If you're exploring North Kauai, plan a short and worthwhile stop to explore the Manini-holo (Maniniholo) dry cave.
Right after mile marker 9, you will notice a large dry cave (Manini-holo) on the left side of the road. You can park on the side of the road or in the parking area at Haena Beach Park across the street. The cave goes back about 100-150 feet with plenty of standing room.
Legend has it that this cave used to be a tunnel to Waimea Canyon and that during a conflict between the Menehune and the Polynesian settlers, the Menehune were on the run from Waimea Canyon, being pursued by the Polynesians and used this secret tunnel to escape to the North Shore. After they were all through the tunnel, they created a collapse at the tunnel ceiling, trapping the Polynesians inside and leading to the formation of the dry cave.
Explore smarter
Turn this stop into a better day plan.
Use maps, timing, access checks, and current conditions before adding another stop to the route.
After exploring the cave, you should cross the street and walk along Haena Beach. Take Highway 560 west from Ha'ena. The Dry Cave is located on the left side of the road, just before Mile Marker #9, across the street from the Haena Beach Park.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Oʻahu is staying mostly dry today while the Big Island's windward side gets soaked from a weak system. That rain tapers off by late morning as the system moves west and weakens.
By Wednesday, conditions clear across all islands. Trade winds stay moderate through midweek, then pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend—breezy enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers will favor windward and mountain areas, especially this weekend when moisture levels rise slightly. North and west shore surf sits near seasonal average through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again over the weekend.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work well through Wednesday. If you're planning windward hikes, wait until afternoon when the rain clears.
0:000:59
Voice
Read the transcript
Maui stays mostly dry today, though the Big Island's windward side is getting soaked this morning from a weak system that tapers off by late morning.
Through Wednesday, conditions clear and trade winds stay moderate. Then Thursday through the weekend, winds pick up noticeably—strong enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for the waters around Maui. This weekend, showers will favor windward and mountain areas as moisture rises slightly. Surf stays near seasonal average on north and west shores through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again this weekend. South shores stay elevated through Wednesday, then ease to normal by Thursday.
Beach and snorkel the leeward coasts while it's calm through Wednesday. Windward hikes work better in the afternoon once rain clears, and plan water activities around the stronger winds this weekend.
0:000:54
Voice
Read the transcript
Windward side is getting soaked this morning—some areas have picked up over an inch and a half since yesterday evening. Rain tapers off by late morning as the system weakens and moves west. Leeward stays mostly dry.
Conditions clear Wednesday with moderate trades through midweek. Winds pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend, and a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers return to windward and mountain areas this weekend when moisture rises slightly. North and west shore surf stays near normal through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building this weekend. South shores ease to normal by Thursday.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work well through Wednesday. Plan your windward hikes for afternoon once the rain clears.
0:000:60
Voice
Read the transcript
Kauaʻi is staying mostly dry this morning while a weak system soaks the Big Island's windward side. That rain tapers off by late morning as the system moves west.
Wednesday brings clearing skies across all islands. Trade winds stay moderate through midweek, then pick up noticeably Thursday through the weekend—strong enough that a Small Craft Advisory is likely for waters around the Big Island and Maui. Showers will favor windward and mountain areas, especially this weekend when moisture rises slightly. Surf near seasonal average on north and west shores through Wednesday, then dips Thursday and Friday before building again over the weekend. South shores stay elevated through Wednesday, then ease to normal by Thursday.
Beach and snorkeling on the leeward side are good through Wednesday. If you're planning a windward hike, wait until afternoon when rain clears.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Been here? Tap to stamp
