Photo Caption: Akaka Falls is easily accessible by a step trail that runs along its right shoulder down into the gorge. ![]() Hit Akaka Falls after several days of rain, when the afternoon sun is behind the falls, and you may get the coveted waterfall double-whammy: fiercely pounding water with rainbows. Of course, the more it rains, the mightier the falls flow. There's a little shelter at the overlook where you can duck out of the rain, which can exceed 250 inches per year on this part of the island. It's not the tallest waterfall in Hawaii (that would be 2,953-foot Oloupena Falls on the north shore of Molokai), but it is the tallest Hawaiian waterfall plunging from top to bottom in a single, unbroken drop, without cascading over ledges along the way. Thousands of gallons of water per minute pour over the edge of the cliff, plunging 442 feet in a single, spectacular drop, and crashing into the dark pool below in a fearsome ball of exploding white water. The falls form where the bottom drops out of a mountain stream draining the rainforest on the lush Hamakua Coast. From Kahuna Falls the trail climbs a small hill, passes beneath some banyan trees, and then comes to the Akaka Falls overlook, the climax of this quickie hike. From this point though, water from both falls courses through Kolekole Stream to the ocean, 3 miles away.ģ. Akaka Falls is located on Kolekole Stream. Across the gorge is Kahuna Falls, which drops 100 feet into Kolekole Stream. A few minutes further along the trail and you'll come to a little spur that dead-ends at the edge of a gorge. I'm not suggesting that you're ant-like, but bamboo is the largest member the grass family, not to mention the fastest growing woody plant on the planet.Ģ. The perspective isn't unlike what an ant in the grass might experience. Take a moment on the bridge over the little stream there to enjoy the towering walls of bamboo. It soon descends a second flight of steps, then enters a grove of giant bamboo. The trail is paved the whole way and lined with handrails to help with the drops and climbs. That way you'll come to relatively shrimpy Kahuna Falls first, building drama as you approach the marquee attraction.ġ. The loop trail starts at the edge of the parking lot, drops down a short flight of steps, then immediately presents you with a choice: go left or go right? Go right. The trail brings you to two waterfalls: 100-foot Kahuna Falls, and even more impressive 442-foot Akaka Falls. Located near Hilo on the island's lush windward side, the paved trail circles through a lowland rainforest thick with bamboo, banana, bird of paradise, azalea, gardenia, hibiscus, and so much more you could fill the index of a field guide to tropical botany with it. When you reach the stream, cross carefully over a series of boulders and then bear left Many hikers lose their way at the next stream intersection. Bear left down a long flight of stairs that terminates back at the stream. Straight ahead is a path leading to an intersection with the Maunawili Trail. After a brief but strenuous ascent, you'll reach a lookout with a bench and a fine view of Mount Olomana. You'll do most of your climbing over the next quarter-mile stretch, aided by a series of man-made steps. Look for the sign on the left and follow the path away from the stream.Ģ. After crossing, follow the narrow trail to the right to yet another crossing then bear left.Īfter a gradual uphill walk, you'll reach a large intersection. The next stream intersection appears soon after, marked by a large banyan tree. Continue along a rooty trail lined with giant torch ginger. If the flow is too strong for you to maintain your balance should you fall in, turn around.ġ. If the stream is running high and fast, test the strength of the flow from the side before venturing across. Under normal conditions, you should be able to hop across three or four medium-size boulders to get to the other side. ![]() ![]() To begin, follow a narrow pathway that cuts through a grove of mountain apple trees and coffee plants until you come to the first stream crossing. The trail head is located to the right of a dirt path opposite the start of Kelewina Street. Still, the trail is well maintained, with gravel fill and mostly unobtrusive lumber reinforcements preventing the sort of serious erosion present on many Oahu trails. Like most of the island's trail-accessible waterfall areas, it is subject to heavy foot traffic throughout the year. It's short, easy (except for a steep section of man-made stairs near the end), and, most of all, it features a 20-foot waterfall that feeds a deep, wide swimming hole. Maunawili Falls Trail is perhaps the most popular hike on the Windward Coast, and for good reason.
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