After paddling his one-man kayak by moonlight along the Napali Coast, a region of Kauais North Shore accessible only by ocean, or by hiking the challenging 11-mile Kalalau Trail cut high into the cliffs, Kevin spent the night under the stars at Hanakapiai Beach. This discovery supported claims regarding native tribes having lived in the area in the mid-19th century. Mahalo! Remember that this location is sacred to the locals of Hawaii and should be treated with respect, and you should leave no trace when you decide to leave. [9] Scenes that involved filming in the ocean were hard to film due to the 12-foot-high waves. But there was no boat, he says. At the lower end of the valley is Honop's secluded, .25-mile (0.40 km) beach, also known as Cathedral Beach. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Legend has it that this valley was home to the last of the Menehune, a mythical people who some say inhabited the islands before the Polynesians landed. When you get a chance to step foot in this gorgeous landmark, always keep in mind to respect each element in the area, as well as the history that encompasses years and years of Hawaiian culture. Honopu Trail Hiking Trail, Waimea, Hawaii Honopu Trail Difficult 4.1 (7) Areas HI Kauai and Niihau Kkee State Park Plan with onX Backcountry " A tough, unmaintained trail with a rewarding view at the end. Well, the only way to legally access it is by swimming. I simply tell him that I know nothing about the paranormal other than my own mystical experience on the Napali Coast with the spirit of Honopu., Kevin Donald lived on Kauai in the 1970s, and visits his sister, Elizabeth Matz, who still lives here, as often as possible. While there is a good bit of descent in the first mile and a half, it's not that much different than many of the ridges in the area. Daily, Because Honopu Valley is isolated and not easily accessible except by water, many stories have formed about what events occurred in the area in olden times. honopu valley legend - iccleveland.org The erroneous legend endures up to this day, but the isolated valley is also widely believed among locals to be a place of temples and a burial site for the islands chiefs. Nualolo is probably steeper going down than Honopu; though Honopu does have some very steep areas. Numerous normal-sized skulls lined the base of the back wall. Honop Valley is a landmark valley within N Pali Coast State Park along the northwest shore of Kauai,Hawaii. Trail markers seem to be missing. Get a map first! - Review of Honopu , such as guavas and grapefruit that grows along its coast. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, Today's Paper Hawaiian Legends Index Back to Subject Browse. "headline": "Honopu Beach, Kauai: A Complete Guide", The. These spots are better appreciated through a helicopter tour or a boat cruise through the Na Pali Coast. In olden times, it was believed that once a chief died, their bones were collected and taken to the cliffs, and the warrior who transported the bones had to die in order to ensure the secrecy of the location of the bones. The voice was chanting in Hawaiian near the foot of my sleeping pad, and I was instantly aware of a presence nearby. , and only before the winds have picked up. The Honopu Valley, which is easily spotted for its distinctive natural arch is filled with stories and wonder that youll want to explore if youre planning a trip to Kauais most famous coastline. While invasive ungulates, such as boars, deer and goats, can directly damage the birds and their nesting burrows, they also create additional harm to the ecosystem at large by trampling native plants and creating erosion through the digging of their hoofs into the landscape. We are conveniently located in Port Allen, to serve guests of Kauai staying in Koloa, Poipu, Waimea, Kapaa, Wailua, Lihue, Kilauea, Hanalei, and Princeville. It comes from the conch-like sound the arch makes in high winds, and conch shell in Hawaiian is called Honopu. I was shocked awake, he says. Honopu Beach, on Kauai's Na Pali Coast, features a 90-foot natural arch in the middle that is large enough to fly a helicopter through. It was a lesson in moment by moment letting go of control and at the same time, an embracing of both deliberate and spontaneous laying in of color. It is the largest natural arch in Hawaii and has been featured in several different movies. The arch collapsed in 1992, but the beach still retains its name. Nestled along Kauais 17-mile Na Pali Coast is a landmark valley surrounded by a beautiful mystery. On one side a waterfall flows onto the beach from Honopu Valley, while sand dunes can be found on both sides. The land on Honopu Valley is highly fertile, making it a great base for communities and even castaways! The Pratt & Whitney power turbines of the Bell 212 helicopter are considered to be one of the most dependable engine combinations ever designed, the pilot explained. Fins are also highly recommended. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Once you step foot on Honopu Valleys beaches, youll understand why its been given such a name. Just as beautiful as the valleys surroundings are the legends that have formed from its mysterious location. