Kulaniapia Falls
Hawaii • 120 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Private property: there is no access without an advance reservation for an overnight stay or day pass at Kulaniapia Falls.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
1.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
200 ft
About Kulaniapia Falls
Kulaniapia Falls is a waterfall of more than 120 feet on private land about 15 minutes from downtown Hilo. It is part of the Kulaniapia Falls property, which includes The Inn and off-grid farm cabins on more than 40 acres. Visitors need an advance reservation for an overnight stay or a day pass.
The Setting
Kulaniapia Falls sits at 869 feet in the foothills of Hawaii. At 120 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Hawaii.
Height: 120 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy 1.0-mile out-and-back trail gains 200 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The 40-acre property has miles of private trails with views of four waterfalls and a bamboo garden.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 120 feet. Swimming is permitted.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Kulaniapia Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
Permit required
Access requires either a reservation at the Kulaniapia Inn or the purchase of a day pass.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Kulaniapia Falls?
✅ Swimming is allowed
When to Visit
Kulaniapia Falls can be visited year-round, but mornings often provide the best lighting and fewer crowds.
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
Exercise caution when swimming or walking near the falls, as rocks can be slippery. Follow all posted signs and guidelines provided by the property owners.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Wailuku River, 1.2 miles away, not on Kulaniapia Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
168 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 97 years of record
3.60 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 Wailuku River at Piihonua, HI (2 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
181 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Low
177 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
186 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
203 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
218 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
213 cfs
4/10Wed
Low
175 cfs
4/10Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, scattered rain showers (trip score 4/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid May, peaking in April.
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 Wainaku hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Kulaniapia Falls Frozen?
Updated about 6 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Kulaniapia Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 76°F to 65°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 180 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.
Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 196 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The falls are listed at 120 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 913 feet above sea level.
Above the falls the ground is nearly level, then it breaks away and keeps dropping about 132 feet over the next 500 feet downstream. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 913 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 196 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The property is at 100 Kulaniapia Dr, Hilo, about 15 minutes from town. Book an overnight stay or a day pass in advance; there is no access without a reservation.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is on site for overnight guests and day pass holders.
Elevation
869 feet above sea level
Coordinates
19.723386° N, -155.136474° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Book in advance. Check the property's river safety page and camera before booking if you want to swim, since swimming depends on river conditions and there are no refunds when it is not allowed.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
This easy 1.0 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Kahtoola MICROspikes
Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Where to Stay
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
SCP Hilo Hotel
Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel
Somewhere over the Rainbow Loft with AC Hilo
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Nearby Attractions
Hilo town, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
Wildlife
The area is home to various tropical birds and insects. Visitors may also see fish in the pool at the base of the falls.
Nearby Waterfalls
Aerial
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