State guide

Waterfalls in Hawaii

112 waterfalls across 4 counties, ranked 8th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Kauai, Hawaii Island: Hilo and the Hamakua Coast, and Maui and Oahu.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best Waterfalls Most Beautiful Waterfalls Must-See Waterfalls Best Waterfall Hikes

Photo of Rainbow Falls in Hawaii County, Hawaii — Pictured: Rainbow Falls, HI

Why Hawaii Has So Many Waterfalls

Hawaii's waterfalls come from a simple but powerful combination: young volcanic mountains rising thousands of feet out of the Pacific and persistent northeast trade winds that drop heavy rain on their windward slopes. Our directory lists 112 named falls in the islands, eighth nationally, almost all of them on Kauai, Hawaii Island and Maui. Rain falling on basalt quickly finds fractures and lava tubes, but on the older, more weathered slopes it gathers into streams that have cut deep valleys and cliffs, and those valleys end in tall, narrow falls.

Island age shapes the pattern. Kauai, the oldest of the main islands, has been eroded the longest, which is why it has the most named falls in our directory, along with deeply carved valleys and the sheer cliffs of the Na Pali coast. On Hawaii Island, falls concentrate on the wet Hilo and Hamakua side, where streams drop over the flanks of Mauna Kea toward the sea. Maui's falls cluster on the windward slopes of Haleakala along the road to Hana and in the West Maui Mountains. Leeward coasts on every island are much drier and have few falls.

Hawaii Waterfall Regions

Kauai

40 waterfalls · Kauai County

Kauai leads the state with 40 named falls. Its central peaks are among the rainiest places on Earth, and the runoff has carved the island into ridges, valleys and amphitheater-headed canyons. On the east side near Wailua, Wailua Falls is a roadside double fall seen from an overlook, and Opaekaa Falls is viewed from a distance across a lush valley. Hoopii Falls near Kapaa is reached by a muddy forest trail. On the north shore, Hanakapiai Falls lies inland along the Na Pali coast, while the Waimea and Kalaheo areas on the drier west side give access to canyon-rim views of falls in Waimea Canyon and the interior.

Start with: Wailua Falls, Hoʻopiʻi Falls, ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, Hanakāpīʻai Falls, Manawaiopuna Falls

Hawaii Island: Hilo and the Hamakua Coast

37 waterfalls · Hawaii County

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.

Start with: Rainbow Falls, ʻAkaka Falls, Waiale Falls, Kulaniapia Falls, Hiʻilawe Falls

Maui and Oahu

35 waterfalls · Maui County and Honolulu County

Maui's 30 named falls cluster along the windward flanks of Haleakala, where the Hana Highway crosses stream after stream, and in the deep valleys of the West Maui Mountains. At the far end of the Hana road, Waimoku Falls is reached by a trail up the Pipiwai Stream in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. Oahu has fewer named falls but some of the most visited. Manoa Falls lies in a rainforest valley just above Honolulu, Maunawili Falls lies on the windward side below the Koolau Range, and Waimea Falls on the North Shore sits within a botanical garden reached by a paved path.

Start with: Mānoa Falls, Waimea Falls, Maunawili Falls, Waimoku Falls, Makahiku Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in Hawaii

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

Rainbow Falls

Hilo, HI · Hawaii County

4.5 (1,710 reviews)

Rainforest waterfall featuring distinctive rainbows on sunny days, seen from a viewing platform.

Rating
4.5 (1,710 Google reviews)
Address
Hilo, HI 96720
Nearest town
Hilo, HI (1.4 mi)
USGS topo
Hilo quad

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Mānoa Falls

Maunawili, HI · Honolulu County

4.6 (1,144 reviews)

A celebrated hiking area, this 150-foot waterfall is set amid tropical vegetation & an arboretum.

