The Rainbow Coast of the Big Island

Akaka Falls

Tips for Exploring the Big Island: Waterfalls

  There are three ways to drive from Kona to the Hilo side of the Big Island; south past Captain Cook, South Point and the black sand beach, middle across the scenic saddle road, or north along the Hamakua Coast. All of these options have amazing sights, but for this blog post I am going to focus on the Hamakua coastline, or what I like to call the "Waterfall Coast".

  This is the rainy side of the island, and that point is obvious once you get through the little cowboy town of Waimea. Here the dry yellow grass turns into lush green pastures, which quickly gives way to tropical rainforest. The road curves around huge gulches which have been carved out by thousands of years of heavy rainfall. Flame trees light the canopy up with bright orange flowers among the many shades of green. Wild ginger and heliconia fight for space with huge ferns which remind me of Jurassic Park. And with all the rain this is where you can find some of Hawaii's most spectacular waterfalls. 

    One of the tallest and easiest to access waterfalls is Akaka Falls. Now a state park, there is a $5 parking fee and $1 entrance fee, (free for Kama'aina), which it totally worth it. The concrete path takes a loop through the dense tropical rainforest with a lookout over two different waterfalls. The water tumbles off a rocky cliff 442ft straight down into a pool below. It is only a 3 mile detour off the main road and well worth the stop. If it's raining then wait a couple of minutes and it may stop. Akaka Falls is about 11 miles north of Hilo.

Rainbow Falls, Big Island

  Just as you enter Hilo town you will cross a bridge covering a pretty wide river. Follow this river up a few miles through town and you will come to another famous waterfall called Rainbow Falls. If you get lucky enough to come on a sunny day you may just get a rainbow in the crash zone at the bottom  of the falls. There is a trail here that can lead you to the top of the falls if you are feeling brave and want to peak over the edge. Or if you are into cliff jumping follow the river a few more miles up to a spot the locals call Boiling Pots for some extreme cliff jumping. My advice on this is always watch the locals do it first and follow their lead.

  The other big waterfalls to check out along this coast are in Waipio Valley. Not too far outside of Waimea town you come to a huge sign at a little restaurant called Tex's. This is a must stop for their famous malasadas, a style of Portuguese doughnuts with a Hawaiian flair. Keep heading through this little town until you get to the overlook for Waipio Valley. This is a stopping point for most people since they don't have a 4X4 to make it to the bottom of the valley road. But if you do get down there you can find idyllic settings, wild horses, and waterfalls galore. A local guide could even get you all the way to the back of the valley to your own private Hawaiian waterfall if you don't mind braving a hike they call 'the Commando Hike.'