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Keahua Forestry Arboretum
Located within the East Region on Kauai
Keahua Forestry Arboretum offers a variety of plant life from monkeypod and eucalyptus trees to exotic mango. The park has several picnic pavilions to relax on and fresh swimming pools and streams to cool off on a hot day. Several of the island's popular hikes like the Kuilau and Powerline trails begin here. You may also catch a glimpse of Mt. Wai'ale'ale if it is not wearing its customary robe of clouds.
Two easy 15-minute trails lead visitors throughout the park. To get to Keahua take Highway 56 north from Lihue. You will cross the Wailua River Bridge and then turn mauka onto Kuamo'o Road. The arboretum is 5 miles up the road.
Keahua Arboretum
Keahua Arboretum is the kind of place most tourists drive right past. Inland from Kapa'a, up a winding road with no signage worth mentioning, this free park is where locals go to swim, picnic, and escape the beach crowds.
What's Here
The Civilian Conservation Corps planted these tropical trees in the 1930s. Monkeypod, eucalyptus, and exotic mango trees now tower over the grounds. The canopy is thick and the air is noticeably cooler than the coast.
A stream runs through the arboretum with several swimming holes. Locals love this spot on hot days. The water is fresh and cold. Two short trails (about 15 minutes each) loop through the park. Picnic pavilions are scattered throughout.
Trailhead Access
The Kuilau Ridge Trail starts here. It is a moderate 2.1-mile hike with mountain and valley views. The Powerline Trail also begins nearby, connecting Kauai's east side to the north shore (though the full trail is a serious all-day commitment). On clear days, you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Wai'ale'ale from the arboretum.
Know Before You Go
The access road gets muddy after rain. 4WD is strongly recommended, especially in the final stretch. The arboretum itself can be muddy too, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
From Highway 56 in Wailua, cross the Wailua River Bridge and turn inland (mauka) onto Kuamo'o Road (Highway 580). The arboretum is about 5 miles up the road. Free entry, no facilities beyond the picnic pavilions. Bring your own water and food.
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Breezy trade winds are in place with windward and inland showers expected tonight and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday evening—avoid them if rough water concerns you. East-facing shores will see building swell Sunday as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves in with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough seas on the windward side. Forecasters are still narrowing down the exact track, so check updates this weekend. By Thursday normal trades return.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you stay clear of the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when the storm passes through.
0:000:52
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Trade winds are bringing showers to the windward side and inland areas, mostly at night and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday—avoid them if you're not comfortable in rough water.
Tropical Storm Fausto arrives Tuesday and brings heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on east-facing shores through Wednesday. The storm is moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot for days. Forecasters are still narrowing the track, so watch for updates this weekend. Impacts could shift depending on whether it passes north or south of the islands.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you avoid the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when Fausto moves through.
0:000:66
Voice
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Right now you've got breezy trade winds with showers mainly at night and early morning on the windward and inland sides. Conditions stay stable through Monday with the same pattern—showers mostly after dark, trades during the day.
High surf is running through Saturday at 6 PM on south-facing beaches. Starting Sunday, east-facing shores will see advisory-level surf building as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches from the southeast. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves near the islands with heavy rain and gusty winds on the windward side. It's moving fast at 15 miles per hour, so rain won't sit in one spot for days, but forecasters are still refining the track—updates this weekend will clarify the exact impacts.
Stick with leeward beaches through Monday if you're comfortable in the current surf. For Tuesday and Wednesday, plan indoor activities or protected bays on the lee side while the heavy rain and wind move through.
0:000:48
Voice
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Breezy trade winds this morning with scattered showers on the windward side and inland—mostly at night and early morning. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday; skip them if rough water makes you nervous.
Tropical Storm Fausto moves near the islands Tuesday through Wednesday with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on the east-facing shores. The storm's moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot. The exact impacts depend on whether it tracks north or south—forecasters are still pinning down the track, so check updates this weekend.
Plan leeward beaches or protected bays through Monday. Once the trades return to normal Thursday onward, conditions settle back to typical.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out