People come to Kaua’i and the Hawai’ian Islands for sun and tropical weather. The reality is that it rains quite a bit in Kaua’i, though I’ve read that the Hawai’ian Islands are getting drier and hotter over the years. Kaua’i is called the Garden Island because of its lush vegetation – rainforests, swamp lands, and valleys fed by the abundance of rainfall. Mount Wai’ale’ale, Kaua’i’s highest point at 5,148 feet, receives hundreds of inches of rain each year and feeds the island’s rivers. It is one of the wettest places on earth.
Mount Waiʻaleʻale
Kaua’i is the oldest and most northern of the main islands of the Hawai’ian archipelago. The Olokele Volcano once rose over 10,000 feet above sea level. Mt Waiʻaleʻale (5,148 feet) and Kawaikini (5,243 feet) are two of its peaks.
The highest total rainfall recorded: 682″ in 1982, 535″ in 1990, and 519″ in 2018. The average total annual rainfall from 1968 to 2018 is 393″.
However, unless there is an intense storm or hurricane, rain passes quickly on the island. Oftentimes it rains during the night.
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kaua’i is a family-friendly part of the island to visit. People pitch up tents and sun shelters on the soft sand, while they go play in the shallows or paddle out. The stretch of beach is long and walks at the shoreline is beautiful. The pier here is also a famous landmark. In the summer months, water is even calmer, though it is much colder by the river. So this is where we took Wade’s son and his friends for a day out.
It was overcast and it rained while we were in the water. I don’t know if you’ve been in the water when it rains. It actually feels amazing, for some reason. I have a strong childhood memory of it, though I did have to get out of the pool because of the thunder. Not here at Hanalei, that day.
Underwater Photography
We brought a few surfboards and a couple of underwater camera set ups – the GDome and Nikon Nikonos V.
The GDome is an underwater housing that takes phones, cameras, and the GoPro. I got the GDome in 2020 to take split shots and for $100, it was comparatively affordable. The GDome owners have been very helpful – I had trouble with the back fogging up, which made it challenging to see what I was filming. You can see some samples below and also at Rogue River.
Contrary to what I thought, the iPhone is not waterproof. I finally replaced my phone when it wouldn’t charge or function properly. This, just from splashing in the ocean. So even if you’re not snorkeling or diving, having a waterproof set up is a great way to capture some fun and amazing shots.
Because the GDome required setup time, I looked for an underwater camera. Enter Nikon Nikonos V, which I got from KEH Camera. The Nikonos is responsible for underwater photography in the 1960s, 70s, and into the 80s. It’s a tough camera. While it’s been years since I’ve used film camera, I was excited to test it out. My first camera was a Minolta, so I have a love for film. And for black-and-white.
Unfortunately, I had trouble with this Nikonos and didn’t get any useable prints. It was a fun afternoon with it and the GDome.
Maniniholo Dry Cave
Since we were already in the area, we drove the boys to see the Dry Cave and the end of the road. I’ve been here a couple of times before and you can get some interesting photos. Driving north on Kuhio Highway from Hanalei Bay, Maniniholo Dry Cave is on the left side of the road, after mile marker 9. Parking can be sparse, depending on the time of day. It’s the same lot for Ha’ena Park and the beach to paddle out to Tunnels.
It’s not obvious from the cave entrance; it goes back about 150 feet. Usually there is enough light to see your way. Use your phone flashlight to look up at the ceiling and walls.
Hawai’ian folklore says that this was once part of a tunnel that leads to Waimea Canyon. The Menehune closed it off after they used it to escape to the North Shore and trapped the Polynesians who were chasing them. There are other legends, including the one about Maniniholo being the head fisherman of the Menehune.
Maniniholo Dry Cave, Ha’ena Park, and the beach are the last stop on the road. Beyond that is the Na Pali Coast. A reservation is required to enter through the gate. So if you’re hungry, sometimes there’s a food truck in the parking lot. Usually, we grab a bite from Big Save in Ching Young Village in Hanalei. It’s mostly poke. Hanalei Village has other options, such as pizza, L&L, and Chicken in a Barrel BBQ. JoJo’s Shave Ice is here, if you haven’t tried it yet.
So yes it does rain and storm on Kaua’i. It’s also an opportunity to capture different kinds of photography or try new things on your trip.