Waterfalls of the Big Island of Hawai'i

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The Big Island of Hawai'i as the name suggests is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

You could take all the other islands together and they'd all fit into this island. Plus, this island is still expanding as lava flows from the active Kilauea crater and its vents, thus adding to its landmass when it cools.

The interior of the island is dominated by the twin volcanoes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (both of which are well over 10,000ft). On clear days, you could see their impressive summits looming large on the horizon towards the mauka side.

In addition to its size, the island is one of the most unique places in the world. For it is here that you can experience one of the most varied climates all within a short driving distance of each other. For example, you could be in a lush, humid tropical rainforest and then in snow just miles away towards the summit of either of the island's twin tower volcanoes. Much of the island resembles otherworldly moonscapes due to recent lava flows. Yet even within such varied climates, you can still find waterfalls on the island's windward side.

In fact, this island is home to two of the most scenic yet easily-accessible waterfalls on all the Hawaiian Islands in Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls. There are other towering waterfalls nestled in the mysterious valleys of the Kohala Coast. There are also pretty ones in botanical gardens such as Umauma Falls and Onomea Falls.

Some of the waterfalls we've visited on this island even cracked our Top 10 Hawaii Waterfalls List.

From the charm of the old school Hawai'i in Hilo to the resorts and sun in Kona to the Paniolo influence present in Waimea to the domain of Madame Pele in Volcano, a visit to the Big Island of Hawai'i is sure to produce some unforgettable memories.




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WATERFALLS

Click on the waterfalls below to read more about them.

3 Rainbow Falls Hilo	2 Pe'epe'e Falls Hilo / Wailuku River State Park	2 Wai'ale Falls near Hilo
4 Akaka Falls Hamakua Coast / Akaka Falls State Park	1 "Kolekole Falls" Hamakua Coast / Kolekole Beach Park	2.5 Umauma Falls Hamakua Coast
1.5 Onomea Falls Hamakua Coast	2 Nanue Falls Hamakua Coast	2 Hanapueo Falls and Lower Umauma Falls Hamakua Coast
2.5 Hi'ilawe Falls Kohala Coast / Waipi'o Valley	2 Waiulili Falls Kohala Coast / Waipi'o Valley	2.5 Kulaniapia Falls Hilo
2.5 Big Island Helicopter Waterfalls Windward Mauna Kea and Kohala Mountains

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