Kuilau Ridge Jungle Trail to Mount Wai'ale'ale Viewpoint
leaf), so one might imagine that this lush trail originally got its name from native Hawaiian's gathering and utilizing natural resources from the area. After a quick stop at the roadside overlook to observe 'O'paeka'a Falls, we drive deeper into the island's verdant trailhead. Our hike begins as a gentle climb up a wide, well maintained trail. The trail is lined with impressive Sydney blue gum trees (Eucalyptus saligna), which can grow over 150 feet tall, and the occasional smatterings of albizia trees, massive in girth and height."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":13057,"3":{"1":0},"11":3,"12":0,"15":"Merriweather","16":8}" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14pt; font-family: Merriweather, Arial;">This gentle trail is a nature lover's dream! The word kuilau (koo-E-lau) means "to string together leaves or grass." Plant fibers were used for everything from thatching roofs (pili grass huts) to making large sails for ocean voyaging canoes (from the hala
leaf), so one might imagine that this lush trail originally got its name from native Hawaiian's gathering and utilizing natural resources from the area. After a quick stop at the roadside overlook to observe 'O'paeka'a Falls, we drive deeper into the island's verdant trailhead. Our hike begins as a gentle climb up a wide, well maintained trail. The trail is lined with impressive Sydney blue gum trees (Eucalyptus saligna), which can grow over 150 feet tall, and the occasional smatterings of albizia trees, massive in girth and height.