Fern Grotto facts for kids
The Fern Grotto is a special cave made of lava rock. It is covered in many different kinds of ferns. You can find it on the south fork of the Wailua River on the eastern side of Kauai. Kauai is one of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. Many boat companies offer tours on the river that take you right to the grotto. This spot is famous for being one of the most romantic places on Kauai. People can even rent the area for weddings!
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History of Fern Grotto
The Wailua River, where the grotto is located, has a rich history. It flows past the Wailua Complex of Heiau. These were ancient Hawaiian temples and important gathering places for the island's chiefs. Nearby, there were also Pu'uhonua, which were places of refuge or safety. Stones marking the births of new chiefs were also found in this area.
How the Ferns Grew
The ferns that make the grotto so famous started growing a lot during the time when sugar plantations were common in Hawaii. A special basin was built right above the grotto to collect storm runoff water. Water that leaked from this basin helped many ferns grow. These included maidenhair ferns and Boston sword ferns.
Hurricanes and Recovery
The Fern Grotto faced tough times when it was hit by Hurricane Iwa in 1982. Then, Kauai was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992. These powerful storms tore most of the ferns from the rocks. Even though much of the plant life has grown back, the grotto has had a hard time fully recovering. Despite the damage, it is still one of the most popular places to visit on the island.
Safety Closure and Reopening
On April 24, 2006, the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the grotto. This was done for safety reasons. Heavy rains in March 2006 caused rocks and boulders to fall from the grotto's ceiling onto the viewing area below. The grotto was reopened in 2007. Before reopening, the rock walls were made stronger, and ramps were added to help people get to the grotto. Before the 2006 flooding, visitors could actually walk inside the grotto. Today, however, you can only see the grotto from a special observation deck.
Visiting Fern Grotto
You can only reach the Fern Grotto by taking a boat tour on the Wailua River. This river is part of the Wailua River State Park. Tour boats travel along the river, and the grotto has been a popular stop for a long time.
In the past, weddings were held inside the grotto itself. Now, weddings take place on the observation deck, which faces the grotto.
