Hawaiian Falls facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hawaiian Falls Waterparks

Industry	Water parks
Founded	Garland, Texas May 24, 2003 (22 years ago) (2003-05-24)
Number of locations	5
Area served	Texas, United States
Key people	Ryan Forson (Managing Director)
Owner	Varies by park
Parent	ProParks Management Company

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks is a group of fun water parks. They are run by a company called ProParks Management Company. You can find their five parks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in Central Texas. These parks are great places for families to cool off and have a blast!

The Story of Hawaiian Falls Waterparks

How Hawaiian Falls Started (2002–2003)

The first Hawaiian Falls park began construction in Garland, Texas, on December 18, 2002. A person named David Busch from Horizon Family Inc. started it. He had built other water parks before, even one in Hawaii. Hawaiian Falls has a special goal: "Serving the Lord by Bringing Families Closer Together."

The city of Garland helped by providing the land for the park. Building the Garland park started in January 2003, and it opened just a few months later in May. Later in 2003, Hawaiian Falls made similar plans with The Colony, Texas. They also agreed to manage Bahama Beach Waterpark in Dallas.

Growing and Changing (2004-2007)

In late 2004, David Busch faced some challenges and sold his company to Herschend Family Entertainment. But he still helped run the parks.

In 2005, the Bahama Beach Waterpark opened in Dallas, Texas. It was special because it was one of the first water parks built right in a city. This was a new idea, as most water parks were built in wealthier areas.

By 2006, the Bahama Beach park wasn't making enough money. David Busch suggested changing its name to Hawaiian Falls Dallas to help. He also bought his company back from Herschend Family Entertainment. He then sold the parks in Garland and The Colony to another company.

In 2007, the city of Dallas allowed Bahama Beach to be renamed Hawaiian Falls Dallas. However, this change didn't solve the money problems. So, Hawaiian Falls and the city decided to end their agreement. Today, the park is still open, but it's back to its original name, Bahama Beach. Also in 2007, the company got its first park that wasn't a water park, called Aloha Adventure Park in Lewisville, Texas.

More Parks Open (2008-2014)

In 2008, Hawaiian Falls added a new park: Hawaiian Falls Mansfield in Mansfield, Texas.

Later, in 2010, the city of Roanoke, Texas, decided to build another Hawaiian Falls park. Construction started in November 2010. Hawaiian Falls Roanoke opened in May 2011. It featured the "Mega WaterWorld" attraction, which was the world's largest water playground!

In October 2011, Hawaiian Falls agreed to take over the old Waco City Water Park. They turned it into the new Hawaiian Falls Waco, which opened in May 2012.

In December 2011, Hawaiian Falls announced plans to make the Roanoke park even bigger. They also planned to add more fun features to their other parks by May 2012.

For the 2014 summer season, Hawaiian Falls opened two brand new parks in Pflugerville and White Settlement, Texas. These new parks also had "adventure parks" that were supposed to be open all year. The Pflugerville park was the biggest, with a 15-acre water park and a 5-acre adventure park. The White Settlement park had a water park, adventure park, event center, and arcade. Both opened in summer 2014.

However, the adventure parks didn't stay open all winter as planned. Hawaiian Falls closed the adventure parks in White Settlement and Pflugerville in December 2014 until spring 2015.

Plans That Didn't Happen

Hawaiian Falls had plans for new parks in other cities, but some of these projects didn't work out.

• Fontana, California: In 2005, there were talks about Hawaiian Falls renovating a water park here. But neighbors worried about noise and traffic. The existing park was renovated later by the city without Hawaiian Falls.
• Gilbert, Arizona: In 2006, Hawaiian Falls decided not to build a park here. Some residents were concerned about the project.
• Greenville, Texas: In 2012, the city of Greenville talked to Hawaiian Falls about building a park. But in 2013, the city chose another company, Splash Kingdom, because they needed less money from the city.
• Escondido, California: In 2013, Hawaiian Falls suggested building a park here. But the city and many residents were not happy with the financial plan, and the project did not move forward.
• Rockwall, Texas: In 2014, the city of Rockwall decided not to partner with Hawaiian Falls. They were worried about the cost and water use during a drought.
• Elk Grove, California: In 2013, Hawaiian Falls was going to be part of building an Aquatic Center here. But in 2014, Hawaiian Falls pulled out of the project. The city later built the aquatic center without a water park.
• Richland County, South Carolina: In 2014, Hawaiian Falls suggested building a park here. The county even approved a special tax to help fund it. But in 2016, the county decided not to provide the money, and the plans were stopped.

