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    Makaua Falls Trail

    4.7 (6 reviews)

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    Stream crossing
    Yoonie L.

    I have a new favorite waterfall hike! My friend wanted to hike after brunch and she suggested this trail with a back up trail, depending on the weather. We were watching the forecast closely at brunch and the forecast wasn't looking good for later in the day, so we decided to go for it! We picked up another friend and met one more at the trail head. What an epic day of adventure, chasing waterfalls! I have never felt so strong and so bada$$ as I have ever felt as on this hike. This hike is short, but by no means easy, so please do your research! It started to sprinkle a little when we started, but stopped as we trekked on. There are multiple stream crossings, boulders and lots of slippery rocks. You have to climb 2 sets of ropes on the first waterfall to get to the second. I was left speechless and just stood in awe of its beauty when we came up to the second waterfall. I actually cried because it was so beautiful and also feeling the power that was within those walls surrounding the waterfall. Two of my friends have hiked this trail multiple times, but they have never seen a double flow on the second waterfall. We were really lucky that day! I guess all this rain lately is good for something! Parking - Park at Swanzy Beach Park in Ka'a'awa and walk up to the trail head. You will be passing through a neighborhood so please be mindful. At the fire station, turn left on Huamalani Street which is a cul-de-sac and walk to the end until you get to the trail head between 2 houses. Some things to note: - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND spikes and gloves. You'll be climbing some ropes and lots of slippery rocks so these 2 things were super helpful. - if you have never been on this trail, I would recommend going with someone who has. The trail is not very well maintained and I would have no idea how to get back there on my own. There are multiple stream crossings and boulders. - as of this writing (04/18/2017) some of those ropes were sketchy AF - go after a rainfall (and of course, watch the forecast and make sure there is no flash flood warning). Kid-friendly? - NO! Happy Trails!

    Rachel W.

    Awesome little hike. It's pretty short (like a mile or so up to the Falls). Please be respectful of the people who live around this trailhead. It's a neighborhood. Parking: Park at Swanzy Beach Park, walk up Huamalani Road to the start of the trail. Trail: Turn right at the fork to get to the Falls. You will lose sight of the trail once in a while, but stick to the stream, and you will be fine. There really aren't any markers beyond the wear and tear of feet traffic. It's not a nice groomed trail, but that makes it all the more fun. Waterfall: It hadn't rained for the last week at least, and there was still a waterfall. I would also highly recommend eating at Uncle Bobo's when you are done. It's right across from the beach. GREAT HIKE!!!

    Start of Trail

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    Pu'u Ohulehule Hike

    Pu'u Ohulehule Hike

    5.0(3 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Challenging and hard as hell. Steep, rock-climbing, rope, The hike isn't really marked but the…read moreentrance is hard to find. Climb over the pavement and you head strait up. Word of advice is to download the map. The views were amazing! totally worth the trek.

    Wow! It's been almost FOUR YEARS since this hike got reviewed? That needs help…read more Nestled in the back of Kahana Valley, Pu'u Ohulehule can be pointed out by it's nifty pyramid-like shape. To scale this mountain would grant you a fabulous view of Ka'a'awa Valley. Be warned: This is an advanced trail that should not be attempted by beginners. However, getting to the summit is by no means an easy task. You start off in Kahana Valley, which is known to be the wettest place on Oahu. It's tough to match up a day where it'll be dry. Sometimes you just have to decide on the day of if you want to go or not. You start off at the trailhead of Nokoa Trail. But from there, you venture off to the left onto a gravel road. You then come across a stream crossing. You do not want to attempt this trail during heavy rains or immediately after heavy rainfall. The water level was up to my knees when I did this trail. After the stream crossing you take a left and then you'll come across another junction. You take the left path off the Nokoa Trail. You then will come across a critical junction. Take the right path, as the left path will lead you away from the valley towards the ocean. After that junction, you come across the second stream crossing. This one is deeper, as the water level was almost to my waist when I crossed it. Again, you do not want to be caught in heavy rains. A third stream crossing will come, but thankfully not as deep as the previous one. The path is pretty straightforward, when you come across an open meadow, you will be close to the base of Pu'u Ohulehule. There should be a ribboned path to the left. You will descend down. I hope you wore long pants! You will now encounter a sea of uluhe ferns, and it will scratch you up badly if you aren't wearing any kind of protection. You will come across the fourth and final stream crossing, and you'll start your ascent up. Again, uluhe ferns all over the place. There are a few rope sections. However, it isn't until the 4th/5th rope section where you'll start to gain elevation at an unforgiving pace. You're probably ascending up 60 to 80-degrees. If your cardio isn't up to par, you'll get punished. When you finally reach the end of the rope sections, you will be soon be granted a grand view of Kaneohe. You still have a bit more to go, but the elevation gain isn't that drastic. When you get to a small clearing (marked by three ribbons onto a tree), you will be given what is considered the most grand view of Ka'a'awa Valley. If you look south, you can probably see all the way to Makapu'u on a clear day. Overall, this is a very fun hike if you have the abilities to take it on. Being lots of water, wear long pants, and have a camera. Expect to take 7-8 hours for this journey. It can be more or less depending on your fitness level. The views along the way are simply majestic.

