Oahu Hikes

MAUNAWILI FALLS

Maunawili Falls is a fantastic hike with a rewarding 25 ft waterfall and swimming hole at the end of the hike. Maunawili Falls is located on the windward side of Oahu, and draws thousands of people from all over. 


The trail itself is located in a neighborhood right by the Koolau mountains. When you arrive you must find street parking and the location of the start of the trail can be a bit confusing.

While hiking the trail, you will see AMAZING views from the Koolau mountains, as well as smaller waterfalls along the way. Be aware, this trail can be very muddy! I have actually hiked it barefoot because it was easier in all of the mud. The hike has a few stream crossings, so be careful not to get confused. Its a short/fairly easy hike which takes about 2 hours, and has an elevation of 400 ft. When you get to the end of the trail you will find the waterfall. There are two separate spots to jump from. Most people, (including myself), jump from the smaller one. However, there is a little trail you can take up along the side of the waterfall which will take you to the BIG jump. The brave men jump from here!
*note- keep in mind that many of the fresh water streams in Hawai'i contain Leptospirosis and it is advised you that you do not go in if you
have any open cuts or wounds.
If you have any questions, just ask Lyndsay!

Below is a map as well as the easiest directions found from To-hawaii.com

Location: Kelewina Street, Maunawili, HI 96734
Directions: From Honolulu, take the Pali Highway toward Kailua. Turn right at the second Auloa Road, then veer left onto Maunawili Road. At the end of Maunawili Road, make a right turn onto Kelewina Street. Park on the street and walk left to the trail access.
For more information on Maunawili Falls as well as user reviews check out:
Maunawili Falls

MANOA FALLS/AIHUALAMA TRAIL

Entrance to the Trail

Manoa Falls Trail located in the Manoa Valley is a fairly easy hike through a scenic rain forest and bamboo forest to the base of a 100 ft. waterfall and small pool. This trail is a premier example of the beauty Hawaii has to offer. It has been a popular filming spot for television and movies with scenes from the hit TV show LOST being filmed here, as well as parts of Jurassic Park.

Difficulty: Easy
Trail Length: 0.8 mi
Duration: Approx. 30-45 minutes

Because this trail is not so strenuous compared to other hikes around the island, it makes it one of the most popular hikes. This site can get fairly crowded on the weekends. The scenic rain forest atmosphere provides ample shade and protection from the sun which helps makes this hike cool and breezy. The trail gradually ascends to the waterfalls base where a viewing area has been constructed to restrict access to the pool due to a landslide that occurred in 2002. The pool itself is a shallow wading pool, and many visitors do venture around the barricade to enter the pool. WARNING! Most fresh water pools in Hawaii may contain a bacteria that can cause Leptospirosis. Signs and warnings are posted to warn against entering the pool if you have any open cuts or wounds.

For more experienced hikers: If the 0.8 hike to the Manoa Falls is too short for you, there is a trail marked to the left of the viewing area. This is Aihualama Trail NOT suitable for novice hikers. This trail is about 1.3 mi and takes from 2-3 hours to reach the summit where you get a fantastic view of Manoa Valley. The terrain switchbacks up the mountain through many different landscapes and also gives access to other trails in the Honolulu Mauka Trail System.

**As of February 2013, the Aihualama Trail has been closed temporarily due to a major landslide that has covered parts of the trail. However, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is currently working on a project to restore the trail and make it available to the public again.**


Manoa Falls Trail is located at:
Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822

How to get to Manoa Falls from Waikiki
Drive:
Driving directions to Manoa Falls from Waikiki: Take Kalakuau Ave (the main road through Waikiki) to Philips St. Turn right on Philips St. Take the first left onto Punahou St. Punahou St. turns slightly right and becomes Manoa Road. Follow Manoa Road to the end of the road. Note: East Manoa Road splits off to the right. Stay left on Manoa Road. Parking is available for $5. Drive time is about 15 minutes from Waikiki. To find Manoa falls on a GPS or an online map, use the address for Treetops Restaurant which is 3737 Manoa Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. See map to Manoa Falls to the right.

Public Transportation (theBus):
Take bus #5 from Ala Moana center to the last stop. The bus takes about 25 minutes (more like an hour when you add wait time and walking time). Walk about 1/2 mile from the bus stop to the trail head. There are signs near the bus stop pointing to Manoa Falls. You can take a bus to Ala Moana if your hotel is not within walking distance. Be sure to get a transfer when you get on the first bus so you won't have to pay for the second bus. The cost is $2.50 (exact change). Discounts are available for children and seniors.

