Akaka Falls
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After taking in the spectacular views of the WAIPIO VALLEY LOOKOUT, it was time to get on the road and see one of the main reasons we had traveled to this side of the island, AKAKA FALLS. Akaka Falls is located just under and hour south from the Waipio Valley Lookout, and about 25 minutes north of Hilo, and is very easy to get to. It is a major tourist destination, so there are signs on the roads leading to this popular spot.
The drive between the two spots is very beautiful. There is lush tropical vegetation everywhere. It made the drive fly by, because we couldn't take our eyes off all the beauty surrounding us.
Once we arrived at Akaka Falls, there was very limited parking. It is recommended to get to the park early to avoid large crowds. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We got there around 2:30 p.m. since we spent our morning enjoying our drive over (Check out that blog post here!) to this side of the island. The whole area was filled with tourists trying to find spots, and a huge tour company was just pulling in with their several large vans. The parking lot was completely full and cars were circling. We got lucky and a car pulled out along the street, so we took that spot. If you aren't there early in the morning and things are busy, take the first spot you can get.
There is a fee to get into the park (see chart to the right) and also for parking. Hawaii State Parks recommends you purchase your parking pass and entrance fee beforehand, as there is limited cell service while you are there. You can do that by using the QR code to the right. There is also a kiosk on site to pay, which is what we used. There was a long line to do this, so I definitely recommend using the QR code and paying beforehand so you aren't wasting valuable time. Once you are ready to start the hike, you will descend into the most lush, jungle-like vegetation you have ever seen. It's important to note that when the trail begins, there is descent that isn't super steep, but it's definitely not level either. Because you make your way down, remember you will have to make your way up. There are several areas on the way there and back that you will be climbing in elevation or descending. There are also stairs here and there. So, if you struggle with these sorts of hikes, be aware. My kids were able to hand it easily, but I saw some younger kids getting a little grumpy. We also saw some older adults from the tour company we had seen earlier needing to take very frequent breaks, especially on the last little bit of the trail back to the entrance. |
Fees for visiting Akaka Falls
Hawaii State Parks recommends you purchase your parking prior to arriving, due to limited cell coverage.
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View from the start of the trail down to a lower part of the trail.
After starting on the trail and working your way down a bit, you can choose to go left or right. The trail itself is a loop. We decided to head with the flow of traffic and veer to our right. Because people can go either direction, this can create somewhat of a traffic jam at different points along the trail.
The hike itself is a self-guided hike and you can take it at your own pace. The trail is a well-maintained paved path, but can be very narrow in parts. Because it's narrow and this is a very popular tourist site, you will find that as you are walking, you will quickly find people on your heels, which will make you feel like you need to pick up the pace. This can get a bit frustrating if you are really trying to take it all in. So again, it's worth your while to get there as early as possible and miss the crowds, so you can enjoy it at a leisurely pace.
Once on the hike, you will find yourself immersed in some of the most tropical, jungle-like vegetation you will ever experience. I have been on several other hikes around all the Hawaiian islands and none have compared to this one. From larger than life ferns, to bamboo towering all around you forming natural tunnels, streams flowing left and right, and banana trees with bunches of bananas hanging from them, it all feels very surreal.
The hike itself is a self-guided hike and you can take it at your own pace. The trail is a well-maintained paved path, but can be very narrow in parts. Because it's narrow and this is a very popular tourist site, you will find that as you are walking, you will quickly find people on your heels, which will make you feel like you need to pick up the pace. This can get a bit frustrating if you are really trying to take it all in. So again, it's worth your while to get there as early as possible and miss the crowds, so you can enjoy it at a leisurely pace.
Once on the hike, you will find yourself immersed in some of the most tropical, jungle-like vegetation you will ever experience. I have been on several other hikes around all the Hawaiian islands and none have compared to this one. From larger than life ferns, to bamboo towering all around you forming natural tunnels, streams flowing left and right, and banana trees with bunches of bananas hanging from them, it all feels very surreal.
