The River Wailua, sacred place of the ancient Hawaiians

Post by joanna

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The river Wailua, in the east of Kauai, is the only navegable river in Hawaii. In fact, it was considered a sacred place by the ancient Hawaiians and still is by the descendants of the Hawaiian kingdom. Wailua is the region the royal family of Kauai chose to reside for generations, and once you have visited this place you will understand why.

In the mouth of the river, you will be able to explore an area full of HEIAUS, ruins of sacred places that are centuries old. The queens would give birth here as well, on what is still known as The Birth Stone, the rock where labor was induced and which continues to be visible and open to the public.

There are different ways in which you can explore this beautiful river. Renting a kayak and taking a tour, or doing it by yourself. Alternatively, you can take one of the boats that transports visitors and leaves every half an hour from Smith’s Family Restaurant. This option is pretty economical and could be an experience that you will remember from the Fantasy Island. There are hula dancers and musicians playing the most famous Hawaiian melodies. In addition, the views from on board are totally spectacular. The river is serene and perfect for water-skiing, and the climate of Wailua is, definitively, one of the best on the island.

Wailua River

If you take the boat, you will be able to visit the famous Fern Grotto. A cave of volcanic origin, covered with tropical ferns and springs that contribute to its unparalleled ambiance. Hundreds of couples get married in this place, since it is irresistably romantic.

If, however, you decide to go by kayak, which I prefer to do by myself, you can rent onf by day and take all the time you like. Along the route to the river there are supermarkets where you can buy something to have a picnic. Don’t forget to take water, protect yourself from the sun, and have fun!
Only for those who go by kayak, an optional route are the Secret Waterfalls. Once you take this route, you can go hiking until you find the waterfalls which are definitely a refreshing experience and absolutely welcomed after your trek.

Opaekaa Falls

Also in the region of Wailua, when you finish your kayak or boating adventure, you will be able to visit another waterfall, Opaekaa, which can be seen from the river and where you can get to by car. These are the waterfalls seen at the beginning of the famous television series, Fantasy Island. In this area, you can visit an ancient Hawaiian villa that has been restored so that you can learn about the people who arrived from Polynesia and who have since then captivated the imagination of so many generations. It is worth it to follow the route until the end of this road, at which point you will reach what is known as the Arboretum. A bucolic countryside, where you will be able to relax, surrounded by trees, with a breeze from across the valley coming from Mount Waiaelele.

In the region of Wailua, you will also be able to climb the mountain known as the Sleeping Giant. The legend goes that in the time of the Menehunes (archtypal inhabitants of diminuitive stature to whom the ancient Hawaiians attribute the construction of some of the most extraordinary examples of aqueducts on the islands) a giant came to this region and devoured great amounts of food, a Luau, in such an exaggerated way that he fell asleep never to awaken.

Images: TourHotSpot

Blogalaxia Tags: Hawaii, Kauai, Heiau, Nature, Wailua River, Opaekaa Falls, Sleeping Giant