ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, on ʻŌpaekaʻa Stream in Wailua River State Park on eastern Kauai, drops 151 feet over volcanic basalt and is among the island’s most accessible waterfalls, visible directly from the road. Its name, meaning “rolling shrimp,” recalls the native freshwater shrimp once abundant in the stream and seen tumbling into the pool below. Usually flowing as a double cascade, the year-round falls are also valued for exposed basalt dikes cutting through older lava flows. Visitors can enjoy broad views from the highway overlook, but foot access to the top or bottom is prohibited after fatal falls in 2006.

Wailua Homesteads, Hawaii · United States