Archives: Waterfalls
Waiulili Falls
Waiulili Falls is an ocean-bound waterfall accessible via the sacred Waipi’o Valley (another being Kaluahine Falls) reached by a sketchy coastal scramble.
Umauma Falls
Umauma Falls is a 300ft multi-tiered waterfall that frequents post cards as well as calendars. It sits on private land along the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast.
Nanue Falls
Nanue Falls is really a series of waterfalls on the Nanua Stream, but reaching a good view of one of the falls requires a very tricky and awkward scramble.
“Hanapueo Falls” and “Lower Umauma Falls”
Both the Hanapueo Falls and the Lower Umauma Falls are visible from a bridge along Highway 19 just north of Hilo. You’ll have to watch for a pullout on the mauka…
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is a convenient and popular 80ft year-round waterfall on the Wailuku River near downtown Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii with a trail to its top.
Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls
Akaka Falls is a 420-442ft waterfall north of Hilo on the Hamakua Coast in its own state park. It’s accessed by a short trail that also includes Kahuna Falls.
Peepee Falls
Peepee Falls (or Pe’epe’e Falls) is a 50-60ft waterfall upstream from the Boiling Pots in the Wailuku River State Park near downtown Hilo on the Big Island.
Waiale Falls
Waiale Falls (or Wai’ale Falls) is a pair of lesser known waterfall further upstream from both Pe’epe’e Falls and the popular Rainbow Falls near downtown Hilo.
“Kolekole Falls”
Kolekole Falls is a name I’m using for this little cascade which can be a popular swimming hole in Kolekole Beach Park when the stream and oceans are calm.
Onomea Falls
Onomea Falls is a waterfall nestled in the Hawaii Tropical Botannical Garden, which also has Boulder Creek Falls. The garden is on a drive around Onomea Bay.
Laie Falls
Laie Falls (or La’ie Falls) is a light-flowing 15ft waterfall reached on a lengthy 6-mile round-trip hike in the Ko’olau Mountains above the town of La’ie.
Jackass Ginger Pool
The Jackass Ginger Pool is really more of a swimming hole than a waterfall attraction found by following the stream after deviating from the Judd Trail.
Hipuapua Falls
Hipuapua Falls is one of two major waterfalls at the head of Halawa Valley. It drops 500ft in a different drainage to Moaula Falls so it’s difficult to access.
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is a set of private waterfalls that tends to be popular swimming holes because of how easily accessible they are and how welcoming the owners are.
Punalau Falls
Punalau Falls is a hidden 100ft waterfall at the head of a tricky stream scramble upstream from the Road to Hana in Maui with a high risk of flash floods.
Puaa Kaa Falls
Puaa Kaa Falls (or Pua’a Ka’a Falls) resides in the Pua’a Ka’a State Park, which makes it one of the rare waterfalls where public access is actually welcome.
Likeke Falls
Likeke Falls is a pretty 30ft waterfall that was apparently the result of a broken ditch further upstream. So I guess you can say this waterfall isn’t natural.
Sacred Falls
Sacred Falls is hands down the most beautiful waterfall on O’ahu where the bottom of this 1100ft waterfall was once accessible along a trail in a narrow canyon.
Waimea Falls
Waimea Falls is a popular 45-55ft waterfall and swimming hole with a lifeguard reached by a stroll through a botanical garden in the North Shore of Oahu.
Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls is a very popular waterfall reached on an hour-long hike through a jungle sprinkled with bamboo near the University of Hawaii inland from Waikiki.