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 waterparks. They are run by a company called ProParks Management Company. You can find their five parks in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Central Texas. These parks are known for being family-friendly places where people can have a great time together.

A Splashy History

How Hawaiian Falls Began (2002–2003)

The first Hawaiian Falls park started in Garland, Texas. This was on December 18, 2002. David Busch, from Horizon Family Inc., helped create it. He had built other water parks before, even one in Hawaii. Hawaiian Falls wanted to be a place that helps "Bring Families Closer Together."

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

Changes and New Parks (2004-2007)

In late 2004, David Busch faced some money problems. He sold his company to Herschend Family Entertainment. But he still helped run the waterparks.

In 2005, Bahama Beach Waterpark opened in Dallas, Texas. It was special because it was one of the first waterparks built right inside a city. This park was made to serve its local community. It was a bit risky because most waterparks are built in richer, more crowded areas.

By 2006, Bahama Beach was losing money. David Busch bought his company back from Herschend. He then sold the Garland and The Colony parks to another company. In 2007, Bahama Beach was renamed Hawaiian Falls Dallas. But this change did not help with the money problems. So, Hawaiian Falls ended its agreement with the city of Dallas. Today, the park is still open as Bahama Beach.

Also in 2007, the company got its first park that wasn't a waterpark. This was Aloha Adventure Park in Lewisville, Texas.

Growing the Fun (2008-2014)

In 2008, Hawaiian Falls added a new park in Mansfield, Texas. This helped the chain grow even more.

In late 2010, the city of Roanoke, Texas, decided to build another Hawaiian Falls waterpark. Construction began in November 2010. Hawaiian Falls Roanoke opened in May 2011. It featured the Mega WaterWorld, which was the world's largest water playground at the time.

In October 2011, Hawaiian Falls took over the old Waco City Water Park. It reopened as Hawaiian Falls Waco in May 2012.

In December 2011, Hawaiian Falls planned big upgrades. They spent $2 million on the Roanoke park. They also spent $4.3 million on other parks in North Texas. These upgrades were ready by May 2012.

For the 2014 season, two new Hawaiian Falls parks opened. These were in Pflugerville and White Settlement, Texas. Each new park had an adventure park section. These adventure parks were meant to be open all year. The Pflugerville park was the largest, with a 15-acre water park and a 5-acre adventure park. Both parks opened in summer 2014.

However, the adventure parks in White Settlement and Pflugerville closed for the winter in December 2014. They were not able to stay open during the colder months.

Projects That Didn't Happen =

Hawaiian Falls had plans for parks in other cities too. But some of these projects did not work out.

Fontana, California

In 2005, there were talks about Hawaiian Falls improving a waterpark in Fontana, California. But neighbors worried about noise and traffic. In 2006, the existing park closed for repairs. The city later reopened the park in 2012 without Hawaiian Falls.

Gilbert, Arizona

In May 2006, Hawaiian Falls decided not to build a park in Gilbert, Arizona. Residents had concerns about the project.

Greenville, Texas

In 2012, the city of Greenville, Texas, talked about building a waterpark with Hawaiian Falls. But in November 2013, the city chose another company instead.

Escondido, California

In April 2013, Hawaiian Falls suggested building a park in Escondido, California. They asked the city to pay most of the cost. Many residents were against the idea. The mayor told them their concerns would stop the project.

Rockwall, Texas

In April 2014, the city of Rockwall, Texas, voted not to partner with Hawaiian Falls. The mayor worried about the cost and water use during a drought.

Elk Grove, California

In October 2013, Hawaiian Falls was part of a plan to build an Aquatic Center in Elk Grove, California. But in April 2014, Hawaiian Falls left the project. The city later decided to build the aquatic center without a waterpark.

Richland County, South Carolina

In June 2014, Hawaiian Falls suggested building a $20 million waterpark in Richland County, South Carolina. They wanted the county to pay for it. County officials visited Hawaiian Falls parks in Texas. But in April 2016, the county decided not to fund the project.

How the Parks Work

Hawaiian Falls parks are often built with help from cities. This is called a "public-private partnership." Cities might provide land or money. The first parks in Garland and The Colony were built this way.

The parks aim to be places where families can connect. They sometimes host special events for families and communities.

Where to Find the Fun

Current Parks

Former Parks

These parks used to be Hawaiian Falls but now have different names and owners.

Hawaiian Falls Garland

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

Hawaiian Falls Garland was the very first park in the chain. It opened on May 24, 2003, in Garland, Texas.

The park is about 12 acres big. It has 15 attractions, including 11 water slides, a lazy river, a water tree-house, a wave pool, and an activity pool. There are also places to buy food. The park cost about $5.5 million to build.

