiaus which it includes are located on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The park consists primarily of the Wailua River valley, which is the only navigable river in Hawaii. Visitors to this park can kayak, take riverboat cruises and explore the rainforest. Even motorboats and water skiing is permissible on the river.

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Opaeka’a Falls is a 151 foot waterfall located on the Wailua River in Wailua River State Park on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Below the ridge down into the ravine through which the water falls can be seen the vertical dikes of basalt that cut through the horizontal Koloa lava flows. The name “Opaeka’a” means rolling shrimp,
Visually, this is a spectacular waterfall and is one of the island’s few waterfalls that can be seen from the road. It flows year round and therefore is not seasonal. Most of the time it falls in a double cascade but the two sides may become one after a heavy rain. There is a highway overlook which provides a panoramic view of the 40-foot wide falls and the valley below. The best time of day to see the falls is in full sunlight when the water sparkles the most.
DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 56 north from Lihu’e toward Wailua. After crossing the Wailua Bridge, turn left on Kuamo’o Road at Mile Marker #6. Follow the road approximately 1 1/2 miles to the ‘Opaeka’a Falls Lookout.