Hawai'i - Kauai

Wailua Falls

The 173 foot falls are located on the south fork of the Wailua River near Lihue. The waterfall is featured on the opening credits of the old television series Fantasy Island.

Fern Grotto, Wailua, Kauai

Fern Grotto is a fern-covered, lava rock grotto located on the Wailua River on the eastern side of Kauai. Access to the Grotto is by boat on the Wailua River as part of the Wailua River State Park. Tour boats ply the waters of the park and the Grotto has long been a popular stop on the tour. Fern Grotto was nearly destroyed when the island of Kauai was hit by hurricane Iniki in 1992. Most of the ferns hanging from the grotto were torn from the rocks and, though much of the plant life has rebounded, the grotto has yet to recover much of the grandeur for which it was previously known. In spite of the damage, it remains one of the most popular and beautiful spots on the island.

Songs of Hawaii

Songs of ancient Hawaii at the Fern Grotto, Wailua, Kauai

Waioli Beach, Kauai

Waioli Beach just outside of Hanalei town and is located in the middle of Hanalei Bay. It is locally known as the Pine Trees beach, because of the numerous ironwood pines that line the back of the beach. You can see them in the middle of this photo. The beach is a popular surfing spot among locals. It is home to the annual Pine Tree Classic, a surfing competition open to beginners. This is also where World Champion surfers Bruce and Andy Irons grew up and honed their surfing skills. A large ironwood tree facing the ocean serves as a memorial for Andy who passed away in 2010.

Kilauea Point

Looking west from Kilauea Point towards Hanalei Bay, Kauai. Tradewinds are driving the surf and mist blowing onto the island.

Ke'e Beach

Ke’e Beach is at the end of the Kuhio Highway and the farthest you can drive on the north shore. It's protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. It's also the beginning of the Napali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach. During the summer the water can be as calm and clear as a swimming pool but it can be dangerous in the winter with high surf and strong currents as it is in this photo.

Nā Pali Coast

The awesome power of a wave as it breaks on the shore. To me, this one looked like the hand of Poseidon reaching out of the sea. This incredible surf is being driven by 35 mph tradewinds.

Waioli Huiia Church

The old Waioli Huiia Church, which was founded in 1834. Its green shingles and stained glass windows are a picturesque symbol of Hanalei, Kauai.

Hawaiian Dude

A wooden statue in front of a store in Hanalei, Kauai

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

Opeakaa Falls is located in Wailua, the land of the ali’i (kings) . Opeakaa Falls is part of the north branch of the Wailua River, the 151 foot falls span 40 feet wide and are easily observed at the Opeakaa Falls overlook off of Kuamoo Road. The name Opaeka'a dates back to the days when shrimp roamed the river and were seen rolling in the turbulent waters at the base of the falls. "Opae" is the Hawaiian word for "shrimp," and "ka'a" means "rolling."

Waimea Canyon, Kauai

Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is about ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep. It's located on the western side of Kauaʻi. Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water", a reference to the erosion of the canyon's red soil. The canyon was formed by a deep incision of the Waimea River arising from the extreme rainfall on the island's central peak, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, among the wettest places on earth.

Kayaking on the Wailua

The Wailua River is usually calm and gentle, making it the perfect body of water in Kauai for kayaking or stand up paddling.