Rating
4.6 (1,144 Google reviews)
Address
Honolulu, HI 96822
Nearest town
Maunawili, HI (2.7 mi)
USGS topo
Honolulu quad

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Wailua Falls

Wailua Homesteads, HI · Kauai County

4.5 (1,103 reviews)

Dramatic double waterfall known for rainbows & its place in the "Fantasy Island" opening credits.

Rating
4.5 (1,103 Google reviews)
Address
Kauai County, HI 96746 (GPS 22.0346, -159.3786)
Nearest town
Wailua Homesteads, HI (2.1 mi)
USGS topo
Kapaa quad

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Waimoku Falls

Hana, HI · Maui County

4.9 (124 reviews)

A trail leads hikers to a tall waterfall at this hiking spot known for its picturesque landscapes.

Rating
4.9 (124 Google reviews)
Address
Maui County, HI 96713 (GPS 20.6790, -156.0568)
Website
nps.gov
Nearest town
Hana, HI (6.9 mi)
USGS topo
Kipahulu quad

View details Directions Website
Waimea Falls

Pupukea, HI · Honolulu County

4.3 (520 reviews)

A 45-ft.-tall waterfall accessed via a paved path or shuttle through scenic botanical gardens.

Rating
4.3 (520 Google reviews)
Address
North Shore, HI 96712
Nearest town
Pupukea, HI (2.0 mi)
USGS topo
Waimea quad

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ʻAkaka Falls

Pepeekeo, HI · Hawaii County

4.4 (405 reviews)

A modest trail leads to this 442-ft. waterfall on the Kolekole Stream, framed by tropical plants.

Rating
4.4 (405 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96720 (GPS 19.8532, -155.1562)
Nearest town
Pepeekeo, HI (3.5 mi)
USGS topo
Akaka Falls quad

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ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

Wailua Homesteads, HI · Kauai County

4.3 (205 reviews)

An overlook provides distant views of this scenic waterfall cascading in a lush environment.

Rating
4.3 (205 Google reviews)
Address
Wailua Homesteads, HI 96746
Nearest town
Wailua Homesteads, HI (1.9 mi)
USGS topo
Kapaa quad

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Hoʻopiʻi Falls

Kapa'a, HI · Kauai County

4.5 (289 reviews)

A hiking trail through a jungle leads to this series of scenic waterfalls with pools for swimming.

Rating
4.5 (289 Google reviews)
Address
Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Nearest town
Kapa'a, HI (2.4 mi)
USGS topo
Kapaa quad

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Hanakāpīʻai Falls

Princeville, HI · Kauai County

4.9 (90 reviews)

Reached via a trail that runs from the beach, this 91-m. waterfall provides an impressive sight.

Rating
4.9 (90 Google reviews)
Address
Kauai County, HI 96746 (GPS 22.1855, -159.5950)
Website
hawaiistateparks.org
Nearest town
Princeville, HI (7.8 mi)
USGS topo
Haena quad

View details Directions Website
Makahiku Falls

Hana, HI · Maui County

4.7 (33 reviews)

This 200-ft-tall horseshoe waterfall in Haleakalā National Park lies along the Ohe'o Gulch stream.

Rating
4.7 (33 Google reviews)
Address
Maui County, HI 96713 (GPS 20.6656, -156.0499)
Nearest town
Hana, HI (7.5 mi)
USGS topo
Kipahulu quad

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Manawaiopuna Falls

Kalaheo, HI · Kauai County

4.5 (35 reviews)

Located on private land, this 400-ft. waterfall seen in "Jurassic Park" is accessible by helicopter.

Rating
4.5 (35 Google reviews)
Address
Kauai County, HI 96741 (GPS 21.9884, -159.5256)
Nearest town
Kalaheo, HI (4.4 mi)
USGS topo
Koloa quad

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Maunawili Falls

Maunawili, HI · Honolulu County

4.1 (126 reviews)

Maunawili Falls is a waterfall in Honolulu County, Hawaii, about 1.7 miles south of Maunawili.

