'Opaeka'a Falls
Encyclopedia
'Opaeka'a Falls is a waterfall
located on the Wailua River
in Wailua River State Park
on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island
of Kauai
. It is a 151–foot waterfall
that flows over basalt
from volcanic
eruptions
millions of years ago. 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, " 'opae" being Hawaiian for "shrimp," and "ka'a" for "rolling". The name dates back to days when the native freshwater shrimp
Atyoida bisulcata were plentiful in the stream and were seen rolling and tumbling down the falls and into the churning waters at the fall's base.
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 feet (12.2 m) 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. If the day is cloudy the view is less spectacular.
can be viewed by crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing sign.
fence
since 2006 when two women fell off an unofficial but well-publicized rocky path to the pool. Two other hikers
found their bodies 35 feet (10.7 m) away from the pool. At the time they fell from the path the state had already posted a sign at head of trail saying "Danger Keep Out
— Hazardous Conditions
". This means that currently neither the top nor the bottom of the waterfall can be accessed on foot. However, unofficially there are paths to both places, so-called "secret trails", which circulate via guide book
s, websites and by word of mouth
. "It's clear that anything that may look like a trail around 'Opaeka'a is not a state-sanctioned trail," said the head of the island's official trails system. State park officials have made it clear that the trail was never part of the park's official trail system and that the steel blockade to the trail will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Violating the blockade is considered a misdemeanor
with a possible penalty of a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.
The closing of these "unofficial" trails is very controversial and many hikers think that people should be allowed to take their chances. They feel that warning sign and other state measures are merely an attempt for the state to avoid lawsuit
s.
There are rumors that there is an unkempt 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) hunter trail leading to the bottom, where there is access to the large, deep pool at the bottom of the falls. Many deny the existence of the trail due to the danger in following these trails.
. At the milepost 6, 580 heads inland for three miles (5 km). Route 580 is called Kuamo'o Road at this point and it is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the Opaeka'a Falls parking lot and overlook. Route 580 goes through a notch in the ridge that the Wailua River has eroded
. There are no state-maintained trails to either the top or the bottom of the waterfall from the Kuamo'o Road overlook.
, volcano
es and violence. Also nearby is the bell stone
believed to have been used by ancient Hawaiians to ward off danger. Striking the bell with another stone results in a distinctive low frequency sound that can be heard for at least a mile down the valley.
Wailua Falls
is also nearby.
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
located on the Wailua River
Wailua River
The Wailuā River is a river on the island of Kauai in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is formed by the confluence of its North and South forks just west of Wailua and enters the Pacific Ocean at . It is the only navigable river in the Hawaiian Islands...
in Wailua River State Park
Wailua River State Park
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...
on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
. It is a 151–foot waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
that flows over basalt
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
from volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
eruptions
Hawaiian eruption
A Hawaiian eruption is a type of volcanic eruption where lava flows from the vent in a relative gentle, low level eruption, so called because it is characteristic of Hawaiian volcanoes. Typically they are effusive eruptions, with basaltic magmas of low viscosity, low content of gases, and high...
millions of years ago. Below the ridge
Ridge
A ridge is a geological feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for some distance. Ridges are usually termed hills or mountains as well, depending on size. There are several main types of ridges:...
down into the ravine
Ravine
A ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
through which the water falls can be seen the vertical dikes
Dike (geology)
A dike or dyke in geology is a type of sheet intrusion referring to any geologic body that cuts discordantly across* planar wall rock structures, such as bedding or foliation...
of basalt that cut through the horizontal Koloa lava flows
Lava
Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. This molten rock is formed in the interior of some planets, including Earth, and some of their satellites. When first erupted from a volcanic vent, lava is a liquid at...
. The name "Opaeka'a" means rolling shrimp, " 'opae" being Hawaiian for "shrimp," and "ka'a" for "rolling". The name dates back to days when the native freshwater shrimp
Atyidae
Atyidae is a family of shrimp, present in all tropical and most temperate waters of the world. Adults of this family are almost always confined to fresh water...
