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Maunawili Falls Trail
Located within the East Region on Oahu
East Oahu Hiking Trails
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
Maunawili Falls Trail
Maunawili Falls is in the Maunawili Valley at the foot of the Pali Cliffs. It’s about 40 minutes from Waikiki.
Important Notice: The original Maunawili Falls trailhead via Maunawili Road has been closed since July 2021 and remains closed. The trail is currently accessible via the alternate Maunawili Demonstration Trailhead on Pali Highway. This alternate route is approximately 5 miles roundtrip. Check the DLNR website for current access status before visiting.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
From the sign marking the trail, walk a short distance to the hillside. The trail can be quite muddy and is an upward climb that is rather adventurous. There are some steps along the trail, and by the time you follow the stream, you’ll find the ground becomes a little less challenging. You’ll have to hop some rocks to cross streams that can be a bit of a balancing act.
When you reach the plateau, you can admire the view of the valley and jungle before the path heads downwards to the falls. The steps here are large and should be taken slowly. You’ll reach the cascading falls where you’ll navigate across another stream and some boulders to reach the cool natural pool at the bottom of the 20 ft waterfall. It can be tricky to dive or swim in the area, but people do take the risk. As well, the water can be contaminated with leptospirosis bacterial disease that could make you very sick.
From here, you can follow the trail to reach the top of the falls, although many people choose to swim to the falls and then climb the side. At the top of the trail, you will discover a second waterfall to enjoy before you head back.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Breezy trade winds are in place with windward and inland showers expected tonight and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday evening—avoid them if rough water concerns you. East-facing shores will see building swell Sunday as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves in with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough seas on the windward side. Forecasters are still narrowing down the exact track, so check updates this weekend. By Thursday normal trades return.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you stay clear of the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when the storm passes through.
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Voice
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Trade winds are bringing showers to the windward side and inland areas, mostly at night and early morning through Monday. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday—avoid them if you're not comfortable in rough water.
Tropical Storm Fausto arrives Tuesday and brings heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on east-facing shores through Wednesday. The storm is moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot for days. Forecasters are still narrowing the track, so watch for updates this weekend. Impacts could shift depending on whether it passes north or south of the islands.
Leeward beaches work through Monday if you avoid the high surf. Plan indoor activities or protected bays for Tuesday and Wednesday when Fausto moves through.
0:000:66
Voice
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Right now you've got breezy trade winds with showers mainly at night and early morning on the windward and inland sides. Conditions stay stable through Monday with the same pattern—showers mostly after dark, trades during the day.
High surf is running through Saturday at 6 PM on south-facing beaches. Starting Sunday, east-facing shores will see advisory-level surf building as Tropical Storm Fausto approaches from the southeast. Tuesday and Wednesday the storm moves near the islands with heavy rain and gusty winds on the windward side. It's moving fast at 15 miles per hour, so rain won't sit in one spot for days, but forecasters are still refining the track—updates this weekend will clarify the exact impacts.
Stick with leeward beaches through Monday if you're comfortable in the current surf. For Tuesday and Wednesday, plan indoor activities or protected bays on the lee side while the heavy rain and wind move through.
0:000:48
Voice
Read the transcript
Breezy trade winds this morning with scattered showers on the windward side and inland—mostly at night and early morning. South-facing beaches have high surf through Saturday; skip them if rough water makes you nervous.
Tropical Storm Fausto moves near the islands Tuesday through Wednesday with heavy rain, gusty winds, and rough surf on the east-facing shores. The storm's moving fast, so rain won't linger in one spot. The exact impacts depend on whether it tracks north or south—forecasters are still pinning down the track, so check updates this weekend.
Plan leeward beaches or protected bays through Monday. Once the trades return to normal Thursday onward, conditions settle back to typical.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Created with AI from this HawaiiGuide page and read by a computer-generated voice. Double-check fees, hours, and reservations on the full page before you head out. Hawaiian pronunciation is tricky for synthesized speech and a few words may land slightly off; mahalo for your patience as we keep refining.
Mele and Kani are computer-generated voice options chosen for clarity and warmth.
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