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The sheer beauty of this tropical paradise you find yourself in while hiking would have been enough for me. I wouldn’t have needed to even see the waterfall to feel I had gotten my money’s worth. But the best is yet to come.
After meandering through this jungle, you will eventually round a corner and start descending to find yourself at the main destination, Akaka Falls. If it looks familiar, it might be because this waterfall was featured in Jurassic Park. The whole time we were walking through the jungle-like terrain, I kept telling my family, I feel like we are in Jurassic Park. It wasn't until after we got home that I realized, we kind of were!
Akaka Falls is a free-falling 442 feet waterfall. This part of the path is obviously extremely busy with everyone trying to stop and see the waterfall and of course take as many pictures as possible. Luckily, it opens up a bit here and allows for people to stop and do this.
After meandering through this jungle, you will eventually round a corner and start descending to find yourself at the main destination, Akaka Falls. If it looks familiar, it might be because this waterfall was featured in Jurassic Park. The whole time we were walking through the jungle-like terrain, I kept telling my family, I feel like we are in Jurassic Park. It wasn't until after we got home that I realized, we kind of were!
Akaka Falls is a free-falling 442 feet waterfall. This part of the path is obviously extremely busy with everyone trying to stop and see the waterfall and of course take as many pictures as possible. Luckily, it opens up a bit here and allows for people to stop and do this.
Descent down to the falls viewing area
The waterfall itself is impressive. Coming from Oregon, we have Multnomah Falls, which tends to make many Hawaiian waterfalls not feel as big or impressive. I remember seeing Wailua Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in Kauai for the first time and thinking, "This is it?" But seeing Akaka Falls, it impressed me.
The waterfall sits across from you at the viewing point and you can see it plummet into a deep pool of water below. It's hard to get the full scope of just how big this waterfall is just by looking at it.
The waterfall sits across from you at the viewing point and you can see it plummet into a deep pool of water below. It's hard to get the full scope of just how big this waterfall is just by looking at it.
Like I mentioned above, the trail is a loop. So once you are done viewing the waterfall, you keep going on the trail and it will eventually take you back to the trailhead and parking lot. Again, be prepared for the steep ascent up right at the end of the trail. Overall, the loop is only 0.4 miles and can take as short of time as 20 minutes if you are moving at a quick pace, and much longer if you take your time to enjoy it all. We took about 30 minutes, but it did feel like we were rushing through it a bit.
When going on this hike, we had excellent weather. It was warm and dry, so we made sure to have plenty of water to drink. This waterfall is on the rainy side of the island and this area experiences rain quite often, so bringing a rain jacket is also a great idea.
After the hike, we got back in our car and headed out of the park. Towards the bottom, we saw a stand and a bunch of cars parked there. It was called Mana's Aloha Fruit Stand. They were serving fresh pineapple and coconuts. We figured, "When in Rome..." So, we stopped and checked it out. Most people were buying both the fresh cut pineapple and the fresh coconut, so we did, too. The kids really wanted to try to the coconut water from a fresh coconut and they were not a fan. Neither was I, but we all loved the pineapple.
When going on this hike, we had excellent weather. It was warm and dry, so we made sure to have plenty of water to drink. This waterfall is on the rainy side of the island and this area experiences rain quite often, so bringing a rain jacket is also a great idea.
After the hike, we got back in our car and headed out of the park. Towards the bottom, we saw a stand and a bunch of cars parked there. It was called Mana's Aloha Fruit Stand. They were serving fresh pineapple and coconuts. We figured, "When in Rome..." So, we stopped and checked it out. Most people were buying both the fresh cut pineapple and the fresh coconut, so we did, too. The kids really wanted to try to the coconut water from a fresh coconut and they were not a fan. Neither was I, but we all loved the pineapple.
So far in this one day, we had great coffee, checked out two farmers markets, ate yummy malasadas, taken in some awesome views at the Waipio Valley Lookout, and now hiked to see an impressive water fall. But our day was not done and we still had many more sites to see while on this side of the island. Our next stop was the PANA'EWA ZOO AND GARDENS (or Hilo Zoo), and it was the stop my son was looking forward to the most.