Wailua Falls, sitting just north of Lihue at the south end of the Wailua River in Wailua River State Park, is a spectacular 80-foot waterfall (as measured by state officials). Others have claimed the plumb line as actually being 173 feet high. During high flows, it appears a one single massive fall, but during lower flow, it separates into three different segments–one of which cascades down two drops–over flat rock with channels cut from erosion. The falls was made famous when it was featured in the opening scene of the popular television show, Fantasy Island. During ancient times, warriors would dive over the falls to prove their bravery.
Unlike most waterfalls in Kaua’i, which are inaccessible or on private land, Wailua Falls is easily accessible from above via a well marked, developed viewpoint. The brave and surefooted can hike down a steep, slippery and at times dangerous trail to the bottom of the falls.
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