Akaka Falls is one of the largest natural landmarks in Hilo, the capital of the Big Island of Hawaii.
Last updated: February 11, 2025
The Largest Waterfall in Hilo
The northeastern area of the Big Island of Hawaii, where its capital, Hilo, sits is everything you can expect from the tropics: lush, green, and rainy. It rains a lot. The rain pours down the Hilo area during the winter months, the official rainy season in Hawaii, and in the summer, when some other parts of the islands may suffer from a temporary rain withdrawal.
While at times it may feel like too much, the rain is the biggest ally in helping thunderous waterfalls in the Hilo area keep their vigor all year round.
The northeastern section of the Big Island of Hawaii is home to more than a dozen waterfalls. We were interested in two of them: Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls.
Akaka Falls, the Big Island of Hawaii
The tallest waterfall in the Hilo area, Akaka Falls is a primary attraction in Akaka Falls State Park. The 442-foot waterfall plunges from a virtually vertical cliff and empties into a pool within Kolekole Stream.
Akaka Falls Trail
- Distance: 0.4-mile loop
- Elevation gain: 118 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 15-45 minutes
Hiking to Akaka Falls, the Big Island
The Akaka Falls Trail starts at the Akaka Falls State Park parking lot. A shaded area with signage to the left tells the Hawaiian story of the creation of the plunge giant. You can stop and read before the hike if you are waiting for the rain to stop or after while catching your breath and planning your next adventure.
The Akaka Falls trailhead itself is guarded by park’s employees that give you instructions on how to pay an entrance fee. If the line is not long, they may be the ones to punch all your information into a card reader at the pay station. All you need to do is to hand them your credit card, grab your ticket, and head down a paved path to Akaka Falls.
The Akaka Falls Trail is easy, narrow, with lots of shade. It climbs a few stairs, runs along a stream-eroded gorge, passes by a gurgling creek, and encounters two waterfalls along the way: Akaka Falls (442 feet) and Kahuna Falls (300 feet).
Kahuna Falls comes first. Without a marked overlook, it’s easy to miss it if all you are focused on is the trail in front of you. So, keep your eyes peeled and don’t forget to look around and listen to the sounds. The familiar uproar notifies of the Akaka Falls’ neighbor long before you catch a glimpse of it.
Continue on down the narrow trail until you reach the cliff-edge Akaka Falls Viewpoint. An unwalled shelter sits to the left of it, offering protection from the elements and a place to rest and take in Hilo’s verdant surroundings.
Hiking to the Trailhead
The return trip to the Akaka Falls trailhead places a little bit more demands on you. (During our visit, the section of the trail past the Akaka Falls was closed due to some construction work. We had to head back the same way we came.) The downhill going trail now switches its trajectory and goes up, gradually, but unfailingly.
Interesting Facts
- At 442 feet, Akaka Falls is more than twice the height of Niagara Falls located on the border of New York and Ontario, Canada. Thanks to its great width and a much higher volume of water, Niagara Falls is often dubbed an unofficial natural wonder of the world.
- According to one account, Akaka Falls was named after a chief Akaka-o-ka-ni’au-pi’o-i-ka-wao. Another traditional Hawaiian tale insists that Akaka was the warrior chief who jumped over the falls and turned into a stone.
- Akaka Falls was featured in the 1934 black and white film “Four Frightened People”, directed by Cecil B. DeMille.
Things to Know
Entrance Fee
Unlike Rainbow Falls located in Wailuku River State Park, Akaka Falls State Park charges an entrance fee of $5 per person for non-residents. Hawaiian residents (must present a Driver’s license and ID) visit Akaka Falls free of charge. Children 3 and under hike to the waterfall for free.
Parking
Parking fee at Akaka Falls State Park is $10 for non-residents. It’s free for Hawaiian residents with DL or ID.
Opening Hours
Akaka Falls State Park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dogs
No dogs are allowed on the waterfall trail.
Wheelchairs and Strollers
Several flights of stairs comprise the Akaka Falls Trail, making it unaccessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
