Hanakapiai Falls (Hanakapi'ai Falls)

Hanakapiai Falls (or Hanakapi'ai Falls) is a very tall (maybe 300ft) waterfall nestled deep in the back of Hanakapi'ai Valley.

I visited this waterfall as a half-day trip taking in the first two miles of the gorgeous Na Pali Coast as well as the two miles into Hanakapi'ai Valley (making for a grand total of 8 miles round trip). It was the only major waterfall on the Na Pali Coast (that I'm aware of) that I was able to access with neither a permit nor a paid tour. And that was probably why I saw quite a few people doing this hike as well as chilling out around its plunge pool (though I'm sure given the number of giant rocks and boulders around the area that this area is also prone to rockfalls).

During my research, I learned that Hanakapiai Falls was named after a Menehune princess descended from the first human settlers to canoe here from the Marquesas Islands (part of modern day French Polynesia).

The hike traversed thick jungle vegetation growing beneath the deeply folded, wrinkled cliffs typical of the Na Pali Coast. The fairly up-and-down first couple of miles of the trail was rather slippery (due to the seemingly constant humidity, I reckon). Thus, even though it was only two miles, I found that it took me between 60 to 90 minutes to cover this distance. Once I was at Hanakapi'ai Beach, I had to cross the Hanakapi'ai Stream (high probability of getting wet so water shoes would be a good idea) before heading inland where there were more stream crossings. Towards the end of the track, there were some really worn sections that were both slippery (wet rocks) as well as exposed to dropoffs.

The most memorable thing about the first couple of miles of this hike was Hanakapi'ai Beach. Yes it was pretty, but boy was it a sinister place. That was because of how violent the waves were. Heck I was able to feel the thud of the waves when they crashed, and there was even a sign tallying up the number of people who have died at this beach (obviously underscoring the danger of swimming at this beach due to strong rip currents and turbulence).

In fact, I had difficulty finding parking at around 11:15am, and eventually found some spot in an unsealed muddy road turning towards the beach from the main car park. But in general, I'm betting that early birds get the worm in this case.

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Trailhead for Kalalau Trail

On the Kalalau Trail

Really have to watch your step on this trail

A particularly scenic part of the Kalalau Trail

Sign underscoring the dangers of swimming at Hanakapi'ai Beach

Hanakapi'ai Beach

Looking out from under an alcove

Looking up at Hanakapi'ai Falls

Entering Hanakapi'ai Valley

One of the stream crossings

Hanakapiai Falls from a distance

A particularly slippery and partially exposed part of the trail

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TRIP REPORTS

• December 24, 2006

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Hanakoa Falls

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