Wailua Falls

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Wailua Falls is an 80 foot waterfall located in Kauai, Hawaii that feeds into the Wailua River. There is a path to the bottom of the falls, but it is muddy, slippery and dangerous. Some hikers have strung ropes along the path, but officials come by every so often and cut them. Before Europeans arrived, native Hawaiian men would jump from these falls to prove their manhood. They didn't always survive.

The Falls were featured on the opening credits of the television show Fantasy Island.

[edit] Driving Directions to Wailua Falls

If you are coming from the Kapa’a area, head south on Kuhio Highway (56). About 5 miles past the Wailua River, turn right (e huli akau) onto Ma’alo Road (road 583). The drive up Ma’alo Road only takes a few minutes and winds its way up to the falls in about 2.5 miles.

If you are coming from the Lihue area, head north on Kuhio Highway (56). The turn off to Ma’alo Road is only a mile north of Lihue, if you see Hanama’ulu Bay on your right, you have gone too far. Turn left (e huli hema) onto Ma’alo Road and follow this up to the falls.

Government maps of these falls list their height at 80 feet. The staff from the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook has done hand measurements using fishing line and come up with a figure closer to 173 feet.

People often swim in the pools below the falls. There are two trails to the bottom, neither are professionally maintained and both are potentially dangerous. The steepest trail starts off from the viewing area by the metal guard-rail. The more gentle trail is three tenths of a mile back down the road. This trail takes longer and the scenery is really pretty. Both trails have signs posted by the state advising not to take the trails to the bottom. More information on this and other Hawaiian drives can be found here. http://www.hawaiidrive-o.com/hawaii-drives.html