Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
amphitheater filled with ferns. The grotto is the source of many Hawaiian leg-
ends and a popular site for weddings.
Wailua Marina, at the mouth of the Wailua River; turn off Kuhio Hwy. (Hwy. 56) into Wailua Marine State Park.
Daily 9am-3:30pm. Admission $15 adults, $7.50 children 3-12; reservations recommended.
WAILUA RIVER STATE PARK
Ancients called the Wailua River “the river of the great sacred spirit.” Seven tem-
ples once stood along this 20-mile river, which is fed by 5,148-foot Mount
Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth. You can go up Hawaii's biggest navigable
river by boat or kayak (see “For the Active Family,” later in this chapter). You
can also drive Kuamoo Road (Hwy. 580, sometimes called King's Hwy.), which
goes inland along the north side of the river from Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56)—
from the northbound lane, turn left at the stoplight just before the ruins of Coco
Palms Resort. Kuamoo Road goes past the heiau (temple) and historical sites to
Opaekaa Falls and Keahua Arboretum, a State Division of Forestry attempt to
reforest the watershed with native plants.
There's a nice overlook view of 40-foot Opaekaa Falls 1 1 2 miles up High-
way 580. This is probably the best-looking drive-up waterfall on Kauai. With
the scenic peaks of Makaleha mountains in the background and a restored
Hollywood Loves Kauai
More than 50 major Hollywood productions have been shot on Kauai
since the studios discovered the island's spectacular natural beauty.
Here are just a few:
• Manawaiopu Falls, Mount Waialeale, and other scenic areas around
the island doubled for Jurassic Park.
• Kauai's lush rainforests formed a fantastic backdrop for Harrison
Ford in both Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones & the Tem-
ple of Doom.
• Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, and Charles Grodin tangled with Holly-
wood's most famous gorilla in Honopu Valley, in the remake of King
Kong (1976).
• Dustin Hoffman appeared with Robin Williams and Julia Roberts in
Hook (1991), in which Kauai appeared as Never-Never Land.
Now you can visit these and other Kauai locations that made it to the
silver screen, plus locations from such TV classics as Fantasy Island and
Gilligan's Island, with Hawaii Movie Tours ( & 800/628-8432 or 808/
822-1192; www.hawaiimovietour.com). The commentary and sightsee-
ing stops are supplemented by video clips of the location shots (com-
plete with surround-sound); in addition, a guide leads singalongs of
movie and TV themes as you go from locale to locale in a 16-passenger
minivan. (For comfort, only 11 passengers are carried.) All in all, there's
a whole lot of fun to be had, though the tour is best for children ages
5 and up. You'll see more of Kauai on this tour (including private
estates not open to the public) than you would if you explored the
island yourself. Tickets are $101 for adults and $76 for children 11 and
under; the tour lasts most of the day, and lunch is included.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search