Explore the East Side

Planning Your Ultimate Hawaiian Adventure

A stop at ʻOpaekaʻa Falls is a perfect anchor for a day of exploring Kauaʻi's beautiful East Side, and for those planning a multi-island trip, it helps to know the must-do experiences on our sister islands as well.

Beyond the Waterfall - Exploring Kauaʻi's East Side

After you've soaked in the views at ʻOpaekaʻa, the "Coconut Coast" has so much more to offer. You can easily spend a full day here. Consider heading back down the hill to spend an afternoon exploring the charming shops, art galleries, and amazing eateries of historic Kapaʻa Town. It's a fantastic place to find locally made crafts and enjoy some ono (delicious) food. If the view of the Wailua River inspired you, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to experience the Wailua River from the water itself, paddling to places like the famous Fern Grotto. And for the hikers in your group, if you're feeling energetic, the trail up Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) offers one of the most rewarding hikes on this side of the island, with incredible 360-degree views at the top.

Adrenaline and History Across the Islands

Many visitors I talk to are island-hopping, and if your journey takes you to our most populated island, Oʻahu, there are two experiences I always recommend to get a fuller picture of Hawaiʻi.

A Final Thought - Mālama ʻĀina (Caring for the Land)

As you stand at the ʻOpaekaʻa lookout, with the roar of the falls in one ear and the quiet whispers of history from the valley in the other, I hope you feel the duality that my tūtū taught me about all those years ago. This is a place of immense beauty, but it is also a place of immense cultural weight.

Remember that you are a guest in a sacred place. You are standing where kings and queens stood. You are looking out over a valley that has nourished our people, physically and spiritually, for a thousand years. The stones of the heiau still hold the prayers of our ancestors, and the river still carries their stories to the sea.

So please, take your beautiful photos, make your cherished memories, but do so with an open heart and a sense of reverence. Leave nothing behind but your footprints. Take with you nothing but the spirit of aloha. Mālama ʻāina—care for the land—and this land, in all its magnificent power and beauty, will care for you in return.