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Eventually, you'll come to a hill where the trail descends very steeply again onto the outer (third) portion of the ridge. | 72.077. The end of the valley houses two secluded small beaches collectively called Honopu beach or Cathedral Beach both believed to be spiritual spots for their calm waters and history. This leads to the question, How do you get to Honopu Beach?. A Guide to Honopu Valley and Beach in Kauai. 3137 Kuhio Hwy., Lihue, HI 96766 Telephone: (808) 245-3681, Hawaii Tourism Authority responds to slashed funding. The views from the end of the second portion of the trail are fantastic, and they won't get much better further out. The first time had been in 1968 while under gunfire, transporting wounded soldiers in Vietnam. When you do get to Honopu Beach, make sure to keep in mind that it is treated by the locals as a sacred piece of Hawaiian culture. Its no question why Honopu Valley and Beach is listed as one of the worlds most beautiful and dramatic spots. A skull and vertebrae were eroding out of the soil and the vertebrae were rolling down the incline from the steep location. DLNR to several unpermitted photographers: cease and desist }, Adventure Tours 2020 All Rights Reserved Site Map Disclaimer, Honopu Beach is one of the most beautiful and, You dont have to make the intense swim to the beach to enjoy the uniqueness of the area. The Napali Coast on the island of Kauai The unofficial trail was closed due to deterioration, even before Hurricane Iniki in 1982, but local hikers manage to keep it passable. [12][13], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}221003N 1594016W / 22.16750N 159.67111W / 22.16750; -159.67111. The pilot shared some of his own stories about accidentally disturbing ancient Hawaiian spirits, though with far more dramatic repercussions. By Pamela Varma Brown | Sunday, December 6, 2015, 2 a.m. The land on Honop Valley is highly fertile; a castaway could survive there simply on the large amount of wild fruit, such as guavas and grapefruit, that grows along its coast. Your email address will not be published. If you happen to be someone who likes to jog across a knife-edge ridge with a several-thousand-foot precipice on both sides, the end of Honopu Ridge will give still give you pause to be mindful about how you proceed. Theres a reason its known as one of the worlds most beautiful destinations. But on this day, he asked Kevin and Mike if they would like to see the cave. Are you sure the database server is running. With its picturesque structure, a solid minute spent looking at it in awe is enough to last a lifetime. "url": "https://www.napaliriders.com/" In 1985, Kevin and Mike Weis, his business partner and longtime climbing buddy, were working as aerial riggers and stuntmen, hired to produce a Grape-Nuts cereal television commercial that involved rock climbing on Kauai. The location, topography, and nearby roads & trails around Honopue Valley (Valley) can be seen in the map layers above. You dont have to make the intense swim to the beach to enjoy the uniqueness of the area. Honop Ridge, above the cliffs, can be visited with a few miles' walk. The purpose of this fence is to remove hooved animals that are damaging federally listed threatened and endangered plants and seabirds occurring in this forested area. It actually consists of two coves with fine white sand, both backed by majestic 1200-foot (365 m) high sea cliffs and separated by the Honopu Arch. Being burial grounds for Hawaiian royalty, its essential that you remain sensitive to your surroundings while visiting the beach. Thankfully, after a few minutes we banked toward the sea and flew back to the film shoot without incident. The entire setting had an eerie vibe woven around the feeling that it looked like the village could have been inhabited just days earlier, he says. Kevin explained that he had lived on Kauai during the 1970s and had been into upper Honopu Valley. The name Honopu means conch shell in Hawaiian, because of the sound the northerly winds make when they blow through the arch. Numerous ancient Hawaiian engineering marvels such as heiau (temples), fishponds, roads, and other structures were attributed to the Menehune. 180 m (600 ft) elev., UTM 0431028 - Honopu Ridge: 489 Reviews, Map - Kaua'i, Hawaii | AllTrails The attached . are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. "Honopu Valley, because of the mystery surrounding the exodus of the people who lived there until the mid-19th century, is sometimes called "The Valley of the Lost Tribe." In 1922, visiting. It can be difficult to find, but it is definitely worth the effort! Honopu Valley Na Pali Coast Kauai Hawaii Crater Valley Mountain - eBay It is known for its distinctive natural arch, which at approximately 90 feet (27 m) tall is the tallest in Hawaii. Inspired by mytime touring and exploring the NaPali coast of Kauai. Overall though, we feel the trail is fairly easy to follow and is well marked. I had to abandon control of certain elements of my style and open myself up to a bolder looser expression of the brushstroke and subject matter. ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. The two hidden and pristine white sand beaches at the end of Honopu Valley are joined by a 90-foot high arch through the base of the rocky outcropping separating them.