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Akaka Falls State Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
37 reviews for Akaka Falls State Park
Amazing.
I've been here twice now. These days, it's super easy with a paved walkway that used to be 'natural'.
There's nothing more I can really add other than this...
GET THERE IN THE EARLY MORNING FOR THE BEST PHOTOS!
If you get there in the late afternoon, forget getting a good shot, the sun is right behind it. In the morning, you'll get your best shots for sure.
:oD
Green, lush, beautiful, lovely. I wouldn't necessarily consider this a hike even if you choose the "longer trail". I would recommend taking the longer trail first and take the shorter one back, so you get to see all the greenery. Also, the trail is nicely paved.
I thought it was beautiful, everything from the "hike" to actually viewing the waterfall. My friend described the waterfall as if you're in a zoo. You know that whatever on display is there, but as much as you want to touch it, you can't . It really is quite extraordinary and nice to see something so beautiful exists.
BEWARE!!! The mosquitos are killer!! They will eat you alive, so bring some bug spray and remember to wear some pants and a jacket.
Overall: Definitely worth a look
The paved path around the park is more of an easy stroll than a hike. We turned right and there's a slight descent down the lush greenery, which is all very beautiful. Watch out for the mosquitoes here, they're deadly!
On walking around, you can also view Kahuna Falls, which isn't that spectacular because it's partially hidden with the greenery surrounding it. Whilst you walk around, you will notice that you are in amongst some quite spooky trees (similar to that feature in Sleepy Hollow.)
Continuing to walk around, we saw the forest open up to reveal the most beautiful view of the 442 ft falls and its surrounding greenery. Further descending along steps allows you closer access to the falls, but you never get that close. You can enjoy the view from the viewing area before heading back out.
Make sure you visit when it's not peak season - we popped by during December and it was empty, there was one other person standing at the falls.
PS - Keep an eye out for the annoying woman trying to sell you something on getting out of your car.
A must stop when visiting the Big Island.
After writing my review of Rainbow Falls, I was told that I should make a visit here as well. So today was our trip to the Kona side, which we took the longer route of going east around the island to do and made a quick stop here.
It had been raining for the past day and a half straight when we left and thankfully it had been clearing up a little bit, which meant that the rain probably wasn't going to be much of an issue, at least at that time of the day. Sure enough we got to the park and it wasn't raining. We started off headed down the left path. They had just put in new railings from what my Dad had said and they were pretty sturdy too. Just like most of the island, there were plenty of things to photograph. There were also quite a number of people, half who were at least around 70 years old. So if they were making the hike down to see the falls, then that meant it couldn't be too hard and long to walk.
The left path brought us down to the main waterfall that you see photos of here on Yelp. The spot where most people stop to take photos of the falls and of themselves in front of the falls. If you continue down the path you'll end up at another waterfall, this one quite smaller than the other. From there you pretty much hike back around up a bunch of stairs to where you intially started. Having walked this way around, I would suggest walking down the right side so you don't have to walk up all those steps. If you don't mind the exercise, then by all means walk the left path first.
Again, we lucked out that there wasn't any rain, but as soon as we got back to the parking lot, it started to rain a good deal. Bring good footwear and a jacket and/ir umbrella if it looks like it might rain. You may need them.
Akaka Falls is one of the premiere there's a nice really short hike through the forest vegetation to give you a feel of what it may have been like many years ago. It's all paved, so don't worry about anything. Once you get to the end, the whole scene opens up and you hear the roar of the water cresting over the ledge and splashing down hard into the water basin.
You view it from a distance so you can't really go up to it or even get a nice misting from it. It's very nice though, calming.
Parking isn't too bad. Most people don't really stay to long cause there's really not much else to do there and also the round trip hike is really short.
This state park has some beautiful scenery and is more of an easy stroll than a hike. Completely paved, with had rails and stairs, this is super easy and very short.
The different plants, flowers and trees......as well as the falls :-)......are very cool! If you're near Hilo, you should check this out.
Easy parking, easy walk along a beautiful path that has a smaller, prettier fall, and lush tropical foliage.....takes you to this very impressive falls.
Sad thing is, everyone else knows about it...and it was pretty crowded.
We were able to get our pictures, and move on. This takes a short 30 minutes, tops.
