Hiʻilawe Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Hiʻilawe Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 7.0 miles northeast of Waimea. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Hawaii County, HI

Nearest town

Waimea (7.0 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★☆ 3.5 from 39 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

20.09479, -155.59637

USGS topo

Kukuihaele quad

Getting there

Hiʻilawe Falls sits about 7.0 miles northeast of Waimea in Hawaii County. Navigate to the coordinates 20.09479, -155.59637, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Hiʻilawe Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Many of Hawaii's best-known falls are in state parks or national parks, while others sit on private land, in watershed areas or in botanical gardens that charge admission. Several popular sites, including Haena State Park at the start of Kauai's Kalalau Trail, use reservation or entry systems for out-of-state visitors, so checking current requirements is wise. Parking is tight along the Hana Highway, and stopping on narrow shoulders is dangerous and often restricted. The biggest hazard is flash flooding: streams can rise within minutes from rain falling far upslope, stranding hikers at crossings. Rockfall beneath falls is common, freshwater can carry leptospirosis, and trails turn very slick with red mud. Respect closures and no-trespassing signs, which are frequently posted at informal access points.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Hiʻilawe Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Hawaii. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 20.09479, -155.59637 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Rain gear and insect repellent. Hawaiian waterfall trails are often muddy, and stream levels can rise quickly after upstream rain.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Hawaii has falls year-round, but flow depends on recent rain far more than on season. The wetter months generally run from about October through April, when winter storms add to trade-wind showers and falls along the Hana Highway, the Hamakua Coast and Kauai's interior run strongest. Summer trades still bring regular windward showers, so many falls keep flowing, though some smaller ones shrink to a trickle during dry spells. Morning visits tend to be clearer, calmer and less crowded, and they are best for rainbows at Rainbow Falls in Hilo. Heavy rain can arrive suddenly in any month, and north-shore winter surf affects coastal trailheads on Kauai and Oahu. With 39 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Hiʻilawe Falls holds a 3.5-star average across 39 Google reviews, and 49% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 5 waterfall by review count in Hawaii County. Visitors have shared 66 photos.

Plunging over 1000 feet, this famous waterfall was made when a lava flow created the large cliffs.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Older maps and records also list it as Hiilawe Falls and Hiilawe Fall.

Hiʻilawe Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on February 6, 1981, and it appears on the USGS Kukuihaele 7.5-minute topographic map.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names made a formal decision on its name on June 11, 2015.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Lālākea Stream (stream, 0.2 mi), Lālākea Reservoir (reservoir, 0.9 mi), Nanaue Stream (stream, 1.1 mi), and Hiʻilawe Stream (stream, 1.1 mi).

Hawaii Island: Hilo and the Hamakua Coast. On the Big Island, nearly all of the 37 named falls lie on the windward northeast side between Hilo and Waimea. Streams fed by the rains on Mauna Kea's slopes cut steep gulches across the Hamakua Coast and spill over old lava flows on their way to the ocean. In Hilo, Rainbow Falls drops over a lava ledge on the Wailuku River and is known for rainbows in morning sun, while Waiale Falls is a short distance upstream. North of town, Akaka Falls is reached by a short loop through tropical plants in a state park. Kulaniapia Falls sits on private land outside Hilo.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Hiʻilawe Falls about 7.0 miles northeast of Waimea is rated 3.5 out of 5 by 39 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Hiʻilawe Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.