Shipwreck Beach to Makauwahi Cave
A walk along the Pacific in Kauai
My destination was Makauwahi Cave, the largest limestone cave in Hawaii and one of the richest fossil sites in the Pacific. Formed from sand dunes 400,000 years old, the cave turned to limestone and eroded a large cavern.
Getting to the cave requires either a car, taking Poipu Road past the golf course, then following a dirt road towards CJM Horse Stables and hiking in about a half mile, or following the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail from Shipwreck Beach near the Hyatt along the coast for about two miles. The Maha’ulepu Trail is highly recommended.
Above: The sandstone bluff at the east side of Shipwreck Beach, aka Keoniloa Beach. There are two options here to start off, either take the trail closest to the sea, which is a bit steep, or start further inland.
Above is the steeper option. While the first mile of the trail is sandy, you will want good shoes for this hike because the volcanic rock can be quite sharp and can easily slice up beachstyle footwear and ankles. Just keep the water on your right and take any path that looks reasonable as there are many options along the coast. Some short paths may lead to a dead-end lookout on the sea, but it will be worth it to explore.
The sandstone above is layered from ancient sand dunes that accumulated during a time of high seas, then calcified in cross-layers, the older at an angle, the newest horizontal.
The next half-mile of trail is along Makawehi Point, which I covered in a journal entry on May 4th: Makawehi Point Journal.
Above: Wailpili Heiau.
Once past Makawehi Point the trail skirts a fancy golf course and winds past the Waiopili Heiau. While the majority of Original People worked the land, a significant number engaged in fishing. The main fish god was Ku’ula. His wife Hina and son Aiai were also fishing gods. This Heiau (temple) was most likely dedicated to Ku’ula and his family, looking out as it does towards the excellent fishing grounds here.
Fishermen prayed to an image of Ku’ula before going out, and on return offered the first fish caught to Ku’ula, Hina, Aiai, or to one of his family’s personal gods. Some took small stone images of Ku’ula with them in their fishing canoes.
By the way keep an eye out for monk seals, whales, and Hawaiian Green sea turtles, all of which are plentiful in these rich waters. Near the water horseshoe crabs and other crustaceans abound.
Above: As I scanned the coastline taking a video a rare Koa’e’ula (Red-tailed Tropic Bird) flew along the cliff edge! They take squid and fish in plunging dives to the sea. Two more joined the expedition. Sorry the video is a bit disjointed but I was very excited! I knew from the long tail that this was a special bird, but I didn’t have my bird book handy. Once home it was easily identified:
Credit: Hawaii Birds, Hawaii Audubon Society, Fourth Edition, Second Revision, 1996, page 16.
The trail isn’t particularly difficult, but the sharp rock requires care and attention.
Soon I met up with some trail riders, and then I knew I was close to the cave and the nearby stables. The horse trail has an easier grade than the cliff trail but the views are not quite as exciting.
The coast line here is spectacular.
Now the special Makauwahi Cave Trail comes into sight. This special .8 kilometer trail builds your anticipation for the cave while educating you on the wildlife and native plants that are being reintroduced and protected here.
In the photo above you can see the sinkhole and the cave beyond. What a great aerial photo! If you parked near the horse stables it is only a short walk to the cave.
Some of the various native plants are well-labeled, including the Naupaka and ‘Āeoweo. Maiapilo, Naio, and “A’ali’i are abundant.
Can you see the cave opening in the photo below?
The trail skirts the edge of the sink hole.
Finally the cave entrance comes into view.
Tomorrow we enter the cave!
Don’t worry, it’s easier to get in than it looks!
I found this great book, Back to the Future in the Caves of Kaua’i, by David A. Burnet, Yale University Press, 2010, on sale inside the cave (suggested donation for cave entrance is $5). So I am adding it here as a source upon which I will rely in my journal tomorrow. Hope to see you then! Mahalo~!
Should I bring candles for tomorrow's adventure? Or a head lamp? The photos are gorgeous. Here's to your adventurous spirit!
My cousin Joyce who lives in Canada is ten years older than me but 20 years fitter. She and her husband Leo would love that trail. I would love to sit on that seat improbably parked in Paradise! I've just written an Angry Post but as no one ,lol,reads my post I feel safe enough. I'll just say that some deranged and deluded,or maybe just evil,people want to stop people like you going to places like that. I'm stopped due to not having the money which is fair enough but to create ideological reasons for political pressure to end and restrict such freedoms as we still have I find unacceptable.