I did buy a block print from a colorful woman at the entrance...and I love it! Under separate review!!!
Waterfalls are nature's theme parks (theme: water falling down). How would you like it if you went to Space Mountain and there was a chain link fence around it? Feel free to look, but you can't go in.
wtf??
This would get so many stars if you could go touch it and play with it. Akaka Falls is for babies and old people.
Simply breathtaking.....
A very short walk away from a paved parking area, my honey and I came across one of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen...Akaka Falls
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Following a paved path, you will be immersed into areas of beautiful lush green tropical plants, paired with the calming sounds of flowing water. On this particular day, the lightest mist fell on our faces as we peered down to the pools of water.
Staring out to Akaka, you cannot help but to feel an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. Lovely....just the Akaka Falls song says :)
Take the left path first. You'll be disappointed if you don't. Despite the foliage, the park was humid, especially with the sun beating down on the unshaded areas. On a cool day, this would've been a great short hike down a ton of very narrow stairs. Currently, the path between the two falls is closed, but it only took about 30 minutes to go down to one fall, dawdle, go back up, go down to the other fall to dawdle some more, and then back up to the parking lot.
This is not to be missed! A short hike leads you to an impressive view of the falls. Very crowded when we visited, but worth the jostling to get up front for pictures!
Short hike to a very impressive falls. mostly paved and has public bathrooms and parking.
Only down side was a lone merchant that seemed kinda pushy with her paper goods art work. sounded kinda preachy
'these are the gounds of my people"
"the trees are my familys"
anyways.....
Enjoyed the short drive though the rolling hills to this wonder.
In the Hilo District off Hwy 19, take Route 220 to the most beautiful sight to behold which is Akaka Falls State Park
Even driving right up to the Falls, we get a peek of the beauty that is in store - a short, easy, walk along the Park's path to marvel at the beauty of nature w/ its green foliage & giant trees
We can also see the force of nature in action from falling trees on the mangled guard railings, areas that are roped off & even the 2nd nature path that takes you to Kahuna Falls is closed....but in progress
So props HI for keeping up your Parks & can't wait to have full access again
In the meantime, we have to " suffer " w/ the amazing, beautumus, incredible Akaka Falls, cascading down from 440 feet above - a very Fantasy Island-like moment!!
On the way from Hilo to Kona, follow the turn offs and you will pass a stretch where you feel you are going nowhere...farms and just a grassy area and then you enter Akaka Falls. It is a very short hike to the main falls and you pass a few mini-falls on the way. The pathway was clear and relatively clean (there was some mud) and it is pretty to see the foliage. If you have time, it's worth the stop.
You'll find this stop on any agenda touring Hilo. I've been here a handful of times, each always marveling at the huge groves of bamboo that line the ravine. Yes, the waterfalls are nice and the hike is shorter than expected, but to see bamboo that is easily five stories tall, that's awesome! I think yosemite falls is more impressive...
I've read in the local paper this car break-ins are common here - so be sure to leave you valuables elsewhere versus lying around in the back seat of your car. Bathrooms facilities provided, lots of mosquitoes if you hit during dawn or dusk. Some of the paths were under reconstruction this summer (2008) which may restrict access to one of the waterfalls.
I wish we could have hiked a little closer to the falls, but at our distance, its height and power was still fairly impressive. The foliage on the hillsides were amazing, with the sheer force of nature propping each brilliantly green leaf up for all to see.
This magnificent waterall drops a stunning 442 ft. There is another waterfall in the park, Kahuna falls, which has a drop of 400 feet. The park is set up in a circular route that is about a half mile walk. There is a walkway around the park to the waterfalls, however, the pavement is often broken and cracked is many places, and the steps can be steep and narrow. There is often rainfall in the Hilo area, and the rain and moisture can make the walkways slippery and the waterfalls hard to view.
The day i went, it was drizzling and there was fog covering the falls,which made it harder to see. Even with the bad weather, this is still an impressive site.
To view pics: http://www.flickr.com/...
Amazing hike through a true rain forest, packed with bamboo on steroids, strange tropical trees, and pretty flora/fauna, leading to an incredible view of a very high waterfall. Took our breath away. Well worth the short hike, even if it's raining.
I wanted to hike the circle loop but it was closed off. The hike is pretty short to both waterfalls using the parking lot as the central point, so it wasn't much of a big deal. Akaka fall was by far the best falls of the two. It's an easy paved hike.
