Kapena Falls

Kapena Falls is a tiny waterfall tumbling around 20-30ft. What's funny about this waterfall was that finding it was either a matter of walking along a high speed highway or walking through a cemetery.

During the book research, I learned that this waterfall was featured in the TV series "

Even though we saw a pair of teenagers jumping off a rope swing into the plunge pool beneath the falls, I cringed as I'm sure urban pollution probably infested the watercourse here with the leptospirosis bacteria.

The first time we attempted to visit this waterfall, we ended up missing it thinking that Alapena Falls was Kapena Falls. So on our second visit here, we made sure not to make that same mistake again!

But this was tricky because the only way we were able to accomplish this was to drive southbound on the Pali Highway.

Northbound drivers had to exit at Wyllie St and either take Nu'uanu Ave to the Nu'uanu Cemetery (might be trespassing if you access the falls from there) or get back onto the Pali Hwy going southbound.

Once we were southbound on Hwy 61, we found a pullout about 500ft past the "Scenic Overlook 500ft" sign. At this pullout, there was a view overlooking a pagoda surrounded by tombstones as well as a bunch of broken glass (bad omen in terms of car break-ins). Once we got out of the car, we walked along the Pali Hwy (staying well clear of the oncoming traffic) then hopping over the railing just behind that Scenic Overlook sign. From there, a trail descended towards a view of the falls as well as its pool.

Crossing the stream, we were also able to walk downstream towards the cemetery where we checked out Alapena Falls.

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Looking down at the falls

A tiny cascade on the way to the falls (I believe this is Alapena Falls)

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NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Waikahalulu Falls
• Jackass Ginger Pool
• Likeke Falls
• Manoa Falls

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