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Waimea Falls

Swimmers enjoying themselves beneath Waimea Falls


Waimea Falls is a very popular and scenic waterfall nestled in the North Shore of O'ahu behind Waimea Bay.

When we were there, the falls resided in the Waimea Valley Audubon Center, which required paid admission into its botanical gardens. In the past few years since we visited this place in January 2007, I believe the owner of the lands have changed hands. Anyways, the waterfall spills 45-55ft at the end of the paved walk (a little over a mile one-way), which was really more like a stroll (as I recalled) as we passed through a variety of flora and interpretive signs. It was literally like walking through a combination of a botanical garden and park.

Once at the falls, the plunge pool was flanked by a change room as well as a lifeguard. We had seen numerous families partake in this walk, and we agree that it would probably be a great place to take the kids and teach them about Nature while having a fun and relaxing time in this serene place.

The falls as seen from the bridge right before the end of the trailInterestingly, Waimea Falls has many names. "Waimea" means "reddish water" in Hawaiian, a reference to the underlying reddish volcanic soil. During times of heavy rain, the swollen Kamananui Stream scours the reddish volcanic soil from the stream banks and colors the falls red.

Waimea Falls is also known as Waihi Falls. Waihi means "trickling water" or "clinging water." And I'm betting it got this name when the waterfall slows to a trickle during unusually dry winters and towards the end of summer. I also saw that Waimea Falls has also been called Waihe'e Falls. Waihe'e is Hawaiian for "water slide," though this is certainly not a waterfall to be sliding down!

It's hard to believe that prior to this being a botanical garden, this place used to be the Waimea Valley Adventure Park, which featured cliff diving exhibitions, kayaking, and even ATV touring! Needless to say, our visit was much more low key than the adrenaline rush this place once offered.

Directions: There are two major routes from Waikiki to the Waimea Valley, one inland and one coastal. The coastal route follows O'ahu's eastern and northern shores, and took us about 90 minutes. The inland route cuts directly through the less interesting center of the island, but required us only 45-60 minutes.

The turnoff for the park leaves Hwy 83 opposite Waimea Bay (I think they hold the Eddie Aikau ["Eddie Would Go"] Invitational here when the waves are crazy high). The access road leads right into the large car park area.

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Julie on the walk into the gardenJulie on the walk into the garden

Further along the paved walk through the botannical gardenFurther along the paved walk through the botannical garden

Closeup of Waimea FallsCloseup of the falls

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Oahu and Waimea Falls  Not rated yet
I went to Oahu twice on the Navy's dime while attached to the U.S.S. Alabama submarine. The first time, I only had 4 hrs. to play. The second time, in ...

At Least One Dive... (Waimea Falls)  Not rated yet
I was stationed at Schofield Barracks in 1964, and I met a local girl and we were married. She knew all the best waterfalls so we would travel around a ...



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