|
Secrets of Hawaii : Waimea Valley |
|
Description:
Waimea
Valley Audubon Center is located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii on the North Shore. It is
one of the best place for plant lovers to visit on Oahu, competing with
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
as the top spot. You may also see many different species of native and
introduced birds at Waimea Valley. Including: Auku'u (The Black crowned
Night-heron.), 'Alae 'Ula (common Moorhen) and Pikake (Common
Peafowl.). While visiting Waimea Valley take the time to explore the upper
trails. You will find many different areas planted with tropical vegetation,
that you would otherwise miss by going along the main trail to the
waterfall.
Of course
the best part of Waimea Valley is its natural beauty and the Waihi Falls
(Hawaiian for 'trickling falls') swimming is allowed in the pond that
forms at the base of the falls. So bring your bathing suit.
After visiting Waimea Valley,
why not head over to
Waimea
Bay for some beach time? |
| |
 |
| Waihi Falls @ Waimea
Valley |
|
|
|
| Directions:
From the historic town of Haleiwa travel about
3.5 miles on Kam Highway. |
| Flora at Waimea
Valley |
|
|
|
|
Photo 1 - |
Torch Ginger. |
|
Photo 2 - |
Water Lily. |
|
Photo 3 - |
Hibiscus. |
|
Photo 4 - |
Firecracker Flowers. |
|
|
|
From the Waimea Valley Audubon center brochure ....."For
Plant Lovers - The world-class botanical collections at
Waimea feature 35 distinct gardens representing flora from
different parts of the world and different groups of plants.
Stroll through the Hawaiian collection, just beyond the
Visitor Center and enjoy an assortment of plants found only
in Hawaii, many of them very rare."
|
|
Other botanical
gardens on Oahu
|
| |
|
 |
| Orchid |
|
|
Need to Know:
Cost : $8.00 General, $5.00 Kama'aina,
Seniors, Military, and Children
4-12. It cost $2.00 to park charged at the entrance to
the park. There is a nature store located before the entrance to the
park. You may buy insect repellent here if you forgot to bring some.
There is a main trail that leads directly to falls and is about 3/4
miles long. But there is a lower trails that follows the river and
an upper trails that can lead you to some interesting flora. Take
some time to explorer these upper trails! A bring water and good
walking shoes. Insect repellent is
recommend along with long pants.
Note: There are amble restrooms and drink water stations along the
trails.
Open: Daily, 9:30 am to 5 pm. Closed
Christmas and New Year's Day
|
| |
 |
| Kauhale -
Traditional Hawaiian living site |
|
|
|
| Some
of the different birds that can be seen at Waimea Valley |
|
|
|
Photo 1 - |
'Alae 'Ula
(Common Moorhen) |
|
Photo 2 - |
Male
Peacock showing off.
|
|
Photo 3 - |
Peacock at
Waimea Valley. |
|
|
| Right:
Visitors to Waimea Valley take a refreshing swim at Waihi Falls.
There are restrooms and change rooms at the falls and a life
guard on duty. |
 |
| Waihi
Falls |
|
|
 |
Caution: |
|
|
Please be tourist smart - do not leave valuables in your car. |
| Difficulty Scale: 1-
Light. |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
