Before you go
Waipiʻo Valley is restricted: access to the valley floor is limited to Hawaiʻi Island residents, county-permitted tour operators and Native Hawaiian practitioners, and the road is 4WD only. No trail to the falls is documented.
Photo Credits (1)
About Naalapa Falls
Naalapa Falls is on the slopes of Waipiʻo Valley on Hawaiʻi Island's Hāmākua coast, at about 1,100 feet elevation near Nanaue Falls and the Hiʻilawe Stream. PAD-US lists the area within the state Kohala Forest Reserve. Entry to the valley floor is restricted, and no trail to the falls is documented.
The Setting
Naalapa Falls sits at 1,073 feet within Kohala Forest Reserve, in the foothills of Hawaii.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No trail to Naalapa Falls is documented, and no reliable length or elevation figures exist.
Accessibility
Not accessible; the valley road is 4WD only and access is restricted.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Naalapa Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
Access to Naalapa Falls requires permission from the landowners or participation in a guided tour.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Naalapa Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
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
The Waipiʻo Valley Road is extremely steep and subject to rockfall. Valley streams can flood quickly during heavy rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Alakahi Stream near Kamuela, HI (8 km away).
Today
Moderate
1 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Moderate
1 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
1 cfs
6/10Mon
Moderate
1 cfs
6/10Tue
Moderate
1 cfs
9/10Wed
Moderate
0 cfs
9/10Thu
Moderate
0 cfs
9/10Best window: Tue — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid June to late July, peaking in July.
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 Kukuihaele hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
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.
The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 656 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 1,084 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 492 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 579 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,084 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 656 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are inside Waipiʻo Valley below Kukuihaele, reached by the steep Waipiʻo Valley Road, which is open only to 4WD vehicles and restricted to residents, permitted tour operators and Native Hawaiian practitioners. No route to the falls themselves is documented.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
1,073 feet above sea level
Coordinates
20.112454° N, -155.609681° W
Land Management
Managed by SDNR Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check current Waipiʻo Valley access rules with Hawaiʻi County before going, and respect private property on the valley floor.
Where to Stay
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Fairway Villas Waikoloa by OUTRIGGER
Palm Villas 2 Bed/2 Bath Loft #F22
Hilton Waikoloa Village
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
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout at Kukuihaele, Hiʻilawe Falls at the back of Waipiʻo Valley, and the Hāmākua coast towns of Honokaʻa and Kukuihaele.
Wildlife
The area around Naalapa Falls is home to various tropical birds and native Hawaiian plants.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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