Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls

Hamakua Coast / Honomu, Hawaii, USA

About Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Akaka Falls is a spectacular 420ft (though I’ve also seen 442ft reported as its height) waterfall and is certainly one of the most attractive of the accessible waterfalls on the Big Island.

Not only that, but it also placed high on our Top 10 List of Hawaii’s Best Waterfalls.

Akaka_Falls_062_03112007 - Akaka Falls
Akaka Falls

Usually, waterfalls this tall and gulches this steep remind me of the type of scenery we normally associate with inaccessible terrain seen on helicopter rides.

So it didn’t surprise me at all that it was popular, and I would certainly consider this waterfall a must-see attraction.

Given that it was that rare Hawaiian waterfall that welcomed visitors as it sat within its own state park, there really wasn’t an excuse not to see this wonder!

Experiencing Akaka Falls

Speaking of the Akaka Falls State Park, that meant that there was infrastructure in the form of a well-developed loop trail as well as a fair-sized car park.

The road to get here was also smooth and easy to drive with a possible view on clear sunny days of the peak of Mauna Kea (one of the twin shield volcanoes comprising the Big Island) and the Keck Observatory at its summit.

Akaka_Falls_005_jx_03092007 - On the well-developed paved walkway leading to the overlook of Akaka Falls
On the well-developed paved walkway leading to the overlook of Akaka Falls

Upon our visits to the falls, we did what the majority of visitors here would do.

That was to go left (clockwise direction) to head straight for this waterfall first.

This route that was signposted to be about 750ft long passed by some smaller cascades before getting to the viewing area overlooking a very large bowl-shaped amphitheater into which the falls tumbled.

There was also a little shelter as well where we noticed someone peddle their wares to tourists.

We noticed that most people didn’t bother doing the whole loop and turned back at this point.

Continuing to Kahuna Falls

Akaka_Falls_036_03092007 - Partial profile view of Kahuna Falls
Partial profile view of Kahuna Falls

However, we continued with the loop walk another 800ft towards the Kahuna Falls, which was another waterfall in the state park that seemed to be just as tall as Akaka Falls.

Once we got to its overlook, we could see why this waterfall was overshadowed by its famous counterpart.

While Kahuna Falls seemed to also be about 400ft tall or so, our view of it was limited to an angle that only showed the waterfall’s profile.

Thus, the watterflow had to be big enough to overshadow the trees growing on the cliffside in front of it to be satisfactorily seen.

I’m sure that if this waterfall had been given a more direct view, then perhaps it would’ve gotten just as much fanfare as Akaka.

Big_Island_Heli_Paradise_151_02222008 - Both Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls seen together from the air on a chopper ride
Both Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls seen together from the air on a chopper ride

On a separate occasion, Julie and I saw both these waterfalls by helicopter.

That further reinforced our hunch that these were almost like twin waterfalls.

Authorities

Akaka Falls resides in Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. For information or inquiries about the general area as well as current conditions, you may want to try visiting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: akaka, kahuna, hamakua, honomu, hilo, big island, hawaii, waterfall, state park



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

Akaka Falls – Big Island Hawaii April 2009 July 28, 2009 9:33 am by dar357 - I've been there (Akaka Falls) in Oct. 1988 / Sept. 1992 / June 1994 / Oct. 2000 & most recently April 2009 & it was very wet & rainy every time. However, renting a car & driving on Rte. 220 thru the tiny town of Honomu, HI & buying the best Tropical Flavored ice cream's… ...Read More

Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.