Kauai's Mt. Wai'ale'ale - One of the Wettest Spots in the World

Perched almost a mile above sea level, the peak of Mount Wai'ale'ale, which is only visible maybe one to one and a half days a month, has the distinction of being one of the wettest spots on earth. Rarely do the clouds unsurround this olympian mountain peak for those traveling along the eastern highways of Kauai, Hawaii to witness it. Accumulating an average of 460 inches of rain per year, this great rain catcher is the feed source for all of the rivers, many of the waterfalls, and a lot of the streams that can be found on the Garden Island. Only one other place on earth is reported to have an annual accumulation of rain fall that exceeds that of Kauai's Mt. Wai'ale'ale.

The only way to actually experience Mt. Wai'ale'ale is by helicopter, on one of its unclouded peak days, but as reported, those days are rare. However all is not loss, the residual affect of all of Mt. Wai'ale'ale's rain can be experienced all over Kauai. Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island that has navigable rivers, which empty into the Pacific Ocean, courtesy of Mt. Wai'ale'ale. These river ways are a source of fun boating activities you and your family can enjoy when you are staying on Kauai. The Wailua River has water skiing and kayaking excursion available daily. A special barge cruise up to the Fern Grotto, another gift of Mt. Wai'ale'ale erosion evolution is also available. The Hanalei River is another great kayaking adventure place.

Mt. Wai'ale'ale rain waters also claim responsibility for the creation of the Alakai Swamp, one of Kauai's most challenging and sought after hiking adventure. This 15 acre swamp is actually a mountain top rainforest which is reported to be about 5 million years old. Perched on the northwestern slope of Mt. Wai'ale'ale at an elevation of 4,000 to 4,500 feet above sea level, this ultra hazardous expedition attracts thousands of adventuresome experienced hikers to Kauai every year to test their metal against its network of soggy bogs.

The colossal rainfall of Mt. Wai'ale'ale is also said to have played an important role in the creation of another of Kauai's premiere landmarks, Waimea Canyon. Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, this ten mile long, and twenty five hundred feet deep natural depression is the largest known erosional valley in the state of Hawaii. The Waimea River which cuts deep into the Waimea Canyon Valley is fed by the rainfall of Mt. Wai'ale'ale. The grandeur of the canyon can be viewed from many different areas along Hwy. 550 which leads to Koke'e State Park. Numerous hiking trails into the canyon, with various degrees of difficulty are accessible from the park.

The rain waters of Mt. Wai'ale'ale are also partly responsible for Kauai's nickname, The Garden Island. Providing nourishment for the abundant vegetation that habitat the island through its multiple streamlet, the lush green, wildly maintained, fresh garden appearance which abounds in every direction you look, gives the impression that Kauai is actually a park. Although Mt. Wai'ale'ale is not available as a regular visitor attraction, the abundance of her endowments grace Kauai at every turn. Isn't it wonderful how one of the wettest spots in the world has created one of the most beautiful spots in the world?

Resource: 101 Things To Do On Kauai, by Kauai Publishing Company