Tour buses:
A number of tour companies take bus or van tours to Manoa Falls. Inquire at your hotel. The hotel can put you in touch with these tour companies. This option will be quite a bit more expensive than theBus, but it is a lot easier since they will pick you up at your hotel, get you to the right place, and then return you to the hotel. Also, they will usually have a knowledgable guide.

Taxi Cab:
Cabs are numerous in Waikiki. They are more expensive than theBus, but will get you there and back a lot faster.

Waimea Falls Trail

Waimea Valley is a historic nature park located on the North Shore of O'ahu. It is one of the last, partially intact ahupua'a on O'ahu. An ahupua'a is a land division that extends from the uplands to the sea. Hawaiians used the rain water to feed their crops, the mountains for hunting, and the ocean for fishing. Everything you need to survive was available in an ahupua'a.

The valley has been a sacred place for more than 700 years of Native Hawaiian history. Waimea means, "The Valley of the Priests" and was given this name around 1090, when the land was awarded to a Kahuna Nui (high priest). Descendants of the high priest continued to care for the land until 1886. With the purchase of the land by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2006, they seek to preserve the Hawaiian Culture through many aspects.

Operating Hours

• Open daily from 9am-5pm, 7 days a week
• Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day

Admission Fees

• Visiting Adults $15
• Visiting Child $7.50 (ages 4-12)
• Visiting Senior $7.50 (ages 60+)
• Kama'aina/Military Adult $10 each
• Kama'aina/Military Child $5 (ages 4-12)
• Kama'aina/Military Senior $5 (age 60+)
• Individual Annual Pass $50.00
• Family Pass $100.00 (2 adults & up to 4 children under the age of 12)

Activities

• Several activities (with paid admission) are offered throughout the day in different locations in the valley

Cultural Activities

• Hula demonstrations
• Hawaiian games
• Crafts
• Music
• Story telling

Ancient Hawaiian Archaeological Sites

• 78 sites of interest have been identified including religious sites and shrines, house sites, agricultural terraces and fishponds

World Class Botanical Garden Collections

• The 150-acre Botanical Collection that contains more than 5,000 kinds of tropical and subtropical plants including native and endangered Hawaiian plants.

Wildlife

• There are several native and endangered birds in the valley
• Because there are so many endangered plants and animals, no domestic animals are allowed
• Includes: birds, cats, dogs, with the exception of service dogs

Waihi Waterfall                                                                                                                     

• 45 foot Waterfall
• About 3/4 of a mile from the ticket booth

Retail, Food & Beverage Services

• Retail Store
• Showcases North Shore artists and Hawaii crafts of locally made products
• The concession stand uses locally grown, made-in Hawaii ingredients for local dining

For More Information on Waimea Falls, click here

Diamond Head Hike

Diamond Head hike, also known as the Diamond Head Crater was built in 1908. It was part of the Oahu's coastal defense system. Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu and Leahi in Hawaiian, it was mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds in the 19th century.

Diamond Head is younger than the main mass of the Ko'olau Mountain Range. It is estimated to approximately 200,000 years old and was inactive for around 150,000 years compare with the Ko'olau Range of 2.6 million years old. Visitors can start their hike from the parking lot on to the crater floor, the trail to the summit is approximately 0.8 mile. It is a one way hike and have to climb around 560 feet in elevation. While visitors are hiking the trail, they should stay on the designed trail and be careful about the trail as it gets uneven and steep.

Trail Length: 1.6 miles (round trip)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
Terrain: Dry and Slopes

Operating Hours:

• Daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (365 days including holidays)

Admission Fees:

• $5.00 per car (private party)
• $1.00 per person for pedestrians
• $10.00 per car/van (commercial vehicles)
• $20.00 Mini-bus
• $40.00 Buses

Public Facilities in the trail:

• Restrooms
• Vending Machines
• Food truck
• Water Fountains
• Picnic Area

Special Tips:

• Last entrance to hike the trail is at 4:30 p.m. (gates are locked at 6 p.m.)
• No pets allowed, except for service animals
• Camping and mountain bikes are not allowed on this trail
• Wear good walking shoes
• Bring water
• Wear a hat and put on sunscreen

How to get to Diamond Head:

• The trailhead is adjacent to the parking lot within Diamond Head State Monument. The entrance is off Diamond Head Road between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu.
• Visitors can get to Diamond Head by car or bus.