Everyone In Hawaii Must Visit This Epic Waterfall As Soon As Possible
By Megan Shute|Published February 18, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Located along the northeastern Hamakua Coast, Akaka Falls State Park is home to two gorgeous waterfalls fed by the Kolekole Stream: Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls. At more than 400 feet in height, Akaka falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall on Hawaii Island – and for good reason.
As you follow the paved footpath, you will see the lovely 100-foot Kahuna Falls, and once you follow the loop around the bend, you will be confronted with the jaw-dropping Akaka Falls, which plummets 442-feet into the gorge below.
Many waterfalls in Hawaii only appear when it rains, or simply sheet down the side of the mountain, but Akaka Falls is different – the falls is a thick column of water that always seems to have a strong flow.
Fun fact: the oopu alamoo is an endemic Hawaiian species of goby fish that is spawned in the stream above the waterfall, but matures in the sea. The fish have a suction disk on their bellies that allows them to cling to the wet rocks near the waterfall, and they climb back up the stream – and the 442-foot waterfall to the stream, when it’s time to spawn.
To reach the state park, head about ten miles north of Hilo on Highway 19, and turn uphill on Akaka Falls Road between mile markers 13 and 14. Drive more than three miles to the parking lot at the end of the road: but be warned, the small lot fills up quickly.
It will cost you $5 to park at the falls, or $1 for pedestrians walking through the gate.
While the waterfall is absolutely stunning at any time, the best time to visit the park is a weekday between 9 and 11 a.m. – you’ll beat the tour buses, and the sun is high enough to illuminate the entire waterfall.
