Upper Waikani Falls ("The Three Bears Falls")
Upper Waikani Falls is one of the more famous waterfalls on the Hana Highway. Affectionately dubbed the "Three Bears Falls," we believe this is one of the few waterfalls where less is more. Our first couple of visits to the falls were basically from a roadside pullout, which was real easy to spot since you can't miss it from the road heading towards Hana. However, on our third visit here, we finally figured out a "fairly" tolerable route to scramble beneath the Hana Highway bridge and continue on a use trail right to the pool before the falls. The key for us was to look for a way to scramble on the makai side. The mauka side looked slippery and risky going down (but it was a decent shortcut on the way back up since it's easier for me to climb than go down when scrambling). There was a slab of concrete underneath the side of the road so I was able to descend without my feet ever being left in the air (and having to take that leap of faith from which you might never come back up again). I don't know if that concrete slab would still be there over time though. [Back to top]  The makai side of the bridge The start of the scramble to the base of the falls. Look carefully at the rocks and slabs on the ground. Those help reduce the height of that first step! Upper Waikani Falls in high flow looking like a big fat bear Closer look at the falls in high flow[Back to top] TRIP REPORTSFor more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCESNEARBY WATERFALLSHave You Been To This Waterfall?
Share your experience! [Back to top] [Go to the Maui Waterfalls Page] [Go to the Hawai'i Page] [Return from Upper Waikani Falls to the World of Waterfalls Home Page] |
Timeshares
| There's lots to say about Hawaii and its waterfalls. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in... |
you might also like...
Maui Waterfalls
Hawaii Waterfalls
Hawaii's Top 10
South Pacific Waterfalls
Other Hawaiian Attractions
Hawaii Travel Stories
Tell YOUR Story!
or Comments
| Prior to the Mothers day landslide that killed 8 people and injured 50 others, on Mothers Day of 1999, Sacred Falls State Park was my favorite hike on this Island...[more] |
| Ahoy! On or about June 1975, on an afternoon helicopter ride with Jack Harter, out of the Kauai Surf Hotel, Na'wili'wili, we were flying west of Kapa'a...[more] |
| I was stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station 1970 to 1972 and frequented the Likeke water falls (Oahu). Back then there was a trail off...[more] |
| I am extremely familiar with Papalaua Falls. I used to run kayak trips down Koolau Moloka'i and will again someday. I also made two documentaries including the falls...[more] |
| I loved Wailua Falls. We hiked to the bottom and swam in the gigantic pool. We got such beautiful pictures of our family. The hike was not well marked and very steep....[more] |
| I was stationed at Schofield Barracks from 1980-1983. I was introduced to Sacred Falls by some locals at my church. My fondest memory was climbing the hillsides on the trail...[more] |
| I am a professional photographer and was turned onto this waterfall by a local tour company which took hikers up to Likeke waterfall on a daily basis...[more] |
World of Waterfalls
See Where We've Been!
The World's Top 10
Waterfalls FAQ
Waterfalls 101
Take an Emotive Journey!
Waterfalls Blog