Travel Blog #106 – Island Adventures, Jungle Falls

Feb 8, 2021 | Activity Information

Island Adventures is the only kayaking company that goes up the river through the Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge. This river eventually goes up towards the Kipu Ranch. We started paddling at the mouth of the river near the Nawilwili Harbor. and before we got off our kayaks we passed the rope swing that was used in the beginning sequence of the movie “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” where Harrison Ford is running down the hill and then jumps off of a vine into a river where his biplane is waiting for him.

This area had trees that resembled what they have in the everglades in Flordia. The kinds that have the long roots reaching down into the swamps. One of the groves that we passed actually grew over a very large archaeological site that contains one of the largest Hawaiian fish ponds in the state that is known as the “Menehune Fish Pond”.

Once we completed our kayaking we boarded a van that was waiting for us. Once we were all boarded we made our way to the top of a trail to a private waterfall that Island Adventures has access to. The trail was beautiful, it winded down a steep hill through the jungle until after a short time we were at a beautiful waterfall.

We swam and played in the waterfall for a while. Enjoying the cool water and the view we relaxed and explored around for a while until we decided that it would be a good time to go back up the trail to eat lunch.

Right by where the van was parked there was an industrial strength event tent set up with picnic tables under it looking out on the view of the valley floor with the large mountains rising behind them. Our sandwiches, chips and drinks were waiting for us on the table. We sat under the tent and ate while we enjoyed the view. After we were done eating we took some more pictures and then got in the van to ride back to the mouth of the river where my truck was parked. When we got back we said good bye to all our new friends and then cruised over to one of our favorite restaurants for a post paddle cocktail, it was a great day!