Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast
Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast are two of the Top 5 favorite natural wonders of Hawaii according to a Hawaii Magazine reader poll. The Grand Canyon of the Pacific owes its distinct beauty to millions of years of rainwater coursing down the Waimea River from Mount Waialeale’s peak (the wettest places on earth) and turning black lava rock to bright red dirt. The result is a 10-mile, 3,000 ft. deep canyon. Whether viewing it by helicopter, by hiking trail, or at a handful of popular lookouts perched on its edge, Waimea Canyon is a spectacular site. There is nothing in this world as gorgeous as the Napali Coast. The 16-mile Napali Coast on Kauai’s northwest side is a garden of unblemished natural treasures. There are sheer sea cliffs reaching more than 4,000 feet from ocean to summit, secluded stretches of golden sand beach, isolated waterfalls, and valleys.
Also in the Top 5 Hawaii natural wonders are:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island) – The Kilauea Volcano is like nowhere else in the world. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a place where you can walk right up to a volcano, hike through fern-filled tropical rain forests, cross a lava desert, gaze at the planet’s most massive volcano Mauna Loa, watch steam and ash pour into the sky, walk through a lava-built natural tunnel, and see and hear molten lava pouring into the sea.
Haleakala National Park (Maui) – Haleakala means “house of the sun,” and the park’s volcanic crater is its biggest attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors each morning for amazing sunrises. From Haleakala’s summit 10,023 ft. above sea level you can see five other islands. The park also encompasses lush Kipahulu Valley and the popular Seven Sacred Pools.
Diamond Head (Oahu) – The extinct volcanic cone of Diamond Head is perhaps Hawaii’s most recognized natural landmark. A 45-minute hike from the cone’s interior floor to its highest point overlooking Waikiki, Honolulu, and Oahu’s entire south shore is one of the island’s most popular.
Water – Facts
Even though we live in a place like Kauai with Mt Waialeale (the wettest place on Earth), we still have to conserve water. Water is precious to all of us, because a typical human being is 70% water and could survive roughly a month without food, but only a week without water. The human brain is 75% water… let’s use it wisely.
Water consumption (per person) is doubling every 20 years, more than twice the rate of human population growth. Technology and sanitation systems in the past have encouraged people to use far more water than they need. The average single-family home uses 80 gallons of water per person each day in the winter and 120 gallons in the summer. Two thirds of the water used in a home is used in the bathroom. To flush a toilet we use 2 to 7 gallons of water. In a five-minute shower we use 25 to 50 gallons of water. To brush your teeth you could use 2 gallons of water.
Only 3% of the Earth’s total water is freshwater. Of that, only 1% is available for human consumption, leaving a grand total of 0.01% of the Earth’s total water being usable. Looking at it a different way, if all the world’s water were fit into a gallon jug, the fresh water available for us to use would equal only about one tablespoon. 10% of water is used for domestic use. 25% of water is used by industry. 65% of all water used is for irrigation.
Luckily for us, the Earth continues to make freshwater. It happens when the sun heats and evaporates water from the oceans. The salts and other minerals are left behind, creating pure water vapor in the air. As it is carried higher to cooler air, it condenses and makes clouds, which can produce rain or snow when forced higher over land. A single tree will give off 70 gallons of water per day in evaporation. That’s the water cycle, and there is the same amount of water on Earth today as there was 3 billion years ago.
Kauai Hike – Nounou Mountain Trail (East)
The Nounou Mountain Trail (East) climbs to the top of Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant) from ocean side (makai). The sleeping giant’s profile is easily seen from the coast near Kapa’a. This trail is a moderately steep walk through forested mountains with gorgeous views of the coastal areas surrounding Kapa’a, Makahela Mountain, and Mt. Waialeale.
Similar to the other trails up Sleeping Giant, it is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system, and wanders through the Nounou Mountain Forest Reserve. The trail begins with several switchbacks through a shady forest of ironwood, guava, lantana, and wild liliko’i. Along the way you are treated to stunning views of Kapa’a, Kalepa Ridge, Wailua Bay, and the Hoary Head Mountains.
