Maniniholo Dry Cave
Maniniholo Dry Cave is an easily accessible lava tube located directly across from Ha'ena Beach Park on Kauai's scenic north shore. Extending roughly 300 yards into a cliffside, this mysterious cave is steeped in Hawaiian legend involving the menehune and the hunt for an akua (evil spirit). Visitors can explore the broad interior on foot, which was partially filled by sand following a 1957 tsunami. Whether you believe in myth or geology, the cave offers a unique stop full of cultural intrigue and natural wonder.
Maniniholo Dry Cave, Kauai
Located across from Ha'ena Beach Park on Kauai's north shore, this dry cave is easily accessible as it is located right on the main highway. It is at the bottom of a steep cliff and is about 300 yards (274 m) deep. Its high roof lowers as you walk further to the back of it, where you'll also see a small opening. The interior of the cave used to be larger in the past, but when a tsunami hit the island in 1957, the waves carried sand into the cave and partially filled it.
The cave is named after Maniniholo, the legendary head fisherman of the menehune, Kauai's mythical little people. The menehune fishermen used to catch many fish at Ha'ena. They left some of their catch right here under the cliff and the rest they carried to the menehune in the island's interior. However, when they returned, they noticed that an akua (evil spirit) took the fish they had left there. So to catch the akua, they started digging the cave that you see today.
If you don't believe in legends, there is an alternative explanation about how the cave was formed. In the past, the ocean used to be higher and the cave was formed from thousands of years of wave action eroding the cliff at its base.
Key Features of Maniniholo Dry Cave
- Easy roadside access: Located directly off Highway 560 across from Ha'ena Beach Park
- Spacious lava tube: Approximately 300 yards deep with a wide opening and high ceiling
- Mythological significance: Said to be carved by the menehune to trap an evil spirit
- Geological formation: Likely formed by thousands of years of ocean erosion
- Family-friendly site: Free to explore and ideal for short visits or picnic detours
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhere is Maniniholo Dry Cave located?The cave is on Kauai's north shore, directly across from Ha'ena Beach Park on Highway 560 near mile marker 9. How deep is the cave?The cave extends approximately 300 yards into the cliff, though much of it is filled with sand from a past tsunami. What's the legend behind the cave?According to Hawaiian lore, the menehune dug the cave while trying to trap an akua (evil spirit) that was stealing fish. Is it safe to explore the cave?Yes, the entrance is wide and walkable, though a flashlight is helpful for venturing deeper inside. | |||||||
