LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Hāliʻi Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The falls is on private land with no documented public trail. Visit only with landowner permission or an authorized tour.
About Hāliʻi Falls
Hāliʻi Falls is a named waterfall on Hāliʻi Stream in the interior of Kauaʻi, about 1.7 miles west-northwest of Kilohana Crater and inland from Puhi. Federal land data shows the surrounding land as privately owned. No public trail or legal access route is documented; a guidebook says the falls has been visited on commercial tours.
The Setting
Hāliʻi Falls sits at 682 feet within Lihu'e-koloa Forest Reserve, in the foothills of Hawaii.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Manawaiopuna Falls (400 ft) lies 4.7 miles to the west. Also nearby: Wailua Falls (80 ft, 5.2 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
Accessibility
Accessibility information is not available. The area may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hāliʻi Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Hāliʻi Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Hāliʻi Falls can typically be visited year-round, but the best time may depend on recent rainfall to ensure the waterfall is flowing.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Heavy rains during wet season (November through March) bring higher flow but can make trails slippery.
Safety Information
Trails may be unmarked or slippery, especially after rain. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid visiting during heavy rainfall or flash flood warnings.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Waiahi Str Us Upper Powerhouse, Kauai, Hi, 1.3 miles away, not on Hāliʻi Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
31 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 8 years of record
3.48 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Waiahi Str US Upper Powerhouse, Kauai, HI (2 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
33 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
29 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
25 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
26 cfs
4/10Wed
Low
23 cfs
4/10Thu
Low
22 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
22 cfs
4/10Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, isolated rain showers then mostly sunny (trip score 4/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid July to late July, peaking in December.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Puhi hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Hāliʻi Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Hāliʻi Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 78°F to 69°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 34 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 132 feet of descent through Hāliʻi Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 718 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 39 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 82 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 718 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 132 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
No public trailhead or access route is documented. The falls is in the hills inland from Puhi on privately owned land; do not enter without permission or a guided tour.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking availability is unclear. Visitors should prepare for limited or no designated parking and consider carpooling or using public transportation if possible.
Elevation
682 feet above sea level
Coordinates
22.005862° N, -159.454456° W
Land Management
Managed by PVT Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Kauai Shores Hotel
Poipu Plantation Vacation Rentals
Banyan Harbor Resort
Hanalei Bay Resort
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Hawaiian forests, other waterfalls, and local cultural sites may be nearby, but specific attractions are not documented.
Wildlife
The area may feature native Hawaiian flora and fauna, including birds and tropical plants.
Cities near Hāliʻi Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Aerial
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