kealii

I'm a huge fan of the waterfalls of Hawaii, and have spent many hours enjoying either the views or in the water itself. I have several favorites, including Kipu Falls on Kauai and Puohukamo Falls near Hana, Maui. I'm curious to know where your favorites are.

JayH

My favorite is Hawaii's highest, Hiilawe Falls in the Big Island's Waipio Valley. You can swim in the pool at the base, and looking straight up at 1200 feet of falling water is an unforgettable sight.

I also like Makahiku Falls in Ohe'o Gulch on Maui, which has a sort of "infinity pool" at the top where you can swim almost up to the brink of the falls.

(Both of these activities can be dangerous, needless to say.)

kealii

Thanks! Those two are high on my list of must do's. Jay - it seems you're quite an expert on adventures in Hawaii - right up my alley. I'd love to hear more about your favorite experiences / places. Not sure how to email you direct on this.

Have you been to the bottom of Wailua Falls or Opaeka'a Falls on Kauai?

Kal

Not one waterfall in particular but...

We were golfing on Kauai's Puukea-The Grove and a BIG downpour started and lasted about 15-20 mins.
Once it cleared we looked up at the mountains and saw a ton of white cascading waterfalls. The lush green mountains looked alive!

Oh, and the rainbows dancing in and out of the valleys just added to the grand show.

Unbelievable but that's Kauai!

And Hanakapiai Falls is something to write home about. Half the fun is just getting there.

julesj66

I forget what they call this one, but in Maui along the road to Hana ... you've got to go off the road toward the ocean (we had to drive thur a ditch/creek w/water up to the door of our SUV) and then park & do some small boulder hopping & you come to a waterfall w/a pool to swim in right on the edge of the ocean! I'm sure someone knows the name!

kealii

I believe that's Blue Pool you're talking about. Beautiful spot.

Suzie

Kal, it must be getting close so where's the countdown?

Kal

Suuuuuz,
Who? Me?
46, baby!
But who's countin'?
Kountdown Kal

Suzie

Kal, I have just one thing to say:

I wish it were me!!!

Kal

Suuuuz,
I'm shipping my clubs over again.

:-? How tall are you?

JayH

Kealii,
I've only seen Wailua and Opaeka'a Falls from the overlooks. Also on my wish list for Kauai is the trail in Waimea Canyon to Waipoo Falls, the 800 foot waterfall you can see from across the canyon.

On the Big Island, I also would have liked to have seen the waterfall that appears at the end of the movie 'Waterworld', which falls almost into the ocean just outside Waipio Valley.

If you do the hike to Hiilawe Falls, there's a description of the route in the 'Big Island Revealed' guidebook. We never saw the trail, just scrambled straight up the stream bed, which was wet and muddy but not too difficult.

kealii

Wow - more spots to add to my list. Thanks. Do you know if Sacred Falls on Oahu has or will re-open? How did/does that compare to some of the other falls mentioned? Does Oahu have any other must-see falls?

JayH

I haven't been to Sacred Falls, but I know it's still closed. There's a debate going on now about whether to reopen it with limited access.

The only Oahu waterfall I've been to is Waimea Falls on the north shore, which was a touristy place at the time with cliff diving and hula exhibitions, but is now being run by the Audubon Society as more of a nature preserve. I'm sure you can still swim in the deep pool at the base. It's a beautiful spot.

Manoa Falls near Waikiki is also, I hear, a very popular short hike.

koa

Hanakapiai falls on the Na Pali coast is awesome. I have also been to Manaowaipuna falls in the back of Hanapepe valley. I was lucky enough to have been invited by the Robinson family, as access here is restricted.(This is the Jurassic Falls falls)