Kapaa

Kealia Beach Coastal Trail is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Kapa'a, Kauai, Hawaii.

There are a few different approaches for this hike - you can take either the East route, West route, or the Kuamoo-Nounou route. The East route is closest to nearby towns of Kapa'a and Wailua, so for convenience I chose this route.The trail quickly begins with several switchbacks, all of which are pretty gradual. You begin to gain elevation steadily past .75 miles. Once you reach about halfwa...

First, you need kayaks to get on the river. I bring my Oru Kayak with me everywhere, but we did have to rent one additional, and there are rentals everywhere - a quick Google search will get you tons of options. You can launch your boat from directly across the Wailua River Marina where you see the small cement ramp, plenty of parking and bathrooms (if you are renting a kayak, they will point y...

Easiest/Direct route: When in the Kapa'a area from the main highway turn left onto Kawaihau road. Follow Kawaihau all the way up until you see a sign for Kapahi road, turn left onto that road. Driving in, you'll see a red gate on your left-hand side. The parking area is just after the gate, along that side.As it IS a residential area and small, be VERY RESPECTFUL of the people that live there a...

The short, makeshift hike to the falls is well worth the effort – this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island of Kauai.Look for a small path at the south end of the parking lot. You will have to hop over a cement barrier that is about chest high (there is no sign marking this area as off-limits).The path down is very steep, and has ropes tied to the trees to help you navigate dow...

Parking at the trailhead is limited to approximately four vehicles, so arrive early. If you are unable to park, continue down Highway 580 and you will find parking next to Kawi Stream. The beginning of the trail, an old fire road, starts with a gradual incline where you are exposed to a variety of native plants and fruits. This trail can get very muddy, so be prepared. At the 1 mile mark, you w...

The hike to the Waimea Falls offers both the natural beauty of a tropical rainforest, as well as the unique, in situ opportunity to learn about local history. Although this hike can be crowded, it is definitely worthwhile to see and swim in this amazing Hawaiian waterfall. The approximately mile-long, flat path to the falls is lined with larger-than-life, exotic flowers, while large trees loom ...

There are lots of options for heli rides in Kauai, ranging from plush interiors with AC and noise canceling headphones, to deeply discounted, crowded rides, but my personal recommendation is to find a company that offers a doors off option (there are two options as of winter 2015/16). Not only will this let you get much better photos from above, but there is something pretty exhilarating about...

You will need a 4WD high clearance vehicle to reach this trail. To reach the trailhead, take Highway 580 which will eventually turn to dirt. You'll cross over a couple of streams and when you reach a Y, take a left. In one more mile, you will reach a second Y which you will turn left. If the gate is closed, you will have to continue on foot.The road at this point starts to become extremely roug...