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    Pu'u Ohulehule Hike
    Pu'u Ohulehule Hike
    Pu'u Ohulehule Hike

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    Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park - camping

    Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park

    3.3(8 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Let me first point out that depending on the season and how well you are condition, this might not…read morebe the State Park for you. There are two trails. One that leads to scenic point at Kilo Keaniani. And the other leads to Nākoa Loop Trail, which is also a public hunting grounds. I chose the loop trail. The Nākoa isn't for tourist. This spot is in the country side of Hawaii, local only kinda spot. To get there you walk through a small local neighborhood who's home is in the center of the ultimate Hawaiian backdrop dream. If you are a novice hiker, this trail might be too much. It's roughly 2.5 miles but you have to traverse over water 4 times during the loop, walk through mud, and deal with mosquitoes. Total fun. Hard but total fun. There's something real about hiking on Public Hunting Area. It's not crowded. You here the sounds of wildlife, birds, insects, and sometimes boar, rumbling through the jungle forest. There's something real about hiking on a trail that suggest non-hunters to wear bright colors to ensure safety. There's something real about hiking on a trail that has side trails created by the wild boars that uproot the vegetation through out the jungle. There's something real about hiking local territory, local country side of O'ahu, local rules, and local vibe. I recommend this adventure to those who want to test how much adventure they can handle.

    Good: looking out at the ocean, beautiful. Day use to sit on shore and watch the ocean, great…read more Restrooms on the mauka side of the street were clean and functional. Not Great: the mauka side of the street which has the trail head and "information" area was not welcoming, seemed unmaintained, ok, seriously neglected. The short trail was unclear and poorly marked, the end of the trail was downright treacherous, if that was even the real end of the trail (see poorly marked). The decent bathrooms were locked at dusk, leaving a couple of unlit latrines for the overnight campers. The tent sites are pretty close to the road, and the parking area warns that the parking is a high theft area. Little hard to sleep factoring all that in. Ocean pretty murky with lots of natural debris but also fishing nets, lines and microplastics washing ashore. Day/picnic use: recommend Overnight: less so

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    Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park - Hiking trail

    Hiking trail

    Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park - Trail entrance

    Trail entrance

    Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park - Hiking view (lots of mosquitoes here)

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    Hiking view (lots of mosquitoes here)

    Secret Island

    Secret Island

    3.8(58 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Found this magical spot through google. People has mention you can't access this beach unless you…read morebook a boat over through Kualoa Ranch activity center. Were they wrong! I did my research and manage to find a way by foot. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to reach this destination. My kids and I were so excited to explore slice of paradise. Crystal clear water and beautiful scenery felt we were on a deserted island. Glad I was able to find a way to get here without paying a fee.

    Food: NA Service: 4/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 Parking: 3/5 Family friendly: 5/5 Stroller friendly: 2/5 ADA accessible: 2/5 If you've ever been to Oahu and end up wandering up the the Northeast side of the island or meander towards Kualoa ranch, then you should try to find the Secret Island. It's an entirely man made island where there are activities like paddle board, group canoe, kayaking, volleyball, and lounging. The only downside with the water activities here is that is limited freedom on where one can go. Is say about 75 yards on each direction. Trust me on this, YOU WILL GET CALLED BACK. However it is for your safety. All of these come with a fee of course, but since work and I were there for a wedding, it was all paid for. There is no food provided, however you CAN BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND DRINKS, provided there is no glass brought in. It's a great place for a little get away, from your little get away and I recommend to do this while on the island.

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    Secret Island - Bride entrance walk at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

    Bride entrance walk at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

    Secret Island - Wedding Ceremony at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

    Wedding Ceremony at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

    Secret Island - Bride and Groom exit walk at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

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    Bride and Groom exit walk at Secret Island | Wedding Photography by HNL Studios www.hnlstudios.com

    Makaua Falls Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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