How Hawaiian Falls Parks Work

All Hawaiian Falls parks are built using a special model where cities help with money or land. The parks are often built on public land. The first two parks were in Garland and The Colony, Texas. The third was in Dallas.

The founder, David Busch, saw his parks as a "mission field." This means they are sometimes used for religious activities. For example, in 2011, over 2,000 baptisms happened in their lazy rivers and wave pools! The parks also host Christian concerts and events. Hawaiian Falls has a program for its employees called "Connections." This program includes Bible study and training on how to share their beliefs with guests.

Where are the Hawaiian Falls Parks?

Current Locations

Former Locations

These parks used to be Hawaiian Falls but are now owned by different companies and have new names.

Hawaiian Falls Garland

The Waimea Bay slide complex has 2 body slides and 2 tube slides.

Hawaiian Falls Garland, also known as Hawaiian Falls Firewheel, was the very first park in the chain. It officially opened on May 24, 2003, in Garland, Texas.

The water park is about 12 acres big. It's right next to the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and you can see it from the George Bush Turnpike. Building the park cost about $5.5 million. It was a team effort between the city of Garland and Hawaiian Falls.

In 2006, another company bought Hawaiian Falls Garland. They then leased it back to the original operators. Later, in May 2018, ProParks Management Company took over running the park.

Fun Rides and Attractions

• The Torpedo: These are two super-fast slides from a four-story tower. Riders zoom down at up to 40 miles per hour! (Opened in 2010)
• Waikiki Beach: A family wave pool that's 5 feet deep. (Opened in 2007)
• The Flyin' Hawaiian: A yellow, 60-foot-tall body slide with small bumps. (Opened in 2003)
• The Waikiki Wipeout: Another yellow, 60-foot-tall body slide with one big drop. (Opened in 2003)
• Pipeline: Two twisting tube slides for one or two riders from a 45-foot tower. One slide is dark inside, and the other is half-open. The dark slide has cool music and lights! (Opened in 2003, lights added in 2012)
• Keiki Cove: A fun water play area for kids with fountains, slides, climbing nets, water jets, and a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water! (Opened in 2003)
• The Pineapple Express: A red and orange four-lane slide where you race down on a mat. (Opened in 2003)
• The Kona Kooler Adventure River: A circular lazy river. Part of it even has waves, making it an adventure! (Opened in 2003)
• The Hawaiian Half Pipe: A two-person tube ride that shoots riders straight up, then sends them backwards from a 40-foot drop. (Opened in 2003)
• Splashwater Reef: An activity pool with waterfalls, a log cross, and a shallow beach area. (Opened in 2004)

Places to Eat and Shop

• Sharkey's Cafe: A small cafe with hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and snacks. (Opened in 2003)
• Island Trader's Gift Shop: A gift shop where you can rent lockers, buy snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. (Opened in 2003)

Hawaiian Falls The Colony

The Pipeline water slide ride.

The Kona Kooler Adventure River lazy river.

The Waikiki Wipeout slides.

Hawaiian Falls The Colony was the second park in the Hawaiian Falls chain. It opened in May 2004 in The Colony, Texas.

This park has 11 water slides, a lazy river, a water tree-house, a wave pool, and more. It was built by David Busch's company, working with the city of The Colony. In 2006, another company bought Hawaiian Falls The Colony. They leased it back to the original operators until ProParks Management Company took over in May 2018.

Fun Rides and Attractions

• The Torpedo: Two fast slides from a 4-story tower. Riders become "human torpedoes" and race down at up to 40 mph! (Opened in 2010)
• Breaker Bay: A family wave pool that goes up to 4 feet deep. (Opened in 2004)
• The Flyin' Hawaiian: A yellow, 65-foot-tall body slide with an enclosed spiral. (Opened in 2004)
• The Waikiki Wipeout: A yellow, 65-foot-tall body slide with a huge drop. (Opened in 2004)
• Pipeline: Three orange tube slides for 1 or 2 riders. One is completely dark, one is partly dark, and one is open. The dark slide has cool music and lights! (Opened in 2004, lights added in 2012)
• Keiki Cove: An interactive water play area for kids with fountains, slides, climbing nets, water jets, and a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water! (Opened in 2004)
• The Honolulu Lulu: A complex with three twisting body slides. (Opened in 2008)
• The Kona Kooler Adventure River: A circular lazy river. Part of it has waves, making it an adventure river. (Opened in 2004)
• The Hawaiian Half Pipe: A hot pink slide that shoots riders straight up, then backwards from a 40-foot tower. (Opened in 2004)

Past Rides

• Whirlwind 360: This was a thrill ride with two slides that launched riders into a bowl. It closed and was removed in 2020.

