Aerial view · USGS
Waihiʻumalu Falls
Hawaii • 400 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
3D terrainBefore you go
View from the Hāna Highway only; there is no known trail to the falls.
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Waihiʻumalu Falls
Waihiʻumalu Falls is a tall waterfall high in the gulch above Wailua Falls on the Hāna Highway in east Maui. The State of Hawaiʻi Data Book lists it as a 400-foot cascade. There is no documented trail to it; it is seen from the highway, most easily from the road about 0.2 miles uphill from the Wailua Falls pullouts.
The Setting
Waihiʻumalu Falls sits at 1,614 feet within State Department of Land State Resource Management Area, in the hills of Hawaii. At 400 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Hawaii.
Height: 400 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Waimoku Falls (400 ft) lies 1.6 miles to the southwest. Also nearby: Makahiku Falls (200 ft, 2.2 mi) and Wailua Falls (80 ft, 1.0 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Waihiʻumalu Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
What to Expect
The falls plunge a dramatic 400 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Waihiʻumalu Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Waihiʻumalu Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
After periods of rain, when the cascade is flowing well; flow drops quickly in dry spells.
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 Hāna Highway is narrow with little shoulder; stay well off the roadway when walking to the viewpoint and do not stop in travel lanes.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Oheo Gulch, 2 miles away, not on Waihiʻumalu Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
155 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Higher than usual for this time of year
Based on 29 years of record
2.10 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Oheo Gulch at dam near Kipahulu, Maui, HI (3 km away).
Today
Moderate
17 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Moderate
16 cfs
6/10Tue
Moderate
15 cfs
6/10Wed
Moderate
15 cfs
6/10Thu
Moderate
17 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
14 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
21 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, chance rain showers (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late November to early December, 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 Hana hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain Around Waihiʻumalu Falls
High-resolution lidar hasn't been flown here yet, so this is the aerial view of the ground around the falls. Open the 3D view to tilt and spin the landscape.
The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Drive the Hāna Highway to the Wailua Falls bridge and pullouts south of Hāna. From the parking area, walk uphill along the road about 0.2 miles (away from Hāna) and look back up the gulch; the falls is also visible when driving toward Hāna from ʻOheʻo Gulch.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Use the roadside pullouts beside the Wailua Falls bridge, which fill and cause traffic backups at busy times. Watch for traffic when walking along the narrow highway.
Elevation
1,614 feet above sea level
Coordinates
20.695026° N, -156.038966° W
Land Management
Managed by SDOL Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Combine the view with a stop at Wailua Falls, which is next to the road below. Visit after rain for the best flow.
Where to Stay
Maui Kamaole #F-210 Private, Across Kamaole III, Full A/C, Great Location
Heavenly Hana Paradise
Paia Inn
Hana Kai Maui - #106 Kuakahi partial oceanview studio
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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Nearby Campground
Haleakalā National Park (Cabin Permits)
8.2 miles away · 3 sites
Overview Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park maintains three wilderness cabins for visitor use-- Hōlua, Palikū, and Kapalaoa. All cabins are accessible only by trail from the summit area and require you to hike a minimum of 3.7 mi (5.9 km). Backcountry users must plan to enter the park entrance for their stay no earlier than 7 am unless they have also obtained a sunrise reservation granting access to the park between 3 and 7 am. Sunrise reservations can be made on recreation.go
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Wailua Falls is directly below beside the highway, and Paihi Falls is in the same gulch. The ʻOheʻo Gulch area of Haleakalā National Park is farther south.
Wildlife
The area around the falls may feature native Hawaiian flora and fauna, including birds and tropical plants.
Nearby Waterfalls
Aerial
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