Kulaniapia Falls

Kulaniapia Falls is a private waterfall on the Waiau Stream situated on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea not far from Hilo.

According to the owner Lenny, this 80-100ft waterfall (the height is just a guess) was actually filmed for "

Anyways, this was definitely one of the more attractive waterfalls we've seen on the Big Island, and the Asian-themed Inn nearby was definitely a nice place to relax and sleep to the sound of the falls (that is if the mozzies aren't too bothersome).

Julie and I actually visited Kulaniapia Falls twice. The reason being was that the first time happened to be on a real soggy and unusually pouring Super Bowl XLII weekend in February 2008 where the falls was swollen and looked menacing. So we came back three weeks later to see the falls in a more normal state.

From the Inn, we had to walk around the property on grass (on the car park side) before finding the descending trail to the base (starting beneath the balcony of the Inn). We were told that Lenny worked real hard (with hired assistance) to clear that path as it was completely jungle prior to him opening this place up for guests. Apparently, the falls also provided localized hydro power for some of the electricity on site. Plus, there was a bamboo garden heading in the other direction from the trail to the falls.

From the Hwy 19/Waianuenue Ave junction in downtown Hilo, drive west (mauka) on Waianuenue Ave for a block to the one-way Keawe St. Turn right onto Keawe St and look for Ohai St just past the bridge over the Wailuku River. Turn left onto the narrow Ohai St then go straight past Wainaku St as Ohai St narrows even more and becomes Amau'ulu Rd.

As you continue going west on Amau'ulu Rd for about a mile, you'll start to see Kulaniapia Falls signs indicating you're indeed headed the right way. The first sign is at Maikalani St, where you turn left. Follow Maikalani St for a little over 2 miles to a three-way junction with Pu'ueo Mauka Dr (and another sign for the falls). Turn left at this junction and follow the curving road south for a little over a half-mile before turning left again at another three-way intersection and sign. About a third of a mile east of the intersection, you'll be at the Inn.

There is a car park for guests just beyond the main building's canopy.

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Another look at the Inn

The walkway to the base of the falls

Side view of the falls from its plunge pool

View of the falls from the balcony

The falls during an unusually nasty rain storm on Super Bowl XLII Weekend

Another look at the swollen falls

What the falls looks like under warm morning light

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Right to left sweep from the balcony

Right to left sweep of the falls from a lower lookout platform

Right to left sweep of the swollen falls from the patio of the Inn

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TRIP REPORTS

• February 2, 2008
• February 22-24, 2008

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Pe'epe'e Falls
• Wai'ale Falls
• Rainbow Falls

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