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Sites Along Kuamo'o Road
There are so many great sites to see along Kuamo'o Road which turns
into Waikoko Forest Management Road just past the Keahua Forest
Arboretum. If you are looking for something to do with the Jeep you
rented, you can take the road all the way to Mt Wai'ale'ale and see
Blue Hole. I wouldn't recommend a car without high clearance past the
Jurassic Park Gate. (The road condition often is very poor even for a
Jeep!)
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. Coco
Palms is located on the corner. The Historic Sites are on the left side of
the road. Opaeka'a Falls Lookout is approximately 1 1/2 miles. Keahua
Arboretum is approximately 8 miles.
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Coco Palms
The Coco Palms opened in 1953 and was the oldest hotel on the
Garden Isle of Kaua`i, and was the world's most famous
Polynesian resort. Elvis Presley filmed the finale of his film "Blue
Hawaii" there in 1961, immortalizing its lush coconut groves and
picturesque lagoons.
When Hurricane Iniki struck in September 1992, the Coco Palms
was shut down.The property, located on the southeast shore of
Kaua`i, has been left to decay now for over a decade.
Currently the Coco Palms Hotel is CLOSED.
In 2007 , Steph and I had the privalege to take a private tour of
both the grounds and inside the "Elvis" bungalow.
This album contains 18 photos
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Historic Heiau's Along Kuamo'o Road
Kalaeokamanu Heiau is on the north side of the river along
Kuamo'o Road, just beyond the old Coco Palms Hotel. Nearby are
the royal birthstones. Poli'ahu Heiau, a large war temple over an
acre in size, sits on a bluff on the north bank of the Wailua River
near Opaeka'a Falls. All the sites are listed on the state and
national registers of historic places. A series of interpretive signs
near the Poli'ahu Heiau describe archaeological sites along the river.
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Opaeka'a Falls
Located off the north branch of the Wailua River, this fall is not
accessible by river or trail. An overlook, however, off Kuamo'o
Road provides an excellent and safe viewing area. The falls are
approximately 150 tall and flow year-round.
Be sure and cross the road to the Wailua River overlook. Below
you will see kayaks and river boats which go to the Fern Grotto.
Wailua River is the only navigable river in all Hawaii.
You will also see the Kamokila Hawaiian Village. It was also the
place where Kaumualii, King of Kauai, assembled his war canoes.
This album contains 3 photos
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Keahua Forestry Arboretum
The arboretum has monkey pod, mango, and fragrant eucalyptus
trees. Picnic tables and pavilions are scattered throughout the
area. Several streams and freshwater pools that feed into the
Wailua River flow nearby and provide a cool relaxing area to swim
and frolic.
There are several trails, such as the Kuilau Ridge Trail and
Powerline Trail, start or pass by here, as well as the trail through
the arboretum. This road begins your trip to Mount Waialeale and
Blue Hole.
This album contains 6 photos
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Powerline Trail
Just past the arboretum, the Powerline Trail is aptly named as it
follows the transmission lines that carry electricity from the power
plant in the south shore to the communities on the north shore.
Bringing you about halfway up the side of Mount Waialeale, you
will enjoy incredible vistas usually reserved for those willing to fork
over big bucks to take a helicopter tour. The trail is basically a
muddy road which hunters and utility crews use so be careful. The
trail is about 13 miles long and ends at the Princeville Ranch
Stables.
This album contains 4 photos
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Water Crossing #2
About half way to the Jurassic Gate you will come to this second
water crossing. The first time we came the water was flowing 2’
over the road. The good thing was it made us stop and look
around. There were trees towering 100’ overhead covered in vines
and ferns. There were picnic tables also set beside the stream.
Two days later on our return, the water was down and several
families were taking advantage of the cool water and having a
picnic.
This album contains 9 photos
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Jurassic Park Gate
Our destination was the place where the huge gate of the 1993
movie Jurrasic Park was built. The road to the gate is through the
rainforest on the Waikoko Forest Management Road and is
extremely rough and rutted. Hawaii Movie Tours aptly describes
this portion of the tour. "Deep into Kauai's interior, driving thru
rivers and streams, this breathtaking journey will take you back in
time. In addition to the seclusion of this drive, you learn about
and see Kauai's rich flora."
This album contains 3 photos
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Blue Hole- Wai'ale'ale Crater
At the end of the road you will come to another steam. There is a
nice parking area for those who want to hike up to Blue Hole. Blue
Hole is at the base of Mt. Waialeale, which is known as one of the
wettest place on earth. 'Blue Hole' is what the locals call this spot
but is not a hole, but rather a large pool fed by two streams and
a waterfall. Blue Hole rests just outside the cylindrical cavity of an
old extinct volcano. The view before you offers 2000-foot vertical
walls draped with waterfalls. This is the spot where the waterfalls
converge into a river. The trail to Blue Hole was not very defined
and very overgrown. Along the way you will find lots of helicopters
flying above and below you at different points.
This album contains 9 photos
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Kuilau Ridge Trail
This two mile trail (one way) starts about 100 yards from the
Keahua Forestry Arboretum and runs along the Kuilau ridge to
the start of the Moalepe Trail (The trail changes name in the
middle of a bridge over a mountain stream). The trail starts out
on a gradual incline well maintained pathway and passes through
thick forests. The trail provides breathtaking scenery. This is one
of the easiest trails we have hiked on Kauai.You'll hike up to some
picnic tables, but keep going because after these the trail zig zags
through paradise! Wind your way past grassy hillsides, dewy
bushes, white egrets circling overhead, and lush areas of
vegetation, including fields of ferns. You'll see Mt. Wai'ale'ale in
the distance, usually with waterfalls pouring off its sides. At some
points you'll catch glimpses of Kapa'a and Lihue. At other times,
you'll only hear the waterfalls and feel the jungle breathing! The
earth is alive and pulsating on this trail.
This album contains 11 photos
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