Rating
4.1 (126 Google reviews)
Address
Honolulu County, HI 96734 (GPS 21.3489, -157.7722)
Nearest town
Maunawili, HI (1.7 mi)

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Waiale Falls

Hilo, HI · Hawaii County

4.3 (61 reviews)

Waiale Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 3.4 miles west of Hilo. It appears on the USGS Piihonua topographic map.

Rating
4.3 (61 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96720 (GPS 19.7154, -155.1404)
Nearest town
Hilo, HI (3.4 mi)
USGS topo
Piihonua quad

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Waikani Falls

Wailua, HI · Maui County

4.6 (13 reviews)

Waikani Falls is a waterfall in Maui County, Hawaii, about 1.0 miles south of Wailua. USGS notes: On Wailuanui Stream approximately 1 mi W of Papiha Point.

Rating
4.6 (13 Google reviews)
Address
Maui County, HI 96790 (GPS 20.8346, -156.1371)
Nearest town
Wailua, HI (1.0 mi)
USGS topo
Keanae quad

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Kulaniapia Falls

Hilo, HI · Hawaii County

4.1 (44 reviews)

Kulaniapia Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 3.0 miles west of Hilo. It appears on the USGS Piihonua topographic map.

Rating
4.1 (44 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96720 (GPS 19.7234, -155.1365)
Nearest town
Hilo, HI (3.0 mi)
USGS topo
Piihonua quad

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Waipoʻo Falls

Kekaha, HI · Kauai County

4.8 (19 reviews)

Waipoʻo Falls is a waterfall in Kauai County, Hawaii, about 10 miles north of Kekaha. It appears on the USGS Waimea Canyon topographic map.

Rating
4.8 (19 Google reviews)
Address
Kauai County, HI 96796 (GPS 22.1043, -159.6615)
Nearest town
Kekaha, HI (10 mi)
USGS topo
Waimea Canyon quad

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Sacred Falls

Hau'ula, HI · Honolulu County

4.1 (30 reviews)

Sacred Falls is a waterfall in Honolulu County, Hawaii, about 2.1 miles south of Hau'ula. It appears on the USGS Hauula topographic map.

Rating
4.1 (30 Google reviews)
Address
Koolauloa, HI 96762
Nearest town
Hau'ula, HI (2.1 mi)
USGS topo
Hauula quad

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Hiʻilawe Falls

Waimea, HI · Hawaii County

3.5 (39 reviews)

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

Rating
3.5 (39 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96743 (GPS 20.0948, -155.5964)
Nearest town
Waimea, HI (7.0 mi)
USGS topo
Kukuihaele quad

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Kahūnā Falls

Pepeekeo, HI · Hawaii County

3.9 (25 reviews)

Kahūnā Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 3.4 miles northwest of Pepeekeo. It appears on the USGS Akaka Falls topographic map.

Rating
3.9 (25 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96728 (GPS 19.8574, -155.1535)
Nearest town
Pepeekeo, HI (3.4 mi)
USGS topo
Akaka Falls quad

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Kopiliula Falls

Wailua, HI · Maui County

4.8 (12 reviews)

Kopiliula Falls is a waterfall in Maui County, Hawaii, about 2.4 miles south of Wailua. It appears on the USGS Nahiku topographic map.

Rating
4.8 (12 Google reviews)
Address
Maui County, HI 96790 (GPS 20.8147, -156.1339)
Nearest town
Wailua, HI (2.4 mi)
USGS topo
Nahiku quad

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Kīlauea Falls

Kilauea, HI · Kauai County

2.6 (29 reviews)

Kīlauea Falls is a waterfall in Kauai County, Hawaii, about 0.9 miles east of Kilauea. USGS notes: In course of Kilauea Stream, on Kauai, 0.5 mi E of Kilauea.

Rating
2.6 (29 Google reviews)
Address
Kilauea, HI 96754
Nearest town
Kilauea, HI (0.9 mi)
USGS topo
Anahola quad

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Waipuhia Falls

Maunawili, HI · Honolulu County

4.2 (17 reviews)

Waipuhia Falls is a waterfall in Honolulu County, Hawaii, about 2.4 miles west of Maunawili. It appears on the USGS Honolulu topographic map.

