Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Oahu,Hawai'i

© 2003 Rico Leffanta
The Waimea Valley has been an Hawaiian spiritual center on the North Shore of the island of Oahu since the 12th century. Despite the diligence of Christian missionaries, the Hale o Lono heaiu, and other Hawaiian religious sites in the Waimea Valley, are still in use today.
In 1779, Captain Cook's journal noted, "The banks of this river...are well cultivated ...and the face of the country is uncommonly beautiful and picturesque." No doubt British visitors today write a similar message on postcards, because Waimea Valley still produces the breadfruit, coconut, yams, etc. which made Hawaiians beautiful in 1779. Waimea Valley also continues to provide a cool and fragrant retreat from the adjacent glorious sandy beach of Waimea Bay, famous for high, crashing waves!
In 1973, Charles Pietsch purchased Waimea Valley, intent on protecting its archaeological sites and endangered species. Mr. Pietsch also established botanical gardens for exotic and endangered tropical plants from around the world.

In 2003, The City & County of Honolulu entered into an agreement with Audubon, so visitors could wander Waimea Valley at their leisure, reading signs which identify the more than 5,000 species, sites, and landmarks. Waimea Valley was recently purchased by OHA (The Office of Hawaiian Affairs) because the Audubon Society was unable to afford maintenance of the Valley.

A main attraction is "WAIHE'E FALLS" (Waihe'e is the Hawaiian word for "water slide").

From the last bridge crossing Kamananui Stream, it sometimes looks more like "Wahine" Falls, because water cascades down the rocks forming the shape of a young woman lifting up her skirt as she wades through the pool.

Under the Audubon's stewardship, swimming is allowed at Waihe'e Falls only when a lifeguard is present.

When it rains, Mother Nature sweeps the debris from the cliffs to the river bed and out to sea with all the energy of an angry housewife.

Serious injuries can result from broken branches, or any number of other things being swept over the waterfall, so swimming is never allowed when it rains.

The lifeguard stays fit keeping people away from Waihe'e Falls who don't believe anything could possibly happen to them!

In old Hawai'i, women never complained about their husband/lover's table manners because women did not eat with men.

Women ate in little grass hut's like the one on the right, leaving men to wonder what they were laughing about.

Today, not many people see the inside of this little hut, because the doorway is too small!

HALE O LONO TEMPLE and other archaeolgical sites are still revered by Hawaiians. Although entry is "Kapu" ("forbidden") to visitors, these sites can still be seen in the Waimea Valley. Historically, remains were deposited in caves, but "grave robbers" accompanied the missionaries, and emptied graves to the great despair of many Hawaiians still searching for their ancestors' bones. Today, Audubon staff keep visitors on the trails!

As noted above, Waimea Valley was thriving when Captain Cook arrived, so there are many archaeological and religious sites for the visitor to see. Typical Hawaiian altar offerings (centre photo) can be seen at holy sites throughout Waimea Valley. One advantage of the Audubon stewardship is the protection of these sites from thieves, souvenir-hunting tourists, dogs, and most especially, curious and adventurous children - whatever their age may be!

In the foreground of the photo on the left is a coconut palm emerging from a coconut. Contorted roots on the ground, clinging desperately to a rock, or cascading down the cliffs are a testament to the will to live. The photo on the right is of a plant with a leaf which produces an exact replica of a leaf from another plant. Audubon signage is a great help in identifying plants, but you have to find that plant among 5,000 other listed plants in the Waimea Valley!

Coconuts abound, but "no need climb tree" in Hawai'i, because trade winds can send them crashing down on your head! Just as with other plants, insects pollinate the blossoms then birds eat the insects. Once ripe, the small nut inside the large husk will survive the crash to the ground intact. After separating the nut from the husk, you would be surprised to see how natives can precisely crack the coconut with one thwack, leaving perfect halves for a coconut bra. After drinking the coconut milk, eating its meat, and using the shell for a cup or bowl, the husk fibres are perfect for making rope, or starting a fire for a luau!

Banana blossoms, breadfruit, jackfruit, and an amazing variety of tropical food still survive in ancient terraced gardens. The tree in the above middle photo produces gourds, traditionally used to drum out the beat for hula dancers.

For the heavenly view of Waimea Valley and Waihe'e Falls, click HERE

TO SEE	CLICK
Photos of blossoms in Waimea Valley	BLOSSOMS
Gecko photos	GECKO
Photos of birds in Waimea Valley	BIRDS
Other Rico Leffanta websites	MORE