Trailhead
Wai Koa Loop Trail. Starts at North Shore Dog Park (Kahiliholo Rd) or Common Ground Kauai.
Hydraulic Legacy
The Stone
Dam.
Kilauea, Kauai
Est. Late 1800s • Kilauea Sugar Plantation
Engineering Marvel
Built in the late 1800s, this hand-cut stone dam was crucial for raising the Kahiliholo Stream water level by 20 feet. It created a gravity-fed irrigation system that supplied water to the thirsty sugarcane fields, the town, and its workers.
Conservation Status: Protected by the Hawaii Land Trust. Part of a working plantation.
Wai Koa Environment
The dam offers tranquil beauty with cascading waters, ideal for picnics or swimming. The surrounding hike traverses the largest mahogany forest in the United States, offering views of the Namahana Mountains.
Active Stream
Mahogany Forest
Access Protocol
Legal Requirement
Visitors must sign a waiver online or at the trailhead before entering the private property.
Logistics
4.5-mile loop. Flat terrain (can be muddy). No water/restrooms on trail. Facilities available at Common Ground.
Feature: Bamboo Grove & Buddha Statue
Respect the land and working plantation