Places to Eat and Shop

• Sharky's: A small cafe with various food choices. (Opened in 2004)
• Surfside BBQ: Offers grilled and smoked meats, plus Hawaiian "shave ice."
• Island Trader's Gift Shop: A gift shop where you can rent lockers, buy snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. (Opened in 2004)

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield is in Mansfield, Texas. It was announced in September 2007 and opened in May 2008.

The water park is about 14 acres big. It has 14 water slides, a lazy river, a water tree-house, a huge wave pool (the size of a football field!), and a kids' activity pool. It also has private cabanas and food stands. The park cost about $10 million to build. It was a joint project between David Busch's company and the city of Mansfield. Hawaiian Falls Water parks signed a 40-year agreement to run the park.

Fun Rides and Attractions

• The Torpedo: Two speed slides from a 4-story tower. Riders become "human torpedoes" and race down at up to 40 mph! (Opened in 2010)
• Waikiki Beach: A giant wave pool, as big as a football field.
• The Tiki Tower Slides: Four body slides for lots of fun.
• The Hightide Whirlpool: A funnel slide where riders spin around and then drop out.
• Keiki Cove: An interactive water play area for kids with fountains, slides, climbing nets, water jets, and a giant bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water!
• The Kona Kooler: A circular lazy river.
• The Coconut Sprayground: A fun water play area for kids with fountains and water features.
• LaLana Peak: Four tube slides. Riders can choose between a dark slide or a half-open one. One of the dark slides has cool music and lights! (Lights added in 2013)
• The Pineapple Express: A red and yellow four-lane slide where you race down on a mat.
• Cliffhanger: A tube slide.
• Splashwater Reef: An activity pool.
• Hawaiian Halfpipe: A tube slide.

Places to Eat and Shop

• Sharkey's Cafe: A small cafe with various food choices.
• Island Traders: Rents lockers and sells snacks, sunscreen, and Hawaiian Falls souvenirs. (Opened in 2008)

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke is in Roanoke, Texas. The park was announced in November 2010 and opened in May 2011.

This park is home to the world's largest water play structure called "Mega WaterWorld." It has a three-lane racer, a family raft ride, exciting body slides, two huge dump buckets (one 500-gallon and one 1,000-gallon!), and many interactive water features.

Fun Rides and Attractions

• Beach Blasters: The world's first dueling tube racer! Two tubes with guests launch in opposite directions.
• Breaker Bay: A wave pool.
• The Flyin' Hawaiian and The Waikiki Wipeout: Two covered tube slides. One of them has cool music and lights! (Lights added in 2013)
• Hawaiian Halfpipe: A tube slide.
• Hidetide Whirlpool: A body slide.
• Mega WaterWorld: The world's largest water play structure, with lots of ways to get wet!
• Monsoon and Typhoon: Two body slides.
• Pineapple Express: A mat racing slide.
• Pipeline Plunge: A tube slide.
• Rainforest River Adventure: A lazy river.
• Rip Curl: A tube slide.
• Water Walkway: A spray area for kids.

Places to Eat and Shop

• Sharkey's: A food court restaurant inside the main Hawaiian Falls building. It serves burgers, hot dogs, nachos, pizza, and more.

Hawaiian Falls Waco

Hawaiian Falls Waco is in Waco, Texas. It's the fifth and newest park in the Hawaiian Falls chain. It used to be called the Waco Water Park until October 2011, when Hawaiian Falls took over. It reopened as Hawaiian Falls Waco on May 26, 2012, and is now three times bigger than before!

The park is about 14 acres. As of 2019, it had 12 slides, 3 restaurants, and 1 gift shop. It's famous for its "Breaker Bay" family wave pool, which was the first large wave pool in central Texas. It also has an 800-foot-long "Kona Kooler" lazy river.

Images for kids

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