Each year we return to Kauai and we hike the Maha’ulepu Trail from Popiu to the cave and back.   (Link to a previous article)

On this last trip, we were able to go deeper into the caves and enjoy a guided tour of the darker corners, learning some of the secrets of the cavern.   We were pleased to hear about a concerted effort to preserve this unique site.   A new website now supports the Mahuawahi Cave Reserve at http://www.cavereserve.org/

We came in from the south side and looked down into the cavern.   We noted that the effort to cultivate native plants is progressing well.   We went down to Waiopili Stream, then to the hidden tunnel entrance.  We had to crawl through this muddy section to the main cavern.

Inside, we were greeted by a guide who took us deeper into the cave and showed us areas that we had not yet seen (including some not found in the brochures, like burial chambers, archaeological digs, views of restricted areas, cave drawings, and some artifacts).

The guide also alerted us to the field plantation across the stream where native plants are being cultivated.  Rather than use lawnmowers, they have brought in 15 land tortoises into fenced enclosures to keep down the grasses and low-growing vegetation.   We were invited to visit the tortoises, just being sure to close the gates behind us.   We were pleased to meet Cal (the senior tortoise) and his friends close up.

We love the Maha’upelu hike anyway, but a tour of the cavern and a visit with land tortoises?  A special day, indeed.   The Cave Reserve is a special place.   Go to their website to learn more, or better yet, use the directions to visit the cavern.