Rating
4.2 (17 Google reviews)
Address
Honolulu, HI 96817
Nearest town
Maunawili, HI (2.4 mi)
USGS topo
Honolulu quad

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Kaluahine Falls

Honoka'a, HI · Hawaii County

4.2 (10 reviews)

A hike into Waipi’o Valley & over a black sand beach leads to this cascade that flows after rain.

Rating
4.2 (10 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96727 (GPS 20.1182, -155.5851)
Nearest town
Honoka'a, HI (8.1 mi)
USGS topo
Kukuihaele quad

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Kakeha Falls

Waimea, HI · Hawaii County

4.4 (7 reviews)

Kakeha Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 6.5 miles northeast of Waimea. It appears on the USGS Kukuihaele topographic map.

Rating
4.4 (7 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96743 (GPS 20.0921, -155.6037)
Nearest town
Waimea, HI (6.5 mi)
USGS topo
Kukuihaele quad

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Kaimukanaka Falls

Hilo, HI · Hawaii County

3.8 (9 reviews)

Kaimukanaka Falls is a waterfall in Hawaii County, Hawaii, about 1.9 miles west of Hilo. It appears on the USGS Hilo topographic map.

Rating
3.8 (9 Google reviews)
Address
Hawaii County, HI 96720 (GPS 19.7208, -155.1188)
Nearest town
Hilo, HI (1.9 mi)
USGS topo
Hilo quad

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Highest Rated in Hawaii

Waimoku Falls 4.9 from 124 reviews · Hana
Hanakāpīʻai Falls 4.9 from 90 reviews · Princeville
Makahiku Falls 4.7 from 33 reviews · Hana
Mānoa Falls 4.6 from 1,144 reviews · Maunawili
Rainbow Falls 4.5 from 1,710 reviews · Hilo

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

Hawaii Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Hawaii are about 341 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Wailua Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

51 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Mānoa Falls (also Manoa Falls) and Waimoku Falls (also Waimuki Fall).

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Hawaii

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Hawaii

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Waterfalls by County

County	Waterfalls	Share	Most visited
Kauai	40	36%	Wailua Falls
Hawaii	37	33%	Rainbow Falls
Maui	30	27%	Waimoku Falls
Honolulu	5	4%	Mānoa Falls