Cool Slides and Attractions

• The Torpedo has two fast slides. Riders zoom down at up to 40 miles per hour! It opened in 2010.
• Waikiki Beach is a family wavepool that is 5 feet deep. It opened in 2007.
• The Flyin' Hawaiian is a yellow, 60-foot-tall body slide with small bumps. It opened in 2003.
• The Waikiki Wipeout is another yellow, 60-foot-tall body slide with a big drop. It opened in 2003.
• Pipeline has two twisting tube slides for one or two riders. They start from a 45-foot-high tower. One slide is dark inside, and the other is half open. The dark slide has cool music and lights added in 2012.
• Keiki Cove is a fun children's water treehouse. It has fountains, slides, climbing nets, and a huge bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water! It opened in 2003.
• The Pineapple Express is a red and orange four-lane mat racing slide. It opened in 2003.
• The Kona Kooler Adventure River is a circular lazy river. Part of it has waves, making it an adventure! It opened in 2003.
• The Hawaiian Half Pipe is a two-person tube ride. It shoots riders straight up and then backward from a 40-foot drop. It opened in 2003.
• Splashwater Reef is an activity pool with waterfalls and a log cross. It opened in 2004.

Food and Souvenirs

• Sharkey's Cafe serves burgers, hotdogs, pizza, and snacks. It opened in 2003.
• Island Trader's Gift Shop rents lockers and sells snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. It 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. It opened in May 2004 in The Colony, Texas.

This park has 15 attractions. These include 11 water slides, a lazy river, a water tree-house, a wave pool, and a water walkway. There are also picnic areas and food stands.

Current Slides and Attractions

• The Torpedo has two speed slides from a 4-story tower. Riders can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. It opened in 2010.
• Breaker Bay is a family wavepool that is 4 feet deep. It opened in 2004.
• The Flyin' Hawaiian is a yellow, 65-foot-tall body slide with a spiral inside. It opened in 2004.
• The Waikiki Wipeout is a yellow, 65-foot-tall body slide with a big drop. It opened in 2004.
• Pipeline has three orange tube slides for one or two riders. One is completely dark, one is partly open, and one is fully open. The dark slide got cool music and lights in 2012. It opened in 2004.
• Keiki Cove is a children's water treehouse with fountains, slides, and a giant bucket. It opened in 2004.
• The Honolulu Lulu is a set of three twisting body slides. It opened in 2008.
• The Kona Kooler Adventure River is a circular lazy river with some waves. It opened in 2004.
• The Hawaiian Half Pipe is a hot pink slide. It pushes riders straight up and then backward from a 40-foot tower. It opened in 2004.

Former Slides

• Whirlwind 360 was a thrill ride with two slides. Riders would spin around in a bowl. It opened in 2012 but was removed in 2020.

Food and Souvenirs

• Sharky's is a cafe with different food choices. It opened in 2004.
• Surfside BBQ offers grilled meats and Hawaiian "shave ice."
• Island Trader's Gift Shop rents lockers and sells snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. It 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 park is about 14 acres. It has 14 water slides, a lazy river, a water tree-house, a huge wave pool, and a children's activity pool. There are also private cabanas and food stands. The park cost about $10 million to build.

Slides and Attractions

• The Torpedo has two speed slides from a 4-story tower. Riders can go up to 40 miles per hour. It opened in 2010.
• Waikiki Beach is a very large wavepool.
• The Tiki Tower Slides have four body slides.
• The Hightide Whirlpool is a funnel slide where riders spin around.
• Keiki Cove is a children's water treehouse with fountains, slides, and a giant bucket.
• The Kona Kooler is a circular lazy river.
• The Coconut Sprayground is a children's area with fountains and water features.
• LaLana Peak has four tube slides. Riders can choose between dark or half-open slides. One dark slide got music and lights in 2013.
• The Pineapple Express is a red and yellow four-lane mat racing slide.
• Cliffhanger is a tube slide.
• Splashwater Reef is an activity pool.
• Hawaiian Halfpipe is a tube slide.

Food and Souvenirs

• Sharkey's Cafe is a cafe with various food choices.
• Island Traders rents lockers and sells snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. It opened in 2008.

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke

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

This park is home to the world's largest aqua play structure, called Mega WaterWorld. It has a three-lane racer, a family raft ride, body slides, and huge dump buckets.

Slides and Attractions

• Beach Blasters is a unique dueling tube racer. Two tubes launch in opposite directions.
• Breaker Bay is a wave pool.
• The Flyin' Hawaiian and The Waikiki Wipeout are two covered tube slides. One of them got music and lights in 2013.
• Hawaiian Halfpipe is a tube slide.
• Hidetide Whirlpool is a body slide.
• Mega WaterWorld is the world's largest aqua play structure.
• Monsoon and Typhoon are two body slides.
• Pineapple Express is a mat racing slide.
• Pipeline Plunge is a tube slide.
• Rainforest River Adventure is a lazy river.
• Rip Curl is a tube slide.
• Water Walkway is a spray area for kids.

Food and Souvenirs

• Sharkey's is a food-court restaurant. It serves burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and pizza.

Hawaiian Falls Waco

Hawaiian Falls Waco is in Waco, Texas. It is the fifth and newest park in the chain. It used to be called Waco Water Park. Hawaiian Falls took it over in October 2011. It reopened as Hawaiian Falls Waco on May 26, 2012.

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