Akaka Falls was absolutely beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice.
It should be said, the longer trail (the Kahuna Falls trail) is presently closed for renovations and you might be disappointed if you drive 2.5 hours from Kona only to get a 10 minute stop out of it. Have something else lined up in Hilo to entertain you.
Now this is what all waterfalls should all look like. There was a super long one that was so awesome, and the pathway going from one end to the other was cool too.
This waterfall is amazing.. We were there during the rainy winter. The water pounds from the top to the bottom with nature force of gravity.
It is a nice place to take a walk around. Very short walk... ~5 minutes?
The other small fall wasn't worth it. It can't compare to the great Akaka.
Akaka is a waterfall near Hilo. It's a beautiful spot. There's actually another waterfall too. It's called Kahuna Falls. But it isn't as easy to see. And therefore it's not as beautiful. The paths are overly gentrified. You will see many tourists. I still recommend you go. It's beautiful and interesting. This review is not.
Hnm, it certainly is a thing of natural beauty but I was not that overwhelmed with the whole experience. I mean, I'm used to a little more adventure and discovery when coming across a medium-sized waterfall like this one; the path to Akaka was a quick one. Having seen Niagara Falls a hundred times (I grew up in Rochester, NY) and also Victoria Falls, I dunno, I was hoping for something more majestic. Still, the drive into the falls was worth it, so I'd recommend going at least once.
Absolutely beautiful waterfalls! It's not too far of a drive to get here from Hilo and like the other other Yelpers have said, it's a pretty easy walk. I was just amazed at the plants and the vegetation on our walk so much so that I took a bunch of pictures of just the plants! It's incredibly lush and green.
Easy walk, simply beautiful! If you are nature lovers this is perfect, even if you are out of shape (like my hubby and I) it is very do-able and a good way to start getting into exercise.
beautiful waterfall and i love the name, don't you? can you say "akaka" boys & girls?
Absolutely spectacular waterfall that every visitor to the Big Island *must* see! Akaka Falls is the quintessential waterfall, and is one of the most picturesque places in Hawaii. The walk to the falls takes you through a lush tropical rainforest. It is an easy, paved, half-mile walk.
Beautiful. A must see place when you visit Hilo, Hi. Yuo won't be disappointed.
This beautiful waterfall is only 10 mi from Hilo. The trails are pretty and well maintained. A must-see when in Hilo. We came here in January which was perfect, because there were not many tourists, and we did not see any tour buses.
This is a wonderful circle hike that will take you to 4 different waterfalls. The lush gardens around the area are breath taking. It will take you about 30 to 45 minutes to do the whole trip unless you want to stay for a spell and take in the area.
This is a beautiful falls if and when in the Hilo area! We even saw the rainbow when we were there, perfect timing. The surrounding area is really green and transquil except for the big tour buses that also frequent the area. :( Nonetheless, take a walk around or a go on one of the trails nearby.
More nature in all her glory.
short jaunt up to see a few falls (2 of the pathways to some of the falls were closed for rebuilding). all in all, could be a 15-30 minute stop to see some waterfalls surrounded by total lush greenery. also, a worthwhile stop.
If you're in Hilo, you have to stop here. It won't be an island experience unless you see a waterfall. There was some renovation going on, so the second path was closed off. Easy hike, did it in my flip flops. What I loved most was the drive back to the highway, all you see is ocean in front of you.
Right behind the Akaka Falls sign, you already can see the Akaka falls from a distance. As you walk down the stairs, you are given two paths. I suggest taking the circle path leading to Kuhuna Falls then to Akaka Falls. It's an easier climb going that way. The trail through the rainforest is pretty cool. There's downward stairs leading to Kuhana Falls and when you reach it, there's just a dead end that you look over and see the side of it. Going to Akaka falls is a ways up but not so bad (my mom has a hard time walking slopes and even though it took her a while to get up there, she did and I think that's a big deal) . Everyone else should do fine. But Akaka falls was really nice. Doing a hike really does make a difference to how you react when you see the end result. It's like, your present from walking all that way. TA DA!! Oh yeah, I suggest using bug spray. Use bug spray allllll the time. It has really helped me throughout this whole Hawaii experience. (=