All Hawaii Waterfalls A to Z

‘O‘opulele Falls (Waimea)
Aa Falls (Waimea)
Aimoo Falls (Waimea)
Ha‘ipua‘ena (Wailua)
Haha Falls (Waialua)
Haʻipuaʻena Falls (Wailua)
Hakalaoa Falls (Waimea)
Hāli‘i Falls (Puhi)
Hāliʻi Falls (Puhi)
Hāloku Falls (Waialua)
Halulu Falls (Kalaheo)
Hanakāpīʻai Falls (Princeville)
Hanakoa Falls (Princeville)
Hawaii Falls (Hilo)
Hiʻilawe Falls (Waimea)
Hikiau Falls (Honoka'a)
Hina Falls (Waialua)
Hinalele Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Hīpuapua Falls (Waialua)
Ho‘ole‘a Falls (Princeville)
Hoʻoleʻa Falls (Princeville)
Hoʻopiʻi Falls (Kapa'a)
Hoʻopōuli Falls (Kilauea)
ʻAkaka Falls (Pepeekeo)
ʻĀwini Falls (Waimea)
ʻOʻopulele Falls (Waimea)
ʻOloʻupena Falls (Waialua)
ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Ipuu Falls (Waimea)
Kāhili Falls (Kalaheo)
Kahiwa Falls (Waialua)
Kaholalele Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Kahūnā Falls (Pepeekeo)
Kaimukanaka Falls (Hilo)
Kakeha Falls (Waimea)
Kaluahine Falls (Honoka'a)
Kanahualiʻi Falls (Hana)
Kapaka Nui Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Kapakaiki Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Kapakanui Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Kaukiuki Falls (Kalaheo)
Kauwehu Falls (Hilo)
Keanapakulua Falls (Kapaau)
Keʻākū Falls (Wailua)
Kekuapoʻowai Falls (Hana)
Kemole Falls (Waikoloa)
Kīlauea Falls (Kilauea)
Koakanini Falls (Hilo)
Koholālele Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Kopiliula Falls (Wailua)
Kulaniapia Falls (Hilo)
Lahomene Falls (Waimea)
Lauiole Falls (Hilo)
Lelekaae Falls (Hilo)
Limahuli Falls (Princeville)
Makahiku Falls (Hana)
Manawaiopuna Falls (Kalaheo)
Mānoa Falls (Maunawili)
Maunawili Falls (Maunawili)
Mo‘oloa Falls (Waialua)
Moa‘ula (Waialua)
Moaʻula (Waialua)
Moeloa Falls (Waimea)
Mōhihi Falls (Waimea)
Moʻoloa Falls (Waialua)
Naalapa Falls (Waimea)
Nanaue Falls (Waimea)
Ooiki Falls (Kalaheo)
Opae Kalaole Falls (Anahola)
Paaiki Falls (Kekaha)
Papala Falls (Waimea)
Pāpalaua Falls (Waialua)
Peepee Falls (Hilo)
Poakana Falls (Hilo)
Pu‘uka‘ōkū Falls (Waialua)
Puʻukaʻōkū Falls (Waialua)
Pukamaui Falls (Hilo)
Puohokamoa Falls (Wailua)
Pūwainui Falls (Princeville)
Rainbow Falls (Hilo)
Sacred Falls (Hau'ula)
Uhauʻiole Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Wahiloa Falls (Hilo)
Wai‘alae Falls (Waimea)
Wai‘ilikahi Falls (Waimea)
Waialae Falls (Hilo)
Waiale Falls (Hilo)
Waiamoa Falls (Waimea)
Waiānuenue Falls (Kalaheo)
Waiemi Falls (Pepeekeo)
Waihiʻumalu Falls (Hana)
Waiholoa Falls (Waimea)
Waihunehune Falls (Kilauea)
Waiʻalae Falls (Waimea)
Waiʻilikahi Falls (Waimea)
Waikaka Falls (Kalaheo)
Waikani Falls (Wailua)
Wailele Falls (Waialua)
Wailoa Falls (Hilo)
Wailua Falls (Wailua Homesteads)
Wailua Falls (Hana)
Waimanu Falls (Kualapu'u)
Waimea Falls (Pupukea)
Waimoku Falls (Hana)
Waiohiwi Falls (Makawao)
Waiokanalopaka Falls (Waikoloa)
Waiokilo Falls (Wailua)
Waiokuna Falls (Wailua)
Waiolue Falls (Kalaheo)
Waipo‘o Falls (Kekaha)
Waipoʻo Falls (Kekaha)
Waipuhia Falls (Maunawili)

Hawaii Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Hawaii?

Our directory lists 112 waterfalls in Hawaii (99 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 13 added from Google Maps listings), 8th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 4.2% of the national total. 96% of them are in just three counties: Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui.

What is the most visited waterfall in Hawaii?

By Google review count, Rainbow Falls in Hawaii County leads with 1,710 reviews and a 4.5 rating. Mānoa Falls is next.

Which Hawaiian island has the most waterfalls?

Kauai, with 40 named falls in our directory, followed by Hawaii Island with 37 and Maui with 30. Kauai is the oldest of the main islands, and long erosion under very heavy rainfall has carved its many valleys and cliffs.

Is it safe to swim beneath Hawaii's waterfalls?

It carries real risks. Rocks regularly fall from the cliffs above pools, flash floods can arrive with little warning, and freshwater may carry leptospirosis, so many agencies advise against swimming, especially with open cuts or after rain.

Which Hawaii town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Wailua Homesteads has 40 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Hawaii directory.