At about 1.5 miles is the junction with the West trail on your right. Both trails lead to the left and soon to the picnic shelter and overlook. At this point you are on the giant’s chest where you can enjoy a picnic and amazing views of the Wailua river, the eastern coast of Kauai, and the interior of the island, but there are no facilities or water. The giant’s head is the only thing obstructing a panoramic view. If you are sure-footed, you can hike onward via a brief but very precarious trail onto the sleeping giant’s face. The trail is extremely narrow in parts with hundred foot drop offs at many points. Proceed with caution.
Directions: To access the East trailhead, heading north towards Kapaa, pass over the Wailua Bridge, pass the light at Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road), and take a left at the next light on Halelilio Road. You are now driving toward the mountain, and the parking area for the trailhead is paved and marked with the Na Ala Hele trail sign about 1 mile on your right.
Length: 1.75 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 1000 feet
Kauai Hike – Nounou Mountain Trail (West)
The Nounou Mountain Trail (West) is one of the three trails that climb to the summit of Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant). The sleeping giant’s profile is easily seen from nearly anywhere along the coast surrounding Kapa’a. This trail is a moderately steep walk through forested mountains with excellent views of the Makaleha Mountains, Mount Waialeale, Wailua River, and the Coconut Coast.
All Sleeping Giant trails are part of the Na Ala Hele trail system and wander through the Nounou Mountain Forest Reserve. The West trail begins at a public access on Highway 581 at telephone pole #11. It starts along a grassy right-of-way, and then climbs up into the forest. This trail is tucked in the forest for a majority of the hike, passing through a large grove of Norfolk Pines on their way to the top. Just as you enter the stand of Norfolks, you will come to the Kuamoo Trail on the right. Veer left and continue your ascent.
Just before the top is the junction with the East Trail on your left. The hike continues to a picnic shelter and overlook. At this point you are on the giant’s chest where you can enjoy the amazing view and a picnic, but there are no facilities or water. The giant’s head is the only thing obstructing a panoramic view. If you are sure-footed, you can hike onward via a brief but very precarious trail onto the sleeping giant’s face. The trail is extremely narrow in parts with hundred foot drop offs at many points. Proceed with caution.
Directions: To access the West trailhead, take Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road) from Wailua for approximately 2.5 miles, and turn right at Kamalu Road (Hwy 581). The trailhead is another 1.5 miles on the right side of the road at telephone pole #11. You can also find a few parking spots at the end of Lokelani. Travel past pole #11 and take a right on Lokelani, and follow it to the end where you will see the Na Ala Hele trail sign.
Length: 1.5 mi.
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 800 feet
Kauai Hikes – Kuilau Trail
This hike is one of the more beautiful foliage walks, following an old road turned trail that gently guides you up to a glorious view of the Makaleha Mountains. At the beginning of the path you’ll catch glimpses to the west of Kawaikini and Mt. Waialeale, the wettest place on earth. For the first part of the trail you are treated to a smorgasbord of native and non-native plants from guava to the hala tree. At roughly the one mile point is an excellent spot to take a break. This grassy plateau with impressive views offers a picnic table and a forest of ohia trees which often produce a bright red bloom. The panoramas extend west across the lush hillsides of shrubs, vines and trees, and beautiful valley to Mount Waialeale.
The trail picks up to the east and descends slightly into a narrow, twisting ridge with lush, tropical greenery. After a quick ascent you’ll be treated to a lovely view of Nonou Mountain (Sleeping Giant). Further down the trail you will come to a wooden footbridge which crosses the Opaeka’a Stream. A junction lies up ahead and you need to take the left fork into a grouping of eucalyptuses and ferns. Just ahead is a beautiful veiw of Kapehua’ala, the highest peak of the Makaleha Mountains. The trail ends about 2.2 miles in at the Moalepe Trail. The total length of the two trails is 4.5 miles and is a popular bicycle and equestrian route.
Directions: To reach the trailhead take Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road) from Wailua for 7 miles until you reach Keahua Arboretum. There is a spillway across the road and parking for the Arboretum. The trail starts about 100 yards before the Arboretum.
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 700 feet