Atyoida bisulcata were plentiful in the stream and were seen rolling and tumbling down the falls and into the churning waters at the fall's base.
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 feet (12.2 m) 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. If the day is cloudy the view is less spectacular.
View from highway
The highway parking lot offers an excellent overview of the double 'Opaeka'a Falls. The tops of the Makeleha Mountains can be seen in the background while tropical birds soar through the valley below. The best view of the falls is seen by taking the sidewalk past the parking lot and walking toward the bridge. The Wailua RiverWailua River
The Wailuā River is a river on the island of Kauai in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is formed by the confluence of its North and South forks just west of Wailua and enters the Pacific Ocean at . It is the only navigable river in the Hawaiian Islands...
can be viewed by crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing sign.
Trail closures
However it is not possible to climb down to where the water falls into a pool. The trail has been blocked by a steelSteel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
fence
Fence
A fence is a freestanding structure designed to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary. It is generally distinguished from a wall by the lightness of its construction: a wall is usually restricted to such barriers made from solid brick or concrete, blocking vision as well as passage .Fences...
since 2006 when two women fell off an unofficial but well-publicized rocky path to the pool. Two other hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
found their bodies 35 feet (10.7 m) away from the pool. At the time they fell from the path the state had already posted a sign at head of trail saying "Danger Keep Out
Precautionary statements
In United States safety standards, precautionary statements are sentences providing information on potential hazards, and proper procedures. They are used in situations from consumer product on labels and manuals, to descriptions of physical activities...
— Hazardous Conditions
Hazard
A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes "active", it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is not...
". This means that currently neither the top nor the bottom of the waterfall can be accessed on foot. However, unofficially there are paths to both places, so-called "secret trails", which circulate via guide book
Guide book
A guide book is a book for tourists or travelers that provides details about a geographic location, tourist destination, or itinerary. It is the written equivalent of a tour guide...
s, websites and by word of mouth
Word of mouth
Word of mouth, or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication. Storytelling is the oldest form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others of something, whether a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and...
. "It's clear that anything that may look like a trail around 'Opaeka'a is not a state-sanctioned trail," said the head of the island's official trails system. State park officials have made it clear that the trail was never part of the park's official trail system and that the steel blockade to the trail will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Violating the blockade is considered a misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
with a possible penalty of a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail.
The closing of these "unofficial" trails is very controversial and many hikers think that people should be allowed to take their chances. They feel that warning sign and other state measures are merely an attempt for the state to avoid lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
s.
There are rumors that there is an unkempt 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) hunter trail leading to the bottom, where there is access to the large, deep pool at the bottom of the falls. Many deny the existence of the trail due to the danger in following these trails.
Directions
Once on island, the falls can be accessed by Route 580Hawaii Route 580
Route 580 is a five mile road that stretches from Route 56 in Wailua to where the road is no longer serviced by Hawaii Department of Transportation just south of the Wailua Reservoir on the island of Kauai.-Background:...
. At the milepost 6, 580 heads inland for three miles (5 km). Route 580 is called Kuamo'o Road at this point and it is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the Opaeka'a Falls parking lot and overlook. Route 580 goes through a notch in the ridge that the Wailua River has eroded
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
. There are no state-maintained trails to either the top or the bottom of the waterfall from the Kuamo'o Road overlook.
Nearby sights
On the opposite side of the road near the falls is the relatively well-preserved ancient temple of Poli'ahu Heiau, also thought to have once been a luakini. It is named after the snow goddess, Poli'ahu, sister of Pele, the goddess of fire, lightningLightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
, volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
es and violence. Also nearby is the bell stone
Bell stone
The bellstone is a pillar located in Kauai County, Hawaii near 'Opaeka'a Falls. It is so named because, when struck sharply, a note would resonate over a large area of Wailua Valley, warning of danger. Royal births were announced this way....
believed to have been used by ancient Hawaiians to ward off danger. Striking the bell with another stone results in a distinctive low frequency sound that can be heard for at least a mile down the valley.
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls
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. In ancient times,...
is also nearby.