Opaeka’a, Ho’opi’i and Wailua Falls

by kenji SAITO on January 20, 2019

Hiking Opaeka'a, Ho'opi'i and Wailua Falls

Most of the ahem, experienced crew were suffering from all sorts of ailments from yesterday’s outing, so the planned ridge hike was replaced by a bunch of short waterfalls.

Kapaa

Kapaa

We all got up at the crack of dawn … Photo by Bill Yogi.

Sunrise

Sunrise

… to catch the color cracking sunrise.

Ono Family Restaurant

Ono Family Restaurant

What happens when you are the last person to use the bathroom and your friends decide to move the jeep. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Opaeka'a Lookout

Opaeka’a Lookout

The view from the overlook. We wanted to get a better look at the 151′ falls. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Making our way down the hill.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Crossing the stream without spikes is not a good idea, especially in my case.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Shirley was happy with the girth of the rope going down.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

No rolling shrimp were seen at the base of the falls, but a rainbow was captured.

Opaeka'a Falls

Opaeka’a Falls

Anne was off taking her own picture so she was excluded from the group photo.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Using the hanging roots to swing ourselves across the stream.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Scampering up the hill, so that others could use the thick rope to make their way up. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Opaeka'a Trail

Opaeka’a Trail

Making our way back to the lookout to rejoin Cisco and Claudia who had …

Kamokila Hawaiian Village

Kamokila Hawaiian Village

… visited the reconstructed Hawaiian village that also served as a film location for the movie “Outbreak” in 1995. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Missing the e

Missing the e

I think it’s going to be hard for these three girls to comply with the sign, especially the one on the right.

Ho'opi'i Trail

Ho’opi’i Trail

Mixed messages were being sent on the trail through a mixture of free hiking sticks, kapu (off-limits) and leptospirosis (not a good thing to contract) signs.

Ho'opi'i Trail

Ho’opi’i Trail

Thanks for the heads up on this heavily trafficked trail that I dubbed the “Maunawili Falls of Kauai.”

Ho'opi'i Trail

Ho’opi’i Trail

Making our way down through the tangled branches and muddy trail.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

Group photo at the Mano de Dios amber mine that was used in the film “Jurassic Park” back in 1993. Pictured left to right: Anne, Cisco, Analyn, myself, Shirley, Claudia, Mia and Bill.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

Splasher. Photo by Shirley.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

Poser. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Ho'opi'i Trail

Ho’opi’i Trail

After everybody had their fill of swinging and splashing, we climbed back up the trail.

Ho'opi'i Trail

Ho’opi’i Trail

Calling Counting Cars.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

On our return, we dropped down a side trail to witness and participate in some cliff jumping.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

Anne taking the plunge, along with Mia as well. The rest of us landlubbers stayed topside.

Ho'opi'i Falls

Ho’opi’i Falls

Bill jumping off on the other side of the wall. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Wailua Trail

Wailua Trail

We parked near the lookout and made our way down the muddy trail.

Wailua Trail

Wailua Trail

It was a short and steep drop to the bottom.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls

The 173′ falls with a hint of rainbow that was used in the TV Show, “Fantasy Island” back in the day. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls

Might as well quaff down a bottle of Wailua Wheat at Wailua Falls. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls

Somebody else had to have their waterline shot as well.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls

Fording the stream to get back to Cisco and Claudia.

Wailua Trail

Wailua Trail

Making our way back up the short and steep hill to end our day.

Post hike meal

Post hike meal

We had our dinner at Rob’s Good Times Grill where we witnessed the New England Patriots securing their ninth visit to the Super Bowl. Nobody named Rob in the group? 10% discount? The weekend turned out to be good times with good friends. Thanks to everybody for joining and especially Bill for showing us all these amazing waterfalls. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

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