Limahuli Valley, North Kauai

One of the most beautiful places I visit for work is Limahuli Valley, located in Haena, North Kauai.

As a National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), the land above Kuhio Highway is managed for its native species and habitat…

…with the exception of the well known “cold pond” roadside. hehe. 🙂

The lowest part of the valley consists of several terraced lo‘i kalo (taro patches) and the Limahuli Gardens, which is open to the public.

The land in the mid and upper portions of the watershed, is Limahuli Preserve, where access is restricted. Here, restoration efforts by the NTBG have been successful in helping reduce the number of invasive species, as well as to plant natives throughout the valley.

After repairing a stream gauge station in the lower valley, I hiked further into Limahuli valley to check on an old weather station some of my colleagues setup which had been down for some time.

The forest and stream back here are gorgeous,

..with several cascade-like waterfalls,

…and step pools.

There is a sizable waterfall at the back of the valley, which does not have much flow. The stream supposedly gains the majority of its water from the surrounding aquifers as it approaches the ocean.

Regardless, a beautiful place which I was privileged to visit.

Feel free to explore Limahuli Gardens after checking into their office. Please respect the NTBG management and private residents here and do not go beyond the indicated trail/path, unless you are accompanied by Limahuli Staff and/or have permission to go back in the valley.

Aloha and mahalo nui for visiting and come back again soon!

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